THE PRODUCTIONS - The Ronald Govey Years
1958 SEASON
THE COMPANY
(INCLUDED) Ronald Govey, Desmond Braiden, Frank Dunne, Nancy Manningham, Audrey Parker, Jan Lingeman, Ronald Wilkinson
THE PRODUCTIONS
9 – 10 June – MURDER MISTAKEN by Janet Green
11 – 12 June – THE LOVABLE VAGABOND
16 – 17 June – WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte
19 – 20 June – THE WHITE SHEEP OF THE FAMILY by L du Garde Peach & Ian Hay
30 June & 1 – 2 July – DANGEROUS CORNER by J B Priestley
3 – 4 July – SMILING THROUGH by Jane Cowl & Jane Murfin
7 – 9 July – THE PATSY by Barry Conners
10 – 11 June – GASLIGHT by Patrick Hamilton
14 – 15 June – THE WHITE SHEEP OF THE FAMILY by L du Garde Peach & Ian Hay
17 -18 & 21 – 22 June – TONS OF MONEY by Will Evans and Arthur Valentine
23 – 25 June – BELL, BOOK & CANDLE by John van Druten
28 June – DANGEROUS CORNER by J B Priestley
30 – 31 July & 1 August – BOTH ENDS MEET by Arthur MacRea
1959 SEASON
THE COMPANY
THE PRODUCTIONS
10 – 16 June – DEAR DELINQUENT by Jack Popplewell
17 – 23 June – DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE by Ted Willis
24 – 30 June – THE WHOLE TRUTH by Philip Mackie
1 – 7 July – THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE by William Douglas Home
8 – 14 July – SAILOR BEWARE by Philip King & Falkland Cary
15 – 21 July – GIGI by Colette & Anita Loos
22 – 28 July – LOOK BACK IN ANGER by John Osborne
29 July – 4 August – JOB FOR THE BOY by Dennis Driscoll
5 – 11 August – THE MAN WHO CHANGED HIS NAME by Edgar Wallace
12 – 18 August – DRY ROT by John Chapman
19 – 25 August – SUBWAY IN THE SKY by Ian Main
26 August – 1 September – THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE by William Douglas Home
2 – 8 September – IT WON’T BE A STYLISH MARRIAGE by A P Dearsley
10 – 15 September – THE WHITE SHEEP OF THE FAMILY by L du Garde Peach & Ian Hay
16 – 18 September – DUET FOR TWO HANDS by Mary Hayley Bell
1960 SEASON
THE COMPANY
(INCLUDED) Ronald Govey, David Bell, Joanne Harding, Jean Gregory, Karol Hagar, Robert Pointon
THE PRODUCTIONS
2 – 8 June – FOOLS RUSH IN by Kenneth Horne
9-15 June – THE HAPPY MAN by Hugh and Margaret Williams
16 – 22 June – SEPTEMBER TIDE by Daphne du Maurier
30 June – 6 July – CHAMPAGNE FOR BREAKFAST by Derek Benfield
7 – 13 July – BIRTHDAY HONOURS by Paul Jones
14 – 20 July – THE LATE EDWINA BLACK by William Dinner & William Morum
21 – 27 July – GOLDEN RAIN by R F Delderfield
28 July – 3 August – VERDICT by Agatha Christie
4 – 10 August – FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS by Austin Steele
11 – 17 August – THE UNEXPECTED GUEST by Agatha Christie
18 – 24 August – A LIKELY TALE! by Gerald Savory
25 – 31 August – DUET FOR TWO HANDS by Mary Hayley Bell
1 – 7 September – TRIAL AND ERROR by Kenneth Horne
8 – 14 September – MURDER MISTAKEN by Janet Green
15 – 16 September – THE HAPPY MAN by Hugh & Margaret Williams
19 – 20 September – MURDER MISTAKEN by Janet Green
1961 SEASON
THE COMPANY
(INCLUDED) Ronald Govey, Desmond Braiden, Bernard Severn, Diana Montgomery, Diana Ellis, Patrick Tull, Anne Whitehead, Helen Cope (designer), Linda Polan, Michael Fabian, Frank Dunne, Tom Kempinski
THE PRODUCTIONS
1 – 7 June – LOVE’S. A LUXURY by Guy Paxton & Edward V Hoile
8 – 14 June – THE ASPERN PAPERS by Henry James, adapted by Michael Redgrave
15 – 21 June – THE MORE THE MERRIER by Ronald Millar
