“Everything in the world is about sex, except sex. Sex is about power.” Oscar Wilde

With this original adaptation, Morphic Graffiti thrust William Wycherley’s The Country Wife into the excesses and seductions of late 1920’s London: a city exploding with a heavy mix of jazz, gin and scandalous affairs.

Renowned playboy, Harry Horner, has made it known in the society pages that he is now impotent. For the jealous husbands, this cunning lothario is neither a threat to their wives nor their reputations.

Meanwhile, business brings the newly married Jack Pinchwife to the city with his much younger wife Margery in tow. Dazzled by everything laid out in front of her, Margery is determined to savour it all, regardless of the consequences.

This is the Twenties, the ladies are now very much on top and they alone will decide what, and indeed who, comes their way.

With the decadence of the London social scene and the creative and sexual revolution of the ‘Bright Young Things’ movement, it won’t just be the hemlines that are rising at Southwark this spring.

Suitable for 12+. Contains scenes of a sexual nature.

Nominated for 4 Off West End Awards – Female Performance (Nancy Sullivan), Male Performance in a Supporting Role (Daniel Cane), Set Design + Costume Design (Stewart Charlesworth)

Critical responses to The Country Wife

★★★★ “A champagne-swilling, hedonistic farce…1920s-set Restoration comedy that fizzes with the colour and kitsch of the flapper era … an awful lot of fun.” The Stage

“Luke Fredericks’ handsomely mounted production… Fine and funny (often uproariously so)… lots of belly laughs… a tumultuously good opening… Siubhan Harrison’s exquisite, subtle Alithea… Stewart Charlesworth’s opulent set.” Whats On Stage

“Sarah Lam’s Lady Fidget is a wickedly lively creature who enacts a solo orgasm worthy of Meg Ryan’s Sally.” The Arts Desk

“Top notch comedy and rambunctious farce…brilliantly executed.”BroadwayWorld

★★★★ “Magnificent costumes from Stewart Charlesworth… inspired choreography from Heather Douglas… fine acting throughout. Nancy Sullivan, in particular, provides superb comedy as Margery… a play well worth reviving and it further cements the reputation of the Playhouse as a stellar producer of varied and interesting plays.” British Theatre

“With a mix of deception, disguise and plenty of debauchery, this farcical tale is a whirlwind adventure.” The Spy in the Stalls

★★★★ “Lively twenties farce, delivered with style and class …highlights include Daniel Cane riotous as the witless fop Sparkish, and a When Harry Met Sally solo moment for Sarah Lam as Lady Fidget which brings act one to an undeniable climax.” My Theatre Mates

“An immensely stylish new adaptation by Morphic Graffiti…exquisitely dressed by Stewart Charlesworth…. Enduring appeal unlikely situations appear perfectly plausible.” Theatre World