Michael Frayn's ALPHABETICAL ORDER To Open At Hampstead Theatre

A provincial newspaper office in the 1970s, and another day of chaos in the cuttings library. Files all over the floor, phones left ringing. And where is Lucy, the librarian? Her life (when she finally arrives), and the lives of the journalists who take refuge in her muddled retreat, turn out to be as confused as the library itself. Into this comfortable little world steps Lesley, Lucy's new assistant. She's young, bright, and she wants system and order. She wants things to change.

Michael Frayn began his career as a reporter on the Guardian, where he became a columnist in 1959, before moving to the Observer from 1962 to 1968. Now known for his success as a novelist and playwright, his plays include Clouds, (Hampstead Theatre 1976), Donkey's Years (1976), Make and Break (1980), Noises Off (1982), Benefactors (1984), Copenhagen (1998), Democracy (2003), and Afterlife (2008).

Christopher Luscombe directs at Hampstead for the first time. He recently directed The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare's Globe and his production of Alan Bennett's Enjoy is currently playing at the Gielgud Theatre.

Alphabetical Order was first produced at Hampstead Theatre in March 1975. It transferred to the West End and won the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy.

Director: Christopher Luscombe
Designer: Janet Bird
Lighting Designer: Tim Mitchell
Sound Designer: Fergus O'Hare

Cast:
Nora: Annette Badland
Wally: Michael Garner
Arnold: Gawn Grainger
John: Jonathan Guy Lewis
Lesley: Chloe Newsome
Lucy: Imogen Stubbs
Geoffrey: Ian Talbot