Theatre to open with Shaffer’s farce “Black Comedy”

The Hanover College Theatre will open its 2022-23 season with a presentation of Peter Shaffer’s unique farce “Black Comedy,” Friday-Sunday, Oct. 14-16.

Featuring a creative use of light and darkness, “Black Comedy” is a hilarious tale of Brindsley Miller’s efforts to impress his fiancée’s wealthy father. Before his future in-law arrives, Miller scurries to furnish his empty apartment with posh antiques from his out-of-town neighbor. During the visit, a fuse short-circuits, cutting the apartment building’s electricity, and the neighbor returns home early. Miller must return the furniture to the correct apartment before the power is restored and his fiancée’s father suspects anything.

Commissioned to write a one-act play in 1965, Shaffer’s resulting “Black Comedy” is considered one of the best farces ever written. The play was first presented at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 1965 and its original Broadway production was staged at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in 1967.

Hanover’s season-opening performance of “Black Comedy” will be presented at The Other Place, located between Donner Hall and Ide Hall. The production features an eight-member all-student cast and is directed by Jennifer Schmidt, assistant professor of theatre.

The Oct. 14-15 performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Oct. 16 presentation will start at 2 p.m.

General admission tickets are free and available in advance. Reservations of tickets are required due to limited seating in the venue. Tickets may be printed or scanned upon entry from a barcode on a mobile device.