National treasure Alan Bennett takes a gentle swipe at that other NT – The National Trust – in his new comedy, People, which comes to Leighton Buzzard Theatre next Thursday as part of the NTLive scheme.
This amazing initiative sees the very best of British theatre streamed live into a venue near you which means no hassle travelling, buying expensive theatre tickets and racking up the bills for a night of pure laughter.
For one night only The National Theatre brings Frances De La Tour, Peter Egan, Linda Bassett, Nicholas Le Prevost and the wit and wisdom of one of this country’s greatest playwrights to Leighton Buzzard.
In People we’re in the shabby splendour of a South Yorks stately pile which has seen better days. The Stacpooles have been in residence since 1465 and now the present incumbents, the dour and withering Lady Dottie, and her constant companion, Iris, are down to their last farthing.
The house creaks from the former mine workings which have left the foundations on shaky ground, the roof leaks, there’s no heating and the two old dears are in danger of crumbling away along with the Adams fireplaces and Chippendale furniture.
Their only hope is to gift the house to the NT – something Dottie’s clerical sister has been pushing for – but that would involve the reclusive couple having the great unwashed (the public) invade their cloistered lives.
For a moment there appears to be a couple of irons in the fire – including using the old place as a location for porn movies – but the former ‘60s model and her ever loving chum face losing the only home they’ve ever known.
There are some great moments of classic Bennett humour including the discovery that the house harbours a collection of celebrity antique wee. The scenes where a film crew move in to shoot a dirty flick is pure farce and splendidly done.
Bennett favourite Frances De La Tour gets some cracking lines which often bring home that, what is one person’s day out at a heritage site, is the invasion by strangers of another’s family home.
Linda Bassett (as Iris) is endearing and there are a couple of great cameos from Peter Egan (overacting and loving it) as a porn producer and the wonderful Nicholas Le Prevost as the posho NT bod.
If there are no tickets left at LB Theatre on March 21 then the production is also being streamed at Aylesbury’s Waterside.
> On May 21 NTLive brings the political pot-boiler This House to Leighton.
The thriller, which is packed with plenty of humour, exposes the shenanigans that went on in the corridors of power in 1970s government.
> Also on at LB Theatre: tonight and tomorrow: Ifs, Buts and Babies, a light-hearted look at parenthood with performers Jill Neenan and Avelia Moisey.
The show sold out when it premiered at the venue last year so make sure you get a ticket. Not suitable for children despite its content!
The Barnstormers are back on Thursday for more comedy fun.
Show starts at 8pm and tickets available in advance, or, if space, on the door.
> For tickets to all events call 0300 300 8130.