Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Play features British comedy, bed-hopping

September 20, 2002

For those looking for some simple humor, the Lansing Civic Players’ “Move Over Mrs. Markham” is set to deliver it.

Billed as a “wild and zany free-for-all with lots of bed-hopping,” Ray Cooney and John Chapman’s production features nine cast members mixing up identities and popping on and off the stage with the speed that exemplifies a good farce.

“You’re not supposed to overanalyze a farce, you’re just supposed to enjoy them,” director Judie Town said.

Town, who has been involved in theater for 30 years, directed the play for the theater company 17 years ago with an entirely different cast.

A British comedy much like Michael Frayn’s popular “Noises Off,” “Move Over Mrs. Markham” features four sets of couples converging on the same bedroom.

Henry Lodge asks his friend Phillip Markham to lend him his flat while the Markhams are out for the evening.

At the same time, Linda Lodge has asked Joanna Markham to loan her the flat for the evening as well.

Complications multiply when the interior decorator who has been fixing up the flat decides to “borrow” it for the evening and the Markhams’ plans are canceled at the last minute.

Pure entertainment is the goal of this British bedroom farce, so go to the theater expecting little thought and lots of laughs.

“Move Over Mrs. Markham” will play through Sunday as well as Sept. 27-29. at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $5 for children 12 and under.

Discussion

Share and discuss “Play features British comedy, bed-hopping” on social media.