Playwright Alan Ayckbourn is both the writer and director behind Farcicals, a pair of interlinked, one-act comedies, featuring the world premiere production of The Kidderminster Affair.

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn is both the writer and director behind Farcicals, a pair of interlinked, one-act comedies, featuring the world premiere production of The Kidderminster Affair.

Alan said: “There will always be someone who says: ‘Is there any serious content?’ The answer is absolutely not.

“I wrote these characters who are just joyously silly and I love them.

“They’re timeless farce characters – untouched by time and mostly unaware of what’s happening in the wider world.” The neighbourly short plays include a frivolous comedy of fun, infidelity and food fights. As well as Chloë With Love – an inconsequential comedy of love, lust and loss.

Alan added: “One man is fairly stupid, another is completely stupid.

“There’s one woman who’s brighter than most of them – but still not that bright – and another who’s completely daffy. You put them all together, you get the brains of one person.” Farcicals is one of three Ayckbourns visiting Guildford in January and February.

While Farcicals plays in the Mill Studio, a revival of Ayckbourn’s 1992 show, Time Of My Life and another premiere Arrivals and Departures take to the main stage, from Wednesday, January 22, to Saturday, February 1.

Farcicals is on Friday, January 24, Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. Book tickets at www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call 01483 440000.

ANNABEL LANGLEY