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 summer.
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.
Starring Nicholas le Prevost (My Fair Lady, Shakespeare In Love) opposite Jenny Seagrove (Judge John Deed, Appointment With Death, Diana), Jason Merrells (Lark Rise, Candleford, Cutting It and Waterloo Road), Andrea Lowe (DCI Banks). Joining them will be Matthew Cottle, from the BAFTA nominated Game On and most recently seen in Ayckbourn’s “A Small Family Business” at the National Theatre in 2014, and Gillian Wright (EastEnders).
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 Duke of York's Theatre from July, 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’.
- Duration
2 hours and 30 minutes including one interval
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds available after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email with a voucher attached. Please print this voucher and present it to the box office staff on the day of the show. We recommend you arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the show to collect your tickets and settle into your seats.
- Where Do I Go
Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4BG
TUBE
The nearest Tube stations are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines.
Leicester Square: From the station head north up Charing Cross Road and take the first right onto Long Acre. When the road intersects with Upper St. Martin’s Lane turn left. The theatre is a two minute walk away down the road.
Charing Cross: See the directions in the 'Train' section above.
BUS
There are plenty of buses operating in this area. For the Strand take buses: 6, 9, 11, 15, 23, 91 and 139.
For Charing Cross take the 24, 29, 47, 176.
Reviews
Julie Brockwell
Oct 3, 2016
My daughter and I loved every minute! It was a great laugh from start to finish. The actors and actresses did a great job - it must be hard not to bump into each other when there are two couples in two rooms criss-crossing the stage! It is our favourite Ayckbourn play and we had a most enjoyable afternoon. If the company goes on tour, we shall try to see it again.
Peter Dedman
Oct 3, 2016
Brilliant writing and sets. Acting superb. A very good evening's entertainment.
Allyson Perkins
Sep 30, 2016
A very performance funny and very well played
Jan
Sep 30, 2016
It was a very gentle, very English , very funny farce. The acting was outstanding. Slightly over the top in a understated way (if that makes sense!) This was my first visit. It is a lovely little theatre and if that is the caliber of productions they put on I would highly recommend a visit. I will definitely be looking out for future productions.
AV
Sep 29, 2016
A great revival of a classic.
P J G
Sep 29, 2016
Most of the theatre seemed to find it hilarious, unfortunately I just found it odd and overdone...so it was probably just not to my liking.
Roger
Sep 29, 2016
Excellent performances from the cast in a middle of the road farce. Good, easy, clean cut fun.
Roger Power
Sep 28, 2016
A really great comedy, with excellent actors. From the very beginning the humour is forthcoming and the time flies really quickly. I would recommend this show to anybody who enjoys farce, as although it is not a farce, it borders on those qualities. It is just a shame that it comes to its end this Saturday.
Lavinia
Sep 28, 2016
Have not laughed so much for ages.
Stef Araujo
Sep 28, 2016
Funny, professional, entretaining!
Mark Edmondstone
Sep 25, 2016
Classic Ayckbourn; clever, deliciously satirical, perhaps rather dated by now. We struggled to hear all the dialogue from the back stalls, particularly Frank's semi-senile mumbling so (no such trouble with Theresa!) The rumblings from the Tube didn't help.
Merle Shantz
Sep 25, 2016
Well spent afternoon with predictable plot but innovative staging (2 plots running simultaneously.) Satisfied murmur from audience at play's end indicating.........
penelope leonard
Sep 25, 2016
Absolutely laugh a minute!
A Thorpe-Anderson
Sep 25, 2016
Funny from start to finish Gillian Waldh superb
Temi
Sep 25, 2016
Lovely production, wonderful actors. I expect nothing less from Alan Ayckbourne!
Maidenhead reviewer
Sep 20, 2016
Second time I have seen this production. Very amusing and extremely well acted. Ending soon so do go and see it if you can.
