Production Details

192nd Production - Tonight at 8.30 three short plays by Noel Coward

Presented at Lowther Pavilion - 26 to 29 October 1995.

Fumed Oak, an unpleasant comedy, directed by Eric Pearson.

Red Peppers, a musical interlude, directed by Joy Banks.

Still Life, a play, directed by Michael Harvey.
 

Fumed Oak - Outline of Play

Henry Gow was tricked into marrying his awful wife, Doris, and for years now he has loathed her and their adenoidal child, Elsie, and his utterly repulsive mother-in-law, Mrs. Rockett.

The play opens at breakfast with the family at their most unattractive; Henry appears to accept it but when he returns in the evening with a couple of drinks inside him the difference is at once apparent.

The downtrodden worm has at last turned.

He proceeds to tell them all what he thinks of them and announces he has saved £500 and is going to leave then forever. And off he goes, triumphantly slamming the door on three howling women.

 

Red Peppers - Outline of Play

The Red Peppers - George and Lily - have a music hall act which is going none too well.

They make a bad exit in the first house and have a row with the MD and manager.

Going on for the second house, Lily ends up throwing her hat at the MD because he is playing a number impossibly fast.

 

Still Life - Outline of Play

Against a background of the spirited flirtation between the ticket collector and Myrtle, who serves the refreshments, we see the pitiful love affair of Alec Harvey and Laura Jesson, its tentative beginnings and its inevitable end.

She is a married woman, and though for several months they try to enjoy their love while they can, after a while they cannot go on.

Alec takes an appointment in South Africa. even their last goodbye is spoilt by the intrusion of one of Laura's silly friends, and Alec leaves her with only a handshake.