Pupils from Removes to Sixth Formers are currently working very hard on their forthcoming performances of The Country House on 12^th,13^th and 14^th December in the Vanbrugh Theatre. We caught up with Director Emma Lucia of Theatre Clwyd to find out more about this little-known Vanbrugh play:

Where did the idea come from to stage a production of The Country House?

Last summer I worked with a group of Fourth Year pupils researching the life and works of John Vanbrugh for part of the opening ceremony of the new theatre.  We looked at his plays in some detail, the most famous being 'The Relapse' and 'The Provoked Wife'.  I also went to the British Library to find out as much about his fascinating life as I possibly could - soldier, spy, playwright, theatre manager and architect.  It proved quite a remarkable life.  Amongst all this information I found a short, very funny farce entitled, 'The Country House'.

And what was so interesting about The Country House?

It was partly the fact that there is no record of anyone having staged it since 1710 which made it so appealing.  It is like finding a lost play by a great playwright, blowing the dust of it and bringing it back to life.  And where better to have its first staging than in a new theatre bearing Vanbrugh's name.

What makes it more than simply an historically interesting find?

As I said the play is very funny.  The main character Bernard wants a simple life in the country, but his party loving family are determined to bring all the glitz of the city to liven up the country house, much to his horror.  The comedy rests in the conflicting desires of the characters and the lengths they are prepared to go to in order to get what they want.

Is the play set in the Restoration period?

The original production would no doubt have had actors and actresses in the fashions of the day, but we have decided to set our production in another period of party loving bright young things - the 1920's.  We are very fortunate to have the assistance of the professional designer, Judith Croft who is head of design for the Manchester Library Theatre, and local theatre goers will also know her for her fabulous set and costume designs for the Rock and Roll Pantomime each year at Clwyd Theatr Cymru.

Will the play appeal to all ages?

Our cast members range from removes to sixth formers and they all find it very amusing.  We are certainly having fun in the rehearsal room. So I think we can safely say it will be a treat for all ages.

The Country House is being performed in the Vanbrugh Theatre on Mon 12th, Tues 13th and Wed 14^th Dec 7:00pm - £5 Adults, £3.50 Concessions. Tickets are no longer available on line but can be purchased on the door. There are seats available for every night.