Thark (1983)

Author:
New Play:

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Location:
Staging:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
Ben Travers
No

Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round
Main house (Round)
Round

30 November 1983
30 November 1983
23 December 1983
Director:
Lighting:
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Stage Manager:
Stage Manager:
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Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Francis Lynch
Edward Lipscomb

Baz Edmonds
Eric Lumsden
Jo Linfoot
Mathew Claridge
Kate Woodward
Character
Hook
Warner
Cherry Buck
Lionel Frush
Mrs Frush
Sir Hector Benbow
Ronald Gamble
Lady Benbow
Kitty Stratton
Jones
Whittle
Actor
Malcolm Hebden
Lesley Nicol
Liza Sadovy
Kenneth Price
Ursula Jones
Russell Dixon
Robin Herford
Lavinia Bertram
Christina Barryk
Graeme Eton
Paul Todd

Why is this play significant?

Despite Alan Ayckbourn being an admirer of the master farceur Ben Travers - to who Taking Steps is dedicated - the theatre in the round company has only produced two of his farces, Thark and Rookery Nook (1978). The latter was not a success despite Travers himself coming to Scarborough to see it, but Alan Ayckbourn felt Thark was a very successful production of the farce. This season was one of several to also feature the actress Lesley Nicol who would later find global fame as Baryl Patmore in the TV series Downton Abbey.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.