The characters are not naturalistic portraits but rather caricatures of contemporary types. As in the older comedies their names suggest their identities (Midway, Makepiece, Freeman, etc). The model Midland householder, Fred Midway, sedulously climbing the business and social ladders, self-educated by correspondence courses, with his material yardstick, his oratory, self-knowledge and pathetic faith in himself, provides a brilliant centre to a highly entertaining and satiricial play. First performed at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry in 1962 starring Leonard Rossiter and Ian McKellan, it’s London premiere starred Laurence Olivier, Eileen Atkins and John Thaw

Published by Evans Plays

98 pages

A little worn, but clean and intact.