Martin Shaw in Hobson’s Choice at MK Theatre

It may be 100 years since it was first performed but Hobson’s Choice at Milton Keynes Theatre this week doesn’t put a foot wrong!

Theatre Royal Bath Feb 2016 Dress Rehearsal Hobson's Choice by Harold Brighouse Directed by Jonathan Church Designer Simon Higlett Lighting Designer Tim Mitchell Music Matthew Scott Martin Shaw/Henry Hobson Naomi Frederick/Maggie Hobson Bryan Dick/William Mossop Christopher Timothy/Jim Heeler Florence Hall/Alice Hobson Gabrielle Dempsey/Vickey Hobson Joanne McCallum/Mrs Hepworth Emily Johnstone/Ada Figgins Ryan Saunders/Fred Beenstock Ken Drury/Dr Macfarlane David Shaw-Parker/Tubby Wadlow Mark Donald/Albert Prosser ©NOBBY CLARK +44(0)7941-515770 +44(0)20-7274-2105 nobby@nobbyclark.co.uk

Photograph by Nobby Clark

So what choice is Henry Hobson offered? The option of taking what is offered – or nothing at all!

Harold Brighouse’s classic comedy, Hobson’s Choice, is celebrating its centenary in 2016 but its appeal is as great as it was 100 years ago. It’s full of laughter, wit and warmth.
Henry Horatio Hobson (played by Martin Shaw) is a self-made man – but he’s also a skinflint, a boozer and a tyrant to boot. When his eldest daughter makes it clear that she wants to marry – if not for love then certainly for her own determined purposes – a battle of wills commences that rocks the status quo.
The situation isn’t helped by the fact that the man she has chosen to spend the rest of her life with is her own father’s employee and the pair of them plan to set up a rival business. Henry stands to lose much more than just the argument but can he bring himself to loosen the reins on his daughter or will he risk bankruptcy? He’s struggling with the prospect of either but ultimately, it is Hobson’s choice. He can take it or leave it.
Directed by Jonathan Church, who has recently been appointed Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company, the production comes out of the prestigious Theatre Royal Bath stable and stars Martin Shaw (Inspector George Gently, Judge John Deed and The Professionals).

Theatre Royal Bath Feb 2016 Dress Rehearsal Hobson's Choice by Harold Brighouse Directed by Jonathan Church Designer Simon Higlett Lighting Designer Tim Mitchell Music Matthew Scott Martin Shaw/Henry Hobson Naomi Frederick/Maggie Hobson Bryan Dick/William Mossop Christopher Timothy/Jim Heeler Florence Hall/Alice Hobson GabrielleDempseyVickeyHobson Joanne McCallum/Mrs Hepworth Emily Johnstone/Ada Figgins Ryan Saunders/Fred Beenstock Ken Drury/Dr Macfarlane David Shaw-Parker/Tubby Wadlow Mark Donald/Albert Prosser ©NOBBY CLARK +44(0)7941-515770 +44(0)20-7274-2105 nobby@nobbyclark.co.uk

Photograph by Nobby Clark

Catch this one before it transfers to the West End!

Hobson’s Choice is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 7th – 12th March (matinees on Wednesday & Saturday)
Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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