Tour announced for Mel Brooks style parody of LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER

Photo credit: Thomas Christian

DH Lawrence’s classic story will be given a fresh twist in Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover this autumn when Happy Idiot Production’s take their subversive parody on tour, opening in Worthing on 17 September.

Writer Lawrence Russell has  given this scandalous story the Mel Brooks treatment, with the help of acclaimed artists Simon  Godwin (Associate Director, National Theatre), Stephen Harper (Told By An Idiot), and Laurence Pears (The Play That Goes Wrong).

Lord Chatterley returns to Wragby Hall confined to a wheelchair and clutching his secret. Despite her husband’s newfound impotence, a subject that everyone struggles to avoid, Lady Chatterley  entertains the idea that one day they could have a child. But, as the couple drift apart, she embarks on a passionate and curiously experimental affair with Mellors, the estate gamekeeper.  This laughter-filled parody will bring you high drama, high comedy and highly-raised eyebrows.

The cast includes Christina Baston (House on Haunted Hill, Pleasance Dome Edinburgh; Tales From Star City, Kings Head/The Tabard Theatre), Wesley Griffith (Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover, UK Tour; Importance of Being Earnest, Minack Theatre), Rebecca  McClay (50 Ways To Kill Your Lover, Discovery; Not: Lady  Chatterley’s Lover, UK Tour) and Lawrence Russell (Eastenders, BBC; Breaking the  Band, ITV).

Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a saucy take which honours the original story, with some added surprise twists. There will be long contemplative looks into the middle distance, moments of  touching drama, plenty of farce and a gentle stroke of innuendo. Happy Idiot’s inventive  storytelling explores the novel’s themes of female sexuality, disability and loneliness, with the watertight pace and perfect comic timing which earned them five-star reviews at the Edinburgh  Fringe 2017.

Writer Lawrence Russell said: “There are so many incredibly high-stakes moments in the book  that, with a few twists, exaggerations and undercutting of the bleak themes, you can create  countless laugh out loud moments. I’m really proud that we’ve been able to incorporate integrated  audio description and creative captioning as standard for every show, meaning that those who  have difficulties with their hearing or sight will get the jokes at the same time as everyone else! Taking a well-loved story and effortlessly moving between touching moments and perfectly timed comedy means the team have made something that shouldn’t be missed.”

For more information, please keep your eye on their website here.