Double Bill: ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ by Tom Stoppard and ‘A Handbag’ by Anthony Horowitz

Written by acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz for the National Theatre “A Handbag” is a dark comedy. Six young people are attempting to stage Oscar Wilde’s classic  “The Importance of Being Earnest”, but given they barely understand Victorian England, haven’t learnt their cues and can’t see how a baby can survive in a handbag, its unlikely to be an overwhelming success! And then when their troubled pasts begin to emerge the comedy takes a more serious turn….

The Real Inspector Hound is a hilarious, satirical parody of the Agatha Christie Whodunnit genre.  Two theatre critics are watching a ludicrous set up of a country house murder mystery.  As the plot becomes more absurd, by chance, the critics become involved in the action, causing a series of events that parallel the play they are watching….