Sharp-edged comedy delights

A scene from Entertaining Angels. PHOTO / SUPPLIED

The Napier Repertory Players is delighted to present the well known and oft-staged Entertaining Angels by Richard Everett as its major winter production.

The stage play began life by opening to a record-breaking season at the Chichester Festival Theatre in the UK. This production starred Penelope Keith in the lead role.

Following a sell-out UK tour playing to more than 100,000 people, this much-acclaimed play has been published and performed all over the world and has enjoyed great success with amateur companies with more than 100 productions.

As a clue to Grace's character early in the play, her daughter Jo says: "You really are the most difficult woman you know."

Grace replies - "I try, certainly."

Later they talk: Grace - "I've poured 200,000 cups of tea, made 4600 medium sized quiches and personally baked two tons of light crust pastry. And for what?"

As a clergy wife Grace (Eleanore McLean) has spent a lifetime on good behaviour. Now, following the death of her husband Bardolph, she is enjoying the freedom of being able to say and do as she pleases.

But the return of her eccentric, missionary sister Ruth, (Annette Waren), together with some disturbing revelations, force Grace to confront the truth of her marriage. Set in a classic English vicarage garden, the play is filled with sharp-edged comedy and probing wit.

The cast is completed by three other cast members. Jo - Grace and Bardolph's daughter (Stacey Nelson), Sarah - the new vicar (Sheree Wereta) and also Bardolph himself - John Foster.

This is a funny, touching and genuinely thought-provoking piece of theatre.

The play is directed by David Brock who most recently directed Kings of the Gym and was also seen on stage in Whatever in 2017. He was in John Cocking's award-winning play Snap Time.

He is overjoyed to be directing this play which he and his wife stumbled upon in a small theatre while in South Africa visiting family. He has put together a terrific cast who are well known and has been blessed with a team of set builders and stage dressers second to none.

He also persuaded his good friend Cefyn Gauden (artist, musician and theatre director) to design and paint an incredibly clever set which will delight everyone who comes to see this play.

Entertaining Angels plays at the home of Napier Repertory Players (76 McGrath St) from June 20-30. ■Tickets are available from the Municipal Theatre, phone 06 835 1059. Doors open at 7pm for evening shows and at 1.30pm for the matinee on Sunday, June 24.