The Grass is Greener is a 1950s British play made famous by a film version starring Cary Grant and Robert Mitchum. It is now being brought back to the stage by Bill Kenwright’s production company and one of the show’s leading lady, Liza Goddard, spoke to Will Gore about bringing the production to Richmond Theatre.

Will Gore: Is The Grass is Greener an enjoyable play to do?

Liza Goddard: Very enjoyable and it is a lovely company to be part of as well. On stage, we are true to the play but backstage there are a lot of high jinks and we laugh alot.

WG: What is the story of the play?

LG: I am playing the Countess of Rhyall, who is married to the Earl of Rhyall, played by Christopher Cazenove. They live in a crumbling mansion and have to get the public in so they can make some money – it was in the 50s when people first started looking around stately homes. Then an American walks in and disrupts their life and the play is about how they deal with it.

WG: Did you know the film?

LG: I hadn’t seen it before we started rehearsals but I have now. It is a charming play and very reminiscent of the Somerset Maugham play The Constant Wife which I have done before. A lot of these 50s drawing-room comedies were washed out with the bathwater of the new wave – John Osborne and the rest – probably because they weren’t very good. This is like Coward, though, and it is very witty.

WG: Is the play still relevant for modern audiences though?

LG: As with all good plays, it never stops being relevant. Human behaviour, relationships and emotions stay the same, the only things that change are fashions and our attitudes.

WG: Although the play is a comedy, is there a serious point to it, too?

LG: Yes. It has much to say about relationships, marriage, adultery and how men and women feel about each other. Big issues like that.

WG: Do you like touring?

LG: I don’t like leaving home but once I’m away I am fine. You have to try to enjoy yourself, there is no point sitting in the digs moaning. I love coming to Richmond Theatre – as well as it being the most lovely theatre it is also the most beautiful place. Being in Richmond also means I get a chance to catch up with all my friends who live in London. We open on a Tuesday which means the week will fly by.

WG:You have done plenty of television, including Bergerac and The Brothers, but how does being on stage compare?

LG: I started in the theatre and have ended up in the theatre. I haven’t done TV for a while, mainly because I haven’t been asked. There aren’t very good parts for women of a certain age in television any more. You get better parts in the theatre, so I am not complaining.

The Grass is Greener, Richmond Theatre, October 13 to 17, for more information and to book, visit ambassadortickets.com