The Better Half (play)
Encyclopedia
The Better Half is a one-act play by Noël Coward
first performed in 1922 by the Grand Guignol theatre company. It was never published and thought to be lost until Richard Hand and Mike Wilson, researchers writing a book on the theatre company, discovered it in the British Library
in September 2007, where it had been deposited as part of the Lord Chamberlain's Plays collection. According to Wilson, the play is about a "husband and wife [who] are in an unhappy relationship and he is about to embark on an affair, but he is an honourable man and refuses to consummate it... They are trying to keep it away from the wife but unknown to him, she already knows and is trying to encourage it because she knows they are unhappy." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6992914.stm
The Sticking Place theatre company revived the play at the Union Theatre in Southwark
in London
, in a production that opened on 16 October 2007. It was broadcast as a radio play on BBC Radio 4
on 25 May 2009, starring Federay Holmes, Samuel West
and Lisa Dillon
, and directed by Martin Jarvis.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kj2f0
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
first performed in 1922 by the Grand Guignol theatre company. It was never published and thought to be lost until Richard Hand and Mike Wilson, researchers writing a book on the theatre company, discovered it in the British Library
British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
in September 2007, where it had been deposited as part of the Lord Chamberlain's Plays collection. According to Wilson, the play is about a "husband and wife [who] are in an unhappy relationship and he is about to embark on an affair, but he is an honourable man and refuses to consummate it... They are trying to keep it away from the wife but unknown to him, she already knows and is trying to encourage it because she knows they are unhappy." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6992914.stm
The Sticking Place theatre company revived the play at the Union Theatre in Southwark
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
in London
London
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...
, in a production that opened on 16 October 2007. It was broadcast as a radio play on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
on 25 May 2009, starring Federay Holmes, Samuel West
Samuel West
Samuel Alexander Joseph West is an English actor and theatre director. He is perhaps best known for his role in Howards End and his work on stage. He also starred in the award-winning play ENRON...
and Lisa Dillon
Lisa Dillon
Lisa Dillon is Critics Circle Award-winning English actress.-Theatre:Whilst training at RADA, Dillon appeared in several training productions, including: Hamlet and The Tempest by William Shakespeare, The Devils by John Whiting, The Devil's Law Case by John Webster, Yentl by Leah Napolin and The...
, and directed by Martin Jarvis.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kj2f0
External links
- The Lord Chamberlain's Plays collection
- Coward's Women - Woman's Hour
- 'Lost' Noel Coward play uncovered - BBC News
- Coward's long-lost satire was almost too 'daring' about women - The Guardian
- http://www.thestickingplace.com/theatre/past-productions/ken-campbell/in-pursuit-of-cardenio/ Link to Sticking Place 'In Pursuit of Cardenio
- Lloyd StephensLloyd StephensLloyd Stephens is an English stand-up comedian and improviser.After studying theatre arts at Rose Bruford College, Lloyd went on to try a stand-up career. Lloyds appeared on the ITV shows Take the Mike and Stand Up Britain, and his set was based on the positive side of being hard of hearing.Lloyd...
Actor on Wiki who performed in a Sticking Place production