Perth Theatre is whisking audiences off for April in Paris; the next production in its home-produced theatre season.

Presented in association with Tron Theatre, Glasgow, April in Paris follows the mixed fortunes of married couple Al (Andrew Westfield) and Bet (Emma Gregory) as they set off on a dream break. The charming and bittersweet comedy by John Godber opens in Perth Theatre on Friday 15 March and runs until Saturday 30 March.

Al and Bet’s marriage is on shaky foundations – a bit like their house, their job prospects and their finances. So when they win a holiday to Paris in a magazine competition it seems the ideal way to inject some joie de vivre into their humdrum lives.

Together they bicker their way through the sights, suspicious cuisine and sleazy underbelly of Paris. Can the city of lovers pull them out of their romance rut, or has their relationship been lost in translation?

Straight talking, snappy and peppered with dry Northern wit, April in Paris was nominated for a 1994 Olivier Award for Comedy of the Year and is an irresistible dose of pathos and humour from one of the most performed writers in the English language.

Describing April in Paris as a “play for our times”, playwright John Godber said:

“I’ve always thought that the simplicity of the play under estimates its power. On the one hand a romantic comedy, on the other a play for our times…redundancy, austerity and eating horse meat…what could be more current…except it was written in Hull in 1992!”

Director Kenny Miller said:

“April in Paris is a brilliant bittersweet comedy and I am thrilled to be returning to Perth Theatre to design and direct such a fantastic play. I am working with an incredible team in what I am sure will be a powerhouse of creativity under the brilliant direction of Rachel O’Riordan.”

Andy Arnold, artistic director, Tron Theatre said:

“We are very much looking forward to this collaboration with Perth Theatre on a wonderful romantic comedy, and are delighted to be welcoming them to the Tron in April.”

April in Paris runs in Perth Theatre from Friday 15 March until Saturday 30 March before moving to Tron Theatre from Wednesday 3 April until Saturday 13 April.

Source: Perth Theatre