Philip King (playwright)
Encyclopedia
Philip King, a British playwright and actor, was born in Yorkshire in 1904. He is best known as the author of the farce
See How They Run (1944
). He lived in Brighton
and many of his plays were first produced in nearby Worthing
. He continued to act throughout his writing career, often appearing in his own plays. He died on 9 January 1979.
King made several appearances on the London stage, playing with such well-known stars as Sid Field
, Frances Day
and Hugh Wakefield
and despite his success as a writer he was still drawn to his first love of acting.
Of the events surrounding the West End first night of See How They Run, in January 1945, King wrote:
"At the time I was in the RAF and, luckily, stationed at the White City, Shepherd's Bush. During my four years service I had risen from the rank of AC2 (the lowest rank possible) to AC1 (not the highest), but I was fortunate inasmuch as, owing to the shortage of accommodation at White City, I was allowed to 'live out' in civilian digs.
"By the grace of God the play went like a bomb - even three 'doodlebugs' dropped during the performance. George Gee, playing the leading part, swore that all three dropped as he was saying his funniest lines. No one left the theatre until the play was over.
"The morning after the 'first night' I went down to Shepherd's Bush, bought every morning paper there was, and went to my usual workmen's cafe directly opposite RAF White City, and over a pint mug of tea and a Spam sandwich read the notices.
"They were marvellous! But, as I read them, I suddenly remembered the pictures I had seen of Noel Coward sitting up in a wonderful looking bed, in an even more wonderful dressing-gown, a silver tray at his side, reading his notices! And here was I...a pint mug of tea and a thick Spam sandwich. But what the hell? I had a success. That's all that really mattered."
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
See How They Run (1944
1944 in literature
The year 1944 in literature involved some significant new books.-New books:*Samuel Hopkins Adams – Canal Town*Jorge Amado – Terras do Sem Fim *Saul Bellow – Dangling Man*Jorge Luis Borges – Fictions...
). He lived in Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
and many of his plays were first produced in nearby Worthing
Worthing
Worthing is a large seaside town with borough status in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, forming part of the Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton conurbation. It is situated at the foot of the South Downs, west of Brighton, and east of the county town of Chichester...
. He continued to act throughout his writing career, often appearing in his own plays. He died on 9 January 1979.
Biography
Philip King began his career on his sixteenth birthday as an actor with a small touring company in the North of England, graduating to the Repertory Company at the Opera House, Harrogate. There he subsequently directed plays and saw his first comedy Without the Prince professionally produced, and shortly after presented in the West End at the Whitehall Theatre on 8 April 1940.King made several appearances on the London stage, playing with such well-known stars as Sid Field
Sid Field
-Early Years:Sid Field was an English comedy entertainer. He was born Sidney Arthur Field in Ladywood, Birmingham, son of Albert and Bertha . Field spent most of his childhood at 152 Osborn Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham.Field had entertainment in his blood from an early age...
, Frances Day
Frances Day
Frances Day was an American actress and singer who achieved great popularity in the UK in the 1930s.Day's career began as a nightclub cabaret singer in New York City and London...
and Hugh Wakefield
Hugh Wakefield
Hugh Wakefield was an English film actor, who played supporting roles. He was often seen wearing a monocle....
and despite his success as a writer he was still drawn to his first love of acting.
Of the events surrounding the West End first night of See How They Run, in January 1945, King wrote:
"At the time I was in the RAF and, luckily, stationed at the White City, Shepherd's Bush. During my four years service I had risen from the rank of AC2 (the lowest rank possible) to AC1 (not the highest), but I was fortunate inasmuch as, owing to the shortage of accommodation at White City, I was allowed to 'live out' in civilian digs.
"By the grace of God the play went like a bomb - even three 'doodlebugs' dropped during the performance. George Gee, playing the leading part, swore that all three dropped as he was saying his funniest lines. No one left the theatre until the play was over.
"The morning after the 'first night' I went down to Shepherd's Bush, bought every morning paper there was, and went to my usual workmen's cafe directly opposite RAF White City, and over a pint mug of tea and a Spam sandwich read the notices.
"They were marvellous! But, as I read them, I suddenly remembered the pictures I had seen of Noel Coward sitting up in a wonderful looking bed, in an even more wonderful dressing-gown, a silver tray at his side, reading his notices! And here was I...a pint mug of tea and a thick Spam sandwich. But what the hell? I had a success. That's all that really mattered."
Sole author
- Without The Prince; 1939
- Moon Madness (the first title for See How They Run, 1944)
- See How They Run; 1944
- On Monday Next; 1949
- Serious Charge; 1956
- Milk And Honey; 1959
- Pools Paradise; 1961
- As Black As She's Painted; 1962
- How Are You, Johnnie; 1962
- So Far ... No Further; 1968
- I'll Get My Man; 1966
- Go Bang Your Tambourine; 1970
With Falkland L Cary
- Sailor, Beware! (1955)
- "The Dream House" (1957)
- "An Air For Murder" (1958)
- "Watch It Sailor" (1960)
- "Rock-A-Bye, Sailor!" (1962)
- "Big Bad MouseBig Bad MouseBig Bad Mouse is a frequently revived 1960s British stage play and theatrical comedic farce that, although not specifically written for them, became famous as a loose vehicle for the many talents of the British comedy actors Jimmy Edwards and Eric Sykes and has constantly seen various revivals with...
" (1964) - "Wife Required" (date unknown)
- "Housekeeper Wanted" (date unknown)
With John Boland
- Murder In Company (1973)
- Who Says Murder (1975)
- Elementary, My Dear (1975)
With others
- Here We Come Gathering (with Anthony ArmstrongAnthony Armstrong (writer)George Anthony Armstrong Willis was an Anglo-Canadian writer, dramatist and essayist. He was the son of George Hughlings Armstrong Willis, R. N. and Adela Emma Temple Frere; although his parents were both English, he was born in Esquimalt, British Columbia as a consequence of his father's career...
, date unknown) - The Lonesome Road (with Robin MaughamRobin MaughamRobert Cecil Romer Maugham, 2nd Viscount Maugham , known as Robin Maugham, was a British novelist, playwright and travel writer.-Early life:...
, 1959) - Dark Lucy (with Parnell Bradbury, 1971)