The Complete Plays: How The Other Half Loves (1969)

Production Details
Title:
Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
How The Other Half Loves
Alan Ayckbourn
Yes

The Library Theatre, Scarborough
Concert Room
Round
First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
31 July 1969
31 July 1969
13 September 1969
Company Details
Director:
Lighting:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Peter Boden

Robin Holmes
Lesli Tomson
Charles Boyle
Sharon Duce
Robert Peck
Character
Frank
Teresa
Fiona
Bob
William
Mary
Actor
Jeremy Franklin
Stephanie Turner
Elisabeth Sladen
Colin Edwynn
Brian Miller
Elizabeth Ashton
Why is this play significant?
Alan Ayckbourn's ninth play and second West End triumph. With the success of How The Other Half Loves, Scarborough was able to capitalise on its association with a highly successful West End playwright and Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre began to enjoy significant royalties on the back of Alan's West End success.
Notes
○ When the actor Jeremy Franklin slipped a disc during the first week of performances, Alan Ayckbourn stepped in for several performances, reading from the book. This impromptu appearance is considered the playwright's final professional on-stage acting performance.
○ How The Other Half Loves is believed to be the first time a playwright superimposed two locations on stage with action taking place simultaneously in both locations; famously he then develops this into parties taking place simultaneously in two locations on two separate days with one of the three couples involved in both events.
Links
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust