Party atmosphere at the Ardhowen

Editorial Department • Published 22 Jul 2010 09:30

Ardhowen Theatre

The popular Belvoir Players take to the Ardhowen stage this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 22, 23 and 24, with the hilarious 'Cupid Wore Skirts' from the pen of one of Ireland's favourite comedy playwrights, Sam Cree.

In this pot-pourri of well known characters that we see everyday around us, we visit the home of antique dealer Andrew Coulter, a widower who lives with his elderly father and teenage son, Brian. His married daughter Daphne comes in for a while everyday to do little chores for them and to make sure they are coping. However, Daphne is now pregnant and her visits will gradually have to be curtailed, so she fears if the men will be able to cope.

Andrew's sister-in-law, the formidable Aunt Harriet, is convinced they won't manage and during a bit of banter with Andrew, she makes a bet with him that he couldn't get a wife in the next fortnight if he tried. Andrew in turn puts an advert in the local newspaper in the forlorn hope that he might win his bet.

However, the fun really starts when not one, but three different women accept his marriage proposal. What is he to do, and however is he going to face the three women who are already making arrangements to call round to his house? This hilarious helping of comedy theatre starts at 8pm.

Comedy Masterpiece

On Thursday July 29, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 at 8pm, Belfast's Southbank Theatre continues the comedy theme at Ardhowen with the comedy masterpiece 'Abigail's Party'. We have all been at family and other parties over the years and I'm sure we have all experienced the embarrassment of awkward moments and other disastrous encounters. Well, in this comedy by Mike Leigh, you've got it all. The lovely Beverly, an unstoppable mass of frustrated sensuality in a low cut party frock, has sent out invitations to a party; an excruciatingly hilarious evening of chilled red wine, olives and the music of Demis Roussos.

Come and see what happens as the play mercilessly turns the screw of embarrassment for us all as we think back to experiences we have all had with aunts, at office parties and neighbours etc. Originally screened by the BBC with Alison Steadman in the late 1970s, its a no holds barred brilliant piece of comedy writing, so why not grab a cheesy pineapple nibble and a glass of Cinzano Bianco and pop along to Abigail's Party.

Fallen Angels

Continuing the comedy theme in Ardhowen Theatre's summer season, are the popular Holywood Players, with Noel Coward's wonderful 1920s costumed comedy. When it premiered in 1925 it caused moral outrage, but today of course no longer shocks. It's a story of two elegant and wealthy women, Julia and Jane, who are best friends but who are both troubled by the 20 year itch (nowadays it's the seven year itch).

Bored with their husbands and eager to reclaim their lost youth they make plans to bring some excitement into their lives. What they decide to do is the core of this hugely entertaining and sophisticated comedy which you must come and see. It starts at 8pm.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 22 Jul 10

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