It begins performances March 8 prior to an official opening March 19, for a run through April 26. Cooney himself directs a cast that also includes Jean Fergusson, Jeffrey Holland and Nick Wilton. In the play, all parliamentary aide George Pigden has to do is book a hotel room for MP Richard Willey to meet his mistress. But the bumbling aide makes a series of disastrous mistakes, and extreme complications ensue.
Praed's previous West End stage credits include Contact (Queen's Theatre), Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales), Design for Living (Gielgud), September Tide (Comedy) and The Pirates of Penzance (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Gabrielle was last seen at the Menier as Gussie Carnegie in Maria Friedman's production of Merrily We Roll Along, which transferred to the Harold Pinter in 2013, as well as Sweet Charity, which subsequently transferred to the Haymarket, and for which she was Olivier-nominated. Other credits include Hello, Dolly! (Regent’s Park), Me and My Girl (Crucible, Sheffield) and U.K. tours of The King and I, Fame and A Chorus Line.
Fergusson’s career spans over 40 years. She is best known for playing mad Marina in TV's "Last of the Summer Wine" and Dorothy Hoyle in "Coronation Street." Stage credits include Cash on Delivery at the Whitehall and She Knows You Know! (Vaudeville, Olivier-nominated for Best Entertainment).
Holland, who is best known for playing Spike in TV's "Hi-De-Hi," James Twelvetrees in "You Rang M'Lord?" and Mr. Park in "Oh, Dr Beeching!," last appeared at the Menier in Victoria Wood's Talent. Other stage credits include the stage versions of Dad's Army and Hi-Di-Hi! and Ray Cooney's Run for Your Wife at the Criterion Theatre. Wilton is best known for his regular appearance in "EastEnders" as Mr. Lister. Stage credits include playing opposite Brian Rix in Dry Rot (Whitehall) and winning a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe with the group Writers Inc.
Also in the cast are Kathryn Rooney, Ray Cooney and Tom Golding.
To book tickets contact the box office on 020 7378 1713 or visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com.
