UNTIL JULY 26, BATH: Cuckoos - Ustinov Studio. HILARIOUS, shocking and not for the faint-hearted, the irresistibly rude comedy Cuckoos arrives at the Ustinov as the Peter Hall Company continue to present a packed programme in Bath.
Outrageously rude and hysterically dark, Cuckoos by Giuseppe Manfridi is now showing at the Ustinov Studio starring David Yelland, Mark Rice-Oxley and Jessica Turner.
Not for the easily offended, expect the shocks, excesses and hilarious double entendres to keep coming in this adult comedy.
When 40-year-old Beatrice picks up Tito, 20 years her junior, at the gym and goes back home with him they end up in the most embarrassing situation they could ever have foreseen.
Tito calls in his gynaecologist father to help. Tobia arrives, delighted that his son has so convincingly proved his manhood and ready to serve coffee and cakes, not to mention the endless extraordinary revelations about the family history.
Written by Giuseppe Manfridi and translated by Colin Teevan, this salacious comedy was directed by Peter Hall, to great acclaim, at the Gate Theatre in March 2001.
A revival of Cuckoos was performed last month at the Pit Theatre, London and now transfers to the Ustinov Studio as part of the Peter Hall season.
"Theatre must always be credible, capable of winning and holding the belief of the audience, though from the Greeks on this has never meant avoiding the shocking, the fantastic or the plainly horrible," said Sir Peter Hall.
Jessica Turner, who plays the role of Beatrice has recently starred in King Lear at London's Old Vic.
Her numerous Royal National Theatre credits include Animal Farm and Martine, directed by Sir Peter Hall and she has also performed a one-woman show, A Portrait Of Sylvia Plath in the USA.
On television, Jessica has just appeared as Helen Robson, the guest lead in an episode of Heartbeat.
David Yelland, who plays the part of Tobia, has worked extensively with the Peter Hall Company and the Royal National Theatre.
His many stage appearances include LifeX3, An Ideal Husband, Lady Windermere's Fan, Richard III and God Only Knows, all of which appeared at the Theatre Royal Bath and his films include Chariots Of Fire and David Copperfield.
David is also a familiar face on TV. Just some of his many credits include Shackleton, Dalziel and Pascoe, The Swiss Family Robinson, A Bit Of A Do, Poirot and Affairs Of The Heart.
In Cuckoos, David revives the role he played to great acclaim at the Gate Theatre.
Also starring in the play is Mark Rice-Oxley who plays Tito.
Mark's theatre credits include Cressida at the Albery Theatre, The Danny Crowe Show at the Bush, Workers Writes at the Royal Court and most recently The Dwarfs at the Tricycle Theatre.
Mark's film credits include The John Lennon Story and his television work includes Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, In Deep, Judge John Deed, Merseybeat and The Dwarfs.
Tickets are available from the Theatre Royal Bath box office on (01225) 448844 and the play is showing until July 26.
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