www.southenddrama.co.uk

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime

Authors: Constance Cox, based on a short story by Oscar Wilde

Director: Kay Banning

Production: 15th - 18th July 2009

Theatre: The Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff

Arthur, the perfect gentleman, finds himself on the eve of his wedding to Lady Sybil in a dilemma.

A palmist has foretold that Arthur will commit murder, so he decides he must do this odious piece of work before he can consider himself morally free to marry. The fun arises from his efforts to accomplish this self-imposed task before his wedding date, which has already been postponed once-much to the annoyance of his fiancee's overbearing mother, Lady Julia.

A CLASSIC Oscar Wilde story will be coming to the Dixon Studio stage with Southend Drama Society’s summer production of Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime.

The costume comedy, set in 19th century London, tells of Lord Arthur’s struggle to fulfil a terrible destiny.

The society, semi-finalists in the All England Theatre Festival, is hoping the play will prove to be as successful as its previous shows – Family Circles, Play It Again Sam and Don’t
Dress for Dinner.

Director Kay Banning said: “It is quite a long time since the society has performed a period play, and this is the first one that the society has presented at the Dixon studio.

“It is a very amusing story and hopefully it will be attractive to the eye, as well as fun to watch.”

Lord Arthur is happily awaiting his impending marriage to the beautiful Sybil Merton. However, her mother, Lady Julia, is less certain of her future son-in-law’s integrity.

To be absolutely sure, she enlists the renowned palm reader Mr Podgers to examine Lord
Arthur’s hand to verify he has told the truth about his past, and that he will be a suitable husband in the future.

Unfortunately for the simple lord, Mr Podgers detects an awful secret – Fate dictates Arthur must commit a murder. Horrified by the shame such an act might bring upon Sybil, Arthur resolves the awful deed must be done before his marriage takes place a week later.

Ably assisted by his loyal butler Baines and the manic anarchist Frederick Winkelkopf, Lord Arthur endeavours to bump off one of his many relatives with hilarious results.

Kay added: “The last time that this particular play was performed by the Society was in
June 1992 for the Southend Borough Centenary Festival, held at the Focus Youth Theatre.

“Of that original cast, one is appearing in this production. Rick Fiore was then a very young man, whose first role with the society was the palmist, Mr Podgers, and he is appearing this time as the anarchist Herr Winkelkopf.”

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime will be performed at the Dixon Studio in the Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff, from Wednesday July 15 to Saturday, July 18.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee beginning at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost either £9 for Wednesday and the Saturday matinee or £11 at all other times.

To book seats, call the Palace Theatre box office on 01702 351135.