Habeas Corpus (2)

by Alan Bennett

Habeas Corpus (2) had 5 performances almost 13 years ago (between the 12th of July 2011 and the 16th of July 2011) at The Riverhouse Barn

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Written in the early seventies, Habeas Corpus has proved one of Alan Bennett’s most popular plays. Rather like a satirical merry-go-round, it is a broad comedy written at a time when the phrase ~ ‘the permissive society’ was widely used in the media.

The subject is the human body and our desire for fulfilment - chiefly sexual fulfilment! Indeed the play has been likened to one of those old saucy Donald McGill seaside postcards! (Even more apt as the play is set in Hove). It is very much a play of that period but the thoughts behind it are timeless..

With wires crossed, identities mistaken and even trousers dropped it is clear that the comedy is often bordering on farce. - BUT this is Alan Bennett so beneath all the hilarity and wit, underlying serious points are being made ~ in particular on how our human body affects our whole life (one of the key lines is: ‘the body is a tied cottage.’). Also among the clever ribald humour there are literary allusions and even a few lyrical moments.

PERFORMANCES The play needs to be fast moving and it essential that all the actors capture the right free-flowing lively style. The characters need to be played with inner energy and deft vocal and physical attack. Timing and (at times) farcical technique are vital. Body language and physical reactions should add to the humour. (There is a tactile theme running through the play with most of the characters desperate to be touched).

The script certainly affords a rich gallery of wonderful characters to play but they need to be played with consummate relish!!

A description of the characters can be found under 'Cast' below.

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Cast
Backstage

	Arthur Wicksteed - Marc Anderson (should appear 53-ish) A general practitioner in whose home the play takes place. No longer sexually interested in his wife, he certainly has an eye for the ladies. In some ways he is the eye of the storm around which the others spin like a wild whirlitzer. Now in mid/late middle age his lustful feelings are far from curbed. Under the humour there is a sadness that time is running out and a desperation to find an outlet for his sexual desires. Although many of the serious lines come from him, it is still a very funny role.
	Muriel Wicksteed - Nicola Anderson (should appear 50-ish) Now her husband has lost interest has aroused her desire to find her own sexual fulfilment Full-bodied, rapacious, voluptuous, fruity, the role needs to be played with relish and enjoyment ~ with just that hint of inner loneliness. Menopause is looming over the horizon and she wants to make up for lost time!
	Dennis Wicksteed - Nick Lund Arthur and Muriel's somewhat nerdy son. A severe hypochondriac. Unloved and almost completely unnoticed, his mother describes him as ‘being shoved away in the back of the drawer’. He needs to show this fear and lack of self-esteem in voice and body. Later he blossoms as he gets attention from an unlikely source
	Constance Wicksteed - Michelle Blake (Should appear 33-ish) The downtrodden spinster sister of Arthur Wicksteed. Underneath that grey, flat-chested exterior beats a suppressed rampant woman looking for the man of her dreams. She is desperate to have a big bust and her complete transformation at the end is one of the great theatrical climaxes of the play.
	Mrs Swabb - Anne Nunn The cleaning lady who acts like a Greek chorus commenting on the wild shenanigans taking place. She could also been seen as a puppeteer pulling all the strings together ~ so this is a vital role. It needs to be played with a working class accent to contrast with the others. (At some performances in the original production Alan Bennett played the role in drag.)
	Canon Throbbing - Tony Frier The local vicar who is throbbing by name ~ and by nature! He is certainly throbbing for Connie! Under his clerical attire and nervously tentative face, he is just as rampant as the others!
	Lady Rumpers - Jean Warner A colonial lady ~ superior in manner, dress and especially voice. She is very protective of her beautiful daughter who she feels may be deflowered in this decadent household. (She should be approximately the same age as Sir Percy.)
	Felicity Rumpers - Anna Napolitano (22-ish) A very attractive young lady. All the men fall at the feet of this ‘lovely girl’! At first she seems dutiful and innocent ~ but is that all a façade? She is not quite the essence of virginity as first appears.
	Mr Shanks - Paul Foster The hapless falsie-fitter from Leatherhead. Another innocent who gets caught up in a maelstrom of mistaken identities. An uplifting and very funny role. Pace is essential as he must show increasing panic as the kaleidoscope of mistaken identities increases.
	Sir Percy Shorter - Ian Thomas President of the BMA who is out for revenge against Wicksteed. Cannot be played by a tall actor as many references are made to his lack of height. Pompous, and very self-important and as lecherous as the other men. A man with a secret past ~ but the truth is bound to emerge when clothes are divested and the past is revealed.
	Mr Purdue - Graham Botterill A suicidal patient of Dr Wicksteed. Nobody is as miserable as Mr P. He is completely ignored and ends Act One by apparently hanging himself ~ which proves to be an hilarious moment.

	Director - Colin Dolley
	Stage Manager, Props and Set Assistant - Clare Pinnock
	Set Design and Construction and joint Stage Manager - John Godliman
	Hair and Make Up and Set Assistant - Emma Dudley
	Set Assistant - Nick Lund
	Programme and flyer design and Set Assistant - Anne Nunn
	Set Assistant - Liz Thomas
	Set Assistant - Adam Roberts
	Set Assistant - Linda Russell
	Set Assistant - Ian Thomas
	Set Assistant - Simon Waller
	Set Assistant - Julian Waller
	Assistant Stage Manager - Emma Thompson
	Lighting - Nigel Greenaway
	Lighting - Bill Payne
	Sound - Ian Santry
	Music - Chris Winslet
	Wardrobe and Continuity - Judith Dolley
	Choreography - Carolyn Floyd
	Continuity - Helen Skinner
	Publicity - Gillian Smithies
	Front of House Manager and Publicity - Frankie Godliman
	Photography - Alan Bostock (www.photoeyes.biz)