The Revengers' Comedies: Frequently Asked Questions

Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist Simon Murgatroyd's answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Alan Ayckbourn's The Revengers' Comedies. If you have a question about this or any other of Alan Ayckbourn's plays, you can contact the website via the Contact Us page.

Do I have to see both parts of The Revengers' Comedies to appreciate it?
Yes, although it is in two parts, The Revengers' Comedies is a single play. It is probably better regarded as a single four act play. Although Part 1 does end at a satisfying climax, it is a cliff-hanger ending and the play is only resolved by seeing Part 2. Likewise, Part 2 would make very little sense if Part 1 had not already even seen.

Do I have to see them in a certain order?
Yes. Unlike certain other Ayckbourn plays - such as The Norman Conquests - The Revengers' Comedies has to be seen in the correct order (Part 1 followed by Part 2) to make sense.

Can I perform just one part of The Revengers' Comedies?
No, The Revengers' Comedies is considered a single play for performance and both parts are licensed together and both have to be performed.

Do both parts have to be performed together?
No. Generally speaking, because of their length, they are performed on alternate performance evenings. However, most productions also schedule matinee (part 1) / evening (part 2) performances so the entire play can be seen in one day.

Is it The Revenger's Comedies or The Revengers' Comedies?
The latter, The Revengers' Comedies, as there are multiple revengers.

Can I update the play to a modern setting?
If you don't alter the dialogue, then yes. If not, no. Ideally the play should be set in the early 1990s reflecting the time when it was written. Alan Ayckbourn firmly believes the majority of his writing are period pieces which reflect the society and attitudes of the period. Updating them - particularly plays pre-mobile phone - often presents narrative issues as the lack of technology such as mobile phones can lead to insurmountable plot-holes that don't exist on their original timeframe and attitudes have changed. Bruce Tick is a perfectible believable creation of his time, but would be a difficult character to portray in contemporary society.

Is the movie version available in the UK / USA?
In the UK, The Revengers' Comedies is currently not available. It is available as a Region 1 DVD in North America (where it is known as Sweet Revenge) and has also been released on DVD in other international territories.

Is the movie version worth watching?
Not really. It bears very little resemblance to the play and has been considerably altered. In context, the film runs for 82 minutes and the original play ran for just over five hours. It's best to watch it and pretend it has nothing to do with the play - although in which case you're essentially watching an inferior version of Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers On A Train!

All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.