Flowers for the Living

This tour was scheduled to stop at the Empire Theatre, Hartlepool from 13th to 18th February 1950, immediately prior to the production opening in the West End on the 21st. However, the week was cancelled – ‘owing to indisposition’, according to local ads. It’s fair to assume that the week was actually cleared in order to rehearse Kathleen Harrison (who took over from Renee Heath) and three other new cast members in time for a revamped West End premiere (qv). The ‘re-directed by’ credit in the West End went to John Citroen.

On tour, top billing above the title went to Nova Pilbeam and Barry Morse; however, in London they were billed below top-billed Kathleen Harrison. By 5th June 1950 the play was on tour again (qv), with Renee Heath back in the role of Mrs Holmes and a completely different cast – apart from Margot Boyd, who played Mrs Shadwell throughout.

Cast & Crew

Cast

A Young Man
Dickie Holmes
Gladys
Lily Holmes
Mr Holmes
Mrs Holmes
Mrs Shadwell
Shirley Holmes
Sid
Stan Roberts

Crew

Director
Setting by
Presented by

Photographs

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Play description

“The authoress, a Southend-on-Sea schoolmistress, has dealt with the problem of the slum-bred ATS girl [Lily Holmes], who, after six years of decent living conditions in the Services [during the war], finds herself on demobilisation back where she began. We meet the girl after her return home, when revolt against cramped living conditions, a drunken father, and rotten neighbours has become he most important thing in her life.” – ‘Chit Chat’, The Stage 1st January 1948 (page 8)

Photo credits

Observations

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