Oscar-winning comedy comes to stage

Neil Simon's 1972 comedy The Sunshine Boys gets a revival at the Talisman Theatre in Kenilworth next week.
Al  (Neil Vallance), Ben (Dave Crossfield) and Willie (John Fenner)Al  (Neil Vallance), Ben (Dave Crossfield) and Willie (John Fenner)
Al (Neil Vallance), Ben (Dave Crossfield) and Willie (John Fenner)

Perhaps best-known in its 1975 Oscar-winning incarnation with George Burns, Walter Matthau and Richard Benjamin, the play’s 2012 London production was described by Michael Billington in the Guardian as “ a richly resonant comedy that reminds us that, while Simon may be pure, he is rarely simple”.

The play tells of the the famous vaudeville team of Al Lewis (Neil Vallance) and Willie Clark (John Fenner), otherwise known as The Sunshine Boys, who, despite working together for 43 years, cannot stand each other.

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They haven’t talked since Lewis walked out on the team’s final show 11 years ago leaving Clark, a die-hard New York showman, to soldier on regardless. Ben (Dave Crossfield), Willie’s nephew, makes a desperate attempt by to get the obstinate duo back together one last time for a CBS History of Comedy.

The play is directed by Dave Draper, whose directorial credits include the Talisman’s recent hit Educating Rita, with the cast featuring Simon Richards, Henri West, Ian Stares, Imogen Francis and Christine Carpenter. The action takes place on a set designed and lit by Talisman stalwart Brian Tuck with sound by Dik Thacker.

The show runs from Monday April 18 to Saturday April 23 with performances beginning at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost between £8 and £9.

Call 856548 or visit talismantheatre.co.uk to book or for more information.