West Ealing's 'colourful' shop is featured in new play

Imagine an arts centre in a converted shop on a suburban London street. Then imagine an “erotic emporium” next door selling sex aids and lingerie.

What would happen if a hole appeared in the dividing wall between the new premises?

A new play about to be performed at OPEN Ealing examines just such a scenario... and as luck would have it, OPEN Ealing happens to currently occupy a converted shop right next door to the Cherry Pye erotic lingerie emporium.

Royal Wedding, a brand new play by Ealing-based writer Wally Sewell, imagines the chance encounter between the privately-educated artistic director of the centre and his brash, more worldly neighbour.

Described as a light-hearted romp, the play sees sex shop owner Queen Bee step through the newly-created “entrance” to engage artist Tarquin Pritchard-Smith in a bout of combative wordplay, raising issues such as class, snobbery,and the place of the artist in wider society. It’s directed by Ealing-based Anthony Shrubsall and stars Francesca Wilde and Michael Murray.

OPEN Ealing is a local arts initiative originally set up in 2010.

Performances of Royal Wedding will take place at OPENShop 13 Drayton Green Road, W13 0NG, at the following times:
Thursday 5, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September 7.30 pm.
Matinee Saturday 7 September 3 pm.
Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 September 7.30 pm.
Matinee Saturday 14 September 3 pm.
Adm. £7

The performance will last one hour approx., and there will be an opportunity for discussion with the players, writer and director after each performance.

The play is not suitable for children.

28th August 2013