Run For Your Wife

Variety is the Spouse of Life

An excellent company does full justice to Ray Cooney's slick story of a taxi driver with two wives and a demanding schedule as he tries to make sure they don't learn his little secret.

At the centre of the action, Adam Lee contrives a succession of amusing responses to his escalating emergency - none funnier than his heroic attemp to destroy an incriminating newspaper by eating it.

He is splendidly supported by Dave Key , as his loyal but unreliable friend - and he, too tackles a copy of the newspaper, but he chooses to shred it and use it as a prop for an improvised Morris dance.

The pace never flags and there is a pleasing set to back up the action, which ends tonight.

Star rating: four stars

John Slim November 2008, Birmingham Mail

Press Release

2008 is Wythall Theatre Company’s Golden Jubilee Year. For fifty years they have produced high quality plays of all kinds around the region and winning over twenty awards through the years. There will be many celebrations, and chances to meet up with past members and friends of the Company.

In 2007 the Company produced the critically acclaimed play “The Dresser” by Ronald Harwood and the record breaking production of Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced”. This Miss Marple classic played to our highest audience yet, and was both a critical and commercial success. The Company’s success has continued into their Jubilee year having just finished a tremendous run with R. C. Sherriff’s World War I classic “Journey’s End”.

Their next exciting production, will be “Run for Your Wife” by Ray Cooney, the 138th production in the history of the Company!

‘John Smith is a London cabbie with his own taxi, a wife in Streatham and a wife in Wimbledon and a knife-edge schedule, he has been a successful, if a somewhat tired bigamist for three years, but that all changed the day he gallantly intervened in a mugging and got taken to hospital with a mild concussion. In the ensuing complications aided by a less than enthusiastic Stanley, John tries bravely to cope with a succession of well meaning but nosey policemen, the tabloid press, two increasingly distressed and irate wives and a gay neighbour, until he manfully confesses the truth – but no one believes him!’

This is Cooney’s most famous modern farce and you can be sure that Wythall Theatre Company will deliver an evening of riotous entertainment that will brighten any winter’s evening with gales of laughter!

The production will run from Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 November at The Palace Theatre, Redditch. Performances will start at 7.30 pm and tickets range from £7.50 to £9.50 (please contact the Box Office for details on 01527 65203).

What the audience said

"Having been to the opening night of Run For Your Wife just wanted to congratulate all concerned on a fantastic first night….not that you need me to tell you that, the guffaws of laughter from the audience should have done that. Well done to all concerned you all rocked !!!" P.H.

"A first night of a farce can always be a bit tricky, but for WTC the first night of "Run For Your Wife" was a triumph. The very funny, tightly scripted tale of a bigamous taxi driver was brilliantly brought to life by the talented cast, some veterans, some new to the company. The show was also well directed with some excellent bits of comedy "business". There wasn't a weak player in the show, and they all raised a laugh, even the reporter Jason Trombley who was only on stage for two minutes. Special mention must go to Marcus Bridger, in his biggest part to date, as the outageously camp Bobby - he delivered some very funny lines, and also to Martin Alderton as the straight (in more ways than one!) policeman, who showed some wondeful comic timing. A great night all round". A.S.

"The show was great, every-one in row EE said how good it was, (and you must have heard the laughter) said how they enjoyed it." J.B.

"We really enjoyed it!! Well done. Looking forward to Steel Magnolias". E.M.

"Officially the best thing I have ever seen! Just brilliant! Absolutely fantastic show - so slick and excellent cast". R.W.

"It was excellent. The whole cast was brilliant. I think it is one of WTC best". T.J.

"I am all laughed out for now , Run for your wife , the funniest show I have seen for years, well done guys !!!!!!! M.B.

"We have just returned home from seeing Run For Your Wife (Friday) and felt we must write and say how much we enjoyed your latest production. It was full of energy and laughs and the timing was wonderful. The performances were first class. Congratulations to you all for such an enjoyable evening. J.D. and I.D.

"I felt I had to email you to say how much I enjoyed Run for Your Wife. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much, it really was a fabulous production, congratulations to everyone invovled, both front and back stage. It made me proud to be a member of Wythall Theatre Company." D.W.

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