Royal Exchange New Season opens with The Country Wife, 12 Sept

The Royal Exchange new season opens with William Wycherley’s restoration comedy The Country Wife.

Set in gossip-fuelled seventeenth century London, intrigue, sex and seduction are at the heart of the action which centres on randy rake Harry Horner who feigns impotence to charm his way into the hearts and boudoirs of the apparently respectable wives of London society.

Newly arrived in town – with his ‘country wife’ Margery – Jack Pinchwife is jealous to the core and strains to keep his innocent spouse away from Horner’s clutches. She is desperate to savour all the pleasures the big city has to offer. But when Harry finally meets Margery, a collision course is set.

Banned for nearly 200 years for its bawdiness, the play will be brought back to sparkling life by Olivier Award winning director Polly Findlay. Her recent credits include Good at the Royal Exchange and Antigone at the National Theatre.

The cast includes Felix Scott as Horner and Amy Morgan, who plays Margery Pinchwife. Cast members returning to the Royal Exchange include Tommy Vine (last seen in Beautiful Thing); Oliver Gomm and Eliza Collings (both seen recently in Lady Windermere’s Fan), Susan Wokoma (who appeared in Powder Monkey) and Roger Morlidge (last at the Exchange in Three Sisters).

The creative team is completed by Helen Goddard (designer), Chris Davey (lighting) and Carolyn Downing (sound).

The Country Wife is at the Royal Exchange from 12 September – 20 October.