Mistaken identities, forbidden romances, riotous plot twists and a naughty political scandal take centre stage as the summer theatre season continues at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Written by the master of British farce, Ray Cooney, Out of Order is an Olivier Award-winning comedy that officials say is guaranteed to leave audiences laughing out loud from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1.
Married government minister Richard Willey uses the backdrop of an all-night parliamentary debate to have a secret rendezvous at the Westminster Hotel with Jane Worthington, a typist for the opposition.
Their hope of a steamy night together goes wildly awry when they discover a body in their suite. Willey is forced to call his hapless secretary, George Pigden, to clean up his caddish mess and avoid a salacious scandal.
An orchestral effort of entrances, pratfalls and rejoinders ensues as uninvited guests congregate in Suite 648, including Jane’s agitated husband, an unscrupulous waiter, a confused maid, the frustrated hotel manager, the proper Mrs. Willey, and bossy nurse foster.
“Out of Order is funny, light-hearted, full of outrageous characters, and packed with clever plot twists that keep audiences guessing… and laughing,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
Director Sara-Jeanne Hosie takes the reins of this wild and wacky farce.
Originally from British Columbia, Hosie has directed and choreographed numerous productions in Western Canada including My Fair Lady for Bluebridge Theatre, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story for Chemainus Theatre Festival, as well as Godspell, Blood Brothers and Fun Home for the Vancouver Arts Club.
Hosie was also the assistant director for Man of La Mancha and A Little Night Music at the Stratford Festival. She is joined by set designer Samantha Burson, costume designer Julia Holbert and lighting designer Lyle Franklin.
Darren Keay is the dashing and dastardly government minister Richard Willey, who gets caught in a compromising position that could compromise his political career. Keay has appeared in numerous comedies for Drayton Entertainment including Perfect Wedding, See How They Run and One for the Pot, among others.
Jacob James takes on the role of George Pigden, Willey’s trustworthy aide who sinks further and further into trouble as he haphazardly tries to tidy up his boss’s dirty deeds. James previously appeared in The Foursome and Look No Hans! for Drayton Entertainment.
Lauren Bowler makes her Drayton Entertainment debut as typist Jane Worthington, who gets entangled in a surreptitious affair with Willey. Bowler has appeared in Rock of Ages and Godspell with the Vancouver Arts Club, as well as in many other productions on the west coast.
Glynis Ranney is Richard’s proper wife Mrs. Willey, who believes her husband is dutifully attending parliamentary debates, while he is actually planning a torrid tryst. Ranney has appeared in many productions across the country including several seasons at the Shaw and Stratford Festivals. She appeared as Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone earlier this season.
The cast also includes Amanda Leigh as the overbearing nurse Gladys Foster, Dan Payne as Jane’s disgruntled husband Ronnie Worthington, Andrew Scanlon as the mysterious body, Sarah Lynn Strange as the muddled maid, David Talbot as the enterprising waiter and Kristian Truelsen as the stern hotel manager.
Out of Order was first produced in 1990 in London’s West End and won the Lawrence Olivier Award for “Comedy of Year” in 1991. It went on to be a world-wide hit.
Out of Order is on stage from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1 at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Regular performance tickets are $46 for adults, $27 for youth under 20 years of age, and $37 for groups of 20 or more and select discount dates. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse box office, online at www.draytonentertainment.com or by calling the box office at 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
