Close the Coalhouse Door
Based on stories by Sid Chaplin.
Cast & Crew
Cast
| Frank Milburn | Ralph Watson |
|---|---|
| Geordie | Bryan Pringle |
| Jackie | John Woodvine |
| John Milburn | Alan Browning |
| Mary Ann Milburn | Brenda Peters |
| Ruth | Geraldine Moffatt |
| Singing Pitwoman | Christine Ozanne |
| The Expert | Dudley Foster |
| The Vicar | Robin Parkinson |
| Thomas Milburn | Colin Douglas |
| Will Jobling | Kevin Stoney |
| John Milburn | John White
(started October 1968) |
| other guest | Brian Chase
(started October 1968) |
| other guest | Hubert Cross
(started October 1968) |
| other guest | Patrick Gray
(started October 1968) |
| other guest | Colin Hale
(started October 1968) |
| other guest | Elayne Sharling
(started October 1968) |
| Ruth | Caroline Hunt
(started October 1968) |
| The Expert | Ken Wynne
(started October 1968) |
| Will Jobling | James Garbutt
(started October 1968) |
| The Expert | Keith Smith
(started November 1968) |
| Unknown | Gil Sutherland
(started February 1969) |
Crew | |
| Designer | Brian Currah |
| Director | Bill Hays |
| Musical Director | Bill Southgate |
| Songs by | Alex Glasgow |
| Presented by (West End) | Brian Rix |
| Press Representative | Theo Cowan |
- Observations (1)
- Added by Paul Fryer, last modified by Michael Hope.
Photographs
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Observations
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The transfer to the Fortune Theatre, London, was initially not particularly well attended until a left-wing tabloid newspaper took up its cause and saved it from failure.
The original production was adapted by the BBC as a Wednesday Play. The later revival by Northern Stage and Live Theatre, with additional material by Lee Hall, was adapted for radio.
“The terrible thing about history, said Orwell, is how few names of its slaves have been preserved. Tenderly and furiously ‘Close the Coalhouse Door’ does a little to redress that injustice” – The Observer.
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