Don’t Dress for Dinner - Spring Play 2009

 

Our spring (and summer!) play for 2009 was an English adaptation of a French comedy of multiple mistaken identities by Marc Camoletti, which had originally been a West End smash hit. It may have confused the audience (it certainly confused the cast!), but judging from the reception it got at every performance it definitely amused them too! We also took the play to the Carnegie Arts Centre at Kenmare, a first time for us, and the single performance played to a full and enthusiastic audience.

In a renovated French farmhouse about a two-hour drive from Paris, Bernard is hoping to pack his wife, Jacqueline, away to her mother's for the weekend, in hopes he can romance his mistress, Suzanne, a Parisian model and actress. As an alibi, Bernard has hired a Cordon Bleu-level cook, Suzette, and invited his friend Robert to dinner.

While Bernard is upstairs, the telephone rings. Jacqueline answers; it's the Bon Appetit catering agency confirming Suzette is on her way. Then Robert calls and Jacqueline again answers. He tells Jacqueline he is spending the weekend, a fact unknown to her. As Robert and Jacqueline talk on the phone, it becomes obvious that they are having an affair.

Jacqueline tells Bernard her mother has the flu and she has cancelled their visit. Bernard panics, and when Robert arrives, he tells his friend about his affair with Suzanne. Since she is arriving at any minute, Bernard convinces Robert to tell Jacqueline that "Suzy" is his girlfriend.

While Bernard and Jacqueline are out buying groceries, Suzy arrives, the caterer not the mistress. Robert doesn't realize it and introduces Suzette as his girlfriend when Bernard and Jacqueline return. Bernard is angry because of the mix-up, and Jacqueline feels betrayed because she thought she was Robert's only mistress. 

Bernard : Ger O'Sullivan
Jaqueline : Debbie Holland
Robert : Kurt Lyndorff
Suzette : Frances Holland
Suzanne : Maria O'Sullivan
George : Kieran Desmond

Set Design: Robert Brown
Set Construction: Denis O'Sullivan
Set Painting: Christy O'Sullivan, Margaret Ducker
Lighting & Audio: Francine Timmerman, Karel van Hensbergen
Stage Continuity: Anne O'Sullivan
Front of House: Betty Timmerman & Jane O'Sullivan
Project Manager: John Dervan

Photos from the performance
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