The Little Theatre company at Hebden Bridge round off their season with Joseph Kesselring’s ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’.
This must rate as one of the blackest comedies ever written featuring two, sweet old ladies who take pity on their elderly male residents by poisoning them and laying them to rest in their cellar.
Black humour, certainly, but it kept America laughing through the war with Cary Grant taking the lead role in the film.
Taking the parts of the elderly assassins are Wendy Mertens and Marian Feather and their nephew Mortimer Brewster, horrified when he discovers their activities, is played by Dave Gunning.
Making a welcome return to the theatre as the other crazed nephew is Frank Butterworth.
The dysfunctional family is rounded off with the arrival of Alan Stockdill as the ghoulish Jonathan Brewster immortalised for the stage by Boris Karloff.
His sidekick Dr Einstein is played by Vaughan Leslie. Providing some sanity to the proceedings as the romantic interest is Katrina Heath.
The rest of the strong cast includes, Martin Aylott, Andy Fraser, Andy Carter, Nick Turner, Phil Vaughan and Ray Riches.
Director Bob Morton says, “It’s hard to imagine a comedy with such a plot outline but we can promise a night with plenty of laughs.”
The play runs from December 2 to 7 starting at 7.30pm with a matinee on the final Saturday at 2.30pm.
Tickets available at Innovation, on 01422 843907 or by e-mail at sueandrayriches@hotmail.com
The theatre launch their 2014 season with Neil Simon’s sparkling comedy ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ and there will be an audition for this on Sunday (November 24) at the theatre at 7.30pm.
There are parts for three women and one man, and director Ray Riches says all are welcome, whether acting or backstage. Further details on 01422 843907.