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This is one of only a small number of plays to be repeated by the
Fairlight Players, having first been presented in December 1965.
I note, however, that the play is not exactly the same as that
presented in 1965 as the play had been re-written in the mid-80s by
the author with two fewer characters. We have copies of both the
original and the later script in our archive, so if anyone felt so
inclined, they could conduct a detailed analysis and discover just
how much was changed. However, the characters of "Mr. Mallet"
and "Len Barrett" do not appear in the later version, so one can
only assume that they were small and relatively insignificant parts
that the author felt were not essential to the plot. As it
happens, one of those "insignificant" parts, that of Len
Barrett, was played in 1965 by Aubrey Sinden (still a relative
newcomer at that time), who this time around assumes the rather more
important role of Brigadier Hubback.
Also noteworthy are some new arrivals on the Fairlight Players
scene. While Ketland Dyer makes his debut on the stage, three
familiar names appear on the programme helping behind the scenes.
Jim Duffy would go on to make a significant contribution on the
stage, behind the scenes, and as producer ... and that is not to
mention his work with the Pantomime Group and his familiar "warm up"
routines. Meanwhile, the artwork of Barry Wells would become a
regular feature both in the scenery and on programme covers, and
Margaret Hall begins her epic stint as our props custodian. One can
only imagine the reaction of any burglar unfortunate enough to
select Margaret's house as a target. I suspect that, on discovering
a bewildering array of weapons, bloodied blades, and other implements
(the purpose of which only Margaret knows), his exit might be a
great deal quicker and noisier than his entry.
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