London Calling (play)
Encyclopedia
London Calling is a comedy play in three acts, written by Geoffrey Kerr
, produced by John Golden, and directed by Dan Jarratt. The play was first performed at Little Theatre
, Rochester, New York
, on October 18, 1930. The star of the original production was British-born thespian
St. Clair Bayfield
. Geoffrey Kerr had previously performed in The Stork (1925) and also wrote short-stories on the side for Vanity Fair
magazine.
, England. When George appears for a surprise visit to Manhattan
, he and Willie soon fall for a designing woman, Anne Hunter. Their mother decides she is not suitable and prevents her from seeing them, and in the process tries reconciling with their father.
and George Craft's furnished apartment on East 49th Street.
Geoffrey Kerr
Geoffrey Kerr was a British stage and film actor, and writer, during the middle of the 20th century, part of a British family with a strong stage and theatre tradition spanning several generations.-Early life:...
, produced by John Golden, and directed by Dan Jarratt. The play was first performed at Little Theatre
Little Theatre
The Little Theatre in Rochester, New York, commonly known as "The Little" is a movie theatre located on historic East Avenue in downtown Rochester, New York and a modest non-profit multiplex specializing in art film, including independent and foreign productions outside the United States.Founded in...
, Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, on October 18, 1930. The star of the original production was British-born thespian
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
St. Clair Bayfield
St. Clair Bayfield
St. Clair Bayfield, American stage actor, was born John St. Clair Roberts on August 2, 1875 in Cheltenham, England, and died May 19, 1967.-Career:Bayfield spent his youth in New Zealand on sheep and cattle ranches. He also served as a sailor and soldier...
. Geoffrey Kerr had previously performed in The Stork (1925) and also wrote short-stories on the side for Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
magazine.
Plot
The comedy centres on two brothers Willie and George Craft, whose American mother and British father long have been divorced. Willie Craft has been raised in America by his mother, George by his father in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England. When George appears for a surprise visit to Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, he and Willie soon fall for a designing woman, Anne Hunter. Their mother decides she is not suitable and prevents her from seeing them, and in the process tries reconciling with their father.
Scene synopsis
Mrs. Craft's apartment on Park AvenuePark Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
and George Craft's furnished apartment on East 49th Street.
Cast and characters
- St. Clair BayfieldSt. Clair BayfieldSt. Clair Bayfield, American stage actor, was born John St. Clair Roberts on August 2, 1875 in Cheltenham, England, and died May 19, 1967.-Career:Bayfield spent his youth in New Zealand on sheep and cattle ranches. He also served as a sailor and soldier...
- Straight - Emma Bunting - Mary Dayton
- Helen Flint - Anne Hunter
- Penelope Hubbard - Jenny Fall
- Geoffrey KerrGeoffrey KerrGeoffrey Kerr was a British stage and film actor, and writer, during the middle of the 20th century, part of a British family with a strong stage and theatre tradition spanning several generations.-Early life:...
- George Craft - Charles Lawrence - Willie Craft
- Edward Leiter - Carl Merodini
- Anne Sutherland - Mrs. Craft
- Graham Velsey - Chauncey Knayling
- Dallas Welford - Blewes
- Walter Wilson - Henry Dayton