Steve Titchmarsh is the Director of The Country Wife

Find out what inspired Steve Titchmarsh to adapt and direct William Wycherley’s, The Country Wife

The Country Wife has always been one of my favourite plays. It combines witty humour and farcical situations while still commenting on social status and women in society. I am a great fan of farce. Everything from Brian Rix and Ray Cooney classics to Michael Frayn’s Noises Off. The Country Wife has all the usual elements – mistaken identity, chases, marital infidelity and of course trouser dropping. I love working with a large cast and although I have reduced this by 3 it still contains 11 meaty roles with especially strong female characters. Having directed this play previously, including the musical version LUST, I know it’s a really fun piece to work on and as I am new to Southwick Players I wanted to stay on familiar territory. Setting myself the challenge of making this production different I have adapted the text, simplifying the language – not a thee or thou in sight- sacrilege I know! As a fan of the extravagance of 1980’s fashion and pop music my set and costume designs have mixed Restoration costume with the excesses of the 80’s – shoulder pads and perms with panniers and frock coats alongside a soundtrack of 80’s hits.

I think we can guarantee the audience a hilarious and visually stunning production with a fabulous cast of local talent.