Ayckbourn's My Wonderful Day, a Revealing Homework Assignment, Gets U.S. Premiere

By Adam Hetrick
18 Nov 2009

My Wonderful Day star Ayesha Antoine
My Wonderful Day star Ayesha Antoine
Photo by Robert Day

Acclaimed British playwright Alan Ayckbourn gives us a child's-eye view of the adult world in My Wonderful Day, opening Off-Broadway Nov. 18 at 59E59 Theaters.

Ayckbourn directs the American debut of his comedy that began previews Nov. 11 and will continue through Dec. 13. My Wonderful Day made its world premiere at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, where Ayckbourn was the longtime artistic director. He stepped down earlier in 2009.

The cast includes Ayesha Antoine, Terence Booth, Ruth Gibson, Paul Kemp (Private Fears in Public Places), Petra Letang and Alexandra Mathie (Private Fears in Public Places).

According to press notes, "Winnie lives in a world full of adults. She's off school for the day and has an essay to write, 'My Wonderful Day.' What better opportunity than quietly seated unnoticed in a corner, whilst mother busies herself around the house? What better source of material than the bizarre and increasingly frenetic comings and goings of adults in the weird household in which she finds herself? Enjoy a child's eye view of her 'Wonderful' day and prepare to be appalled!"

The design team is comprised of Roger Glossop (set design), Mick Hughes (lighting design), Jennie Boyer (costume design) and Ben Vickers (sound design).

In previous seasons Brits Off-Broadway festival presented the U.S. premieres of Ayckbourn's Private Fears in Public Places and Intimate Exchanges. Ayckbourn was also represented on Broadway this year with the Tony-winning revival of The Norman Conquests. His numerous plays include Woman In Mind, Relatively Speaking, How The Other Half Loves, Absurd Person Singular, Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval, A Small Family Business, Henceforward..., Comic Potential, Things We Do For Love and House & Garden.

Additional productions presented as part of Brits Off-Broadway are Toby Davies' Wolves at the Window (Nov. 10-Dec. 6); Mary Swan and Saul Jaffé's Merrick, The Elephant Man (Nov. 24-Dec. 13); Nichola McAuliffe's A British Subject (Dec. 9-Jan. 3, 2010); Simon Green (Dec. 15-Jan. 4, 2010); Fascinating Aida is Absolutely Miraculous (Dec. 16-Jan. 4, 2010).

For tickets phone (212) 279-4200 or visit TicketCentral.

Visit 59E59Theaters.