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 

Location

Duke of York's Theatre

St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4BG

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

4.2(50 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

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