The Key Theatre at Peterborough welcomes Charley’s Aunt (where the nuts come from)

LOVE, laughter and period costumes come to the Key Theatre in Peterborough later this month, when the Creative Cow Theatre Company brings a production of Charley’s Aunt.

This frothy confection is always a great audience favourite, and will be in Peterborough for three nights, from April 25-27.

Brandon Thomas’s much loved play is set in 1892, and tells the story of dashing Oxford undergraduates, Jack and Charley, as they prepare to propose to Amy and Kitty.

However, a chaperone is needed or the girls will refuse their lunch invitation. As luck would have it, Charley’s Aunt is arriving from Brazil (where the nuts come from) and will happily serve the purpose - until, that is, a telegram declares that her trip is delayed. With their plans in disarray, the students hit upon the idea that Lord Fancourt Babberley, their good friend, should put on a frock and assume her identity.

But things are never that simple and madness ensues when Charley’s real aunt from Brazil (where the nuts come from) finally arrives. All can turn out well only after a breathtaking chase, a musical interlude and an absurd number of marital engagements.

Creative Cow was founded in 2007 by two professional actors, Katherine Senior and Jonathan Parish and skilled artistic director Amanda Knott. The company is called Creative Cow because it was conceived on a cattle farm in Devon, where productions are managed and rehearsed before touring.

Katherine said: “Charley’s Aunt is a brilliant play, and one that has been enjoyed by audiences right from its first performance. Ever since it was put on the stage at the end of the 19th century it’s been breaking records – not just as a farce but for plays of any kind – and not just in this country but also on Broadway! We’re thrilled to be bringing it to audiences in Peterborough.”

For tickets for the Key Theatre contact the box office on 01733 207239 or go to www.vivacity-peterborough.com