A Small Family Business comes to The Ridgefield Playhouse Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. —Photo courtesy of National Theatre London
Direct from London’s National Theatre, award-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn’s A Small Family Business will delight on Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. at The Ridgefield Playhouse. It won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play when it debuted in 1987 and is as relevant today.
Interesting camera angles afforded uniquely through the power of an HD broadcast, behind-the-scenes tours and interviews with the stars, not to mention the ease of experiencing the best of British theatre close to home, make this event a pleasure. In A Small Family Business, Jack McCracken is a man of principle in a corrupt world. But not for long. Moments after taking over his father-in-law’s business, he’s approached by a private detective armed with some compromising information. Jack’s integrity fades away as he discovers his extended family to be thieves and adulterers, looting the business from their suburban homes. Rampant self-interest takes over, and comic hysteria builds to a macabre climax. A riotous exposure of entrepreneurial greed by Olivier Award-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn (Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval), A Small Family Business returns to the National Theatre for the first time since its celebrated premiere in 1987, when it won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play.
The Times writes that “Nigel Lindsay is excellent as McCracken.” And Time Out raves that A Small Family Business is “One of Ayckbourn’s very best, a semi-farcical family drama.”
Bernard’s (20 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner the night of this event when tickets are presented; reservations are suggested starting at 5 p.m. This series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery with media sponsor WSHU Public Radio Group.
For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.