Man with two wives but no bigamist!
“Who would have thought I would have two wives and not be charged with bigamy?” said Chris Winstanley, who plays the part of Mark in the latest production from The Algarveans Experimental Theatre Group, “Going Dutch” by John Godber.
Chris is right though, as his real wife Melanie is directing the show and Debbie Gaines is playing his fictional wife Sally.
“It is really funny having my real wife telling me how to behave with my pretend wife, especially when our characters are having an argument or moments of tenderness,” added Chris.
Going Dutch is the ultimate ‘Brits abroad’ comedy from the writer of West End hits “Up ‘n’ Under”, “Bouncers”, “On The Piste” and “April in Paris”.
This is a raucous play and one that generates a lot of laughs. The story is told through the eyes of Sally (Debbie Gaines) and Mark (Chris Winstanley), regular ferry users who are remembering a trip they had with friend Gill (Turea Spencer).
We are told that Mark has for a long time held a torch for Gill; so he is quite put out to discover that she has brought the new man in her life along for the ride.
Mark and Karl (Trevor Herrington) were never going to be best friends, given that Karl is a skin-headed, tattooed lout who enjoys the seedier side of Amsterdam. This merely widens the chasm between the two men. So this show is certainly not one for children!
Melanie Winstanley says: “The play has it all, as The Pride of Hull sets out on another cruise. But as the waters turn choppy, faces turn green and the band just can’t play on! Storm clouds are gathering, the Edam cheese has gone off, the sick bags are out and it’s not just the sea that turns rough!”
To find out if it all ends in tears of sadness or laughter, you will have to go to see Going Dutch at Lagoa Auditorium on either Thursday November 27, Friday 28th or Saturday 29th at 8pm.
Tickets are on sale for €10.
913 723 611 | [email protected]
Photo: Chris Winstanley with his real wife Melanie (left) and Debbie Gaines, his stage wife!
