New comedy at West End Theater this weekend

PORTSMOUTH — George Hosker-Bouley’s new comedy “Silas Deane – Not Just a Highway’’ will play June 6, 7 and 8 at the West End Theater.

Performances are Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (978) 683-7745,

Norm Smith, George Hosker-Bouley and Meg Oolders

This is a revolutionary comedy regarding accused spy Silas Deane of Connecticut. The spy has been portrayed by Hosker-Bouley for the last 10 years as part of the Portsmouth Underbelly Tour but his story has never been told.

Deane along with Benjamin Franklin and aide Edward Bancroft were instrumental in creating the Treaty of Alliance, which allowed France to help out America in its war for independence.

This new comedy, however, is far more than a history lesson.

Much like the Portsmouth Underbelly Tour, “Silas Deane – Not Just a Highway” is told in anecdotal form, which is closer to vaudeville than a class in school.

The play centers on Deane’s apparent murder, and because the book has never been closed, many possibilities are explored as Deane’s story is told through the eyes of a bumbling Franklin, a boozy Betsy Ross, a stuck-up Bancroft and a King George who would look more at home on top of a wedding cake than the throne of England.

The comedy features Norm Smith, Meg Oolders, Anne Rehner, Richard DiMario, Ken Stiles and George Hosker-Bouley.

Source: The Union Leader.

Norm Smith, George Hosker-Bouley and Meg Oolders