Alan Ayckbourn’s Taking Steps opens new season at Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold

Sep 28 2011 Ellesmere Port Pioneer

Alan Ayckbourn’s Taking Steps will launch Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s winter season at the Mold venue.

The comedy follows the woes of hard-drinking bucket manufacturing tycoon Roland Crabbe, who is about to buy a house – a reputedly haunted former brothel – from Leslie Bainbridge, a devious builder.

His wife Elizabeth is planning on walking out on him, brother-in-law Mark is sending everyone to sleep with his conversation, Mark’s fiancée is hiding in the attic and befuddled solicitor Tristram is getting into all the wrong beds.

Confusion and mayhem inevitably ensue.

Lora Davies will direct at Clwyd Theatr Cymru for the first time. A trainee under the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme, Lora’s directing credits include productions at The Orange Tree Theatre in London and Cambridge Shakespeare Festival.

In Mold she has been assistant director on a number of recent shows, including Dancing at Lughnasa, Guys and Dolls and The Taming of the Shrew.

Elizabeth is played by Catrin Aaron, an associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru, who was last seen as Bella in Gaslight, Chris in Dancing at Lughnasa and Harriet in A Small Family Business.

Robert Blythe plays Roland. An associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru, his recent work in Mold includes Baptista in The Taming of the Shrew and Jack in A Small Family Business.

He is a familiar face on TV from shows including six series of BBC Wales comedy High Hopes, in which he plays Fagin.

Taking Steps will run in the Emlyn Williams Theatre until Saturday, October 15. Call the box office on 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.