London Classic Theatre has revealed the key players in production of Ayckbourn’s ‘Just Between Ourselves’ as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The play, set in 1976, will run at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday, April 15, to Thursday, April 17.Judy Buxton (Image: Darlington Hippodrome)
Among those taking to the stage are Judy Buxton as Marjorie, Joseph Clowser as Neil, Helen Phillips as Pam, Tom Richardson as Dennis, and Holly Smith as Vera.
Michael Cabot, the founder and artistic director of London Classic Theatre, is set to direct the production.
He said: “I’m delighted to be directing ‘Just Between Ourselves’ as the centrepiece of LCT’s 25th anniversary celebrations.Joseph Clowser (Image: Darlington Hippodrome)
“Alan Ayckbourn seems to have become a regular feature for us when we hit a big milestone – we produced ‘Absent Friends’ for our fifteenth anniversary and ‘Absurd Person Singular’ for our twentieth.
“Alan’s ambition, as a writer, both in terms of the worlds he creates, and the nuance of his writing is quite unparalleled.”
He added: “Ostensibly, his plays are comedies, dealing with marital tensions, aspiration and that very British preoccupation with class.Helen Phillips (Image: Darlington Hippodrome)
“‘Just Between Ourselves’ explores this familiar territory with aplomb, but under the surface lies another dimension, sometimes dark and often painful.
“Ayckbourn treads the tightrope between comedy and tragedy with an expert hand and makes extraordinary discoveries in the tension between them.
“Now in his 86th year, with 91 plays under his belt, Alan Ayckbourn is not only our most prolific playwright, but a genuine British institution.Holly Smith (Image: Darlington Hippodrome)
“It’s a genuine privilege to be bringing ‘Just Between Ourselves’, one of his finest and most fascinating plays, to life in 2025.”
The cast boasts a wealth of experience in theatre, television, and film.
Judy Buxton’s credits include ‘The Greeks’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and ‘The Merchant of Venice’.
Joseph Clowser has appeared in ‘Hummingbird’ and ‘Private Peaceful’. while Helen Phillips has credits in ‘Equus’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’.Tom Richardson (Image: Darlington Hippodrome)
Tom Richardson has been in ‘Abigail’s Party’ and ‘Hamlet’ and Holly Smith has appeared in ‘What The Butler Saw’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’.
‘Just Between Ourselves’ is a story of five birthdays, two unhappy marriages, and one possessive mother.
Dennis tinkers in his garage, indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown.
Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault.
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Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.
This play is described as one of Ayckbourn’s most emotionally charged, evoking a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility.
For full details or to book tickets for the Darlington run, visit darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01325 405405.