22 – 28 June – A SHRED OF EVIDENCE by R C Sherriff
29 June – 5 July – THE DASHING WHITE SERGEANT by Charles Campbell Gairdner & Rosamund Pilcher
6 – 12 July – THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR by Jack Ronder
13 – 19 July – A GUARDSMAN’S CUP OF TEA by Thomas Browne
20 – 26 July – A CLEAN KILL by Michael Gilbert
27 July – 2 August – FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS by Austin Steele
3 – 9 August – THE SOUND OF MURDER by William Fairchild
10 – 16 August – LOVE’S A LUXURY by Guy Paxton & Edward V Hoile
17 – 23 August – THE TOUCH OF FEAR by Dorothy and Campbell Christie
24 – 30 August – DODO’S IN LOVE by Harold Brooke & Kay Bannerman
31 August – 6 September – DANGER INSIDE by Falkland L Cary & Ivan Butler
7 – 13 September – YOUR OBEDIENT SERVANT by Diana Morgan
14 – 19 September – FIVE FINGER EXERCISE by Peter Shaffer
22 – 27 September – DIAL M FOR MURDER by Frederick Knott
28 September – 3 October – FOUR IN HAND by Michael Brett
4 – 6 October – BREAKOUT by Bill Owen
1962 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
7 – 13 June – REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier
14 – 20 June – SPIDER’S WEB by Agatha Christie
21 – 27 June – WIDOWS ARE DANGEROUS by June Garland
28 June – 4 July – THE SACRED FLAME by W Somerset Maugham
5 – 11 July – JOHNNY BELINDA by Elmer Harris
12 – 18 July – SALAD DAYS by Dorothy Reynolds & Julian Slade
19 – 25 July – THE IRREGULAR VERB TO LOVE by Hugh and Margaret Williams
26 July – 1 August – MURDER ON ARRIVAL by George Batson
2 – 8 August – OLD TYME MUSIC HALL
9 – 15 August – WATCH IT, SAILOR! By Philip King & Falkand L Cary
16 – 22 August – DEAD ON NINE by Jack Popplewell
23 – 29 August – HAPPY THE BRIDE by Peter Blackmore
20 August – 5 September – FLOWERING CHERRY by Robert Bolt
6 – 12 September – THE SECRET TENT by Elizabeth Addyman
13 – 18 September – COME ON JEEVES by P G Wodehouse
21 – 26 September – A DASH OF BITTERS by Reginald Denham
27 – 29 September – PLAINTIFF IN A PRETTY HAT by Hugh and Margaret Williams
1963 SEASON
THE COMPANY
Rosemary Macvie, Terry Day, Bill Warriner, Rosalyn De Winter, Michael Haynes, Diana Ellis, Roger Foss, Joanna Smithers, Arthur Dicks, William Ridout, Eileen O’Connor, Ronald Govey, Arnold Endicott, Virginia Lester, Ken MacDonald, Liz Piper, Frank Dunne, Jennifer Clare
THE PRODUCTIONS
31 May – 5 June – HOUSE ON THE CLIFF by George Batson
6 – 12 June – DON’T TELL FATHER by Harold Brooke & Kay Bannerman
13 – 19 June – SEMI-DETACHED by David Turner
20- 26 June – TOWARDS ZERO by Agatha Christie
27 June – 2 July – PHOTO FINISH by Peter Ustinov
5 – 10 July – HOUSE ON THE CLIFF by George Batson
11-17 July – MISS PELL IS MISSING by Leonard Gershe
18 – 24 July – HAND UNKNOWN by C Neilson Gattey & Z Bramley-Moore
25 – 31 July – ROCKABYE, SAILOR! by Philip King & Falkland L Cary
1 – 7 August – MURDER AT THE VICARAGE by Agatha Christie
8 – 14 August – THE GIRL WHO COULDN’T QUITE by Leo Marks
15 – 21 August – SIGNPOST TO MURDER by Monte Doyle
29 August – 4 September – BOOK OF THE MONTH by Basil Thomas
5 – 11 September – THE KEY TO THE DOOR by Philip Mackie
12 – 17 September – THE SHADOW OF DOUBT by Norman King
20 – 25 September – ALL FOR MARY by Harold Brooke & Kay Bannerman
26 – 28 September – SIGNPOST TO MURDER by Monte Doyle
1964 SEASON
14 – 21 May – YES AND NO by Kenneth Horne
