When we are Married

by J. B. Priestley

designed and directed by Ken Spencer

Performed at

The Nuffield Theatre

on

Tuesday 24th 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)

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


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Maskers Theatre Company
Off Emsworth Road
Shirley
Southampton
SO15 3LX

Registered Charity 900067

Established 1968

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