Joking Apart (1978)

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Alan Ayckbourn
Yes

Theatre in the Round at Westwood
Main house (Round)
Round

12 January 1978
12 January 1978
4 February 1978

Alan Ayckbourn
David Millard
Frances Upton
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Deputy Stage Manager:
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Assistant Stage Manager:
Janet Fox
Christopher Gray
Dee Marsden
Derek Scriminger
Character
Richard
Anthea
Hugh
Louise
Sven
Olive
Brian
Melody / Mandy / Mo
Actor
John Arthur
Alison Skilbeck
Malcolm Hebden
Shelagh Stuttle
Robert Austin
Annette Badland
Robin Herford
Fiona Mathieson

Why is this play significant?

Alan Ayckbourn's first play to be set over an extended period of time - 12 years, Joking Apart is also notable for the fact, real turf was laid in the auditorium for its garden setting and the company included Annette Badland, who would go on to become Ana ward-winning stage and screen actress.

Notes

○ Joking Apart is set in a garden, complete with tennis court. For the original production, it was deemed cheaper to lay real turf on stage for the unbroken run of the production rather than artificial grass. When the play was revived during the summer 1978 season, artificial grass had to be used though as the play was in repertory.
○ When the company moved to its second home in October 1976 at the former Westwood County Modern School, it was only supposed to be a temporary home until a proposed permanent theatre in the round was built in place of Vernon Road car park. As a result, for the first two years of its existence, the venue was called Theatre in the Round at Westwood. When it became apparent the new theatre was not going to be built and 'Westwood' was to become a more permanent home, the venue's name was changed on 1 April 1978 to the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round in honour of its founder.

Links

All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.