Cast

Synopsis

Lettice Douflet a tourist guide for Britain’s stately heritage attempts to enliven dull history with a few personal touches of her own. A witty and elegant play which won the Evening Standard Best Comedy Award 1988.

Directors Notes

Tonight’s play was written by Peter Shaffer who is without question one of The foremost dramatists of our time. Awarded the C.B.E, in the 1987 Birthday Honours List his many works include such outstanding plays as – “Five Finger Exercise”, ‘Private Ear and Public Eye’, ‘Equus’, ‘Amadeus and the never.to-be-forgotten ‘The Royal Hunt of the Sun’.

“Lettice and Lovage’ commenced a long run at London’s Globe Theatre in 1987 and won the 1988 Evening Standard Best Comedy Award. During its run in London and in the Provinces it has had in its cast such illustrious actors as Maggie Smith, Geraldine McEwan,Margaret Tyzack,Sarah Keatlman and Rosemary Leach.

The press acclaimed Lettice & Lovage with plaudits such as “One of the sharpest, wittiest most passionate and elegant plays of the year” (Sunday Express).”Combines uproarious farce with savage indignation (Times). “An original highly entertaining and intelligent comedy – a civilised delight”. (Daily Telegraph).

In his preface to the play Peter Shaffer tells us that “Writing Lettice & Lovage was a happy experience” – “Watching it being directed and acted was a revelation” and finally “Seeing it being enjoyed so extravagantly was like a gift from heaven”!

What a splendid comment for a playwright to have made! If you, dear patron, have at the end of this evening, experienced only fifty percent of such pleasure from our production, we shall at least feel that our efforts have had a modicum of success.