Written By
Terence Rattigan
Where and When
25th – 27th February 1982 @ The Allendale Centre, Wimborne
The Plot
Regarded by many as Rattigan’s finest work, this 1948 play enjoyed several successful revivals and inspired two films and several television adaptations. After 18 years as classic teacher at an English boys’ school, Andrew Crocker-Harris is retiring due to ill health. His young wife Millie despises him for his failures and finds consolation with Frank, a younger teacher. As he bids farewell to his students, Crocker-Harris contemplates his life’s work, reflects on his marriage, and considers his future.
Cast
- John Taplow – Clive Emerson
- Frank Hunter – Roy Walker
- Millie Crocker-Harris – Jan Stevenson
- Andrew Crocker-Harris – Clive Farley
- Dr Frobisher – John Anthony
- Mrs Gilbert – Mavis Hazleden
- Peter Gilbert – Spencer Madan-Mayers
Creative Team
- Director – Joyce Eidmans
- Stage Manager – Gordon Eidmans
- Prompt – Diana Molesworth
- Lighting – Roger Grenville
- Sound – Nick Hollingsworth
- Front of House – Daphne Young
- Publicity – Carolyn Woodward
- Photographs – David Sherwill
Gallery
Reviews
Contrasting double bill at Wimborne
Two Terence Rattigan plays of different styles, The Browning Version and Harlequinde, make up this week’s double bill presented by Wimborne Drama Club at the Allendale Centre.
Many people will recall the cinema version of The Browning Version starring Michael Redgrave as a teacher in a minor school. In the Wimborne production, which opened on Thursday and ends tonight, this pathetic yet noble figure is played by Clive Farley. Though no Redgrave, Mr Farley nevertheless gives a good performance. His sensitive and moving portrait of Crocker-Harris makes the other performances seem tame by comparison – a comparison one reluctantly makes, bearing in mind the praiseworthy contribution of John Anthony as the headmaster and the convincing portrait of Mrs Crocker-Harris by Jan Stevenson. Other members of the cast are Clive Emerson, Roy Walker, Mavis Hazleden and Spencer Madan-Mayers.
And so from sombre to the ridiculous.
Harlequinade is entertainment on a very different level, but no less acceptable for that. With a cast of 15 it certainly gives oppurtinities to many players to spread their wings. Joe Brooks as the ageing Shakespearean actor, confronted with babe-in-pram evidence of a past misdemenaour, is most impressive. Most of the other 14 players also gave good accounts of themselves, with Raymonde Grenville, Muriel Brooks and Thelma Dryden well to for.
Each of the plays is a one-acter. The Browning Version is directed by Joyce Eidmans and Harlequinade by Jane Sherwill.
Programme
