When we are Married

by J. B. Priestley, directed by Ken Spencer

The Maskers presented When we are Married at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton from Tuesday 24th March to Saturday 28th March 1981.

When we are Married, an epic Yorkshire farce which follows three couples on a journey of truth and realisation. Struggling to pull themselves out of the Victorian era, the three couples suddenly find themselves thrust unto the breach when they find out, while celebrating their 25th wedding anniversaries, that they are not actually married. Now, with no ties, the couples start to take hold of their true feelings as they are barraged from left, right and centre with prostitutes, towering vicars, interfering maids, and a totally inebriated photographer.

John Boynton Priestley, English dramatist, novelist, and essayist, was born in Bradford on 13th September 1894,the son of a schoolmaster. In World War 1 he enlisted in the infantry, working his way up from the ranks to become a commissioned officer, and was wounded in action three times. After the war he attended Cambridge University, where he took honours in English literature, modern history and political science. Since the age of sixteen he had been writing steadily, contributing articles to London and provincial newspapers. In 1918 he published a volume of verse entitled 'The Chapman of Rhymes' and in 1922, 'Brief Diversions' both written while he was still at Cambridge.

His first real success came in 1929 with the novel 'The Good Companions' and having established himself as a novelist, he began a new career as a dramatist, in 1931 when he collaborated with Edward Knoblock in adapting 'The Good Companions', and in 1932 with the production of  'Dangerous Corner'.

Priestley's plays range from the country farce and horseplay of 'When we are Married' (1938) to the completely non-realistic allegory of 'Johnson over Jordan' (1939)

Photographs

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The Cast

           Ruby Birtle

            Philippa Taylor

           Gerald Forbes

            Ken Hann

          Mrs Northrop

            Julie Baker

          Nancy Holmes

            Rachel Smith

          Fred Dyson

            Jonathon Tiller

         Henry Ormonroyd

            David Pike

         Alderman Joseph Helliwell

            Geoff Wharam

        Maria Helliwell

            Shiela Clark

Councillor Albert Parker

Brian Whitaker

Herbert Soppitt

Harry Tuffill

Annie Parker

Joan Johnson

Lottie Grady

Janet Courtice

Rev. Clement Mercer

David Jupp

Clara Soppitt

Avril Woodward

For The Maskers

           Stage Manager

            Valerie Barwell

           Assistant Managers

            John Docherty, Sue Parkes, Joan Ritchie

          Properties

            Anne Pennington-Legh, Chris Ford

          Lighting

            Alan Moore

          Sound

            Pete King

         Wardrobe Hire

            Bristol Old Vic

         Wardrobe Mistress

            Lilian Gunstone

        Set Construction

            Bill Parkes, John Riggs