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A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 4w, 4m
Alan Ayckbourn
"This timely and provocative play rivets attention throughout. There are some blissful comic moments and even that staple of Ayckbourn’s dramatic world, an ornamental garden gnome, has a crucial part to play." Charles Spencer, Telegraph
Brother and sister Martin and Hilda Massie live together, leading a quiet, Christian existence in the confines of the Bluebell Hill Development. Just as they are preparing for a housewarming gathering, their peace is shattered by a young trespasser in their garden. The Massies' neighbours congregate in their living room and together they agree to form a neighbourhood watch group to safeguard against further incidents. But after the Massies' beloved garden gnome Monty is thrown through their window, matters swiftly escalate, complicated by Martin's burgeoning romance with Amy, wife of Gareth, who was formerly involved with Luther, husband of Magda… What begins as a well-intentioned scheme for a safer community ends in violence and acrimony.
First performed at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in September 2011.
MARTIN, 40s HILDA, his sister, a little older LUTHER, 30s MAGDA, his wife, 20s GARETH, 50s AMY, his wife, 30s ROD, 60s DOROTHY, 60s
A living-room
"this timely and provocative play rivets attention throughout. There are some blissful comic moments and even that staple of Ayckbourn’s dramatic world, an ornamental garden gnome, has a crucial part to play." Charles Spencer, Telegraph "This superbly acted, painfully funny and truthful play shows Ayckbourn in no danger of slowing down or having his age yet catch up with the number of plays he has written." Mark Shenton, The Stage
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A playwright and theatre director, to date Alan Ayckbourn has written 89 plays – Family Album attracted four-star reviews when it premiered in September 2022 at the Stephen Joseph, where nearly all his plays are first staged.
However, this year he will stage his 88th play Welc ...