The Complete Plays: David Copperfield (1961)

Production Details
Title:
Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
David Copperfield
Joan Macalpine
Yes

The Library Theatre, Scarborough
Concert Room
Round
Original Work:
Author:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
David Copperfield
Charles Dickens

11 December 1961
11 December 1961
23 December 1961
Company Details
Director:

Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn

Terry Lane
Peter King
Character
David
Dr Chillip / Mr Dick /
Mr Micawber
Betsy Trotwood / Julia /
Jane Murdstone
Clara / Dora Spenlow
Mr Murdstone / Mr Spenlow
Traddles / Uriah Heap
Actor
David Jarrett
Stanley Page

Rosamund Dickson

Patricia England
Richard Gill
Peter King
Why is this play significant?
A fine example of Stephen Joseph recruiting writers from within the company itself. Joan was the theatre manager - allegedly hired as she was the only person strong enough to pull the hand-brake on the notoriously unreliable theatre van - who Stephen encouraged to write. This was her first of several works to be produced at Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre.
Notes
○ David Copperfield was Joan Macalpine’s first play to be professionally produced.
○ Further illustrating Stephen Joseph’s desire to encourage talent within the Scarborough company, Joan had initially been employed by Studio Theatre Ltd as the theatre manager in 1960 before she turned her hand to writing and, later, directing.
○ This was a presentation of an adaptation of Charles Dickens' famed novel.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust