The Kingfisher
Le Martin Pêcheur, Der Eisvogel
Gentle comedy of romance in old age. Cecil hopes to rekindle a romance with
Evelyn, an old flame whom he has not seen for fifty years. However, he must
also win the approval of Hawkins, his long-serving and devoted manservant.
First staged in London at the Lyric Theatre (1977) starring Ralph Richardson,
Celia Johnson and Alan Webb, and on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre (1978)
starring Rex Harrison and Claudette Colbert. TV film (1985) starring Rex Harrison,
Wendy Hiller and Cyril Cusack. (2m, 1f)
The Dame of Sark
Dramatisation of relationships between conquerors and conquered on the island
of Sark during the German occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II.
Based on the autobiography of the Dame, Sybil Hathaway.
First staged in London at the Duke of York's Theatre (1975) starring Celia
Johnson and Tony Britton. (7m, 2f)
Lloyd George Knew My Father
Lady Boothroyd of the Bypass, Ne Coupez Pas Mes Arbres, Laßt mir
meine Bäume stehen
A proposal to build a new road through the grounds of their estate provokes
a drastic response from Sheila, wife of the even more eccentric General Sir
William Boothroyd.
First staged in London at the Savoy Theatre (1972) starring
Ralph Richardson and Peggy Ashcroft. (4m, 4f)
The Secretary Bird
Le Canard à L'Orange, Ehe ist das halbe Leben, L'anatra all'arancia,
Pato a la Naranja
When writer Hugh Walford finds that his wife is about to leave him for another
man he takes the unusual step of inviting his rival to stay for the weekend,
with uproarious consequences.
First staged in London at the Savoy Theatre
(1968) starring Kenneth More. (2m, 3f)
A Friend Indeed
Sein bester Freund
The youthful dalliances of an older generation come back to haunt them, with
awkward implications for a young couple's romance.
First staged in London
at the Cambridge Theatre (1966) starring David Tomlinson and David Hutcheson.
(4m, 4f)
The Reluctant Debutante
Junger Herr für Jenny, Äiti tietää rakkaudesta
Classic comedy about an aristocratic mother's attempts to find a suitable
match for her daughter, which do not go according to plan.
First staged
in London at the Cambridge Theatre (1955) starring Wilfred Hyde White, Celia
Johnson, Anna Massey, and on Broadway at the Henry Miller's Theatre (1956).
Film (1958) starring Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall and Angela Lansbury. Film adaptation
(2003) 'What a Girl Wants' starring Colin Firth. (m3, f5)
The Chiltern Hundreds
Yes M'Lord, The Amazing Mr Beecham
The son of the eccentric Earl of Lister switches party allegiances to try
and capture a seat in parliament, only to find the family butler standing
against him.
First staged in London at the Vaudeville Theatre (1947) with
AE Matthews, and on Broadway at the Booth Theatre (1949). (4m, 4f)
Now Barabbas
Prison drama centred on the fate of a condemned murderer and its effect on
other inmates and members of the prison staff.
First staged in London at
the Boltons Theatre, Kensington (1947). Film adaptation (1949) starring Richard
Greene, Cedric Hardwicke, Richard Burton and Kenneth More. (m17, f4)
