The York Realist
Encyclopedia
The York Realist is a 2001 play
by Peter Gill
. It was premiered at the Lowry
in November 2001 before moving to the Bristol Old Vic
and the Royal Court Theatre
in January 2002 by English Touring Theatre
, with Gill himself directing. It transferred to the Strand Theatre
in March 2002.
The play was revived in September 2009 at the Riverside Studios
by the company Good Night Out Presents, to mark Gill's 70th birthday.
who withdraws from the production), John (the production's shy assistant director who tries to convince him to come back), the love affair between them, and the clash between regional and London culture.
The play was nominated for Best New Play at the Olivier Awards and Evening Standard Theatre Awards and won the Critics Circle Award for Best New Play.
by Good Night Out Presents
. The production received positive reviews, with Michael Billington
describing the production as "lovingly revived by Adam Spreadbury-Maher
" (the Guardian). The production was seen as particularly fitting given that Gill
founded the Riverside Studios
in 1975, and that this would be the first Gill
production at the theatre for 30 years.
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
by Peter Gill
Peter Gill (playwright)
Peter Gill, theatre director, playwright and former actor, was born in Cardiff, Wales, on 7 September 1939, son of George John Gill and his wife Margaret Mary .He was educated at St Illtyd's College, Cardiff.-Career:...
. It was premiered at the Lowry
The Lowry
The Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex situated on Pier 8 at Salford Quays, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. It is named after the early-20th century painter, L. S. Lowry, known for his paintings of industrial scenes in North West England...
in November 2001 before moving to the Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic
The Bristol Old Vic is a theatre company based at the Theatre Royal, King Street, in Bristol, England. The theatre complex includes the 1766 Theatre Royal, which claims to be the oldest continually-operating theatre in England, along with a 1970s studio theatre , offices and backstage facilities...
and the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
in January 2002 by English Touring Theatre
English Touring Theatre
The English Touring Theatre is a touring theatre company in England. It is England's only touring company to receive a government subsidy for producing work for larger theatres, which is its main work...
, with Gill himself directing. It transferred to the Strand Theatre
Strand Theatre
- England :* Royal Strand Theatre, London* Strand Theatre , London in the United States...
in March 2002.
The play was revived in September 2009 at the Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios is a production studio, theatre and independent cinema on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, London, England. It plays host to contemporary and international dramatic and dance performance, film, visual art exhibitions and television production.-History:In 1933, the...
by the company Good Night Out Presents, to mark Gill's 70th birthday.
Plot
It is set in the early 1960s and revolves around George (a Yorkshire farm labourer involved in a production of the York Mystery PlaysYork Mystery Plays
The York Mystery Plays, more properly called the York Corpus Christi Plays, are a Middle English cycle of forty-eight mystery plays, or pageants, which cover sacred history from the creation to the Last Judgement. These were traditionally presented on the feast day of Corpus Christi...
who withdraws from the production), John (the production's shy assistant director who tries to convince him to come back), the love affair between them, and the clash between regional and London culture.
Reception
Reviews of the original production ranged from "a rare blast of reality" (the Guardian) to a "stunningly boring slab of dour social realism" (the Telegraph).The play was nominated for Best New Play at the Olivier Awards and Evening Standard Theatre Awards and won the Critics Circle Award for Best New Play.
Original cast
- George - Lloyd OwenLloyd OwenLloyd Owen is a British actor of Welsh descent. Trained at the National Youth Theatre and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he is probably best known for his portrayal of Indiana Jones's father Professor Dr. Henry Jones, Sr...
- John - Richard CoyleRichard CoyleRichard Coyle is an English actor.-Early life:Coyle was born in Sheffield, England to Irish parents. He began his acting career after a stint working on a ferry entertaining passengers, where he was told by a theatre director that he had a talent and should pursue it further...
- George and Barbara's Mother - Anne ReidAnne ReidAnne Reid, MBE is a BAFTA Award-nominated English film and television actress from Newcastle upon Tyne, best known for her roles as Valerie Tatlock in Coronation Street and Jean in dinnerladies....
- Barbara - Caroline O'Neill
- Arthur - Ian MercerIan MercerIan Mercer is an English actor. On leaving school Mercer trained as an electrical engineer but decided to become an actor when he became an assistant stage manager at the Oldham Coliseum in 1979. His first television appearance was as a butcher in the film Blue Money in 1982...
- Doreen - Wendy Nottingham
- Jack - Felix Bell
Crew
- Director - Peter Gill
- Designer - William Dudley
- Lighting Designer - Hartley T A Kemp
- Composer - Terry Davies
- Assistant Director - Josie RourkeJosie RourkeJosie Rourke is a British theatre director.She attended St Patricks RC High School in Eccles, Salford and her first notable work was as assistant director to Peter Gill in his premiere of The York Realist in 2002...
- Dialect Coach - Jeanette Nelson
Revival
The play was revived in October 2009 at Riverside StudiosRiverside Studios
Riverside Studios is a production studio, theatre and independent cinema on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, London, England. It plays host to contemporary and international dramatic and dance performance, film, visual art exhibitions and television production.-History:In 1933, the...
by Good Night Out Presents
Good Night Out Presents
Good Night Out Presents is one of the resident theatre companies at the The Cock Tavern Theatre in London.-History:Good Night Out Presents was formed in August 2008 and moved to The Cock Tavern Theatre following a residency at The White Bear Theatre...
. The production received positive reviews, with Michael Billington
Michael Billington
Michael Billington may refer to:* Michael Billington , British film and television actor* Michael Billington , drama critic of The Guardian* Michael Billington , author and activist in the LaRouche movement...
describing the production as "lovingly revived by Adam Spreadbury-Maher
Adam Spreadbury-Maher
Adam Spreadbury-Maher is a multi-award winning Australian/Irish theatre artistic director, producer and translator. He is the founding Artistic Director of London's Cock Tavern Theatre from January 2009 until the venues closure in April 2011. He became Artistic Director of the Kings Head Theatre...
" (the Guardian). The production was seen as particularly fitting given that Gill
Peter Gill (playwright)
Peter Gill, theatre director, playwright and former actor, was born in Cardiff, Wales, on 7 September 1939, son of George John Gill and his wife Margaret Mary .He was educated at St Illtyd's College, Cardiff.-Career:...
founded the Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios is a production studio, theatre and independent cinema on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, London, England. It plays host to contemporary and international dramatic and dance performance, film, visual art exhibitions and television production.-History:In 1933, the...
in 1975, and that this would be the first Gill
Peter Gill (playwright)
Peter Gill, theatre director, playwright and former actor, was born in Cardiff, Wales, on 7 September 1939, son of George John Gill and his wife Margaret Mary .He was educated at St Illtyd's College, Cardiff.-Career:...
production at the theatre for 30 years.
Cast
- George - Stephen Hagan
- John - Matthew Burton
- George and Barbara's Mother - Stephanie Fayerman
- Barbara - Sarah Waddell
- Arthur - Sam Hazeldine
- Doreen - Fiona Gordon
- Jack - Jack Blumeneau
Crew
- Director - Adam Spreadbury-MaherAdam Spreadbury-MaherAdam Spreadbury-Maher is a multi-award winning Australian/Irish theatre artistic director, producer and translator. He is the founding Artistic Director of London's Cock Tavern Theatre from January 2009 until the venues closure in April 2011. He became Artistic Director of the Kings Head Theatre...
- Designer - Kate Guinness
- Costume Designer - Mia Thomson
- Lighting Designer - Steve Lowe