Leisure Entertainment

Mapp & Lucia: new adaptation of E F Benson's classic work of morals, mores and social climbing!

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Mapp & Lucia is a brand new adaptation by Charly Armstrong of E F Benson's classic work of morals, mores and social climbing, which opens at Titchfield Festival Theatre on the 9th February.

When Lucia Lucas arrives in the village of Tilling, their current queen bee, Elizabeth Mapp, finds herself locked in a quietly reactive yet uncompromising battle for the crown; but how many tea parties will it take to win back her neighbour's affections? And how can her weekly bridge nights compete with Lucia's piano recitals, flawless Italian, and coveted recipe for Lobster à la Risholme? The gauntlet is down and the punch bowl is filled…

Charly Armstrong is the director of Mapp & Lucia. Charly said, “I read the books when I was in college and I really enjoyed them. I’ve wanted to do an adaptation of Mapp and Lucia since then; and this year felt the right time to do it. The cast are brilliant; they fit really well into their roles and they totally get the subtle humour of the books.

“The title characters of Mapp and Lucia are almost polar opposites. Lucia is a very modern, fashionable woman who appears to have all these accomplishments and talents that seem very exotic to her neighbours in Tilling. Mapp, by comparison, is somewhat stuffy and officious, and she likes to try and put Lucia in her place - though it often doesn’t work. The frustrating thing is, Lucia is a fraud and Mapp is right, but no one else can see it.

“I think a lot of people will enjoy Mapp & Lucia for its subtle humour, and watching these bitter quarrels about nothing at all important play out in front of them. It has all the nostalgia of being a classic British comedy, but with that sharp wit which ensures that it doesn’t ever become dated. Also, it’s light and fun, it has nothing to do with politics, or current affairs which is a refreshing break in these times. It’s a little bit of escapism.”

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of Mapp & Lucia opens at the Titchfield Festival Theatre, St Margarets Lane on Wednesday 9th February until Saturday 19th February 2022. The shows start at 7.30pm. A matinée performance is on Sunday 13th February 2022 at 2.30pm. For more information including booking tickets, please go to http:// titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.