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John Godber's heartwarming play explores the somewhat stale marriage of Al and Bet, a middle-aged couple from Derby, who seek to renew their energy for life and for each other through a trip to Paris.

The play perfectly captures the fine line between bickering and bitterness, and the observational humour is sure to provoke many a knowing laugh from the audience. Indeed, cast member Paul Boichat, who plays Al, told us it made him cry with laughter just rehearsing it. 

However, Sorel Rose, who plays Bet, was more equivocal, saying, "It's really funny, we can't stop laughing in rehearsal, but that's not what the play is." Instead, she related the play to the wider issues of England's place in relation to Europe. The insularity of this quintessentially English couple from might be seen as a comment on the insularity of "Little England" as a whole when confronted with anything European, or foreign. In light of recent events, this play, written in 1992, feels more biting and relevant than ever.

"April in Paris" marks the culmination of Boichat and Rose's MA course at the Court Theatre Training Company, and will run in the Courtyard's Main House 19th-24th July.

 

We caught up with the cast as they entered their last week of rehearsals. Click on the link below to find out more:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjdZU6IbhSI