YORK Theatre Royal and Northern Broadsides are to collaborate for the second time in ten years to stage J B Priestley’s rarely toured comedy When We Are Married from this autumn.

Directed by Broadsides artistic director Barrie Rutter, the co-production will open in York from September 9 to 24 and then head out on a national tour until December 10, taking in Yorkshire runs at Hull Truck Theatre, the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough and a home-town finale at the Viaduct Theatre, Dean Clough, Halifax.

Northern Broadsides and the Theatre Royal worked together previously on Blake Morrison’s adaptation of Goldoni’s Italian farce The Man With Two Gaffers in 2006 in York.

First performed in 1938, Priestley’s heartily entertaining northern comedy, When We Are Married, plays right into Broadsides' hands, suiting their trademark vitality, physical exuberance and relish of bringing language alive.

The Yorkshire setting is Cleckleywyke, a town in the West Riding, where the Helliwells, the Parkers and the Soppitts are highly respected pillars of their Edwardian community but not for much longer. Married on the same day in the same chapel, they gather to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary in 1908, only for their celebrations to be cut short when they discover the vicar was not licensed and they are actually not married. In fact, they have been living in sin for 25 years.

York Press:

Northern Broadsides' poster for When We Are Married

Director Rutter, who will play the lead role of Henry Ormonroyd, says of his forthcoming production: "When We Are Married is the quintessential Yorkshire comedy with an absurd plot overflowing with authentic attitudes of the day; fun for the cast as well as the audience.

"Having wanted to stage this classic comedy for many years and also have the opportunity to once again co-produce with York Theatre Royal, especially in its beautifully refurbished building, makes for a goodly double.”

Rutter's directing credits include Broadsides' 2016 production of The Merry Wives, the award-winning An August Bank Holiday Lark, We Are Three Sisters and Othello, whose title role marked the Shakespeare debut of Lenny Henry. Last year the Hull-born Rutter, now 69, was awarded an OBE for services to drama.

When We Are Married will be designed by Jessica Worrall, who worked on Broadsides' She Stoops to Conquer, and the lighting design will be by Tim Skelly, whose previous Broadsides show was We Are Three Sisters. Further casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for York's 7.30pm evening shows and matinees at 2pm on September 15 and 22 and 2.30pm on September 17 and 24 are on sale on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk. Booking will open at a later date for the runs in Hull from September 27 to October 1; Leeds, October 18 to 22; Scarborough, October 25 to 29, and Halifax, November 29 to December 10.