Written by Peter Schaffer, of Amadeus and Equus fame, Bembridge Little Theatre Club’s Autumn production, ‘Lettice and Lovage’, is a brilliantly funny play that sets 2 apparently antagonistic characters against each other, only for them to find they have more in common than they suspected.
The indomitable, flamboyant Lettice Douffet, originally played by Dame Maggie Smith, for whom the role was created, is employed by the Preservation Trust as a tour guide in a singularly drab and boring stately house. To entertain her visitors – and herself – she embellishes and embroiders any remotely interesting detail until she enters the realms of fantasy, from where she is dragged back to reality by Lotte Schoen, a dour and bureaucratic officer of the Trust.
An unlikely friendship develops between the two, based on their shared love of history and disdain for the ugliness and sterility of the present, and fuelled by Lettice’s sixteenth-century (or so she claims) brew. Just like the drink, the laughter does not trickle, but cascades, as both ladies, reveal more about themselves to each other. But will their friendship survive injury, misunderstanding and a charge of attempted murder?
What part do Mary Queen of Scots, Charles I, the Shell Building and Lettice’s cat all play in the madness and mayhem? Come along and find out – as well as providing lots of laughter the play asks us to reflect on the architecture of the past and present – we’re sure Charles III would approve of the play as much as his historical namesake! We can’t promise the King will be in the audience, but he is very welcome, as are you.
‘Lettice and Lovage’ runs at Bembridge Village Hall from Thursday 17th November to Saturday 19th at 19:30 with a 14:30 matinee on Sunday 20th, and tickets are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Bembridge-Little-Theatre-Club/lettice-and-lovage/e-yvexmj
Alternatively you can phone on 07841 950261, or in person head to Bembridge Library every Wednesday from 10 – 12 until the show.
Maureen Sullivan is a regular contributor to Island Echo’s coverage of the Arts on the Isle of Wight. Maureen has been actively involved in the Island’s amateur dramatics scene for several years, appearing in many different roles and guises with several theatre companies. In her free time, Maureen also writes and reviews at iwtheatre.org.
Catch Maureen’s column each month for the latest theatre and art happenings...
