She’s the nation’s favourite TV chef... but what happens for Caroline Mortimer in the drama Caroline’s Kitchen when the cameras turn off - and the truth comes out?

Torben Betts’ dark comedy looks at how people in the public eye battle with the responsibility and demands of real life, exploring the dynamics of age, class, politics and marriage.

And the show’s stars know plenty about living in the public eye.

Caroline Langrishe, who lives near Tunbridge Wells, is probably best known for playing Charlotte Cavendish in the BBC’s Lovejoy in the 80s but also is a familiar face from recent times, playing Georgina Channing in Judge John Deed, Marilyn Fox in Casualty and Judith Leicester in Doctors. On the stage, she has recently toured with How the Other Half Loves, Feydeau’s Bang Bang adapted by John Cleese, and in Lady Anna: All at Sea at the Park Theatre, London.

Her co-star Aden Gillett is also from the area, and comes to the production fresh from playing Scrooge in Rachel Kavanaugh’s A Christmas Carol for the Royal Shakespeare Company at Christmas - but is also a familiar face from Holby City, having played Edward Campbell for two years, and Jack Maddox in The House of Eliott. He’ll also be starring in the third series of the Netflix show, The Crown.

They will be joined by James Sutton, who starred in Hollyoaks, and as Ryan Lamb in Emmerdale from 2009 to 2011.

Also starring in the show will be Jasmyn Banks, who was in EastEnders for two years as Alice Branning, as Amanda.

THE PLAY

Caroline Mortimer, the nation’s favourite TV cook, has it all: a sparkling career, a big house in fashionable North London, a (golf) loving husband, kids and the best kitchen money can buy. But beneath the immaculate furnishings Caroline must face the looming collision of living a private life in the public eye.

Leading UK playwright Torben Betts became the resident dramatist at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1999, after being invited by Sir Alan Ayckbourn. His play, The Unconquered, won the 2006/07 at the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland and in 2015 his acclaimed play Muswell Hill was revived at London’s Park Theatre.

DETAILS

Caroline’s Kitchen is the first week-long production at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells from Tuesday, February 5 to Saturday, February 9. To book tickets visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530613.