ABSENT FRIENDS [MARIAGES & CONSÉQUENCES] entirely in French with English surtitles

ABSENT FRIENDS MARIAGES & CONSÉQUENCES by Sir Alan Ayckbourn entirely in French with English surtitles DIRECTOR - MATTHEW O’SULLIVAN PRODUCER - MICHAEL BULA PRODUCTION MFT will present the Australian premiere in French of this famous black comedy about the psychology of couples, marriages and relationships from one of Britain’s most prolific playwrights RESUME Clément's friends are determined to comfort him in his grief over the death of his fiancée - a girl they have never met. They arrange a tea-party for him and are understandably on edge wondering what to say to him as they await his arrival. Their unease, however, has deeper roots as they are all kept together by a mixture of business and cross-marital emotional ties and by the time Clément arrives, their tension contrasts dramatically with his cheerfully relaxed air. The stage is set for a modern light comedy of manners that quickly turns into a dark comedy of very bad manners. DATES Tuesday 23 August to Sat 27 August 2011 Gala night: Fri 26 August 2011 at 8.00 pm Evenings: Tues 23 August to Sat 27 August inclusive at 8.00 pm Matinees: Fri 26 August & Sat 27 August at 2.30 pm TICKETS $12 to $32 – see website for details on www.mftinc.org VENUE Collingwood College – corner Cromwell Street & McCutcheon Way Entry from Cromwell Street, Collingwood 3066 (off Gipps Street) Melways Ref: 2C G12