The Ruling Class (2010)

Poster by Mark Davies

by Peter Barnes

Directed by James Hough

Performances: Tue 6th to Sat 10th April 2010, Bell Theatre

Introduction

After his father's death in a bizarre accident, Jack Gurney is released from the mental institution where he is being treated for paranoid schizophrenia, to become the fourteenth Earl of Gurney. His Christ-delusions wreak havoc on the horrified family and they scheme to have him committed for good. Absusrdist, sharply written and satirical, Peter Barnes's tour de force pours scorn on the concept of inherited power and those who wield it. Also involves singing, dancing, sword fighting and is generally barking.

Cast

• The 13th Earl of Gurney - Michael Wilson
• Daniel Tucker – John Lyne
• Bishop Lampton – Alan Buckman
• Sir Charles Gurney – Peter Medd
• Dinsdale Gurney – Mattie Crowley
• Lady Claire Gurney – Helen Chadney
• The 14th Earl of Gurney – Gareth Rickards
• Dr Paul Herder / Lord – Matthew Lyne
• Mrs Treadwell – Alan Buckman
• Mrs Piggott-Jones – Carole Coyne
• Grace Shelley – Jenny McLaughlin
• Mr McKyle – Bob Callender
• Kelso Truscott QC / Detective Inspector Brockett / Lord – Christopher Vian-Smith
• Matthew Peake / Detective Sergeant Fraser / Mr Shape / Lord – Richard Watkins

Crew

• Stage Manager – Graham Clements
• Assistant Stage Managers – Stuart Grimwood and Derek Dempsey
• Lighting and Sound Operation - Kathryn Ramsay
• Lighting Design – Mike Elliott, assisted with the rigging by Mark Ireson
• Sound Design and Engineer – Gerard Johnson
• Set Design – Alan Buckman
• Scenic Artists – Hazel Hindle and Michael Wilson
• Fight Director – Anton Krause
• Choreography – Brendan Murphy
• Costumes – Lisa Thomas
• Technical Research and Production Assistants – Anne Durrant & Juliet Holden
• Production Photographs – Phil Gammon
• Programme – Mark Ireson
• Poster Design – Mark Davies
• Set Construction – the cast, crew and Sam Dempsey
• Props - Alan Buckman, Carole Coyne and Bob Callender

Reviews

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Reminiscences and Anecdotes

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See Also

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References

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