AUDIENCES this week and next will witness something never before seen on a Wokingham stage.
Wokingham Theatre’s current production is causing ripples of excitement, and prompting waves of admiration from audience members.
It’s funny, it’s poignant, and has been staged with more than a splash of genius.
Richard Everett’s bitter-sweet comedy, Entertaining Angels, is set in the back garden of a very traditionally English vicarage.
The vicar has recently died, and his widow, Grace, is finding her situation difficult to accept.
Not only has she lost her husband, but soon she will have to leave her family home to make way for the next incumbent.
The return of her missionary sister, the arrival of her therapist daughter, and visits from a potential new vicar do nothing to improve her mood, and after a lifetime of behaving well she begins to vent frustration with a stream of acidic humour.
This newly discovered freedom to say what she likes leads to some interesting revelations, with historic skeletons popping out of multiple cupboards.
Director Margery Jackson, said: “These are wonderful roles for actors, and great stories to uncover.
“There’s lots of humour – dark humour – and the relationships are really compelling.
“I hope the audience will engage with the themes Everett explores of widowhood, family tensions, and forgiveness.”
The play’s title comes from an Old Testament message that, offering hospitality to strangers, we may unknowingly entertain angels.
“It draws on kindness, and the power of forgiveness to heal and restore – of others and of self,” continued Margery.
“Neither come without a struggle, but the story is one of hope that should leave audiences on a high.”
The production’s biggest challenge has been the creation of a very surprising environment on stage, that took some serious head scratching to achieve.
“I knew there were some extraordinary engineering challenges ahead, but once the ideas started to flow I was confident our marvellous team could conquer them,” she said.
The builders have indeed worked miracles.
To see exactly what they have achieved you absolutely must see the play.
You’ll ask yourself, ‘How on earth did they do that?’
Entertaining Angels is performed at Wokingham Theatre, from Thursday, September 5, through to Saturday, September 14, with the exception of Sunday.
Doors open at 7.45pm, with tickets available for £16.
For tickets and information, visit : www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk or call the box office, on: 0118 978 5363
