8 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT GB
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How The Other Half Loves

How The Other Half Loves Tickets

4.4/5 - based on 54 reviews
from 54 verified reviews
  • Starring: Tamzin Outhwaite, Nicholas Le Prevost, Jenny Seagrove
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How The Other Half Loves in London

Starring:

Tamzin Outhwaite, Nicholas Le Prevost, Jenny Seagrove

Alan Ayckbourn's How the Other Half Loves was first performed way back in 1969, at the Library Theatre in Scarborough, his second play. And it features the tropes you expect from one of our best-loved playwrights: couples at war, horribly funny misunderstandings, infidelity and lies... and of course that infamous, typically-Ayckbourn interconnecting stage set.

How The Other Half Loves – The story

Jason Merrells and Jenny Seagrove play Bob and Fiona, two married people having an affair. Bob is Frank's employee, and Frank has no idea his wife is seeing Bob. When their respective partners get suspicious, the illicit lovers use a third couple, the hapless and wholly innocent William and Mary Featherstone, to create an alibi.

William also works for Frank, as the company accountant, and when he and his mousy, shy wife Mary are asked to dinner two nights running, once with Frank and Fiona and once with Bob and his wife Teresa, things soon start to get messy as the lovers' subterfuge unravels.

The two dinner parties are played out simultaneously, with William and Mary the guests at two tables on different nights. Brilliant! Typical Ayckbourn, the play is also set across two different living rooms, on stage at the same time.

The Fosters are wealthier, reflected by their smart furnishings and larger home, while the Phillips' home is messier, thanks to a new baby. If you love vintage décor you'll appreciate the gorgeous 1960s geometric designs, thanks to designer Julie Godfrey. The complex dance between the two homes is a masterpiece in itself, with the scenes in the different living rooms inter-cut dramatically.

Ayckbourn is loved by millions of theatre fans for his humane and deeply intelligent writing, and this fast-paced farce is designed to delight. Jenny Seagrove plays Fiona's chilly superiority to perfection, Nicholas Le Prevost aces the role of the awkward, bumbling Frank and Tamzin Outhwaite makes for an excellent feminist. Jason Merrells plays the arrogant Bob with humour and flair, and both Matthew Cottle and Gillian Wright make a top job of the third couple, skilfully revealing their relationship's cruel undertones.

This is the play's first major West End revival, directed by Alan Strachan and a fine portrayal of one of the playwright's most popular pieces, an uncomfortably funny tale of social graces and personal misunderstandings. Don't miss it!

How The Other Half Loves tickets – A major West End revival

Want premium, full price or discount How The Other Half Loves tickets? We always have great availability and you'll enjoy excellent value for money on the complete range of ticket types and seats, cheap to posh.

How The Other Half Loves Official Theatre Tickets

Our central reservation system connects you directly to the Theatre Royal Haymarket box office system. We provide live & full availability for How The Other Half Loves tickets, from VIP and premium, to top price and discount tickets, helping you choose the perfect tickets for your budget. Pick your seats from our interactive seating plan and get your theatre tickets emailed to you instantly after your booking. Simply present your e-tickets at the door on the day and experience what London & the West End have best to offer: the magic of theatre. Buying tickets for How The Other Half Loves has never been easier.

How The Other Half Loves Ticket Information

  • Booking until:

    Saturday, 25 June 2016

  • Cancellations & Refunds

    Once booked, tickets to How The Other Half Loves are usually non exchangeable and non refundable as per our terms & conditions. In practice, however, we will do our best to accommodate your request as long as we are notified at least 48 hours before the performance. Please contact us for more information.

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How The Other Half Loves reviews

4.4 out of 5 based on 54 reviews

What to expect:

Acting
Music
Costumes
Story
Lighting
  • Recommended for:
  • Couples (89%)
  • Theatregoers (94%)
Latest customer reviews

Please note the reviews below are from an old production of How The Other Half Loves.

Hilarious throw back to '79's.

Reviewed on 26 June 2016 by , London, United Kingdom

Very good revival

Really well timed, which this play has to be. One or two moments when dialogue was missed as the actors should have waited for audience response to subside.

Reviewed on 24 June 2016 by , Clitheroe, United Kingdom

Hilarious, brilliant must see!

Reviewed on 19 June 2016 by , Loughton, United Kingdom

Wonderful farce

Excellent play all acted. Terrific cast made a most enjoyable time.

Reviewed on 19 June 2016 by , Christchurch, United Kingdom

Very entertaining evening out

Went to this with two friends who had only ever seen musicals at the theatre before and wanted to try a play. It was very funny and extremely well acted, i would imagine the timing was very tricky to get right but all the actors did so perfectly and the imaginative use of the props and set was excellent. The story was very amusing and, I would think, most people would be able to relate to it one way or another and i would highly recommend it to anyone.

Reviewed on 19 June 2016 by , Rochester, United Kingdom

Laughter all the way

Reviewed on 17 June 2016 by , Aylesbury, United Kingdom

Most enjoyable

Classic Aykbourne - well presented and played superbly.

Reviewed on 17 June 2016 by , London, United Kingdom

1960's Period Piece

Reviewed on 16 June 2016 by , Worcester, United Kingdom

Amusing light comedy about relationships

Pleasantly funny, good cast performed well.

Reviewed on 14 June 2016 by , Blackburn, Australia

Amusing

If you are an Alan Ackborn fan then this is a must for you. The timing in the play keeps the story line going & brilliant acting of all 6 actors

Reviewed on 09 June 2016 by , Harpenden, United Kingdom

See it while you can

A knockout cast, wonderful script and direction, this is a great evening out.Technically hard to pull off, it works like a charm, the audience erupting in laughter every 45 seconds or so. Ayckbourn is a master in this genre, and I laughed as much as I did last night as I did at "Noises Off" years ago.

