Joking Apart (play)

"Joking Apart"
Written By	Alan Ayckbourn
Characters	Richard Anthea Hugh Louise Sven Olive Brian Melody / Mandy / Mo / Debbie
Date premiered	11 January 1978
Place premiered	Stephen Joseph Theatre (Westwood site), Scarborough
Original language	English
Subject	A happy couple and those around them
Setting	Four parties over twelve years
Official site
Ayckbourn plays chronology
Ten Times Table (1977) Joking Apart (1978) Sisterly Feelings (1979)

Joking Apart is a 1978 play by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn. It was written in response to comments that Ayckbourn only ever wrote about unhappy couples. In this play, Richard and Anthea are a perfectly happy married couple, who inadvertently worsen the lives of those around them.

• Joking Apart on official Ayckbourn site