The world premiere stage adaptation of 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' comes to the Playhouse next month

Belinda Lang and Graham Seed join the cast for the world premiere stage adaptation of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, alongside much-loved comedy treasures Paul Nicholas and Tessa Peake-Jones, which comes to the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 March.

Based on the celebrated Sunday Times bestseller by Deborah Moggach, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is one of the most popular films of the 21st century. This heart-warming play follows a group of British retirees who travel to India to stay at the hotel, where they find unexpected friendship, romance and a new lease of life.

Leading the cast are screen stars Tessa Peake-Jones (Only Fools and Horses, BBC 1; Grantchester, ITV) as Evelyn, a recently widowed housewife looking for a fresh start, and Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar; Just Good Friends; Eastenders; The Real Marigold Hotel, all BBC 1) as Douglas. Belinda Lang (Second Thoughts, ITV; 2point4 Children, BBC 1) as Madge, a woman looking for a new romance overseas, and Graham Seed (The Archers, BBC Radio 4) as Norman.

Speaking about the show, Paul Nicholas who plays Douglas  said:

“You get all the foibles of being older, which audiences recognise within themselves – such as the various ailments you become aware of – but there’s also the message that you don’t have to give up on life. You can still have a lot of fun, and you can still go places and enjoy yourself.” 

Writer Deborah Moggach  added:

“There’s been a sea change in how we view older people in that you’re not old, you’re the same person you always were. You have the same loves, disappointments, resentments and joy as you ever had, you’re just a bit wrinklier.” 

Completing the cast are some of the brightest stars of the British stage, including Tiran Aakel (The Kite Runner, UK and Dubai Tour) as Mr Gupta; Rekha John-Cheriyan (Kerbs, Tomb Raider, Dream Horse) as Mrs Kapoor; Shila Iqbal (East Is East, Octagon Theatre) as Sahani;Kerena Jagpal (Mismatch and Twitch, Birmingham Rep) as Kamila; Marlene Sidaway (Pride and Prejudice, BBC) as Muriel; Nishad More (King Lear, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Sonny Kapoor; Anant Varman, who makes his professional UK stage debut in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, as Mohan; and Adam Morris (Dial M for Murder and The Messiah, UK Tours) and Julie Wood (Brave New World, Harrogate Theatre) joining the company as male and female understudies. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is produced by Simon Friend,Jenny King, Trafalgar Entertainment and Gavin Kalin.

It’s never too late for a little wish fulfilment. Welcome back to the Marigold Hotel! Get ready for the trip of a lifetime with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Playhouse.