The Ante-Room
The first ever presentation by H M Tennent Ltd, this ran in the West End for only ten performances.
After the two out-of-town weeks, Marius Goring was sacked by Tennent producer Hugh ‘Binkie’ Beaumont and replaced by Clifford Evans.
Cast & Crew
Cast
| Agnes Mulqueen | Diana Wynyard |
|---|---|
| Bessie | Cathleen Drago |
| Danny Mulqueen | Morland Graham |
| Dr Coyle | E J Kennedy |
| Dr William Curran | Ronald Edwards |
| maid | Lorna Dawson |
| Marie-Rose de Courcy O’Regan | Jessica Tandy |
| Nurse Cunningham | Dorice Fordred |
| Reggie Mulqueen | Denys Blacklock |
| Sir Godfrey Bartlett-Crowe | George Butler |
| Sister Emmanuel | Esme Church |
| Vincent de Courcy O’Regan | Marius Goring
(27th July – 8th August 1936) |
| Vincent de Courcy O’Regan | Clifford Evans
(14th – 22nd August 1936) |
Crew | |
| Author of source novel | Kate O’Brien |
| Director | Guthrie McClintic |
| Decor | Ruth Keating |
| Orchestra under the direction of | Leslie Bridgewater |
- Observations (1)
- Added by Elizabeth O’Brien, last modified by Jared William.
Photographs
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Play description
Ireland, 1880 – and a prosperous, provincial family observes the three great autumnal feasts of the Church. As Teresa Mulqueen lies dying, her family gather round her, and beneath this drama another, no less poignant, unfolds. Unmarried daughter Agnes awaits the return of her sister Marie-Rose and brother-in-law Vincent. She adores her sister, but secretly, passionately, loves Vincent. And their marriage, she knows, is unhappy… Ahead lies a terrible battle between her uncompromising faith and the intensity of her love.
Photo credits
- Diana Wynyard, Jessica Tandy and Marius Goring rehearsing 'The Ante-Room' with director Guthrie McClintic 2 July 1936, Other public domain
Observations
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Marius Goring was sacked by producer Binky Beaumont from the production after the run at Manchester and replaced by Clifford Evans for the London run of the play. Marius recalled later that he was so distraught at being let go that he felt like throwing himself from his hotel room window.
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