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.
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