The hosts of the party are Alderman Joseph Helliwell (Mark Stratton) and Maria Helliwell (Geraldine Fitzgerald), and the third couple is the Soppitts – submissive Herbert (Steve Huison) and the dictatorial Clara (Kate Anthony). What's new? there's accidental kisses (too many of them), wrist grabs with long pause, constantly looking at each other moments (and me be like "Let's skip 30 sec" the same thing is still going on "Oh no! Let's skip more………" ) and ta-da this is how they fell in love, a bitch yet Beautiful looking 2nd female lead who plans obstacles, then ML saving FL like some superhero, the good 2nd male lead (who will never get the girl **actually sad for him** )… again what's new!?

Priestley's premise is simple enough: three Yorkshire couples discover, as they are about to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, that they were never legally married. When We Are Married is a comedy by the English dramatist J. B. Priestley. Written in 1934, [1] it was first performed in London at the St. Martin's Theatre, London, on 11 October 1938. It transferred to the larger Prince's Theatre in March 1939 and ran until 24 June of that year. [2] Plot [ edit ] In November 1938, When We Are Married became the first play to be televised unedited from a theatre when the BBC relayed the complete performance between 8.30 and 10.50 pm on 16 November. [7] In the heart of Northern England, three respectable couples, married on the same day, at the same church, and by the same vicar, join to celebrate 25 years of blissful matrimony. Or so they think.This is the premise of JB Priestley’s classic comedy When We Are Married in the more than capable hands of Barrie Rutter and Northern Broadsides. I feel like the much-loved Northern Broadsides’ last two productions of King Lear and The Merry Wives, while hitting the marks in some places, really didn’t seem to be hitting the rest. Sacrificing attention to detail and atmosphere in exchange for giving their pieces a distinct northern flavour in an attempt to smash certain stereotypes, it seemed like the Broadsides’ power was beginning to dwindle, and I feared this would continue to be a common trait in their future work. Heading into York Theatre Royal’s Main House with these thoughts buzzing around my head, I wasn’t sure what to expect from their new production of J.B Priestley’s classic comedy When We Are Married, directed by Barrie Rutter. His prolific output continued right up to his final years, and to the end he remained the great literary all-rounder. His favourite among his books was for many years the novel Bright Day, though he later said he had come to prefer The Image Men. Hope you enjoy watching ...cuz I did too ...for I knew what to expect ….and this became a good watch ! The film is a screen version of the 1938 stage play by J. B. Priestley, in which three Edwardian era Yorkshire couples, who were all married on the same day 25 years earlier, gather to celebrate their joint silver wedding anniversary, only to be told that due to a legal technicality, their marriages were not valid and that for the past quarter-century they have all effectively been living in sin. Some react with horror at potential scandal, while others glimpse the possibility of freedom from a deadbeat spouse, or regret potential loves that got away after they were "married". Much drama ensues as the couples each re-evaluate their respective marriages, but after grievances have been aired and new understandings forged, all ends happily. The Monthly Film Bulletin, known for its exacting standards, complimented the film as "an exceedingly amusing, if somewhat unkind, picture of a Yorkshire chapel-going fraternity...under the skilful direction of Lance Comfort all the cast bring the characters to life". [2] Cast [ edit ]

