Table Manners, by Alan Ayckbourn, opens at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, on Friday June 2.
This poignant comedy is quintessential Ayckbourn and promises to be highly entertaining. Written as part of a trilogy of plays involving the same characters over one weekend, Table Manners captures the funny and honest side of people trapped in miserable circumstances.
The story unfolds in the dining room of Annie’s house. Her guests are her sister, Ruth, and her husband, Norman, as well as Sarah and Reg, another married couple, and Tom, Annie’s neighbour and sometimes suitor.
At the outset, everyone agrees to keep the peace.
However, tensions simmer and eventually explode through the hilarious writings of Ayckbourn – a master at showing audiences truth that is often funny and regularly poignant.
Directing this production is Sue Wilkes, who brought Masque audiences Sipho and the Bright Morning Star earlier this year. Wilkes has directed and performed in numerous plays in Zimbabwe and here in Cape Town.
The cast is led by Masque regular, Eve Carr, as Annie and Philippe Pringiers as the would-be philanderer, Norman. Pringiers is a well-known name in Somerset West. The cast is then rounded out by Nadine Bentley as Ruth, Tamika Sewnarain as Sarah, Thomas Bowman as Reg and newcomer Sebastian Lanser as Tom.
This production is the second for the year presented by Muizenberg Dramatic Society (MADS), their first being the original work Sipho and the Bright Morning Star.
Table Manners opens at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, on Friday June 2 and runs until Saturday June 10 – excluding Sunday to Tuesday.
Book through the Masque Theatre at 021 788 1898 (weekdays from 9am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9am to noon)or email bookings@masquetheatre.co.za
