Ely Debut For Ayckbourn Play Inspired By Buster Edwards

By elypeople | Friday, February 03, 2012, 13:48

It's time for Alan Ayckbourn again, as Ely Amateur Dramatic Society bring the classic comedy 'Man Of The Moment' to Needham's Hall this month.

ADS bring Alan Ayckbourn's 'Man Of The Moment' to Ely, February 16-18, 2012
ADS bring Alan Ayckbourn's 'Man Of The Moment' to Ely, February 16-18, 2012

The original West End production of 'Man Of The Moment' was the winner of the London Evening Standard's Best Comedy Award in 1990 and was described by The Guardian as 'a bit of a masterpiece'. It also made a big impact on Mike Holland, the director of the Ely production.

"Since seeing the original play in the West End with Samantha Bond, Michael Gambon and Peter Bowles, I've always wanted to direct it," says Holland. "In true Ayckbourn style it brings together a group of seemingly innocent people and totally twists everything that they believe in. I love the clever mix of dry humour and visual gags and I particularly loved the staging of the West End original."

Set in the Mediterranean villa of an ex-con turned celebrity, Ayckbourn was first inspired to write the play after discovering that the flower-seller he passed under Waterloo Bridge every day on his way to the National Theatre was actually Buster Edwards, the Great Train Robber whose life was about to be immortalised on the big screen at the time.

Finding it ironic that criminals such as Edwards had been accorded celebrity status in Britain while the main victim of the crime – train driver Jack Mills – was largely forgotten, Ayckbourn put pen to paper and the result was 'Man Of The Moment', arguably the playwright's finest work.

"It is a truly dark comedy and its themes are still very relevant in today's celebrity obsessed society," says Mike Holland. "Ayckbourn takes everyday people and situations and extends them into absurd situations. There are both goodies and baddies in this play and there is also some fine slapstick comedy, which I'm sure the audiences of Ely will love."

Featuring a strong and well-known local cast, including Fiona Gilbert, James Stuart, Doug Stuart, Jess Garrett, Darren Smith, Caroline Law, David Mullenger, Lorraine Scott and Nick Timmings, 'Man Of The Moment' is being performed at Needham's Hall, Ely College from February 16-18, 2012 (nightly at 7.30pm). Tickets are £7 and are available from Burrows Bookshop (01353 669759) or on the door.