Written By
Ted Willis
Where and When
24th – 27th April 1974 @ The Church House, Wimborne
The Plot
Adapted from the novel by Richard Gordon about the off duty lives of a group of medical students, this play weaves their happy triumphs and brave failures, love affairs and parties into a many colored pattern. Several individuals confined under the same roof employ a blithe exterior to hide their hopes and fears, ineffectually concealing an underlying earnestness of purpose. The play provides a good variety of character parts: young men, some playboys, some serious; the college porter and the eccentric professor; the dragon matron; nurses pretty and dull; and the landlady extraordinary.
Cast
- Tony Grimsdyke – Mike Waring
- Simon Sparrow – Mark Syrett
- John Evans – Andy Drummond
- Vera – Liz Knight
- Bromley – Tony Pawley
- Sir Lancelot Spratt – Arthur Brooks
- Miss WInslow – Janine Brockes
- The Matron – Rosemary Blake
- Janet – Jennifer Waring
- Clarlie – Himself
Creative Team
- Producer – Cynthia Shakles
- Stage Manager – John Anthony
- ASM – Muriel Brooks and Thelma Dryden
- Properties – Minna Harvey
- Prompt – Jean Lewis
- Front of House – Edmund Henbest and Manina Stuart
- Publicity – Rod Knight, Mike Waring and Liz Knight
Gallery
Review
Drama club had winner in ‘Doctor’ comedy
The ‘Doctor’ series has long been popular on the screen and TV, and in presenting Ted Willis’ stage version of ‘Doctor in the House’ at Church House last week, Wimborne Drama Club were on a sure winner.
As the entry of team of medicos. Mike Waring gave a relaxed performance as Tony Grimsdyke. although his tone was so ‘conversational’ as to be inaudible at times; Mark Syrett kept well in character as the nervous and naive Simon Sparrow; and Andy Drummond played stolidly as the down-to-earth John Evans.
Liz Knight was easy on the eye as Vera Tony’s ‘lady-inwaiting,’ and displayed charm that augurs well for her Thespian future. Arthur Brooks was confidently in the ‘Professor Loftus’ tradition as the surgeon, Sir Lancelot Spratt; and Jennifer Waring schemed convincingalsy Janet,the nurse determinetdo sna Simon.
Tony Pawley’s interpretation of the porter, Bromley, infused new life into the play whenever it showed signs ot flagging particularly in the ‘diagnosis’ episode. Janine Broches played straightforwardly as Nurse Biggie Winslow; and Rosemary Blake (a newcomer) was a credible Matron although not quite the ‘battleaxe’ that the part demanded.
Cynthia Shackles was responsible. for production and John Anthony stage managed, assisted by Muriel Brooks and Thelma Dryden. Jean Lewis prompted, and Minna Harvey was in charge of properties. Edmund Henbest was house manager, assisted by Manina Stuart; and Rod Knight, Mike Waring and Liz Knight organised publicity.
Programme
