Enjoy
Enjoy
By Alan Bennett
Directed by Christopher Luscombe
The Lowry, Mon 1 – Sat 6 September 2008
Press night: Mon 1 September, 7.30pm
TV favourites Alison Steadman and David Troughton star in a dark comedy written by one of theatre’s greatest observers of the English way of life, Alan Bennett.
This rarely-performed gem, written in 1980, is set in Bennett’s home town of Leeds where an ageing couple are living in the city’s last back-to-back. With the demolition of the area in progress, Wilf and Connie are soon to be re-housed in a brand new maisonette with a waste disposal unit and non-slip vinyl flooring! When a sociologist comes to observe them in their daily life, normality takes a decidedly atypical turn…
Mam tries to show the "observer" that they are acting completely normally, while clearly not. She brings out the best china that they never use, an act brutally exposed by Dad. But this simple act of not doing what they normally do hides the fact that they really are an unusual family.
Everyone in the play isn’t what they first appear to be and that makes the whole experience thrilling and completely unpredictable. The whole production is laced with memorable Bennett one liners and numerous laugh out loud moments. But, like all classic Bennett, one minute you’re laughing and the next you’re gasping in shock.
Alison Steadman (Connie) is one of our best-loved and most prolific actresses. On stage, she created the role of the monstrous Beverly in Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, and starred in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, for which she won an Olivier Award. Her films include Shirley Valentine, Clockwise and A Private Function, and Mike Leigh’s Life Is Sweet and Topsy Turvy. Television work includes Fat Friends, Selling Hitler, The Singing Detective, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and Pride and Prejudice. Recent appearances include The Worst Week of My Life, Gavin & Stacy and Fanny Hill.
David Troughton (Wilf) comes from a theatrical family: he is the son of Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton, elder brother of Michael Troughton,and father of both Sam Troughton and Warwickshire cricketer Jim Troughton. He is known for his many TV appearances such as New Tricks, Dr Who, Midsomer Murders, A Very Peculiar Practice and Born and Bred to name but a few. His stage work is extensive having performed with the RSC and National Theatre.
Posted on Tuesday, 05 August 2008 under Press Theatre Press