Paul & Lynda Needle
Sep 19, 2016
A wonderful play which reminded us how old we were - taking us back to the days gone by which we remember all too well - although not quite the Ayckbourn situations! A great cast who worked together well and brought much fun on a Autumn Saturday afternoon
Michael J
Sep 18, 2016
Unfortunately we arrived 10 minutes late, but we hardly missed a thing, all of us enjoyed the show thoroughly. Highly recommendable
A
Sep 18, 2016
How the Other Half Loves is a bit of innocent fun that is in stark contrast to the types of comedy you normally have these days that is filled with swearing, nudity or just the obscene. Those comedies have a place of course but this one is typical British in that it is just fun. It isn't going to the funniest thing you've ever seen but it isn't supposed to be. It is clever in its coming together of the interwining plots and keeps you happy throughout. I'd highly recommend it for all for a evening out when a continued chuckle is needed.
David Challoner
Sep 11, 2016
Very well done
Jane teacher
Sep 11, 2016
Very good play spoiled by the theatre. I will try to avoid the Duke of Yorks theatre in future. The dress circle was closed so only stalls audience on a Saturday night. Only four ladies toilets although they opened the other toilets at the end of the performance to let people use them as the queue was too long.
SK
Sep 10, 2016
Slow start but delivers in the end.
Elaine
Sep 9, 2016
With just six actors involved the play was very well written and performed. The dialogue was hilarious and kept us well entertained. The way the scenes interacted on the same stage was very clever and kept it spontaneous and original. I thoroughly recommend you go see it.
CHARLES VINCENT
Sep 9, 2016
I enjoyed what I could hear of the play in row K of the stalls. It was a clever idea with good acting and would have earned 4 or 5 stars from me if I could have heard a lot more of the dialogue. Frank was the main culprit which was a pity as he appeared to have most of the good lines. He was simply not projecting his voice enough. This also applied to Fiona and William to a lesser extent. Please therefore let me have a complimentary single near front end stalls (high numbers) for a Thursday matinee for bringing this matter to your attention. Thanks Charles Vincent
Lizi
Sep 9, 2016
1st half very disappointing-poor timing and disjointed staging didn,t set the scene well franks mutterings and teresas screechings didn,t keep the flow and it seemed as if they were ad-libbing or filling in at times william and mary were fab and very professional but we felt the others didn,t live up to expectations
Bill
Sep 8, 2016
Very funny farce
Mb
Sep 8, 2016
Well worth going to see ! Laugh out loud comic timing was brilliant !!!!!!
E Yorks lady
Sep 8, 2016
The majority of the cast did a competent performance but the whole evening lacked a bit of sparkle. Possibly due to this style of play being dated or the proximity to the end of the run.
Kate S
Sep 4, 2016
I have seen this play several times since the 70s and this is possibly the best version I can remember. Very funny, outstanding cast. My only gripe could be that Terry was too Essex girl and too capable for the role, but this was only a minor drawback. Nicholas Le Prevost and Jenny Seagrove absolutely spiffing!
Tina
Sep 4, 2016
We enjoyed the performance enormously. Excellent acting and slick and funny with social interest.
David Baglow
Sep 3, 2016
An very good comedy with a group of excellent theatre actors. The whole production was very well done and made for an enjoyable evening.
theatre lover
Sep 3, 2016
We had a really fun evening. The acting was superb and the it was a good production. It was light hearted and entertaining.
Jill G
Sep 2, 2016
We got some very reasonable tickets through "From the Box office". Booked the day before. 4 tickets at £15.50 each with booking fee £62. Perfect location for the theatre in the heart of Covent Garden/Leicester Sq. The play was a light hearted comedy nothing spectacular but made for a pleasant evening. Bargain for the price we paid but wouldn't have paid £40 each.
Linda Woollcott
Aug 31, 2016
Very good
Not a critic!
