There are scenes . . . that leave you almost helpless with laughter
Daily Telegraph

Performed to great acclaim at the National Theatre, Alan Ayckbourn’s two latest plays were brought to Cambridge in October 2004 by GIRTON PLAYERS and MERIDIAN THEATRE, working together for the first time. A challenge for the award-winning team of actors and directors, these performances of Ayckbourn’s outstanding comedies were the FIRST in Cambridgeshire.

Teddy and Trish Platt are hosting the annual village fete in the grounds of their country house. A suave visitor has a tantalising proposition for Teddy. An exotic French actress is coming to open the fete. It should be the perfect English summer’s day . . . . . .But why is the GP’s wife hiding in the bushes? Does Pearl need a father? And will Jake get his heart’s desire? Meanwhile, the storm clouds are gathering . . . . .

Ayckbourn is at the top of his form in these two plays where the rich characters and poignant relationships penetrate far beyond the hilarious comic façade.

House & Garden are UNIQUE because the TWO plays are performed at the same time to different audiences in adjacent auditoria by ONE cast who leave one play to join the action in the other. Confused? Well each play stands on its own so you can choose to watch either House or Garden or (even better) see them both, Here’s why:

• They are very different – House takes place on a traditional stage, Garden is performed in the round.

• All 14 cast appear in both plays, but some only briefly in one play with a major part in the other. See both and you’ll meet different characters.

• The plays are like interlocking pieces of a jigsaw – you can see one on its own, but to get the full picture of what is happening when characters disappear into the other play, it’s much more fun to see BOTH!

The action in these plays revolves around the preparations for the village fete, so we have a real fete in the interval and after each performance. Stands will be run by charitable organisations and by members of the cast. These include Mid Anglia Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, Sporting Bears Motor Club and The Salvation Army.