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1957

The Entertainer

Written by John Osborne

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director
George Devine

Dates Performed

Wednesday 10th April 1957
Main House (Downstairs)

Tuesday 10th September 1957
Palace Theatre

Play Details

Synopsis

A vibrant blend of a British seaside town’s dilapidated music hall and the crumbling domestic life of a failing entertainer

Archie is a washed-up music hall performer in 1950s Britain. The play shows the ups and downs of Archie’s life, including his interactions with his retired performer father, Billy, his alcoholic wife, Phoebe, and his children, Jean and Frank.

Archie’s life is a mix of onstage performances and offstage dramas, reflecting his personal and professional decline. Themes of disappointment, the loss of old British values, and the effects of political changes are woven throughout the story. The play skillfully mixes personal stories with broader social issues, presenting a vivid picture of change and the difficulties of holding onto the past.

Set in a time when Britain was adjusting to a new world order, The Entertainer offers a look at how big historical events can deeply affect personal lives. It’s a story that still speaks to audiences today, reminding us of the challenges of adapting to change and the personal impact of broader social and political shifts.

Director(s)

Tony Richardson

Photo credit

Cover image credited to Antony Armstrong-Jones

Poster credit

Set design credited to Alan Tagg, courtesy of V&A Theatre and Performance Archive

Cast & Creative

Cast

Brenda de Banzie

Cast

Aubrey Dexter

Cast

Vivienne Drummond

Cast

Stanley Meadows

Cast

Laurence Olivier

Cast

Richard Pasco

Cast

George Relph

Cast

Valentina Richmond

Cast

Dorothy Tutin

Designer

Alan Tagg

Costume

Clare Jeffery

Sound

John Addison


Set design by Alan Tagg for John Osborne’s play, The Entertainer


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