The Summer Play Festival has presented several plays by Richard Harris, writer of Stepping Out, and this year they will be performing his riotous comedy, Party Piece, which opens at the Manor Pavilion on Monday, July 22.

It promises to be a fast-paced and hilarious romp set in the back gardens of neighbours locked in a feud with each other.

A lively fancy dress house-warming party at Michael and Roma’s is beset by a string of disasters and confusion, including a lack of guests, a burning garden shed, a Zimmer frame out of control and an irate husband on the prowl.

Jason Marc Williams is delighted to be back in Sidmouth and at the helm of this very funny play.  He last appeared as an actor at the Manor Pavilion in 2011 and returned as a director for the Season two years ago. He will also be directing the Peter James’s thriller, Looking Good Dead, in August.

Jason said: “It is my first time directing one of Richard’s plays. The characters are all great fun, honest and relatable, and the challenge for the actors is going to be the physical comedy the play demands and for me, as director, getting the pace right.”

For actor Bridget Lambert, Party Piece is the third play she has performed in the 2024 Season. She said: “Doing three shows back-to-back is a challenge but a very exciting one. There is a lot to get your head around, with different characters, many different genres and a lot of lines to learn! It is always a joy to be at the theatre in Sidmouth.”

Full details can be found at https://www.manorpavilion.com/whats-on