Reviewed on 04 June 2016 by , London, United Kingdom

clever

Reviewed on 03 June 2016 by , Clacton On Sea, United Kingdom

A night in theatreland

Great show, very funny and entertaining, I especially wanted to see it, as I played the character "William Featherstone" in amateur production 6 years ago with my amateur dramatics company I belong to. Thank you London Box office for up grading my tickets from the gallery to the upper circle.

Reviewed on 03 June 2016 by , Hoddesdon, United Kingdom

Hilarious

Reviewed on 02 June 2016 by , Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

a nice escape!

Reviewed on 01 June 2016 by , London, United Kingdom

Clever

Fantastic timing throughout. Nicolas Le Provost was hilarious.

Reviewed on 30 May 2016 by , Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Hilariously funny

Reviewed on 29 May 2016 by , Much Hadham, United Kingdom

Precise Come-ical Timing

Reviewed on 28 May 2016 by , Halifax, United Kingdom

Loved it - laughed all the way to Euston and the Caledonian Sleeper back to Edinburgh overnight Made me sleep better it was so good !!

Stage craft so clever timing perfect characterization so funny I would se it again

Reviewed on 25 May 2016 by , Edinburgh, United Kingdom

A classic comedy for every adult to enjoy

Excellent script by Alan Ayckbourn matched with 6 professional actors. This play was so enjoyable that I persuaded 2 other friends to see it again based on the cheap price to coax them. They enjoyed it as well. Better still we were upgraded from the Gallery to the Royal Circle so had a much better view !!

Reviewed on 19 May 2016 by , Bromley, United Kingdom

Appauling

Poor acting and jokes that were simply not funny. Very poor show indeed. Was upgraded as the closed the gallery due to poor attendance. We should have got the hint and left straight away. What a shame.

Reviewed on 14 May 2016 by , Rowley Regis, United Kingdom

Creative

Elegant/creative how two plots/scenes simultaneously occupied the same stage.

Reviewed on 08 May 2016 by , Pretoria, South Africa

Humourous and entertaining

Clever, funny, entertaining play with high quality acting.

Reviewed on 07 May 2016 by , Dover, United Kingdom

Awful

Reviewed on 02 May 2016 by , Rainham, United Kingdom

A lighthearted entertainment

A typical Alan Aykbourn production. Cleverly crafted which required split second timing from the actors to pull it off. Did not always hear what was being said due partly to the male actors' diction and audience noise but sufficiently to appreciate and enjoy what was going on. The ladies were very clearly audible.

Reviewed on 30 April 2016 by , Alton, United Kingdom

Clever, funny and very enjoyable.

Reviewed on 28 April 2016 by , Aldbourne, United Kingdom

dated, awful, boring - don't bother

Go around the corner and spend your money on a good show....Comedy about a Bank Robbery - well worth a visit. This play was dated, over acted and so boring that I woke myself up snoring.

Reviewed on 23 April 2016 by , Wareham, United Kingdom

A must see!

Brilliant cast and acting. Clever plot and staging. Adult humour and keeps you entertained all the way through.

Reviewed on 22 April 2016 by , Ashton Under Lyne, United Kingdom

Great Evening

Great show - really funny!! Had a great evening!!!

Reviewed on 20 April 2016 by , Wirral, United Kingdom

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES

We booked this at the very last minute and even though we went for the Gallery seats we had an excellent view and thoroughly enjoyed the show. The cast were brilliant and the set wonderful and we laughed all the way through! A lovely afternoon was spent in lovely surroundings of this theatre.

Reviewed on 20 April 2016 by , Orpington, United Kingdom

Simply excellent

Well acted and very cleverly directed. Highly recommended.

Reviewed on 17 April 2016 by , Gosport, United Kingdom

Funny clever and gripping!!

Reviewed on 16 April 2016 by , Biggin Hill, United Kingdom

very funny brillinat timing!

Reviewed on 11 April 2016 by , Ratby, United Kingdom

great acting and wonderful show

Reviewed on 10 April 2016 by , Richmond, United Kingdom

must be seen

we have never watched a play before, but really really enjoyed it. The acting ( only 6 people in it) was incredible, the amount of lines they each had to learn just blew me away.

Reviewed on 09 April 2016 by , Harwich, United Kingdom

good old fashioned comedy as expected from A.A

Birthday trip for 16 yo grandson...he loved it

Reviewed on 07 April 2016 by , Basingstoke, United Kingdom

How the other half loves

Brilliant! A must see, funny, poignant and fast paced. Would definitely recommend.

Reviewed on 05 April 2016 by , Stockbridge, United Kingdom

Great trip to the theatre

Reviewed on 28 March 2016 by , Burnham On Crouch, United Kingdom

Humorous and enjoyable.

Reviewed on 27 March 2016 by , Kent, United Kingdom

Brilliant

Reviewed on 27 March 2016 by , Glenrothes, United Kingdom

A nice old-fashion farce.

An enjoyable romp, reasonably funny. Good acting and clever staging. Probably rather edgy in its day.

Reviewed on 27 March 2016 by , Tonbridge, United Kingdom

Excellent Show! Must see!

Reviewed on 26 March 2016 by , Leslie, United Kingdom

09 Apr
2016
Phil Sealey

Review: HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at the Haymarket Theatre

by Phil Sealey | Saturday, April 9 2016, 14:48

How The Other Half Loves Alan Ayckbourn's HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES is a very good play. A comedy of manners, we are presented with an upper middle class couple, The Fosters, a lower middle class couple, The Phillips and the Featherstones, a timid couple that sit somewhere in between. Much of the action concerns the interplay of these couples and their social differences in how they deal with their wives and the wives of others when rumours of marital dalliances abound.

Review: HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at the Haymarket Theatre