Tony Ferreira, left, and Ron Robinson compare notes in a scene from “Run for Your Wife,” staged by the Little Theatre of Fall River at the Firebarn. Herald News Photo by OMAR BRADLEY
FALL RIVER -- Oh dear! Seems a bit more than tea is brewing in these two British households.
Apparently John, a seemingly ordinary family man incapable of doing anything spectacular, has been very naughty -- and a little randy -- and is about to pay for it in "Run for Your Wife," a Ray Cooney production now being staged at The Little Theatre.
It’s 1970s London, and the roguish taxi-driving Englishman seems to have married two women. But, John (played by Ron Robinson) just couldn’t hurt their feelings and has now created a farce of his life that he certainly can’t keep up -- or can he?
There’s the second wife, Barbara, (played by Ann Flynn) who always seems to be trying to get John into the bedroom for an afternoon "shag." And, then there’s Mary, (played by Betty Teixeira), the first wife, who is bent on feeding and comforting John.
Now, poor John’s been burning the candle at both ends to keep to a very rigid schedule detailed in his little black book -- keeping the women from finding out about each other and trying to maintain two households and his own sanity.
But, all manner of craziness is about to break free as John’s neighbor, Stanley, (played by Tony Ferreira) attempts to assist John in hiding his secret and only helps to mangle the truth a trifle more.
It all started when John, attempting to defeat a band of scoundrels set to steal a lady’s purse, is hit on the head and is interviewed by police and emergency room personnel. In his delusion, he apparently and accidentally gives the police one address and the emergency room the other.
Now, Detective Sgt. Troughton (played by Gene Rheaume) and Detective Sgt. Porterhouse (played by Clifford Wood) sense that something fishy is going on, and an investigation ensues that threatens to break up John’s happy homes.
And, John just might have to eat his hat, or rather the evening newspaper, when a reporter (played by Marti Weaver) snaps John’s picture as he’s kissing one of his wives, and it lands on the front page for his heroic deed in nearly catching the purse snatcher.
Then there’s Barbara’s upstairs neighbor, Bobby, who is just moving in and keeps getting in the middle of things.
There’s many surprises in store for John, a slew of witty English phrases, a bit of a fainting, lots of lies, and of course, a great deal of tea.
The play is directed by Ralph Martin, and Kathy Castro is stage manager. Tickets are on sale for $10 and are available by calling The Little Theatre at 508-675-1852.
"Run for your Wife" will be staged tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Call soon, as tickets are selling fast.
