Serve up a new comedy drama in Belper with Fish & Chips

Responsible for laughs with a pot of dramatic battered bits are Jean and Norman Bakewell, owners of The CodFather chip shop.

Whilst one works hard to keep the business afloat, the other dreams of escape – perhaps to the south of France even?

Amongst the daily banter and monotony between the two there lies great sadness and pain, of regret and feelings of living somebody else’s life, with an absence which must be addressed with the arrival of Grayson – Norman’s brother and an old flame of Jean’s.

So with the discovery of an old love letter and a diary detailing a specific event in the play,the reality of their lives is revealed.

But is it too late to go back?

Marde Hen are a local group who are unique as they try to develop new writing and showcase that work.

They had great success with their previous play, Late, in 2014 and 2015.

Fish & Chips is written by the same playwright, Stephen Lee Rees, who wrote Late.

The cast includes Mik Horvath as Norman, Jane Wilton as Jean, Paul Davies as Grayson, Vanessa McAuley as Sally, Pip Price as Kenneth and Jeannie Jordan as Donna.

And to get themselves even more into character ahead of the production opening, the cast this week wnet to do a couple of hours’ work experience at the King Street Chip Shop in Belper to see what it’s like to work in a chippy and bring that experience to the stage.

Fish & Chips is on at the Strutts Centre from February 18 to 20 at 7.30pm each night, plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £10 on 07875648562 or 07886017913.

For details, visit www.mardehenproductions.co.uk