The Winslow Boy

Reviewed in the Liverpool Echo on 29th May 1984 (Peter Grant: ‘Acoustics steal lines’, page 15) and in the Aberdeen Evening Express on 12th June (Vivienne Nicoll: ‘Boy… what a show’, page 3).

Stephanie Turner, star of JULIET BRAVO, apparently received several anonymous death threats during the week at Lincoln, resulting in plain-clothed policemen being present in the auditorium. (‘Bravo star death threat’, The Stage 31st May 1984, page 1.)

Cast & Crew

Cast

Arthur Winslow
Catherine Winslow
Desmond Curry
Dickie Winslow
Grace Winslow
Ronnie Winslow
Sir Robert Morton KC
Violet

Crew

Designer
Designer
Director
Lighting
Presented by
Presented in association with
Sponsored by

Photographs

If you have a photograph or picture that illustrates this production, please sign in to upload it, or add it to Flickr and tag it with .

Play description

Set against the strict codes of conduct and manners of the age, The Winslow Boy is based on a father’s fight to clear his son’s name after the boy is expelled from Osborne Naval College for allegedly stealing a five-shilling postal order. To clear the boy’s name was imperative for the family’s honour; had they not done so, they would have been shunned by their peers and society. Similarly, the boy’s life would have been wrecked by an indelible stain on his character which would have followed him throughout adulthood.

Photo credits

Observations

  1. On 29th January 2024 at 3:40 a.m., EvilTwinBob noted:

    “The only travesty of justice in this production of The Winslow Boy is that some of the quick-fire, timeless lines are lost due to the Empire Theatre’s poor acoustics.
    This is a polished, highly enjoyable version of Terence Rattigan’s classic story set in pre-first-world-war Britain. Ironically this work, first performed in 1946, still has relevance today, as the characters shudder at an impending coal strike.
    Directed by Jeremy Sinden (son of Donald), the four-act play takes place in a Kensington house—thanks to a straightforward set by Chris Kinman.
    The tale revolves round the ageing Arthur Winslow and his all-out efforts to clear his son’s and his family’s name after the 13-year old naval cadet is expelled from college for allegedly pinching a postal order for a mere five bob.
    Whether it’s that stage master Marius Goring – now with a 57-year-old career behind him – or Allan Cuthbertson as the seemingly emotionless defence counsel, Sir Robert Morton, the dialogue never falters.
    Stephanie Turner, as the suffragette Catherine Winslow, contrasts with her brother, Dickie – thanks to Ian Targett’s portrayal of a rather spiffing chap who wouldn’t look out of place in Brideshead Revisited.
    Andrew Groves plays the unfortunate Ronnie Winslow, all at sea as his father’s health and wealth deteriorate in attempts to make the Admiralty realise they have wrongly besmirched his family’s name.
    Marius Goring is a sheer delight to watch and listen to as the resilient father with his every phrase perfectly pronounced.
    It’s not exactly the crime of the century but, happily, one trial that continues until Saturday”. (Peter Grant Liverpool Echo 29/5/84)

    “Aberdeen audiences who relish high quality and immensely entertaining theatre have cause to celebrate this week (writes Vivienne Nicoll).
    For His Majesty’s Theatre is the only Scottish venue to land the latest plum production of Terence Rattigan’s ”The Winslow Boy.”
    The play tells the tale of a family’s fight clear the name of the 14-year old baby of the clan who is dismissed from naval college after being accused of stealing a postal order.
    The events which turn the youngster into a household name throughout Britain and cause repercussions which rock even the House of Commons have differing effects on the Winslow’s and their friends.
    At the head of the family and the man with a blind conviction of his son’s honesty is Arthur Winslow played by Marius Goring.
    His masterly performance is totally believable as the strain of the two year fight to clear his son’s name takes its toll on his strength and brings about a subtly achieved decline in his health.
    Allan Cuthbertson in the role of Sir Robert Morton is the beautifully cast lawyer who by taking the case, is prepared to risk his own career.
    The talented Stephanie Turner plays the serious minded daughter Catherine who is equally determined the family should win, but for her own reasons". (Aberdeen Evening Express 12/6/84)

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.