Premier of Ayckbourn’s New Play Surprises Will Run At Arnaud

Published on: 3 Jan, 2013
Updated on: 3 Jan, 2013

The world premiere production of Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play Surprises runs at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from Wednesday, January 23 to Saturday, February 2.

Love stories yet to happen in a future filled with surprises. Who is the amorous stranger, Titus, who materialises in young Grace’s bedroom? Can she believe he is who he says he is? For her parents, Franklin and Martha, does love everlasting still hold true if death is postponed indefinitely?

Richard Stacey in Surprises. Photo by Robert Day.

Can lawyer, Lorraine, who prides herself on her infallibility, have finally discovered the ideal partner, one who is also never wrong? Will lonely secretary Sylvia, after unhappy affairs with everyone from deep sea divers and space shuttle pilots, ever find her Mr Right?

Of his 76 play, Alan Ayckbourn said: “I describe it as a play with its head in the future, but with its heart in the past. Surprises is essentially several love stories but love stories that have a spin on them. It’s science fiction but used as an allegory – as most good sci-fi is – to reflect what’s happening today.

“It’s about longevity. The chances of people living longer and longer as the centuries go by are increasingly plausible and certainly quite interesting dramatically.”

Directed by the playwright, the cast includes Ayesha Antoine, Bill Champion, Laura Doddington, Sarah Parks, Ben Porter and Richard Stacey.

This same cast also starred in Ayckbourn’s 40th anniversary production of Absurd Person Singular at the Stephen Joseph Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre last year.

Tickets for Surprises are on sale now! You can book yours by calling the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre box office on 01483 440000 or by visiting the website, click here.