Whatsonstage.com
29 September 1998

Film star Joseph Fiennes (younger brother of Ralph) and Liza Walker head the cast in the Royal Court premiere of Nick Grosso's new black comedy Real Classy Affair. The production, directed by James MacDonald, opens at the Royal Court Upstairs (at the Ambassadors) 19 October and runs to 7 November, with previews from 14 October.

Stan and his missus are moving on - leaving north London to open a bistro south of the river. They're getting out and getting a life. But the boys down the pub are put out. It's not only Sam they'll miss - as he is one of their own - but his wayward and flirty wife Louise. And what's more, in whose pad will they have the farewell do?

Joseph Fiennes has appeared in a number of recent feature films including Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth I, Martha Meet Frank Daniel and Laurence and Stealing Beauty. His extensive theatre work includes A Month in the Country (Albery), Woman in Black (Fortune), A View from the Bridge and various RSC productions. Liza Walker is best known for her critically acclaimed stage debut in Patrick Marber's Closer in both the original RNT and Lyric runs.

Fiennes and Walker are joined by an experienced cast including Callum Dixon, Jason Hughes, Jake Wood and Nick Moran.

A former writer in residence at the RNT Studio, Grosso's other plays for the Royal Court include Sweetheart and Peaches. Director James Macdonald is also a Royal Court regular whose productions include Cleansed, Harry and Me, Blasted, Peaches and Putting Two and Two Together.

Real Classy Affair is designed by Rob Howell with lighting by Alan Burrett.