The Orange Tree Theatre
'Engaged' by W.S Gilbert

Press Release-Engaged by W.S. Gilbert
Directed by Tim Carroll
Wednesday November 27-Saturday 11 January
Press Photocall: Tuesday 26th November 1.30pm
Press Night: Friday 29th November 745pm

This year the Orange Tree will celebrate the festive season with the farcical comedy Engaged, written by W.S. Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. This sharp and satirical critique of Victorian society will be directed by Tim Carroll, nominated for Best director in this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his production of Twelfth Night at Shakespeare's Globe.

So inseparable is Gilbert from Sullivan, it is often forgotten that Gilbert was a highly successful playwright in his own right. Engaged was first produced in 1877, just before Gilbert's partnership with Sullivan began to flourish. It is a hilarious burlesque of the conventions and stereotypes found in melodrama, that mercilessly portrays the pursuit of wealth without prudence or morality as a national pastime in Victorian society.

The play begins in Gretna Green with pretty girls, a wrecked train and a multitude of marriage proposals. It concludes with a confrontation in London where all are desparate to find out who is betrothed to whom, or rather, who has money and who has not.

The cast includes Andrew Bone, Paul Chahidi and Caitlin Mottram, who are new to the Orange Tree. Vivien Helibron, Claire Redcliffe and Octavia Walters return to the Orange Tree, with robert Benfield, John Paul Connolly and sam Dowson, who are currently performong in Saint's Day. Alongside director Tim Carroll, Sam Dowson will design the set and costume and John Harris will be designing the lighting.

To accompany the production of Engaged there will be a Saturday Seminar on The Work of W.S. Gilbert on 11 January at 10.30am. This will be led by Kevin Chapple, an expert on Gilbert and Sullivan, Andrew Crowther, author of Contradiction Contradicted, and Brian Jones, editor of the W. S. Gilbert Society magazine. There will also be an evening with the distinguished Gilbert and Sullivan performer and ENO's Ko-Ko in the recent Mikado, Richard Suart, called A Matter of Patter on Sunday 1 December at 7pm.

Tickets are available from the Box Office. Please call 020 8940 3633 or visit www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk

For press information please contact Lucy Flinders on
020 8940 0141 or lucy@orange-tree.demon.co.uk

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Orange Tree Theatre
1 Clarence St, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2SA
www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 020 8940 3633
Opening hours: 10am-7pm Mon - Sat
Nearest station: Richmond (mainline, district line and Silverlink)

Engaged by W.S. Gilbert
Gilbertian wit and satire at its very best
Directed by Tim Carroll

Dates: Wednesday 27 November - Saturday 11 January

Performance times: Monday-Saturday 7.45pm
Saturday matinees 4pm (not November 30)
Thursday matinees (+post-show discussion) 2.30pm November 28, December 5, 12, 19
Friday matinee December 27 2.30pm
Please note there will be no performances from Monday 23 to Thursday 26 December
Free post show discussion: Friday 3 January
Audio-described performances by Veronika Hyks:
Monday 16 December 7.45pm
Saturday 21 December 5pm

Ticket Prices: Monday evenings, Saturday matinees, previews (first Wednesday and Thursday of the run) and Friday 27 December matinee: £8.50 (concessions £6.50)
Thursday matinees (+ post show discussion): £5.50
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings: £10.50 (concessions £8.50)
Friday evenings: £12.50 (concessions £10.50)
Saturday evenings: £15.50
Concessions: Students, under 16s, senior citizens, recipients of state benefits and members of theatre unions and guilds. Concessionary tickets are also available to those aged under 25 for performances before the second Friday of the run.

Seminar on The Work of W.S. Gilbert
Date: Saturday 11 January
Time: 10.30am-2.30pm
Tickets: £10 (£7 concessions)