Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (play) explained

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Characters:Frank Spencer
Betty Spencer
Father O'Hara
Barbara Fisher
Mr Worthington
Mr Luscombe
Leslie Robin
Constable
Genre:Comedy, Disaster
Premiere:18 February 2018
Place:Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Orig Lang:English
Based On:Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
TV series by Raymond Allen

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is a play by Guy Unsworth based on the BBC TV sitcom of the same name by Raymond Allen.

Background

The idea for a stage production of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em began while Joe Pasquale was appearing in Spamalot in the West End in June 2013 which Guy Unsworth was associate director of, in which an incident with a faulty electric fan collapsing prompted the idea for Pasquale to play Frank Spencer (originally played in the TV series by Michael Crawford). When approached to create the stage version, Raymond Allen (the original TV series writer) gave his blessing for the adaptation as well as the casting of Pasquale (already being a fan of his stand-up shows).

Production history

The play premiered at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon on 21 February 2018 before embarking on a UK tour. The production was written and directed by Guy Unsworth, designed by Simon Higlett, scenery built by Splinter Scenery and starred Joe Pasquale as Frank Spencer, Sarah Earnshaw as Betty Spencer and Susie Blake as Mrs Fisher.[1]

The playtext was published on 19 July 2018 by Samuel French, Inc.[2]

Due to the success of the 2018 tour, the production began another tour with Pasquale, Earnshaw and Blake reprising their roles, however was forced to stop due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour recommenced in March 2022, with James Paterson joining as Father O'Hara.[3]

Cast and characters

!Character!2018 UK tour!2020 UK tour!2022 UK tour
Frank SpencerJoe Pasquale
Betty SpencerSarah Earnshaw
Mrs FisherSusie Blake
Mr Worthing/Mr LuscombeMoray Treadwell
Father O'HaraDavid Shaw-ParkerJames Paterson
Constable James DesmondChris KielyBen Watson

Reception

The play received critical acclaim earning four and five stars across many reviews.[4] [5]

References

  1. Web site: BWW News Desk. Further Dates Added for 2018 UK Tour of SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM. 2021-07-03. BroadwayWorld.com. en.
  2. Web site: Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. 2021-07-03. Concord Theatricals. en-uk.
  3. Web site: Ellen. Fleming. 2019-07-02. Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em 2020 UK Tour Dates Venues. 2021-07-03. Stage Review. en-GB.
  4. Web site: Review: Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (Richmond Theatre) WhatsOnStage. 2021-07-03. www.whatsonstage.com. en-GB.
  5. Web site: 2018-03-08. Review of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em at Richmond Theatre. 2021-07-03. LondonTheatre1. en-GB.

External links