Hudd & Lipman Are Married at Garrick from 19 Oct

As previously tipped, Roy Hudd will return to the West End stage this autumn in a revival of JB Priestley’s 1938 drawing-room comedy When We Are Married, directed by Christopher Luscombe.

The new production – in which Hudd will be joined by an all-star ensemble cast including Maureen Lipman, Sam Kelly, Susie Blake, Rosemary Ashe, Michele Dotrice, David Horovitch and Simon Rouse – will open for a limited season from 27 October 2010 (previews from 19 October) at the Garrick Theatre, where it’s booking through to 26 February 2011.

Set in 1908, three well-to-do West Yorkshire couples – the Parkers, Soppitts and Helliwells – married on the same day, at the same church, and by the same vicar, join to celebrate 25 years of matrimony. Disaster strikes with the revelation that the vicar who married them wasn’t actually licensed. With a photographer from the local paper (Hudd) due to arrive, a missing housekeeper and a doorbell that won’t stop ringing, can the couples keep a lid on their embarrassing secret or will the neighbours find out, destroying their standing in the community?

The last West End outing for When We Are Married was at the Savoy Theatre in 1996, in a transfer from Chichester Festival Theatre. More recently, it was revived at West Yorkshire Playhouse last year.

Commenting on his role, Roy Hudd said: “When We Are Married was the very first play I ever saw at the Grand Theatre Croydon when I was about 13. I’d seen lots of variety but no ‘legit’. There and then I vowed if I ever became an actor (I’m still working on it!) the photographer is the part I’d love to play. Now, 60 years later, I’m getting the chance. Yippee!”

The production is designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Jason Barnes. It’s produced by Nica Burns & Max Weitzenhoffer for Nimax Theatres and Duncan C Weldon & Paul Elliot in association with Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Currently at the Garrick, David Essex’s musical All the Fun of the Fair, co-written and starring the pop legend, finishes its limited season on 5 September 2010.

** DON’T MISS our Whatsonstage.com Outing to ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR on 20 July 2010 – including a FREE drink, a FREE signed poster & an EXCLUSIVE chance to meet David Essex at our post-show reception – all for just £30!!! – click here to book now!! **