A Noël Coward one act play paired with a new play using the same cast of six and set in the same dressing room 90 years apart.
In a theatre dressing room, two backstage comedy dramas set almost a century apart are played out by the same cast of six, revealing that not much has changed when it comes to behind-the-scenes squabbles and human ego. Red Peppers, a short play by Noël Coward in which he originally starred, shows a faded music hall double act, a husband and wife team, who perform two musical numbers punctuated by backstage bickering and quarrels with colleagues.
Wind forward 90 years to Aged in Wood, and the gripes in the dressing room haven’t moved on much and leading lady Deena Ames is facing similar luck. An hour before curtain up, and following a disastrous opening night, she faces an uphill battle against agents, directors, her leading man, an ex-husband and a willful son. The comedy pairing of the classic Coward with the new play specially commissioned from Cian Griffin by OnBook Theatre is an onstage behind-the-scenes pastiche of the wonderfully stubborn persistence of artistic ego.
The productions star Jessica Martin (Spitting Image, West End credits include Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard), alongside Jon Osbaldeston, Emma Vansittart, John Craggs, Dominic McChesney and Rhys Cannon.
Director Jason Moore said, “This play is very much a modern play set in current time, yet it also celebrates the traditions of a golden age of comedy and farce. Red Peppers by Noel Coward was a huge inspiration for this play where backstage antics can be ridiculous and funny. Aged in Wood combines comedy and pathos to give the audience a great deal of laughs and some tender heartfelt moments.”
Listings
28 May – 21 June
Theatre At The Tabard, 2 Bath Road, London W4 1LW
Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes + 15 minute interval
Tickets: £25.50 - £18 BOOK NOW