Past productions at

Wellington Repertory Theatre

Tons of Money

by Will Evans and Valentine, adapted by Alan Ayckbourn

directed by Ewen Coleman

Will Evans and Valentine’s Tons of Money was the first of the Aldwych farces, produced originally in 1922. The version used in Wellington Repertory Theatre’s production was revised and adapted by Alan Ayckbourn and was a great success at the National Theatre in 1986 where it was described as 'an unerring theatrical delight' and 'a spirited piece of theatre that captures delightfully the flavour of the period'. It was therefore a fitting production to celebrate Wellington Repertory Theatre’s 80th anniversary. The Theatre’s first production was Pygmalion, which opened on 8 May 1926.

The story of Tons of Money involves Aubrey Henry Maitland Allington, an unsuccessful and deeply in debt inventor who inherits a fortune that reverts upon his death to his cousin George Maitland. In order to avoid repaying his debts, Aubrey, with the help of his wife Louise, fakes his own death so that he can resurrect himself as his cousin George who they believe is long dead, but who in fact is very much alive. Mix in George’s wife Jean, the Butler, the Butler’s brother Henery, who is another George impostor, the parlour maid Simpson, dizzy Aunt Benita, Giles the gardener and Chesterman the lawyer and along with lots of mistaken identities and racing in and out of doors and you have a mixture ripe for a true farce which this play truly is.

Venue: Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee St, Wellington

Performances: Gala opening Thursday 11 May 2006, 7.30 for 8 pm, Thursday 11 – Saturday 13 May at 8 pm, Sunday 14 May at 4 pm, Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 May at 8 pm, matinee on Sunday 14 May at 4 pm

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