The Complete Plays: The Revengers' Comedies (1989)

Production Details
Title:
Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:
The Revengers' Comedies
Alan Ayckbourn
Yes

Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round
Main house (Round)
Round
First performance:

Opening night:
Final performance:
5 June 1989 (part 1)
6 June 1989 (part 2)
13 June 1989
23 September 1989
Company Details
Director:
Lighting:
Design:
Costumes:

Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Mick Hughes
Roger Glossop
Liz Da Costa

Vaughan Curtis
Natasha Betteridge
Lynda Snowden
Sarah Percival
Mike Locke
Marina Kilby
Character
Henry Bell
Karen Knightly
Bruce Tick
Mrs Bulley / Winnie
Norma / Tracey
Oliver, Karen’s brother
Lady Ganton / Veronica
Colonel Marcus Lipscott
Percy Cutting
Councillor Teale/ Hilary Tick
Anthony Staxton-Billing
Imogen Staxton-Billing
Lydia Lucas
Graham / Jeremy
Actor
Jon Strickland
Christine Kavanagh
Jeff Shankley
Doreen Andrew
Claire Skinner
Adam Godley
Ursula Jones
Donald Douglas
Martin Sadler
Alwyne Taylor
Rupert Vansittart
Elizabeth Bell
Frances Jeater
Frank Lazarus
Why is this play significant?
For his 50th birthday, Alan Ayckbourn decided to create an 'event' play which he genuinely believed would never be produced anywhere else. The Revengers' Comedies was an ambitious multi-location play performed overt two parts. Famously, Saturdays would see the entire play performed in a day with the theatre providing picnics to be eaten in the valley grounds between performances. The production was also visited by the 'Butcher of Broadway', New York Times critic Frank Rich, whose glowing review of the production drew international attention to the town and theatre.
Notes
○ Unlike other connected plays by Alan Ayckbourn (House & Garden, The Norman Conquests etc), The Revengers' Comedies are intended to be seen in order and have a continuous narrative from part 1 to part 2.
○ The piece is inspired by the revenge-swapping theme of the movie Strangers on a Train.
Links
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd. Image copyright: Scarborough Theatre Trust