Penarth-based company Black Rat Productions has teamed up with the Blackwood Miners' Institute for its next production, which starts a whistle-stop tour of Wales next week.
Marc Camoletti's Boeing Boeing, the most performed French play throughout the world, is a farce set in the 60s, in which the duplicitous love life of central character Bernard unravels as he struggles to juggle the demands of three air stewardess fiancées.
Director Richard Tunley told me it is a perfect choice for Black Rat, which aims to reach audiences that might not traditionally choose going to the theatre as a pastime.
He said: "We receive support and funding from the Arts Council Wales for its audience development programme, so our aim is to try and build those audiences using recognised material which would not normally have the opportunity to tour smaller venues.
The cast of Black Rat-Productions' Boeing Boeing
"Boeing Boeing is recognised as being one of the best French farces of all time and had a bit of a renaissance recently on Broadway and in London, so it is still relevant and making audiences laugh today.
"It has all the elements of a classic farce, with not just one but three objects of love interest and immense confusion."
The play sees young architect and lothario Bernard (played by Richard Corgan of the BBC's Baker Boys) embroiling his reluctant housekeeper in a scheduled love life that enables him to enjoy the attentions of three women, while they remain in the dark about the sordid situation.
However, his plans are thrown into chaos when an old friend comes to stay, weather delays flights and a new high-speed plane turns his love life into a minefield.
Boeing Boeing will visit 16 venues around Wales from 1 October until 9 November, starting at Blackwood Miners' Institute.
It stars Gareth John Bale as Bernard's close friend Robert, Julie Barclay as house keeper Bertha and Sarah Jayne Hopkins as Gretchen, the passionate German air hostess.
Joining the cast direct from London's West End stage are Laura Clements as French air hostess Gabrielle, and Hannah Whittingham as the flamboyant American fiancée.
The play was first staged in London's West End at the Apollo Theatre in 1962 and went on to enjoy Broadway success.
Richard Tunley believes its appeal lies in the classic slapstick nature of the play, something Black Rat were keen to build on through their own brand of high energy, physical theatre and with the help of a set featuring seven doors which allows for a constant element of suspense about who might appear.
Boeing Boeing cast members
He said: "It's impressive from a design point of view as we have this set which we must somehow fit into every venue. There are also the authentic costumes of the air hostesses and we have added a musical element so songs from the late 50s and 60s pop up throughout the show.
"Over the last few years we have toured shows by John Godber like Up n Under and Bouncers as well as Tim Firth’s Neville's Island, and we have really got to know what our audiences like.
"These productions are aimed at people who might be put off from travelling to bigger venues for shows because of cost and distance but want some good quality entertainment on their doorstep.
"We have teamed up with Blackwood Miners' Institute for this production because it is a collaboration that has worked so well in the past."
Further information about tour dates and tickets is available at www.blackratproductions.co.uk
