Overview

Brandon Thomas' riotous farce Charley's Aunt is given a glamorous glow-up in a new adaptation by Rob Madge, the award-winning creator of My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?). Two scheming students, Charley and Jack, must circumnavigate the curmudgeonly Spettigue to declare their feelings to love interests Amy and Kitty. The promised arrival of Charley's aunt gives them an opportunity and the best laid plans are set. One delayed arrival, one fortuitous arrival and lots of classic comic confusion later, the champagne is finally poured at a dinner party to remember. Mistaken identities, new identities and the discovery of true identities, will love – old and new - triumph through it all?  Charley's Aunt is premiered at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, in 2025.

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9781839045172

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Reviews

'The frump turns fabulous... [Brandon Thomas's] redoubtable Victorian farce [has been] renovated with affectionate cheek by Rob Madge... it's a scrappy but very fun take on the tale of dowager dress-up and scheming lovebirds... Madge often doesn't so much adapt as heckle the original, cheerfully scattering quips, filth and people getting the ick... fresh, smart and racy' * Guardian * 'Irresistible... what a joyous makeover it is!... glorious' * WhatsOnStage * 'A pacey, joyful reinvention... with wit, warmth and a contemporary sensibility that feels both bold and necessary (and fun)... what elevates this beyond mere entertainment is how Madge's adaptation makes Victorian social constraints speak to contemporary debates about identity, freedom and acceptance... proves this Victorian farce has never been more relevant... pure joy' * Broadway World * 'Everything you could want from an updated classic with a twist' * Stage Talk Magazine * 'A joyous new adaptation... manages to recycle and repurpose a brilliant farce, bring it bang up to date and make it as relevant to our society as it was to the Victorians... an absolute hoot' * The Spy in the Stalls * 'Brilliantly adapted, modern and funny – a great evening!' * Fairy Powered Productions *

Author Information

Rob Madge is an actor and playwright whose debut play, My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?), was premiered at the Turbine Theatre, London, in 2021, was a critical and commercial hit at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, and transferred to the West End later that year. My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?) won Best Off-West End Production at the 2022 WhatsOnStage Awards, the Theatre Award at the 2023 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, and was nominated for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play at the Olivier Awards. Rob Madge was joint winner of Best Creative West End Debut at the Stage Debut Awards in 2023. Madge has also adapted Brandon Thomas's farce Charley's Aunt (Watermill Theatre, 2025). Author photo by Matt Nalton Photography Brandon Thomas (1848–1914) was an English actor, playwright and songwriter, best known as the author of the farce Charley's Aunt.

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