The Complete Plays: Sisterly Feelings (1979)

Production Details
Title:
Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
Sisterly Feelings
Alan Ayckbourn
Yes

Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round
Main house (Round)
Three-sided (thrust)
First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
10 January 1979
11 January 1979
10 February 1979
Company Details
Director:
Design:
Music:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Jeremy Turner
Paul Todd

Janet Fox
Christopher Gray
Dee Marsden
Isobel Nimmo
Sarah Wynter
Frank Lynch
Character
Ralph
Abigail
Dorcas
Melvyn
Len
Rita
Patrick
Brenda
Simon
Stafford
Murphy
Actor
Staney Page
Alison Skilbeck
Judy Bridgland
Robin Bowerman
John Arthur
Shelagh Stuttle
James Bate
Lavinia Bertram
Robin Herford
Robin Murphy
Christopher Gray
Why is this play significant?
Sisterly Feelings is the first of Alan Ayckbourn's plays to feature a random element. The toss of a coin dictates which of two act I, scene ii scenes are played, whilst an actor's choice dictates the choice of which of two act II, scene i scenes are played. Famously on the first performance, the coin landed on its edge and rolled down the vom off-stage!
Notes
○ Sisterly Feelings was advertised as opening week commencing 1 January 1979, however it is not known whether this was an error or whether the scale of the piece and the overlap of the rehearsal period with the winter programme, saw its production run slightly delayed. The play actually opened on 10 January 1979.
○ This is the first of Alan Ayckbourn's plays to involve an element of chance. In this case, a coin-flip decides between two scene choices followed by the actors deciding a second choice of two scenes.
○ Sisterly Feelings was not presented in-the-round, but three-sided as one side of seating had to be removed to make room for the hill which features so prominently in the play.
Links
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust