" The Anniversary" by Bill Macilwraith, starring Sheila Hancock at Garrick Theatre from 20 Jan 2005.

" The Anniversary" by Bill Macilwraith, starring Sheila Hancock at Garrick Theatre from 20 Jan 2005.

The Liverpool Playhouse production of The Anniversary , a comedy by Bill Macilwraith, opens at the Garrick Theatre 26 Jan 2005, following previews from 20 Jan, and booking to 16 Apr 2005. (Tickets are now on sale!)

Directed by Denis Lawson and designed by Robin Donn, the cast includes: Sheila Hancock (Mum), Rosie Cavaliero (Karen) Liam Garrigan (Tom) , Tony Maudsley (Henry), Madeleine Worrall (Shirley).

Set in South London, the The Anniversary centres around a formidable and domineering 'merry widow' who delights in getting the better of her family. On the day of her and her late husband's wedding anniversary, her beloved sons and bedevilled daughters-in-law gather for the annual party that quickly turns into a battle of wits as 'Mum' schemes, plots and uses any means necessary to keep her chicks in the nest.

Sheila Hancock's theatre credits includes: The Arab Israeli Cookbook (Gate Theatre) Under the Blue Sky (Royal Court Theatre); Vassa (Albery Theatre) and In Extremis (Royal National Theatre). Her TV work includes: Feather Boy, Bedtime series1,2and 3, Fortysomething, Bait, The Russian Bride and Eastenders. Film credits includes: Yes, Hold back the Night and Love and Death on Long Island. Also, Sheila Hancock played the part of Karen in the 1966 West End production of The Anniversary and also in the film of the play with Bette Davis playing Mum.