BASED on the Sunday Times bestseller which inspired one of this century’s most treasured films, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opens at Mayflower Theatre later this month.
The brand new stage show visits Southampton from May 23 to May 27 as part of a major UK tour, prior to a stint in the West End.
It takes us on a journey to India with an eclectic group of British retirees as they embark on a new life. The luxury residence is far from the opulence they were promised, but as their lives begin to intertwine, they are charmed in unexpected and life-changing ways.
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The joyous comedy about taking risks, finding love and embracing second chances stars Belinda Lang (2 Point 4 Children, Oklahoma!), Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar, Just Good Friends, Eastenders), Tessa Peake-Jones (Only Fools and Horses) and Graham Seed (The Archers, The Mousetrap).
Paul Nicholas, who plays Douglas in the show, told the Daily Echo: "It's brand-new as a stage production and about characters; it’s about people rather than the plotline and I’m really enjoying doing it.
"When I read the script, I thought, ‘I can see this working on stage’ and so far, it’s proven popular with audiences.
"Douglas's wife somewhat dominates him, he’s been married quite a long time, and there’s a romantic element to the part in that he finds solace with a woman named Evelyn even at the ripe old age of 70-plus. It’s nice to show that romantic side to a couple in their later years."
Writer Deborah Moggach added: "I hope audiences will have a lot of fun and identify things in the play that they’re experiencing or have experienced themselves, then go away happier and uplifted. Hopefully they’ll be full of vim about maybe having another adventure."
The production is based on the 2011 British comedy-drama film, itself based on the 2004 novel These Foolish Things by novelist Moggach.
It starred Dev Patel, Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith in the story about a group of British pensioners moving to a retirement hotel in India.
Tickets from mayflower.org.uk
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