Touch It Light

Robert Sharrow was the pseudonym of Robert Storey.

“The first production of this new comedy is a theatrical event of outstanding importance. Concerning the lives, ambitions and humours of an all-Cockney searchlight unit, it is, in our opinion, the most authentic, penetrating and genuinely funny ‘service’ comedy written in the last ten years. A first-rate cast will be directed by Basil Dean, one of the most distinguished producers of our day.” Windsor publicity, 1957

“One of the unluckiest plays of the year was TOUCH IT LIGHT, a comedy about an anti-aircraft unit during the last war … which brought back Basil Dean to West End management. TOUCH IT LIGHT received a most enthusiastic press and seemed all set for a long run, but by unhappy chance was forced to leave the Strand Theatre.” – Theatre World Annual (London) Number 9

The character ‘Norman’ was dropped after the initial Windsor run. Preceding the play’s tour dates, a separate production was presented at Richmond Theatre, Surrey from 5th to 10th May 1958. A film version, directed by Lewis Gilbert and entitled LIGHT UP THE SKY, started shooting at Twickenham Studios in December 1959, retaining Harry Locke, Johnny Briggs and Victor Maddern from the original cast.

Cast & Crew

Cast

‘Spinner’ Rice
Eric McCaffey
Leslie Smith
  (credited as John Briggs)
Lt Bombardier Tomlinson (‘Tommo’)
Norman
Ogleby
Roland Kenyon
Syd McCaffey
Ted Green
Ogleby
  (started 27th February 1958)
Ogleby
  (started 12th May 1958)

Crew

Director
Setting designed by
Stage Manager
Assistant Director
Assistant Stage Manager
Presented by arrangement with (West End)

Photographs

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Observations

  1. On 10th July 2020 at 4:41 p.m., mumostalk21 noted:

    II was the only female of the company but found all the ‘boys’ wonderful guys to work with. I was always included in their various activities visiting restaurants and watching the cod boats come into Hull docks early in the morning. This was when the show went on tour and it was my responsibility to get the set up and struck and ready to move on, usually by train. I was sad the play didn’t run longer at The Strand Theatre as I was only recently out of Rose Bruford College,having had a short apprenticeship at
    Windsor. Nevertheless, it gave me a good start to a worthwhile career in the West End
    .In one scene a German bomber had to dive down to attack the site and I knew I had cracked the effect when the matinee audiences ducked down in their seats as I brought the effect in over their heads !!

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