Daphne Laureola Explained
| Daphne Laureola |
| Setting: | England |
| Date Of Premiere: | 23 March 1949[1] |
| Original Language: | English |
| Place: | Wyndham's Theatre |
| Genre: | Comedy |
Daphne Laureola is a comic play by James Bridie about a young Polish refugee's infatuation with a middle-aged English woman. 'Egalitarianism is at the heart of this vision, but idealism may be just a liability.'[2]
Productions
The play was first produced by the Old Vic at Wyndham's Theatre in London in 1949, starring Edith Evans and Peter Finch, under the management of Laurence Olivier. The production was a major success, helping launch Finch's career in London.[3] [4] [5] In August 1950, it was performed at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow.[6]
A 1950 Broadway production, also starring Evans, was less successful.[7]
Original cast
- Maisie MacArthur - Anna Turner
- Bill Wishforth - Robin Lloyd
- Helen Willis - Eileen O'Hara
- Bob Kentish - Alexander Harris
- George, the Waiter at Le Tois aux Porcs - Martin Miller
- 1st Spiv - Billy Thatcher
- 2nd Spiv - John Tore
- Lady Pitts - Edith Evans
- Ernest Piaste - Peter Finch
- A Bored Woman - Anna Burden
- A Bored Man - Ireland Wood
- Mr. Gooch - Kenneth Hyde
- Mr. Watson - Mark Stone
- Vincent - Peter Williams
- Sir Joseph Pitts - Felix Aylmer
- The Manager of Le Toit aux Porcs - Bernard Gillman
Adaptations
It was adapted for television in the UK in 1958, In West Germany in 1962, in Australia in 1965 and in the UK again in 1978, starring Olivier and Joan Plowright, Olivier's wife, as Lady Pitts.[8] [9] [10]
Notes and References
- Web site: James Bridie. www.4-wall.com.
- News: Riach. Alan. 27 September 2021. Perennially provocative. 27. The National. 27 September 2021.
- News: Critics acclaim Peter Finch. . . Melbourne . 25 March 1949 . 10 February 2012 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
- News: "DAPHNE LAUREOLA": A New Comedy by James Bridie. P H W. The Manchester Guardian. Manchester (UK). 24 Mar 1949. 6.
- News: BRIDIE'S MOST BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT. Our London Drama Critic. The Scotsman. Edinburgh, Scotland. 24 Mar 1949. 4.
- News: Bridie Brandy and Wit . . 8 August 1950 . 4 . 5 May 2018.
- http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2157 Daphne Laureola
- Web site: Daphne Laureola · British Universities Film & Video Council. bufvc.ac.uk.
- News: TODAY'S TV . . 39 . 11,147 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 5 May 1965 . 19 February 2017 . 27 . National Library of Australia.
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0215694/ Daphne Laureola
