How The Other Half Loves
How The Other Half Loves
In its first-ever major West End revival, Alan Ayckbourn’s classic farce How the Other Half Loves is set to delight London audiences this spring.
First premièring on the West End in 1970 (where it played 869 performances before being the first of Ayckbourn’s plays to move to Broadway), How the Other Half Loves is a hilarious tale of matrimonial misadventure.
Meet Frank and Fiona Foster, Bob and Teresa Phillips and William and Mary Featherstone. Bob is having an affair with Fiona, Frank is suspicious of Fiona, Teresa is constantly fighting with Bob and William and Mary are just trying to figure out how they got involved. As the action of two dinner parties on two different nights is played out simultaneously on over-lapping living rooms on stage, it seems that all three couples’ marriages are in trouble.
A leading figure in British theatre, the prolific Ayckbourn is a master of comedy with How the Other Half Loves being one of his best-loved comic plays. Directed by Alan Strachan and with stage design by Julie Godfrey, this much-anticipated revival offers a witty and tender portrayal of personal misunderstandings and mishaps.
Playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from March, book your How the Other Half Loves tickets today.
- Cast
Olivier Award nominated star of stage and screen Nicholas Le Prevost will play ‘Frank Foster’ opposite Jenny Seagrove as ‘Fiona Foster’.
Jason Merrells - one of TV’s most popular actors from roles in Lark Rise to Candleford, Cutting It and Waterloo Road, and recently seen as ‘Juror Number 8’ in Twelve Angry Men, will play ‘Bob Phillips’ opposite Tamzin Outhwaite as ‘Teresa Phillips’,
Matthew Cottle, star of BAFTA nominated Game On, and most recently seen in Ayckbourn’s A Small Family Business at the National Theatre in 2014, will play ‘William Featherstone’ opposite Gillian Wright as ‘Mary Featherstone’.
- Good To Know
*** Patrons in the Gallery should be aware that seating is on cushioned wooden benches
Gallery - please note there are 65 steps up to this level.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges after purchase
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email. Please print this email and bring it with you and present to the Box Office. We recommend you arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the show.
- Where Do I Go
Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT.
By Tube-Piccadilly Circus; Leicester Square or Charing Cross Tube Station
Reviews
Plh
Jul 6, 2016
We really enjoyed How the Other half lives. Clever, funny and well acted.
Lady F
Jun 24, 2016
The actors were all amazing but the storyline left a lot to be desired. It was funny in parts but was far too long and drawn out. The play could have been done and dusted in an hour and would have been enjoyable. Overall not worth the £50 a ticket, I have seen far better for far less.
Sammy D
Jun 23, 2016
A classic comedy with a top notch cast. Nicholas leProvost has wonderful comic timing.
James
Jun 22, 2016
A very clever and funny staging of Ayckbourn's play. Wonderfully cast, with especially superb performances from Jenny Seagrove, Tamzin Outhwaite and Gillian Wright. We left in sticthes!!
BC
Jun 22, 2016
Splendid - just what the theatre should be - very entertaining and good stage set for a change, very strong performances all round from the cast
Dave
Jun 20, 2016
Fabulous, fabulous fabulous!!!!
Lucy
Jun 19, 2016
A truly uplifting performance! Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended for anyone who fancies witty, clever and laugh out loud entertainment.
Rosie
Jun 19, 2016
This is a very funny play which stands the test of time. The set is brilliant and the production is traditional and makes the most of the humour. Typical Alan Ayckbourn so if you like other plays by him, you will definitely enjoy this one.
Phêrô
Jun 19, 2016
Beautifully crafted Ayckbourn play is done full justice by a cast that really work well together. Good performances all round, if you had to pick a standout it would probably be Nicholas Le Prevost. Some really funny lines in the writing and the timing, delivery and all-round interaction between the cast made this a really enjoyable evening. Highly recommended.
Judith
Jun 19, 2016
I have thoroughly enjoyed the play, it was greatly entertaining with wonderful cast.
Liz zy
Jun 18, 2016
Well done you wonderful actors. You pulled out all the stops on Thursday matinee to raise the spirits tremenously . Thank goodness for all of you, you were truly great. Hurry up and see it before it closes.
George A
Jun 17, 2016
We had great seats in the stalls and what a great show. Well written and very cleverly adapted for the stage. Great performances from all of the actors.Highly recommended if you like a good farce
AEC
Jun 14, 2016
Fantastic play. Awesome performance. Great setting. A wonderful evening altogether
Sally
Jun 13, 2016
Brilliantly funny show. Definately worth seeing
Jacqueline
Jun 13, 2016
Superb and brilliant play. How is a writer able to writer such a masterpiece? So funny and so cleverly put together. The actors were just pure class. We want lots more of these types of plays.
Mrs French
Jun 12, 2016
Very funny and entertaining
Christine Tyler
Jun 12, 2016
Very funny play, loved every minute. Timing was impeccable
Cecilia
Jun 12, 2016
The theatre is small so feels feels intimate. The actors were good . The play is a remake of a 70's so is a bit dated . The jokes just missed the mark for me
Jude
Jun 12, 2016
As most farces slow start to set the mood but builds up, don't want give anything away but the timing of acting was fantastic., 2 dinner parties at one table was brilliantly done. Acting was what you would expect from this quality of cast.
