There are going to be pursed lips and heaving bosoms at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne this autumn as the beloved TV characters, Cissie and Ada, are recreated in the acclaimed theatre show, Cissie and Ada – An Hysterical Rectomy from 21st to 23rd October.
The immortal comic characters created by the late, great Les Dawson aided and abetted by Roy Barraclough, once again appear on stage, thirty years after their first stage appearance in the “Laugh with Les Show” as part of the Blackpool Grand’s 1983 Summer Season, in this hilarious new play. Written by playwright Graham Warrener in collaboration with original Cissie and Ada scriptwriter Terry Ravenscroft, the show revisits the story, and the culture, behind the side-splitting sketches and that of BBC Light Entertainment in the 80’s as well as bringing Dawson and Barraclough’s comedy genius back to life.
The gossiping old housewives came about through improvisation when Les was with Yorkshire TV doing “Sez Les”. He was a big fan of music-hall legend Norman Evans, famous for dressing up as an ‘Ada’ type woman for his “Over the Garden Wall” act, and between takes Les and his co-star Roy Barraclough would make up bits with each other as Norman Evans-type women.
In the cast are two former Coronation Street favourites Eric Potts (Diggory) and Steven Arnold (Ashley) who join Steve Nallon (famous for his Mrs Thatcher impersonation live and on seminal satirical TV show Spitting Image) and actress Natasha Magigi, with the production directed by John-Jackson Almond.
Eric Potts takes on the Les Dawson character Cissie, a world away from his more familiar portrayal of the eccentric baker Diggory Compto. A graduate of Bristol Old Vic, his other television credits include Emmerdale, Doctor Who, and Last of the Summer Wine. Joining him is Steven Arnold another ‘Corrie’ favourite for his portrayal of Ashley, whose other television credits include Casualty and Common as Muck.
Les Dawson died twenty years ago in June 1993. The ITV tribute in May of this year An Audience That Never Was, revived the comedian as a hologram and reached an astonishing 8 million viewers proving that he remains an iconic British comic.
Cissie and Ada – An Hysterical Rectomy is at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne from 21 – 23 October, nightly performances at 7.45pm and Wednesday matinee at 2.30pm, tickets from £14.50 to £19 are available from the box office on 01323 412000 or book online and choose your seat at www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk