The story Greene wrote just 'for the fun of it'

Written by Graham Greene and adapted to the stage by Giles Havergal this is the tale of stuffy, straight-laced retired bank manager, Henry, who has been so busy in his safe suburban existence it seems life itself has somewhat passed him by.

That is until he meets his eccentric relative and so begins an adventure of a lifetime.

75 year old Aunt Augusta is far from a quiet old lady, with a history of intense love affairs, criminality, travel, adventure and swindles a-plenty.

The dahlias of Henry’s ordered garden are long forgotten as he travels the world from Brighton to Paris via The Orient Express to Istanbul and South America; meeting an array of characters on the way – from pot smoking hippies to CIA operatives and an assortment of shady players.

But after the romance and excitement of travel can Henry ever return to his ordered garden and life before Aunt Augusta? A cast of just four bring over 40 characters to life in this fast paced, hilarious comedy.

This comic novel was originally written by Graham Greene in 1969 and translated to the big screen in 1972 starring Dame Maggie Smith and was adapted to the stage by Giles Havergal in 1989; Greene said it was “the only book I wrote for the fun of it.”

Nightly performances at 7.45pm, 2.30pm matinees Wednesday and Saturday, tickets priced from £15.50 with concessions available.

To book or for more information call the box office on 01323 412000 or online www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk.