THE TOURING production of Jean Dell and Gerald Sibleyras’ two-hander, An Hour and a Half Late starring Mel Smith and Belinda Lang, will visit Richmond Theatre from October 9 to October 14, 2006.

Adapted by Smith, An Hour and a Half Late is described as a devastatingly funny and poignantly recognisable portrait of a married couple.

The couple in question have been married 30 years and are preparing to go out to dinner, when a chance and candid conversation causes an argument. So, can they resolve their differences quickly or will they be late – an hour and a half late?

Smith, who will be making a rare stage appearance, and his comedy partner Griff Rhys-Jones created and starred in the long-running TV sketch show Alas Smith and Jones – not to be confused with the 70’s western series Alias Smith and Jones.

The pair also founded Talkback Productions, which was responsible for Smack the Pony, Da Ali G and I’m Alan Partridge.

Smith has also achieved considerable success as writer, performer and director across film, theatre and television. For example, he has appeared in Not the Nine O’Clock News and directed the feature films The Tall Guy and Bean.

Lang’s stage credits include What the Butler Saw, Things We Do for Love, The Secret Rapture, Present Laughter, Life x 3 and most recently, Hay Fever alongside Dame Judi Dench.

On television, she appeared in the long-running and hugely popular 2Point4 Children.

The tour will also visit Bath, Bromley, Brighton, Guildford, Edinburgh and Windsor.

Also at Richmond, Sibleyras’ Heroes. Read more