A POTENT mix of farce and black comedy is promised by Bingley Little Theatre for its last production of the year.

Alan Ayckbourn’s play absurd Person Singular is described as a comic masterpiece of social climbing in 1970s suburbia.

When it was first presented the Daily Telegraph critic Charles Spencer wrote: “This is a classic night of Ayckbourn. It almost feels indecent. Somehow you just can’t stop yourself.”

The play portrays three married couples, three kitchens and three successive Christmas Eve parties. 

Small-time developer Sidney Hopcroft persuades his wife Jane to throw a party, anxiously hoping to impress their bank manager Ronald Brewster-Wright and wife Marion, and architect Geoffrey Jackson and his wife Eva. 

As the boisterous party fills the living room, one by one, the characters seek refuge in Jane’s kitchen.  Class differences and naked ambition combine to darkly comic and entertaining effect.

Over the next two years, the Jacksons and Brewster-Wrights take turns to host the festivities.  Evenings of behind-the-scenes disasters culminate in wild comedy as Sidney’s star rises and roles are increasingly reversed. 

Absurd Person Singular is being directed by seasoned Ayckbourn, actor, director and set designer Jacquie Howard, who praised the writer’s believable and complex characters.

The cast includes David Helliwell, playing his 13th play, after making his debut in 1978 in Absurd Person Singular. Also appearing are Sally Edwards, David Kirk, Liz Hall, Andy Price and Carol Southby.

The play runs from December 9-14 at 7.30pm. Call 01274 567983 to book tickets.