When community theatre actor Andrew Long was approached to play one of the eight characters in Alan Ayckbourn’s hit comedy Bedroom Farce for Bingley Little Theatre, he didn’t think twice. What he didn’t realise when he accepted the role was how closely life can imitate life.
Andrew explained: “I play aging Ernest, husband of Delia, played by Jill Whitehouse who has played many roles at Yeadon Town Hall and Guiseley Theatre. We have dwindled into a docile companionship - the most exciting thing we do in bed is eat pilchards! At the first few rehearsals our director wanted to give us a back story, deciding that Ernest had probably been a bank manager! No problem for me… I worked at Barclays Bank for years - they say art imitates life.”
Director Bruce Sturrock who has directed, and appeared in numerous productions at Ilkley Playhouse and Yeadon Town Hall, takes up the story: “I think it is important that these characters are not simply comical - they have lives and this has to come through all the comedy situations in this hilarious play.”
In the first bedroom Delia and Ernest are preparing to celebrate their anniversary in the usual way, a meal at a restaurant which they visit regularly - once every year. The excitement has long gone out of their marriage but they are comfortable and happy with each other, she intent on the extended business of applying her ‘face’ and he more concerned with the possible leak in the roof. Quick switch to the trendy Nick and Jan where Nick is no longer mobile, being confined to bed with a slipped disc and he spends the whole play either in bed or on the floor. Click again and we’re with Kate and Malcolm, happily spraying foam and chasing each other about with much shrieking and giggling before the arrival of their guests causes more chaos. So the scene is set. We know the people and we know the situation. What we don’t know is that intruding into each bedroom in turn will be the son of Delia and Ernest together with his partner creating havoc and turmoil at every turn.
Andrew, whose dad Gerald played a vast array of comedic characters for Yeadon Theatre Company at the Town Hall, concluded: “This is a great play to open Bingley Little Theatre’s new season. It’s a laugh-a-minute, the perfect start for autumn.”
Bedroom Farce runs at Bingley Arts Centre from Monday 11 to Saturday 16 September.
Tickets are available on line at www.bingleyartscentre.co.uk or by ringing the box office on 01274 567983 (10am to 1pm weekdays).
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