A fish and chip restaurant isn't the kind of place normally associated with stage plays, not even with a revival of James Hilton's Goodbye Mr Chips or Arnold Wesker's Chips With Everything.
This May, however, Guiseley's Wetherby Whaler speciality chippie, formerly Harry Ramsden's, is plating up a new play by Deborah McAndrew called One of Each.
Since the Millennium Deborah, formerly Curly Watts' girlfriend Angie Freeman on Coronation Street, has turned from play-acting for theatre companies such as Northern Broadsides to play-writing.
Her works include adaptations of Leopold Lewis' The Bells, Dario Fo's Accidental Death of an Anarchist and the award-winning An August Bank Holiday Lark.
One of Each is being performed by Marsden-based touring company Mikron, which takes productions round the country on a canal barge.
Deborah said: "When writing a play about fish and chips, the research is the best bit! Coming up with a story was trickier, but I've had a lot of fun with it.
"The story centres on a competition called The Golden Fish Fork - which should give an idea of the tone. It's a kind of island fable, with characters from all four British countries celebrating something we can all agree on - a love of fish and chips. After all, when you serve fish and chips, you're basically putting an island nation on a plate.
"There are feuding twins, a mysterious recluse and even supernatural forces are at work in my fishy tale. Throw in a storm at sea and it's all a bit Shakespearean.
"I hope I've managed to serve up the ever popular Mikron mash up of story and song, to have fun with a bit of social history close to all our hearts."
Sir Caspian Delamere is a man on a mission, to find the finest Fish and Chips in Britain. He’s narrowed it down to two seaside vendors – finalists for his Golden Fish Fork award.
By coincidence The Pickled Egg and The Silver Darling are rival establishments run by twins, Roderick and Annette Whale.
Unable to agree on the best way to cook this iconic dish, they went their separate ways years ago, and now they find their food and their philosophies in direct competition for the coveted prize.
Their story is covered by unscrupulous journalist, Meriel Hacker, and she is after a scoop. So what will she do when she hooks a much bigger fish than she ever expected…?
The production will be directed by Chris Honer, former artistic director of The Library Theatre in Manchester
Pete Toon, producer at Mikron Theatre, said: "The idea for the show came from a planning meeting. Mikron always tell uniquely British stories, and the subject matter is perfect for us.
"Many of our venues serve this dish and being an island nation, we have a huge affinity with all thing sea. Food is also a huge part of life at Mikron.
"Days are planned around eating on the boat and we have covered loads of food topics, honey, beer, gelato, milk production. We've also just taken deliver of the first ever Mikron cook book!
"Former Harry Ramsdens, for me, was obvious. I went there as a child with my grandma and the newly refurbished restaurant is a treat - and quite theatrical in itself. A perfect match."
One of Each is performed at the Wetherby Whaler, White Cross, Guiseley, on May 6, starting at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £15 and include a fish and chip supper (vegetable meal also available). Book online at mikron.org.uk or from the Wetherby Whaler on 01943 88422.
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