Aug 31, 2016
A fantastically written, directed, designed and performed piece (excepting the reason for the missing star). The pieces main conceit of different time and location occupying the same playing space is beautifully realised. Most of the themes within the play are still as relevant as when written, and produced some hysterical moments, even if farce is not for you. Only one of the scenes felt dated to me. Now to my main problem with the evening...whether due to direction (which must take at least some of the responsibility for my disappointment), or the performance.... The character of Teresa Phillips (Andrea Lowe) was not realised. Teresa is woman that writes complaint letters to The Guardian, on several social issues, she feels unsupported and unfulfilled, is bordering on a free love attitude...very close to being a flower child of the sixties (this is set in 1969)....the performance/direction comes nowhere close. Andrea Lowe, compared to the other exceptionally timed, nuanced and truthful performances, suffers. I don't know what happened with this character as everything else with this production was superb. The other performers/performances superb, particularly Nicholas Le Provost. Whilst I did remove a star for this reason, I would still recommend 'How the other half loves' as a great evenings entertainment. Having said all that, please bare in mind, this is just one person's opinion....I would always recommend experiencing something for yourself.
Karen
Aug 30, 2016
We thoroughly enjoyed this hugely entertaining play. You'd be mad to miss it.
sb 61
Aug 29, 2016
was the best comedy show i have seen in a long time.The cast were all very good so the time just flew by.
Diana
Aug 28, 2016
The best and funniest play we've seen in years. A fantastic evening and we're still laughing! Have advised friends to see it asap as we know they will thoroughly enjoy it. Many congratulations to all involved. John and Diana Coulson
A Bishop
Aug 26, 2016
Clever, funny farce carried by the outstanding performance of Nicholas Le Provost, ably assisted by Jenny Seagrove, but marred by the jarringly poor 'acting' of the girl playing Theresa.
Barry Farleigh
Aug 23, 2016
A very entertaining / clever / funny play thats well acted and is over all to quickly - I would recommend - I would also have given it 4.5 stars but the system would not allow - it's worth going to see
Chris
Aug 21, 2016
Excellent acting, the actors timing was second to none. One of the funniest plays ever.
Jacquie newell
Aug 21, 2016
Booked this play at the end of a day sightseeing with my husband. It was very entertaining containing a slight twist. The stage was used for two different houses and the actors kept dipping in and out of different evenings/locations. Go and see it and you will understand what I mean. Not too long with a 20 minute break for refreshments. Loved the fact staff would deliver snacks and drinks to your seat. Lovely theatre.
Suzanne
Aug 19, 2016
I had forgotten that theatre could be fun and funny. but this excellent play and production reminded me of just that. Witty with clever staging and excellent character acting. We loved it!
Jeansje
Aug 19, 2016
Excellent aftetnoon's entertainment
Judi
Aug 18, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed this production, great cast and very funny.
Imogen Wooder
Aug 14, 2016
It was a smallish audience though I don't know why, Everyone was laughing all the way through. I would single out Andrea Lowe and Jason Merrells as superb but all the cast played very well. The timing was essential and excellent. They must have had to work very hard because two scenes are going on at the same time with conversations alternating and yet no-one ever lost the thread. Amusingly, the farce continued for me with a kind of sequel when I got lost trying to get out of t he Duke of York Theatre, coming across identical bars on different floors and no exit. It seemed as the comedy was continuing.
DAVID
Aug 10, 2016
We had a great evening full of fun and laughter. Would highly recommend the show so well done!
Irini
Aug 7, 2016
The play was slow to start, for a comedy the first scene was quite angry when seeing the two unhappily married couples. Once the play got going it was very funny and the staging was superb - both houses were shown through the same living room and the characters sat on the stage at the same time but you never got confused. The play was made by the forgetful husband who was absolutely hilarious.
Elaine
Aug 7, 2016
Did not know what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a brilliant set of two halves with good dialogue. Jason Merrells bare chest was a sight to behold!! A most Enjoyable evening out.
Matthew Jones
Aug 5, 2016
Very entertaining...had me laughing throughout....the acting was brilliant.