The Play What I Wrote
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2012) |
The Play What I Wrote | |
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Liverpool Playhouse Theatre | |
Original language | English |
Subject | Morecambe and Wise |
Genre | Comedy |
The Play What I Wrote is a comedy play written by Hamish McColl, Sean Foley and Eddie Braben, starring Foley and McColl (the double act The Right Size, playing characters named "Sean" and "Hamish"), with Toby Jones, directed by Kenneth Branagh and produced in its original production by David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers. The show is a celebration of the British comedy double act Morecambe and Wise, and an irreverent and farcical exploration of the nature of double acts in general.[1]
Synopsis
Its title is drawn from one of Morecambe and Wise's catchphrases, as is "A Tight Squeeze for the Scarlet Pimple", the "
Background
According to Foley the idea for producing a show about Morecambe and Wise originally came from David Pugh: although Foley and McColl regarded the idea of "impersonat(ing) one of the most famous double-acts of all time" as "a poisoned chalice", the duo worked on a script with the hope that Pugh would reconsider the idea. When Pugh expressed his approval for what they had written, the pair decided that rather than engaging in a straightforward imitation of Morecambe and Wise, they should essentially play themselves in what Foley described as "a homage... but a cock-eyed one. The idea was to look at what it means to be a double-act as well as evoking Eric and Ernie’s comic spirit".[1] Braben contributed some new jokes to the play: according to Foley, he insisted on being paid per gag.[1] Foley and McColl initially asked Toby Jones, who knew them and was a fan of their work, to play multiple supporting roles in the show, Jones initially refused: they then consolidated the various parts into the character of Arthur, a nod to Arthur Tolcher, who regularly appeared in Morecambe and Wise's TV shows: Jones accepted the combined role.[1]
Production history
The play debuted at the
The play opened on
The show offered tickets for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth Broadway preview performances for $1, $2, $3, $4, and $5, respectively as a publicity stunt.[8]
A 20th anniversary revival was directed by Sean Foley as part of his first season as artistic director at the
References
- ^ a b c d e Dickson, Andrew (22 November 2021). "'Roger Moore collapsed one night. I thought he'd died': how we made The Play What I Wrote". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ Gaines, Sara (6 November 2001). "The play wot they wrote". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ a b Billington, Michael. "Review. The Play What I Wrote The Guardian, 6 November 2001. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
- ^ Wolf, Matt. "Review. The Play What I Wrote Variety, 25 November 2001
- ^ Finkle, David. "Review. 'The Play What I Wrote' " theatermania.com, March 30, 2003
- ^ The Play What I Wrote Playbill, retrieved 20 February 2018
- ^ Isherwood, Charles. "Review. 'The Play What I Wrote' " Variety, 30 March 2003
- ^ Cote, David. "There's no business like Broadway's: lessons in ticket pricing from New York" The Guardian, 17 January 2003
- ^ "Cast announced for The Play What I Wrote at Birmingham REP". www.whatsonlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ^ "Tom Hiddleston to star in BBC broadcast of The Play What I Wrote - News". British Comedy Guide. 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-23.