Black Comedy
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 01 June 1999
Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer


Peter Shaffer's comedy was premiered in July 1965 by the National Theatre at the Old Vic. The original idea was inspired by a performance of San Ch'a Ko'u by the Peking Opera; in one scene two men convey the illusion of darkness by fighting a duel in the 'dark' with all the stage lights on. Peter Shaffer took this idea and used it in a modern situation - Black Comedy.

 

The story is set in an artist's flat during a power cut. Normally not too much of a problem but for Brindsley Miller it certainly is - he is expecting an art dealer to view his work and his prospective mother-in-law. The result is chaos!
    

CAST
Brindsley Miller - Maxim Griffin
Carol Melkett - Philippa Lee
Miss Furnival - Becci Vessey
Mrs Melkett - Alice Birch
Harold Gorringe - Graham Wellard
Schuppanzigh - Graeme Ellis
Clea - Holly MacInnes-Hurd
Georg Bamberger - James Chantry

CREW
Director - Carole Ashcroft
Stage Manager - Helen Gardner
Deputy Stage Managers - Ceri Ashcroft, Keith Ellis
Assistant Stage Managers - Jenny Cook, Stuart Murray, Andrew Whomsley
Touring Technician - Robert Ashcroft
Wardrobe - Jenny Underwood, Margaret Wheeldon
Front of House & Publicity - Julie kheng, Fiona nicholls
Photography - Robert Ashcroft, Alan Lowes
Sculptures - Robert Ashcroft
Home Based Touring Manager - Rhona Adam