Present Laughter

This production went out alongside tours of THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH [qv] and THE AMOROUS PRAWN [qv]. The production company, Portman Theatrical Productions, collapsed in the process, with debts of £146,000. (‘Cost of Jokel collapse’, The Stage 12^th March 1987.)

The last three performances at Nottingham (Friday and Saturday, 25^th-26^th July) were cancelled owing to non-payment of the actors’ wages. (‘Actor’s pay row hits stage show’, Derby Evening Telegraph 26^th July 1986, page 1.)

“Francis Matthews said he was ‘disgusted’ with the union [Equity] and would ‘trust them for nothing’ as the Portman Productions show ended last week. A week earlier, in Nottingham, Matthews and the rest of the cast voted not to perform two shows because they were not being paid. Special arrangements were made to pay their wages during the last week, in Richmond, but Matthews and the other members of the cast have finished the tour angry not only with the producer, Walter Jokel, but also with their own union.” – Jeremy Jehu, ‘Matthews’ disgust with Equity cash switch’, The Stage 7^th August 1986, page 1

Cast & Crew

Cast

Observations

If you have an interesting observation or anecdote about this production that you think others may be interested in, please sign in in order to record it here.