The subject of Ray Cooney's wonderfully funny farce "Wife Begins at Forty" may at first glance seem a strange one. The breakdown of a marital relationship is an unlikely subject for light-hearted treatment but the line between tragedy and comedy is often a thin one and on that basis, the Wilmslow Green Room is inviting you to share this particular humorous failure.
Turning forty can be a touchy subject too and this story centres on the sex life, or rather the increasing rarity of it, of an apparently typical middle class married couple of that age.
George Harper and his wife Linda are celebrating 17 years of marriage which, for neglected Linda, has lost any sense of excitement with boring George falling asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. He's completely unaware of the staleness and when confronted with the problem, takes drastic measures resulting in him moving out of the marital home.
Trying for an amicable divorce, they agree to use just one lawyer and hire the services of their closest friend. These efforts back-fire and so George attempts a reconciliation by trying to seduce Linda on their living room couch. The seduction is botched in hilarious fashion but does result in the couple realising their union deserves a second chance.
This is Ray Cooney at his best, a story of love, infidelity, passion and surprises. Ably directed by the Green Room's Steve Williamson, the players invite you to the show which runs from Saturday May 11th to Saturday May 18th.
Tickets are £7 (members) and £8 (non-members) and are available from via the box office booking line 01625 540933 or choose your own seat via the Green Room's new online e-ticketing service at www.wgrsoc.org.uk.
Guest post by Hilary Pinnock.
