Absurd Person Singular

You will always find them in the kitchen at parties…

…the social climbing Hopcrofts, desperate Jacksons and arrogant Brewster-Wrights in Ayckbourn’s comic masterpiece Absurd Person Singular,which opens on the Main Stage of the Abbey Theatre this week.

In Absurd Person Singular Ayckbourn trains his acerbic wit on sex and class against the background of the get-rich-quick culture of 1970s Britain. As relevant today as when it was written 50 years ago, the play is a black farce, taking place at consecutive Christmas parties in the kitchens of three couples from different strata of the English middle classes. As Ayckbourn says, “The English don’t expose themselves emotionally, they imply, which can be more bleak. The Kingdom of the Hopcrofts is at hand.”

Claire Millins who plays Eva writes, ‘At the beginning of the play Eva describes herself as a mess. All the characters undergo transformation during the play and she is no exception, going from submissive and unhappy to an empowered woman in control of her life.’

Andrew Baird in the role of Sidney comments, ‘My role is a cross between Frank Spencer and Boycie from Only Fools and Horses and it’ll be fun sharing his journey from modest shopkeeper to sadistic property magnate. The play is still popular after fifty years with characters and situations worthy of the best British sitcoms. Ayckbourn plays with serious issues such as a chillingly topical moment when a seemingly well-to-do family can’t heat their home.’

The Abbey Theatre has worked hard to ensure that it is a Covid-safe environment and has been awarded a ‘See it Safely’ mark in recognition of its efforts. 

Performances take place on the Company of Ten Main Stage from Friday 23 September –Saturday 1 October at 8:00pm with a matinee on Sunday 25 September at 2:30pm.

To book tickets please go to www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 01727 857861

• Show: current/future_show
• Society Name: 496108
• Venue Name: Abbey Theatre
• Opening date: 23/09/2022
• Venue Postcode: AL12DL
• Closing date: 01/10/2022
• Region: east_of_england
• Credits ( author / playwright ): Alan Ayckbourn
• Website: https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abbeytheatre.org.uk%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C6d8099e774114f0cedd408da149dc5e4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637844965113555871%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=qGD7Uf%2BUjnVooX2DEaPo9WzhoaCx22Yfhbt4XyT%2BAkA%3D&reserved=0
• Tickets cost per person (£): £13/£12
• Box Office phone number: 01727857861