Bromley is off to the races as Dandy Dick gallops on stage at The Churchill Theatre (From News Shopper)

Bromley is off to the races as Dandy Dick gallops on stage at The Churchill Theatre

9:48am Friday 13th July 2012 in Leisure By Nikki Jarvis

Theatregoers are being invited to the races – but they won’t have to worry about finding a fabulous hat or getting caught in the rain.

Classic play Dandy Dick is galloping on stage at The Churchill Theatre in Bromley between July 24 and July 28.

This very British affair already holds a special place in The Churchill’s heart as it was one of the first productions to be performed at the theatre during its opening months on 1977.

The play, by newly formed company TRB Productions, features a stellar cast including Olivier Award winner Patricia Hodge and Nicholas Le Provost.

Dandy Dick tells the hilarious story of the Very Reverend Augustin Jedd, a pillar of Victorian respectability, who preaches regularly against the evils of horseracing and gambling.

A visit from his tearaway sister, Georgiana, leads him to risk it all at the races, much against his better judgement.

Patricia Hodge, who plays Georgiana, said: “People want to be taken out of themselves.

“It’s not a time for self-examination – we get enough of that in the papers.

“No - they either want to have a laugh or be ravished with music and this play does both.”

Mayhem ensues after Georgiana’s arrival, with romantic intrigue, mistaken identity and a runaway horse. Georgina sounds like a bit of a minx, but Patricia is quick to correct this estimation.

“A minx is a trouble maker and she’s not.” She said.

“She is a woman who brings a totally and utterly different set of values into a very establishment household, and the fact she and the Dean are brother and sister is the rub - they’ve come from the same family but could not be more different.

“But there’s nothing subversive about her.

“She’s so strong and upfront and has such freshness – she’s sort of a woman who behaves like a man.

“She breaks all the rules but it’s never for unkind reasons.

“She’s one of those people who are full of joy and spirit and it causes mayhem in this particular household.”

With a career spanning a veritable wealth of theatre roles, Patricia has also enjoyed TV success in shows including Miranda and Behind Enemy Lines.

And if the enthusiastic response thus far is anything to go by, Dandy Dick looks set to charm theatregoers all over the country.

Patricia added: “It’s a real piece of old fashioned theatre in the way people used to want to go and be entertained by and it’s nice to be reminded of that.

“The easy thing for producers to do is a modern play with one set and four actors.

“To wind the clock back and to find this little jewel which has entertained people for many years and to dust it off is a delight.”

Tickets to Dandy Dick cost between £15 and £29.50.

Showtime is 7.45pm with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

For bookings visit atgtickets.com