One Over The Eight (1992)

Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
Peter Robert Scott
Yes

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

9 January 1992
14 January 1992
1 February 1992
Director:
Lighting:
Design:
Music:
Staff Director:
Fitness Consultant:
Rowing Consultant:
Fitness Assistant:
Alan Ayckbourn
Mick Hughes
Roger Glossop
John Pattison
Connal Orton
Don Glynn
Matthew Mowbray
Jo Purdy
Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:

Character
Cathy
Ray
Bryan
Vic
Dave
Oliver
Tim
Don
Stan
Philip Rees
Erica Jane Fletcher
Christopher Savage

Actor
Saskia Wickham
John Robinson
Jonathan Cake
Stephen Mapes
David Harewood
Jo Stone-Fewings
Gary Whitaker
Mark Addy
Richard Long

Why is this play significant?

An unusual play in that it's set largely on a river in a rowing scull (no flooding of the theatre this time thank goodness!). It's most notable for its cast. Saskia Wickham had just found fame on television in the period drama Clarissa, but perhaps more significantly, the play featured very early professional roles for both Mark Addy and David Harewood.

Notes

○ One Over The Eight was scheduled to have its preview on 8 January 1991 at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round. However, when the actor Richard Long fell ill the day before the show was due to open, the first preview was cancelled and the show's first performance took place on 9 January. Nicholas Palliser took over the role for several performances until Richard Long was fit enough to rejoin the company.
○ The play is centred around a female cox working with a rowing team and necessitated the installation of a rowing scull on stage - without water though!
○ Saskia Wickham drew much attention from the media as she had just starred in the BBC period drama Clarissa. Whilst Saskia drew much attention at the time, looking at the cast list today it is the stars-in-waiting who draw the eye: Mark Addy (The Full Monty, Game Of Thrones) and David Harewood (Homeland) in particular.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.