Literary laughs in comedians’ spoof

Britain’s favourite literary lunatics, Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding, are back with their cult Brontë spoof, Withering Looks.

They just couldn’t resist the urge to dust off their crinolines, wear flattering bonnets and sit at rained-lashed windows in a pale and decorative manner.

Withering Looks takes a so called authentic look at the lives and works of the Brontë sisters – well, two of them actually, Anne’s just conveniently popped out for a cup of sugar.

Peopled with many of the characters we know and love, Maggie and Sue move effortlessly from frock to frock coat.

In this spoof of the Brontës and Wuthering Heights they ask such questions as who is the Brontes’ mysterious neighbour, Mr Moorcock of Ravaged Heath House, and what does the maniacal laughter coming from his attic mean? Do unfulfilled souls really wander over the wild and heather-clad moors? And who should Cathy marry; Heathcliff or David Niven?

Withering Looks has won a Manchester Evening News Theatre Award and the Critics Award for Comedy at the Edinburgh Festival.

Maggie and Sue’s company is called LipService and it specialises in performing hilarious spoofs of popular classic books and films.

Their other works include Jane Bond, Very Little Women, Knit One Murder One and Margaret III Parts Two and Three.

You can catch Withering Looks in Bedford Corn Exchange’s main auditorium on Wednesday, February 8 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £15 and are available from The Central Box Office on 01234 269519 or online at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

To find out more about LipService and to view podcasts from the actresses visit the company’s website at www.lipservicetheatre.co.uk