Break for Commercials
The first and apparently last professional stage production of this play – a comedy involving a retired British actress (Amanda), her painter husband (Gregory), their daughter Susan and her TV producer boyfriend Ricky, a former dresser (Lotte), a visiting Hollywood film star (Olivia), and a commercial for fish fingers.
Having started writing it in early May 1959, Gyles Adams completed the play on 19th September, submitted it the next day to John Counsell (director of the Theatre Royal, Windsor) and was given a ‘yes’ within a matter of hours. (‘Curtain Up’, 2nd November 1959, page 11.)
The play was later adapted for BBC Radio and broadcast on 8th July 1961, with Brenda Bruce, Hugh Sinclair, Sheila Grant, Hugh Dickson, Dorothy Holmes-Gore and (repeating her role from this production) Phoebe Kershaw.
Cast & Crew
Cast
| Amanda Drake | Avice Landon |
|---|---|
| Gregory Drake | Colin Gordon |
| Lotte Shattock | Vi Stevens |
| Olivia Lawson | Phoebe Kershaw |
| Ricky Farrell | David Airey |
| Susan Drake | Ann Davies |
Crew | |
| Director | Joan Riley |
| Setting designed by | Hal Henshaw |
| Setting painted by | Juanita Waterson |
| Stage Director | Bridget Thorold |
| Stage Manager | Ian Strachan |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Karin Fernald |
| Carpenter | Norman Brown |
| Electrician | Cyril Douglas |
| Production Photographs | David Barry |
- Added by Jared William.
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