Red Handed Theatre Company, Chantelle Staynings and Southwark Playhouse Present THE BUSY BODY, Beginning Sept. 12
The Busy Body is described as a "brilliantly witty and fast-paced comedy packed with memorable characters. As the spirited heroine Miranda engages in a battle of wits with her lover, the romantic Isabinda plots to escape her arranged marriage to a wealthy Spaniard. Meanwhile the hapless 'busy body' Marplot tries his utmost to help his friends, but his valiant efforts only succeed in leading them closer towards disaster..."
The Busy Body was written in 1709 and performed over 450 times before 1800. Robert Sidaway chose it as the first production for his convict company in Australia, whilst the character of Marplot was one of the most celebrated comic creations of the Restoration stage and was first performed by David Garrick, who counted it among his favourite roles. After over a century out of the lime light, Susanna Centlivre’s lively comedy receives a long overdue revival as part of Southwark Playhouse’s final season beneath the arches of London Bridge Station before relocating to a temporary premise at the beginning of 2013.
Susanna Centlivre was one of the premier playwrights of the eighteenth century, and was known as the "Second Lady of the English Stage" after Aphra Behn. Born in Lincolnshire around 1669, she had a long career at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and wrote nineteen plays between 1700 to 1722 including The Wonder: A Woman Keeps a Secret. She is noted for her strong and quick-witted female characters and is best known for her comedies, which have been described as "romantic in plot and spirit, [but with] far more of the emotions of love and jealousy than Restoration comedies" (John Bowyer, The Celebrated Mrs Centlivre).
The Busy Body will be directed by Jessica Swale who also joins Southwark Playhouse as new Associate Director – alongside existing Associate Director, David Mercatali. She is an Evening Standard Award Best Director nominee who has directed 3 major productions at Southwark Playhouse in the last 3 years: Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (2012), The Belle’s Stratagem (2011) and The Rivals (2010). Other recent credits include Palace of the End (Arcola), Bedlam (Shakespeare's Globe) and Winter (Theatre Newfoundland, Canada).
Casting and creative details to be announced.
Box Office
Online
24 HOURS/NO BOOKING FEES
By Telephone
020 7407 0234
NO BOOKING FEES
Ticket Prices
£10, £14, £18
‘Airline Style’ pricing. The earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets!
Concessions
Disabled people can bring one companion free of charge.
There are no other concessions
Access
Please inform Southwark Playhouse of your access requirements at least 48 hours before you attend the performance by phoning 020 7407 0234.
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