Habeas Corpus Tickets

By: Alan Bennett
Songs by: Adam Cork
Director: Patrick Marber
Cast list: Katie Bernstein, Kirsty Besterman, Jasper Britton, Matthew Cottle, Ria Jones, Thomas Josling, Caroline Langrishe, Kelvin O'Mard, Catherine Russell, Abdul Salis and Dan Starkey.
Design: Richard Hudson
Lighting: Neil Austin
Costume: Richard Hudson
Sound: Adam Cork

The Wicksteed family in Habeas Corpus live by one motto: “He whose lust lasts, lasts longest.” But how much lust can one person feasibly have without causing big problems? Make sure you’re at the Wicksteeds’ house in Alan Bennett’s Habeas Corpus, which is being revived at Menier Chocolate Factory. Book Habeas Corpus tickets on TodayTix.

Set in 1960s Hove, Habeas Corpus follows the Wicksteeds as family and friends arrive on the doorstep. Mr Wicksteed is the head of the house, living with his wife Muriel. But Mr Wicksteed has a wandering eye that can’t be tamed. His eye isn’t helped when spinster friend Connie longs to be alluring, vicar Canon Throbbing wants to give up his celibacy, and Sir Percy Shorter wants Muriel for his own.

Sexual passion can’t be denied in Habeas Corpus, especially when they’re explored. But with Mrs Swabb, the Wicksteeds’ cleaner narrating the events, her snarky carnal commentary cuts through the antics like a sharp knife.

Habeas Corpus is one of Alan Bennett’s earliest comedies, which is being revived for the first time in 25 years. The comedy play’s title is deep rooted in a law term though. The phrase “Habeas Corpus” is a two-word Latin term used in law by someone applying for another person’s lawful, free release into society. While the behaviour in Habeas Corpus may be more questionable than its legal origin, sounds of laughter are bound to erupt from the Menier Chocolate Factory.

What to Watch For

• British playwright Alan Bennett’s award-winning works include The Madness of George III and The History Boys. Two of his works have recently been revived at the Bridge Theatre: a Talking Heads summer series of plays in 2020 and Allejuah! in 2018.
• If somebody were to translate “Habeas Corpus” directly from Latin, it means “let someone have the body.”
• The Habeas Corpus play is Alan Bennett’s third full-length play to open in the West End. Habeas Corpus London performances began in 1973 at the Lyric Theatre, starring Alec Guinness.
• Sam Mendes’ production of Habeas Corpus at the Donmar Warehouse in 1996 starred Jim Broadbent and Imelda Staunton.
• Patrick Marber directs the British farce, returning to comedy plays after directing Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt and Travesties.