Nick Brancaccio

Updated: January 28, 2020

Character Geoffery Cassilis played by Brennan Roberts holds the hand of his would-be fiancee Ethel Borridge played by Kyra Scarlett, centre right, as their mothers Mrs. Cassilis, left, played by Sarah Hagarty and Mrs. Borridge, Avery MacDonald, right, come into the scene during University Players production of The Cassilis Engagement at Essex Hall Theatre University of Windsor Tuesday. Show opens January 31 at 8 PM. Nick Brancaccio / Windsor Star

University Players are set to present their latest production, The Cassilis Engagement, described as a comedy for lovers and anti-romantics alike.

The play, written by St. John Hankin and subtitled Comedy for Mothers, is a clash of the classes. Upper-class Geoffery Cassilis and lower-class Ethel Borridge are determined to tie the knot, and now the refined Mrs. Cassilis must take on the loud and obnoxious Mrs. Borridge as their children bring them together to plan the wedding.

Mrs. Cassilis invites the would-be fiance and her mother to their sprawling country estate to introduce them to the demands of high society. Much to Ethels embarrassment, her mother cant help but show her lack of etiquette at every turn, whether it is yawning at breakfast or bursting into a raunchy after-dinner song.

This production marks the first time the show has been staged locally. St. John Hankin was a contemporary of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw, although his plays are seldom produced.

The Countess of Remenham, played by Katelyn Doyle, reacts to a comment by Mrs. Cassilis while having tea during University Players production of The Cassilis Engagement at Essex Hall Theatre University of Windsor Tuesday. Show opens January 31 at 8 PM. Nick Brancaccio / Windsor Star

He went largely neglected for nearly a hundred years before several revivals of his work were produced at the Shaw Festival in Niagara, in New York, and in London, England in the 1990s and early 2000s. The Cassilis Engagement is a great example of late Edwardian comedy.

The Cassilis Engagement opens Jan. 31 with an 8 p.m. performance at Essex Hall Theatre. The show runs approximately two hours and is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at universityplayers.com or by calling the box office at 519-253-3000 ext. 2808. Regular price tickets start at $19.

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Photos: University Players to stage The Cassilis Engagement - Windsor Star