So well in short if you are looking for a cliched drama ...this one is a perfect bet ...with cute moments and every cliche you can possibly expect ….this just makes a proper time pass drama ! Gu Xixi ( played by Uvin Wang ) — Not having much to say about her. I think the way her role is… she didn't stand out much in the drama. She didn't impress me or disappoint me. Even though there were loopholes with the story yet the chemistry between Main leads felt real in some scenes… I guess it's their acting… Set in a prosperous woollen town in Yorkshire's West Riding, 'When We Are Married' is a comedy which has stood the test of time relatively well. Now a septuagenarian, it's as much a historical piece as a comedy, but it's also one of those plays that has actors fighting for parts because of the richness of the characters, and the riches to be found in Priestley's unique concept and nimble dialogue. This fine ensemble make the most of every moment. Maureen Lipman as Clara Soppitt employs her exceptional comic timing to great effect as her mousey husband (Sam Kelly) suddenly finds his voice and exerts his authority. Simon Rouse's bombastic Councillor Parker has to rethink his marital stance as his initially meek wife Annie (Michele Dotrice) bluntly tells him that he's not only "pompous, dull and stingy" but also "very, very dreary". And David Horovitch's Alderman Helliwell finds his temper strained as his better half Maria (played by Susie Blake) threatens to leave him and the drudgery she endures in running the household. Paul Archer’s portrayal of Councillor Albert Parker, a pompous windbag and ‘swankpot’ was a tour de force. Annie, his wife (Sue Shearsmith), really came into her own in a showdown when, after 25 years of being spoken at, she told him he was dreary and stingy.Set designers Carolyn and David Garwes with their construction team created an Edwardian sitting room perfectly: aspidistras, antimacassars, velvet curtains and sepia photographs conveyed an image of prosperous respectability, cushioned from the world outside. The costumes complemented the set, giving an impression of starched, buttoned-up formality, creating a sense that keeping up appearances is of prime importance. When Priestley left the army he studied at Cambridge University, where he completed a degree in Modern History and Political Science. Subsequently he found work as theatre reviewer with the Daily News, and also contributed to the Spectator, the Challenge and Nineteenth Century. His earliest books included The English Comic Characters (1925), The English Novel (1927), and English Humour (1928). His breakthrough came with the immensely popular novel The Good Companions, published in 1929, and Angel Pavement followed in 1930. He emerged, too, as a successful dramatist with such plays as Dangerous Corner (1932), Time and the Conways (1937), When We Are Married (1938) and An Inspector Calls (1947). St. Martin's Theatre", The Times, 12 October 1938, p. 12; "Princes Theatre", The Times, 28 March 1939, p. 12; and "Theatres", The Times, 24 June 1939, p. 10 Female lead was taking advantage of SML till the end… like Girl he confessed to you already yet you keep talking to him as if nothing happened and even accepting extra helps from him… Joan Sydney: Neighbours and A Country Practice star dies at 83". BBC News. 6 January 2023 . Retrieved 6 January 2023.

A triumph of the 1996 season was a production of JB Priestley’s comedy When We Are Married about three respectable Yorkshire couples who find out on their silver anniversaries that their marriages are unauthorised. This the TV adaptation of JB Priestly's play of the same name first published in 1938. Three couples are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversaries. Not only do they all share the same anniversary they all got married at the same church at the same time by the same preacher. But a revelation that comes forth during the festivities throws them all in a turmoil. The play revolves around the repercussions of this revelation, and what can be done to solve the problem. The story is further enhanced with the possibility that certain characters are quite pleased with the new situation and are not especially enthusiastic about rectifying it. The 2nd couple which is often like a life saver in a drama didn't stand out much here… like I didn't get half of their story & they were just not acceptable… how did they fall in love, where is the passion coming from… Northern Broadsides create a highly comedic and warm live experience that is a joy to share with other audiences. I just hope they keep this up, and they continue in this enjoyable vein. The pompous and blustering Councillor Albert Parker (Adrian Hood), a man whose face is frequently as red as his silk waistcoat, is paired with meek and timid Annie Parker (Sue Devaney).I suspect that this revival is most likely to be appreciated by those of a certain age. Though it is dated in terms of the societal values it portrays, there's also much which feels modern, especially in terms of role reversal. But it is a rather 'northern' play in terms of both the style of humour and some of the linguistic niceties. For example, I don't hear many people in London describing an argument as 'fratching', even though it is correctly listed in the dictionary. So I'm not sure that West End audiences will fully appreciate the nuances in Priestly's well-observed description. Still, it has endearing charm, great characters and more than enough humour to make for a good night out.