Arms and the Man
by Bernard Shaw
While the battle is being fought between Bulgaria and Serbia, in the streets of Bulgaria in 1885:
In the simple home of the Perkoffs, who do not regard their home as simple, but superior as they have an electric bell and a library, their lovely daughter is relaxing in her bedchamber unaware of the danger about to engulf her; engaged to a Bulgarian soldier, she is full of her dreams of his heroism, but wait! What's happening? She is confronted by a visitor, will he harm her? What are his intentions? What tangled web is woven as the story unfolds and other people become involved; in this topsy-turvy household anything can happen; what are the servants up to, are they getting involved? They are also planning their lives...
This is a play full of warm humour to just sit back, relax and enjoy, with some serious undercurrents regarding the folly of war, very apt at this moment.
I have a wonderful cast: Tony Godden and Chris Dangerfield are my young soldiers a new, welcome, face to the Arch Nikki Lovelock and fairly new Marjorie Wright (no! not Lady Marjory) - same name, different person -! some well-loved faces, Rebecca Warnett and Andy Roberts. John Hall will be making his second appearance on the Archway stage, and a warm welcome back to Gary Fearn. With this cast, how could we fail?
My backstage crew is second to none: Dorothy Galley has been persuaded to Stage Manage, assisted by the versatile John Hall and the strong armed Ron Covey; costumes are to be designed and produced by Joy Matthews. Paul Tester will be expertly designing the lighting and my stunning set design is by Miles Beachamp.