Zo
Jun 12, 2016
Excellent - very funny - the warmth from the cast was lovely
Disappointed
Jun 9, 2016
I really wanted to see this play but although I paid for the tickets at the time of booking I did not receive any booking confirmation. I tried to contact from the box office and am still waiting for a reply. I don't live in London so did not want to travel without confirmation So I can't rate the show as I never got to see it
Linda Gibson
Jun 9, 2016
This was a great night out. The play calls for, and received, excellent ensemble work and superb timing. The production kept perfectly to the time in which the play was written, enhanced by the music, costumes and set. Perhaps this was most appreciated by those who were young in the 60s and 70s, but from the audience reaction around me there was plenty for everyone to enjoy. I couldn't fault it.
David Lucas
Jun 8, 2016
A play all ages will enjoy with this clever comic plot. Don't miss it. No one writes like this any more.
Emma Burley
Jun 7, 2016
A very entertaining play with a perfectly cast set of actors. A great way to spend an afternoon/evening!
David
Jun 7, 2016
A brilliantly crafted play, very well acted. Everyone in hoots of laughter.
mr. b
Jun 7, 2016
A lighthearted show with laughs a-plenty, a very clever plot and a tremendous cast, this is the one to find a seat. Go sit and giggle
Jeff
Jun 6, 2016
Typical of the man from Scarborough kept the laughter running throughout the play Brought it to a crescendo at end of third act - 4th act a little weak = could easily be left out
Polly McConachie
Jun 6, 2016
Remarkably witty and so well delivered. The guys were superb.
Carole
Jun 5, 2016
Enjoyed the play which improved as it progressed from a slow start. Would recommend this play.
Plh
Jun 5, 2016
We really enjoyed How the Other half lives. Clever, funny and well acted.
TinaH
Jun 5, 2016
Slow start but worth the wait as the story line came in. Lots of funny parts which meant lots of laughs.
jack
Jun 4, 2016
Brilliant, quintessentially British comedy at its best. Great cast.
Angela Murphy
Jun 3, 2016
great play,lots of laughs. well acted. it helps to know a little about the plot just so that you can understand whats going on. really enjoyed it.
RHMHW
Jun 2, 2016
We went to see How The Other Half Loves and it was absolutely fantastic! Laugh out loud funny, great acting, a great set and genius timing. A brilliant evening out. The only downside were our seats which had restricted viewing, despite there being no warning on the website and the tickets were not cheap. Sit in the middle of the circle, not the sides, even if the seats are a few row back.
Lesley H
Jun 1, 2016
Great show,fantastic cast , very funny.Highly recommend it.
MC
Jun 1, 2016
I had seen "How the other half loves" many years ago & I am glad to say that it is still as funny as ever. The cast were excellent .
Justine
May 30, 2016
Loved it from start to finish, great acting, funny script and clever stage layout. Would throughly recommend to anyone who want's a laugh
Hugh Coleridge
May 30, 2016
Wonderful! If you like good theatre, then do see this! A first class revival of a very clever play. For sheer ingenuity it is hard to beat, and the deftly drawn characters are brought to life by a quite brilliant cast. I recommend this production without reservation.
Anne Roberts
May 29, 2016
Great theatre - cast brilliant - laughter throughout and innovative staging that is hard to describe but worked really well.
M HEIDEN
May 29, 2016
Great show very well done very funny well worth a look
Nick Tomaszewski
May 29, 2016
Ayckbourn has written a wonderful piece of drama, and how well has it been directed and acted. Funny line after funny line delivered with perfect timing by a cast of six that seem to be one. Nicholas le Provost is in a world of his own as his misinterpretation of events sets up the next bit of comedy. Gillian Wright is the perfect shrinking violet, bringing roars of laughter. Pay to see this, whatever it costs, as you will not be disappointed.
Karen
May 29, 2016
Very funny and well scripted. Excellent choice of actors too!
Paul Rowson
May 28, 2016
Fantastic play, very clever and very funny. All the cast are top rate.
Emma
May 28, 2016
We thought it was absolutely brilliant! It was well written, very funny & brilliantly executed by all the actors.
Joanne
May 27, 2016
Very funny play. It's all about the timing and it was spot on. Well done
V
May 25, 2016
What fun... Brilliant show... Very funny... Thank you for the best Tuesday night I've had for a long time.
Suz S
May 25, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and was totally enthralled by how this production was staged, it was all very clever. The 6 actors were just superb and I laughed from start to finish. I have gushed about this play since I left the theatre last night :)
Terence Brown
May 23, 2016
Very enjoyable. Most entertaining comedy. Nicholas Le Prevost in particular was brilliant. Highly recommended.
Susanna
May 23, 2016
I've never laughed so much! Enjoyed every minute of it. Great acting! A very good night out!
Disraeli
May 22, 2016
we saw this in the 70's with the great Robert Morley. This revival is at least the equal to the original - we laughed throughout. The whole cast was excellent, and delivered well on the cleverly crafted script. negatives? Surely a 20% booking fee is daylight robbery, when theatres are struggling for custom.