British Comedy Takes Center Stage This Weekend

Can’t get enough British comedy?

If that’s the case, the Carrollwood Players have a show on stage that you might want to check out.

“Good Evening” boasts 14 comedy sketches originally written and performed by Dudley Moore and Peter Cook. The Players’ version features Eric Misener and John Watson in the starring roles and co-director Jim Russell says it’s a night of comedy that will give theater-goers a chance to experience the roots of modern British comedy.

“It is an extremely unique theatrical performance because it has very rarely been staged since it appeared on Broadway in 1974 starring Dudley Moore and Peter Cook,” explained Russell whose co-director is Amy C. Ragg.

The show is so rare, in fact, Russell said the Players had to get scripts from a collector to be able to put on the production.

While the show isn’t widely known in America, Russell said Moore and Cook’s work is well worth seeing by those with a passion for Monty Python, “Absolutely Fabulous” and other British acts.

“They (Moore and Cook) are considered to be the founding fathers of Modern British satire,” he said. “They inspired Monty Python.”

“Good Evening” opens Friday, June 21 with an 8 p.m. performance. It runs again Saturday, June 22 at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee is set for 3 p.m. The show closes out with a Friday and Saturday run at 8 p.m. both nights, June 28-29. Tickets are $18 each or $15 for seniors, students or military personnel. To reserve seats, just visit the Players’ website.

“It’s a great, great evening of laughter and lots of fun,” said Russell.

To find out more about the Carrollwood Players, visit their website. The Carrollwood Playhouse is located at 4333 Gunn Highway.