“An April Comedy” In March (Contributed)

THE plays of Christopher Fry (who died last year at the age of 97), are noted for their intriguing situations, distinctive and sometimes eccentric characters, dazzling verbal dexterity, wit, humour, and passages of real poetry. Thame Players successfully produced Venus Observed a few years ago.

The Lady?s Not For Burning is set in a small west country town in mediaeval times. Fry called it ?an April comedy?, and it certainly has a spring-like freshness about it ? though it also deals with the darker themes of suspected witchcraft, superstition, a possible murder, and original sin. But romance is never far away, and in the end true love overcomes the forces of evil and the baser passions, common humanity triumphs over the fire, and we are left with the hope of a new beginning

?A poetic fantasy of rare splendour and delight? a work of magical humor and deep beauty? ? The New York Herald Tribune.

While the widow Margaret Devize, sister of the Mayor, is preparing to celebrate the betrothal of her son Humphrey to Alizon Eliot (a girl from the convent), two intruders cause havoc in the house: Thomas Mendip, the world-weary ex-soldier, who is demanding to be hanged, and Jennet Jourdemayne, an eccentric single girl who is accused by the town of turning the rag-and-bone merchant into a dog by witchcraft, and seems destined for the fire. Thomas makeS strenuous efforts to save Jennet (complicated by the lecherous advances of Humphrey, who has soon tired of his intended bride); but he cannot save himself from falling in love with her. Meanwhile the unexpected appearance of Matthew Skipps resolves all the dilemmas.

The Lady?s Not For Burning will be performed at the Thame Players Theatre, Nelson Street, from Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th March.

Tickets available from Thame Tourist Information Centre, tel. 01844-212834.

There is a discount on all Tuesday tickets.

Photo: Jennet Jourdemayne (played by Clare Frost) and Thomas mendip (Tim Proctor)