CLASSIC Ealing comedy The Ladykillers is brought to the stage of Stratford’s Bear Pit Theatre.
The new production is based on the film which premiered in 1955 and has been adapted by Graham Linehan, who is best known for his work on the TV comedy series Father Ted.
The Ladykillers tells the story of eccentric little old lady Mrs Wilberforce, who lives alone with her parrot in a strange lopsided house in King’s Cross.
Her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Professor Marcus and his four friends, who between them make up the most unlikely group of criminals.
Planning the heist of a security van, they decide to use Mrs Wilberforce as cover and involve her unwittingly in the plot. Things do not go well and the Professor’s plan starts to unravel in spectacular fashion.
Directed by David Mears the production stars Paul Tomlinson as the sinister Professor Marcus and Pamela Hickson as the dotty Mrs Wilberforce.
David, artistic director of The Bear Pit, said: “The Ladykillers is a classic comedy from the Ealing Film Studios stable and we’re having great fun in putting our own interpretation to this brilliant reimagined script, which is quite magical and utterly hilarious.”
Other members of the cast include Constable MacDonald (Steve Farr), Major Courtney (Philip Hickson), Harry Robinson – (Dominic Skinner), One-Round (David Gresham), and Louis Harvey (Richard Ball).
The production, at the theatre based at the United Reformed Church, runs from March 13 to 21. Visit www.thebearpit.org.uk for tickets and further details. Tickets are also available in person from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre box office, and from The United Reformed Church an hour before each performance.
