The Lady's Not For Burning, by Jean Anouilh & Christopher Fry October 12-15 & 19-21 Presented by Little Traverse Civic Theatre at the Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey

The Lady's Not For Burning, by Jean Anouilh & Christopher Fry

'The Lady's Not For Burning' is a romantic costume comedy set in England in the Spring of 1400, or there abouts. Written in verse it was first performed in 1949. The review of opening night described the playwright as precocious with "a touch of genius,". After it ran on Broadway in 1951 it received the New York Drama Critics Circle award as Best Foreign Play of 1950-51 and it has been revived in London twice in the 21st century. There have been at least three TV adaptations; 1958, 1974 and 1987.

The play centres around the meeting of cynical Thomas Mendip, a man so bitter that he wishes himself hanged, and Jennet Jourdemayne, a young and beautiful girl accused of witchcraft. Thomas's insistence that he be hanged falls on deaf ears, while Jennet's protestations of innocence serve only to incriminate her. Independently both characters turn to Mayor Hebble for understanding and assistance, but are met with only evasion and willing incomprehension. The Mayor's family members, clerks and officials gather for an impending wedding and seem to be stuck with the dilemma of two uninvited people—who may or may not be hanged in the morning.

October 12-15 & 19-21

Thursday - Saturday performances are at 8:00 p.m., Sunday Matinee is at 2:00 p.m.

Box Office opens one hour before curtain and online ticket sales end two hours before curtain.