This week: Nicholas Le Provost & Patricia Hodge

Nicholas Le Provost & Patricia Hodge at Brighton Racecourse for the launch of Dandy Dick at the Theatre Royal Brighton

“To celebrate the launch of Dandy Dick, the inaugural production to be staged by Theatre Royal Brighton Productions, the first ever Dandy Dick Stakes took place this week at Brighton Racecourse. Stars Patricia Hodge and Nicholas Le Prevost, joined the entire cast to watch the race, which Theatre Royal Brighton sponsored to mark the launch.

Patricia Hodge said: “I am so pleased to be appearing at Theatre Royal Brighton this summer. Dandy Dick is a gloriously funny classic of British comedy. It tells the story of a straight-laced vicar, who, egged on by his tearaway sister [me], gets embroiled in the wicked world of horse racing. It’s a neglected masterpiece which was written in Brighton 125 years ago and was inspired by the city’s Racecourse. It is such a fresh and hilariously funny play and I am loving every minute of rehearsals.”

Dandy Dick by Arthur Wing Pinero opens at Theatre Royal Brighton on 28 June. Written by Pinero while he was resident in Brighton in 1887, it tells the hilarious story of the Very Reverend Augustin Jedd, a pillar of Victorian respectability, who preaches against the evils of horseracing and gambling. However, a visit from his tearaway sister, leads him to risk all at the races, much against his better judgement. Mayhem ensues, romantic intrigue, mistaken identity and a runaway horse. www.atgtickets.com/brighton