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Waiting For God
30th May 2017 - 3rd June 2017
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James Seabright presents
WAITING FOR GOD
A comedy by Michael Aitkens
Directed by David Grindley
Starring Nichola McAuliffe and Jeffrey Holland
Nichola McAuliffe (Surgical Spirit) and Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi!, Coronation Street) star in this premiere stage production of the BAFTA Best Comedy Series nominated Waiting For God, which delighted TV audiences across several BBC series in the 1990s. This all-new script is penned by the sitcom’s creator Michael Aitkens, and directed by Tony Award winner David Grindley. The cast of nine is led by Olivier Award-winning McAuliffe and Holland.
All the favourite characters from the original series are reimagined for 2017, facing the challenges that come with growing old disgracefully in the era of the silver surfer. At Bayview Retirement Home, battle-axe extraordinaire Diana Trent conspires with new resident Tom Ballard to give the conniving manager his comeuppance through a hilarious conspiracy with unexpectedly heart-warming results.
“Waiting for God proved less a bittersweet elegy of old age decline than an affirmation of the adage that while there’s life, there’s hope.” BFI
“Nichola McAuliffe’s timing and delivery are impeccable.” The Guardian
*Please note, Roy Hudd will no longer be appearing in this production.
Price includes a £1 contribution to our heritage fund.
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choiceradioworcester@hotmail.com
Waiting For God first saw the light of day in 1990 when writer Michael Aitkens introduced us to Stephanie Cole and Graham Crowden as Diana Trent and Tom Ballard, residents at a Bournemouth retirement home. Now, in this 2017 reboot, it’s Nichola McAuliffe and Jeffrey Holland who take the roles with a script which, whilst based on the TV series, has been thoroughly updated to contain references to current events and is self-contained, so does not need any knowledge of the original 5-series BBC show.
Life in a retirement home is not exactly how Diana would choose to spend her autumn years. This feisty, independent never-married woman would rather be out continuing her life as a war photographer but such is life and she is resigned to coping with the home and its residents, being as awkward as possible. Until Tom arrives, a widower who shares some of her dislikes about being cooped up there after his son deems that living with him and his dallying wife is not a good idea. A kind of reluctant friendship develops but could this lead to something more permanent? A medical emergency ensures that their friendship is sealed.
In addition to the comedy played out by the two main characters, the rest of the cast also get some very funny lines, including Samuel Collins as the home’s manager who cares more about the bottom line than the residents, his ditsy assistant played by Emily Pithon and Diana’s niece (Joanna Bending) who is her only surviving relative and who would really like to connect more with her aunt whilst using her parking space to park her Porsche. David Benson, Peter Cadden and Corinna Marlowe complete the cast of this bittersweet comedy of later life which optimistically demonstrates that life can be good whatever your age and health…
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JAMES
Both my wife and I laughed from start to finish. It was an amusing play with both Nichola McAuliffe and Jeffrey Holland doing a very good job at delivering the many funny punchlines. A great evening at the theatre, well done.
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Amanda & Clive
We came to the opening night and left a review immediately after, but it seems to have disappeared!
Thoroughly enjoyed this production, the perfect antidote to all the stress and anxiety in the world today. A great performance by all the cast. Jeffrey Holland and Nichola McCauliffe were excellent, so funny!
A special thank you to the charming and delightful Miss McCauliffe for taking the time to chat to us outside the stage door. -
Kenneth
I went with my family last night, May 31st, to see Waiting for God and have nothing but praise for a wonderfully funny play. So we'll written, and so well exicuted by the cast. We had a most enjoyable evening........thank you !
Cannot for the life of me understand why the theatre was so empty. A lot of people have missed a gem !!!!
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MJB
There is a fine line between old people moaning being amusing and depressing. This was the latter, couldn't face the second half so left at half time.
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Judith
I don't usually attend a matinee, but today, June 3rd, I did, and I'm so pleased because the support for this superb comedy was abysmal. Where are you, Malvern?
A fantastic production headed by the fabulous Nicola McAuliffe and Jeffery Holland, and a great support cast. I laughed so much, and in our current climate it was just what was needed. The sarcastic timing was perfect and there were reminders of Sheila Sabatini from 'Surgical Spirits' emerging constantly. A big thank you to the cast, you were brilliant, and not for the first time, shame on the Malvern theatre goers.... You missed a treat ? -
Yvonne
Absolutely fabulous play, laughed from beginning to end. Nichola auliffe was fab, didn't want it to end. Thanks Malvern
