Poor Bitos
Premiere of Lucienne Hill’s translation of Jean Anouilh’s 1956 play PAUVRE BITOS, OU LE DINER DE TETES.
“Jean Anouilh’s brilliant play was an immediate success when presented by Michael Codron at the New Arts, and the production was transferred to the Duke of York’s on 6th January, where it proved to be one of the successes of the season. Highlight of the production was the wonderful performance of Donald Pleasence in the role of Bitos-Robespierre.” – Theatre World Annual 1965
With the exception of Martin Jarvis and Douglas Cann, there was a complete cast change on 13th July 1964. The combined run at the New Arts and Duke of York’s theatres achieved 336 performances.
Cast & Crew
Cast
| Amanda (Madame Tallien) | Susan Clark |
|---|---|
| Bitos (Robespierre) | Donald Pleasence |
| Brassac (Tallien) | Terence Alexander |
| Charles, Maxime’s butler | Michael Golden |
| Delanoue (Merda) | Martin Jarvis |
| Deschamps (Camille Desmoulins) | Patrick O’Connell |
| Joseph, Maxime’s cook | Gregory Warwick |
| Julien (Danton) | Ronald Lewis |
| Lila (Marie Antoinette) | Caroline Blakiston |
| Maxime (Saint-Just) | Charles Gray |
| Philippe (Jesuit father) | Victor Winding |
| Robespierre as a child | Douglas Cann |
| Victoire (Lucille Desmoulins) | Suzanne Neve |
| Vulturne (Mirabeau) | Hugh Manning |
| Victoire (Lucille Desmoulins) | Narissa Knights
(started 6th January 1964) |
| Amanda (Madame Tallien) | Diana Lyle
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Bitos (Robespierre) | Peter Woodthorpe
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Brassac (Tallien) | Donald Douglas
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Charles, Maxime’s butler | John Ingram
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Delanoue (Merda) | Colin Bell
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Deschamps (Camille Desmoulins) | Michael Spice
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Joseph, Maxime’s cook | John Trigger
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Julien (Danton) | David Beale
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Lila (Marie Antoinette) | Sally Hall
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Maxime (Saint-Just) | Donald Pickering
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Philippe (Jesuit father) | Martin Jarvis
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Victoire (Lucille Desmoulins) | Elizabeth Hughes
(started 13th July 1964) |
| Vulturne (Mirabeau) | Roger Hammond
(started 13th July 1964) |
Crew | |
| Director | Shirley Butler |
| Designer | Timothy O’Brien |
| Stage Director | Wilfred Blunden |
| Translated by | Lucienne Hill |
- Added by Jared William, last modified by Michael Hope.
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