A Penny for a Song
A Penny for a Song | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Written by | John Whiting |
Date premiered | 12 February 1951 |
Place premiered | Wimbledon Theatre,London |
Original language | English |
Genre | Historical comedy |
Setting | A country house,Dorset,1804 |
A Penny for a Songis a 1951historicalcomedy playby the British writerJohn Whiting.In 1967 it was adapted into an opera of the same title byRichard Rodney Bennett,performed atSadler's Wells.
It premiered atWimbledon Theatrebefore transferring to theHaymarket TheatreinLondon'sWest Endwhere it ran for 35 performances between 1 and 31 March 1951. The original cast includedVirginia McKenna,Ronald Squire,Ronald Howard,Basil Radford,George Rose,Alan Webb,Denis Cannan,Denys BlakelockandMarie Lohr.It was directed byPeter Brook.The production marked McKenna's West End debut.[1]It has been revived on a number of occasions, notably in aRoyal Shakespeare Companyproduction starringMarius GoringandJudi Denchin 1962 staged at theAldwych Theatre,London.
Synopsis
[edit]In 1804 with Britain facing with animminent French invasion,aDorsetcountry gentleman hatches a plan to thwart the enemy by impersonatingNapoleon.
References
[edit]- ^Wearing, J.P.The London Stage 1950-1959: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel.Rowman & Littlefield,2014. p. 78.