Following on from the great success of “Waiting for God”, Off Centre Theatre brings you another delightfully funny play, this time by acclaimed playwright, Alan Ayckbourn who cites “Joking Apart” as one of his favourite pieces of work, and with very good reason.

The play is a feast of comedy, set in the seemingly idyllic world of the leading protagonists, Anthea and Richard.

They can only be described as an “effortlessly successful and charming” couple – a combination that is not always conducive to producing happy friendships, in fact in the twelve year span of this comedy, they manage to create envy and inadequacy in fairly equal amounts.

They are unmarried, and appear oblivious to the carnage that ensues around their sometimes, over-indulgent exploits. Set in a restored vicarage deep in the English countryside, Richard is a successful businessman, Anthea is beautiful and vivacious.

They are surrounded by a variety of characters ranging from a petty-minded suburban woman and her bitter and twisted Finnish husband, to a love-struck minister and his neurotic wife.

Joking Apart teeters between the wildly comic and deeply poignant, and brings a fine evening of theatre to the Savoy, as the play simmers with triumphs on and off the tennis court, ongoing rivalries, petty jealousies, unrequited love and lust and, the tantalising question, “What is happiness?”

We look forward to seeing you at The Savoy Theatre Monmouth from Thursday 25th – Saturday 27th November.

Theatre goers are urged to book early to avoid disappointment as tickets are already selling well! Go to www.monmouth-savoy.co.uk for ticket information, or ring 01600 772467. Off Centre Theatre is a Monmouth-based group, which has staged over 120 productions since 1986. www.offcentretheatre.org.uk or, please contact Tony Summers on 07809 379231