Don't Dress for Dinnera saucy farce by Mark Camoletti
adapted by Robin Howden |
Produced by Andrea Furlan
Directed by Nathan Linders Run Dates:
January 27 to February 4, 2017 |
This presentation was widely acclaimed during its Oliver-Osoyoos run, breaking SOAP attendance records in both the OSS Theatre in Osoyoos as well as in the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver. Publicity for the show also set a first for for SOAP: one of its publicity photos, taken at the January 27 performance in Osoyoos and used in a boosted ad, was eventually pulled by Facebook for being excessively suggestive. Well, the poster did say this was a "saucy farce". Of course, there is nothing like news of a banned picture to boost sales!
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This boulevard comedy was a smash hit in Paris, where it played for over two years, and in London, where it ran for six years at the Apollo and Duchess Theatres. It has since played in theatres all over the USA and the English speaking world
Bernard is planning a romantic weekend with his chic Parisian mistress in his charming converted French farmhouse, whilst his wife, Jacqueline, is away. He has arranged for a cordon bleu cook to prepare gourmet delights, and has invited his best friend, Robert, along too to provide the alibi. It's foolproof; what could possibly go wrong? Well.... suppose Robert turns up not realizing quite why he has been invited. Suppose Robert and Jacqueline are secret lovers, and consequently determined that Jacqueline will NOT leave for the weekend. Suppose the cook has to pretend to be the mistress and the mistress is unable to cook. Suppose everyone's alibi gets confused with everyone else's. An evening of hilarious confusion ensues as Bernard and Robert improvise at breakneck speed. Behind the Scenes
This show would not have been possible without the dedicated support of the following individuals: Producer-------------------------------- Andrea Furlan Director-------------------------------- Nathan Linders Stage Manager--------------------- Diane Gludovatz Assistant Stage Manager----------- Andrea Furlan Set Design-------------------------- Diane Gludovatz Construction--- Craig Bjornson, Diane Gludovatz Props------------------------------------ Andrea Furlan Costume Design---------------- Bernice Myllyniemi Dressers- Linda Nunweiler, Mary Ann Bolenback Hair & Make-up----------------------- Lisa Gludovatz Sound Design---------------------------- Trevor Leigh Lighting Design----------------------- Nathan Linders Light & Sound ---- Brian Hesje, Matthew Pottinger Graphics, Sales & Publicity------------- Tom Szalay "Hurtling along at the speed of light, this breathtaking farce is a near faultless piece of theatrical invention. Within seconds we are drawn into a delicious web of marital treachery which accelerates with classic symmetry to an all-star denouement." - The Guardian
"The good times are back at the Royal George Theatre....A series of rib-rousing strokes. All night long. Better yet, you don’t have to suspend your intelligence...In a comedy of confusion that almost collapses under the weight of duplicity, mistaken identity, and extramarital affairs, but somehow stays in the air like a precarious but well-built souffle." - Chicago Tribune
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Cast and Characters
Trevor Leigh returns as the commitment-challenged BERNARD from Boeing Boeing.
Jackie Brockholm plays JACQUELINE, whom we will remember as BERNARD's sole remaining fiancee from Boeing Boeing, now married to BERNARD, but also 'involved' with ROBERT.
Craig Bjornson is also back as BERNARD's old friend ROBERT, who has since grown quite 'fond' of JACQUELINE.
Angela Stuart plays her introductory role with SOAP Theatre as SUZETTE, the cook.
Louise Szalay returns for her second SOAP performance as BERNARD's mistress, SUZANNE.
Brian Sykes, also debuting with SOAP, arrives as SUZETTTE's husband, GEORGE.
The Joy of Winter Rehearsals in Big Blue!
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Marc Camoletti (1923-2003) authored more than 40 plays and became a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in France. Boeing-Boeing, his first major international success, ran for seven years and 2000 performances in its debut London production. It became the Guinness Book of Records' most performed French play worldwide. A later play, Don’t dress for Dinner, also ran for seven years in London’s West End. A French citizen, born in Geneva, and an acclaimed artist and associate of the Soceiete National des Beaux Arts, Marc Camoletti’s theatre career launched with three plays running simultaneously in Paris. Ten of his plays have also been produced for television. His work continues to flourish in numerous languages and some 55 countries.
- Samuel French Inc.
- Samuel French Inc.