The Clandestine Marriage


The Clandestine Marriage was a hit 1995 London production in which Hawthorne not only starred, but also directed. As he put it; "the thought of directing had been lurking... I just needed the push." Producer was Thelma Holt, a close friend of Hawthorne's. Holt referred to Hawthorne as "a great leader of a company", in regards to his insightful direction of the play, "Everyone loves him, and he likes ensemble work. The most interesting thing about this play is that it has no star. And this was the play he chose."


Synopsis:

The play is a delightful 'romp' full of wonderfully drawn comic characters. It was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1776. Mr Sterling, a self made man, has two daughters, the younger daughter has married secretly and this clandestine marriage must not be revealed until his elder daughter is safely married. After much coming and going and mistaken identities, the play is resolved in truly farcical style.