John Godber's Empty Nesters Club opens at the Stephen Joseph Theatre

From coach driver to playwright, Rob Angell has played a host of John Godber's characters and this time around is playing a dad coming to terms with his daughter leaving home to go to university.
Rob Angell, Josie Morley and Jane Hogarth in the Empty Nesters ClubRob Angell, Josie Morley and Jane Hogarth in the Empty Nesters Club
Rob Angell, Josie Morley and Jane Hogarth in the Empty Nesters Club

He counts himself fortunate to be the first actor to take many of Godber’s characters from page to stage.

“John has written some real gems and the challenge of them is that you have no idea what it is going to be like or whether it is going to be funny.

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“You are at the heart of the creative process. You don’t get that doing the Cherry Orchard or Uncle Vanya,” he said.

“You are creating a character and when the play is published yours is the definitive characterisation. It’s great because you are leavinbg a bit of history behind.”

In the Empty Nesters Club, Rob plays Phil, an educational psychologist, coming to terms with the fact his daughter is leaving home to go to university.”

His wife Vicky finds comfort in forming an Empty Nesters Club while Rob takes up kung fu and cycling.

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“Like many couples, they find themselves with only each other for company and have nothing in common,” said Rob.

One of his favourite Godber plays is September in the Rain – a couple who holiday in Blackpool each year and find themselves reflecting on their relationship.

“It is a beautiful love story, one I have done it three times and wold like to do it one more time,” said Rob.

He has also been in Up ‘n’ Under, Men of the World, April in Paris and This Might Hurt – which was at the Stephen Joseph Theatre last year.

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The appeal of Godber’s work is its accessibility and its northern working class roots, said Rob.

“His plays do travel, though, where-ever we perform we hear laughs and groans of recognition,” he said.

Rob is well known for his role on BBC 1’s Waterloo Road and has appeared in The Royal and Coronation Street.

He has also toured with Yorkshire-based Bad Apple Theatre company.

Also in Empty Nesters are Jane Hogarth and Josie Morley.

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It runs at Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, from today - Monday March 13 – until Saturday March 18.

Performances are today,tomorrow, Wednesday at 7.30pm, Thursday March 16 at 1.30pm and 7pm, Friday March 17 at 7.30pm and Saturday March 18 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are available on 01723 370541 or or online at www.sjt.uk.com