All The Best People (1976)

Author:
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First performance:
Opening night:
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Molière
No

Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre
Concert Room, Scarborough Library
Round

14 June 1976
14 June 1976
14 July 1976
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Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Bob Eaton
Helga Wood
Peter Clough
Bill Ward
Edna Davis

David Millard
Christopher Gray
Wendy Murray
Nigel LeVaillant
Character
Monsieur Jourdain, tradesman
Madame Jourdain, his wife
Lucile, their daughter
Nicole, servant
Cleonte, suitor to Lucile
Covielle, Cleonte's valet
Dorimene, Marchioness
Count Dorante
Music Master
Dance Teacher
Fencing Teacher
Philosophy Master
Master Tailor
Apprentice Tailor
Actor
Malcolm Hebden
Elaine Strickland
Elspeth Charlton
Diane Bull
Robin Herford
Christopher Godwin
Alison Skilbeck
Stephen Mallatratt
Christopher Gray
Stephen Lowe
Christopher Godwn
Robin Herford
Stephen Lowe
Nigel LeVaillant

Why is this play significant?

The first play by Moliére to be staged by the company - theatre in the round has traditionally not had the strongest reputation for producing classic works, its continued lack of success with the occasional Shakespeare play during the '70s to '90s being a prime example. More notably, it marked the acting debut of Robin Herford with the company who would go on to play a highly significant role with the company as actor, director, associate director and - from 1986 - 1988 as co-Artistic Director.

Notes

○ All The Best People was advertised as being in repertory until 18 August 1976. However, the final nine performances of the production were replaced by six performances of Alan Ayckbourn's Just Between Ourselves and three performances of Stephen Lowe's Comic Pictures due to the demand for tickets for these plays - and presumably a lack of demand to see All The Best People.
○ This production marked the acting debut of Robin Herford with the company who would later go on to become Associate Director and, subsequently, Artistic Director whilst Alan Ayckbourn was on sabbatical at the National Theatre from 1986 to 1988.
○ This was a production of Sally Pindar's translation of Molière's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.