22 May – 28 May – MURDER WHEN NECESSARY by Philip Levene
29 May – 3 June – MACBETH by William Shakespeare
4 – 10 June – THE BRIDE AND THE BACHELOR by Ronald Millar
11 – 17 June – THE SHOT IN QUESTION by Michael Gilbert
18 – 24 June – THE BREADWINNER by W Somerset Maugham
25 June – 1 July – SOMEONE WAITING by Emlyn Williams
2 – 8 July – THE PRIVATE EAR & THE PUBLIC EYE by Peter Shaffer
9 – 15 July – THE SHOT IN QUESTION by Michael Gilbert
16 – 22 July – THE BOYFRIEND by Sandy Wilson
23 – 29 July – MURDER AT THE VICARAGE by Agatha Christie
30 July – 5 August – THE BOYFRIEND by Sandy Wilson
6 – 12 August – THE PROOF OF THE POISON by Falkland L Cary & Philip Weathers
13 – 19 August – FOOLS RUSH IN by Kenneth Horne
3 – 9 September – TRAP FOR A LONELY MAN by Robert Thomas
10 – 16 September – SILVER WEDDING by Michael Clayton Hutton
18 – 22 September – INTENT TO MURDER by Leslie Sands
1965 SEASON
27 May – 2 June – THIS HAPPY MAN by Hugh & Margaret Williams
3 – 9 June – THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams
10 – 16 June – ONCE ABOARD THE LUGGER by R F Delderfield
17 – 23 June – PORTRAIT OF MURDER by Robert Bloomfield
25 – 31 June – THE RELUCTANT PEER by William Douglas Home
1 – 7 July – SOMETHING TO HIDE by Leslie Sands
8 – 14 July – MARY, MARY by Jean Kerr
15 – 21 July – THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE by Hugh Mills
22 – 28 July – A MAN IN A MILLION by C Nelson Gattey & Z Bramley-Moore
29 July – 4 August – A CALL ON THE WIDOW by James Doran
5 – 11 August – THE RELUCTANT PEER by William Douglas Home
12 – 18 August – THE BIG KILLING by Philip Mackie
19 – 25 August – DIPLOMATIC BAGGAGE by John Chapman
26 August – 1 September – THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE by Hugh Mills
2 – 8 September – THIS THING CALLED LOVE by Michael Brett
9 – 15 September – A DOLL’S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen
16 – 21 September – OUT OF THE CROCODILE by Giles Cooper
1966 SEASON
26 May – 1 June – THIS HAPPY HOME by Michael Brett
2 – 8 June – VERDICT by Agatha Christie
9 – 15 June – PENNIES FROM HEAVEN by Naomi Waters
16 – 22 June – BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell
23 – 29 June – CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK by Paul Raebrook
30 June – 6 July – THE SHADOW WITNESS by Falkland L Cary & Philip Weathers
7 – 13 July – WHAT A RACKET by Dennis Spencer
14 – 20 July – BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell
21 – 27 July – VERDICT by Agatha Christie
28 July – 3 August – THE CONSTANT WIFE by W Somerset Maugham
4 – 10 August – THE HOLLOW by Agatha Christie
11 – 17 August – BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell
18 – 24 August – DR ANGELUS by James Bridie
25 – 31 August – BED & BEDLAM! by John Inman & Kenneth Hendel
1 – 7 September – WOMAN IN A DRESSING GOWN by Ted Willis
8 – 14 September – MAKE ME A WIDOW by David Ellis
15 – 20 September – ODD MAN IN by Claude Magnier
1967 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
8 – 14 June – BOEING-BOEING by Marc Camoletti
15 – 21 June – MURDER FOR THE ASKING by Derek Benfield
22 – 28 June – HAY FEVER by Noel Coward
29 June – 5 July – THE UNEXPECTED GUEST by Agatha Christie
6 – 12 July – GOODNIGHT, MRS PUFFIN by Arthur Lovegrove
13 – 19 July – LOVE FROM A STRANGER by Agatha Christie
20 – 26 July – BOEING – BOEING by Marc Camoletti
27 July – 2 August – PERSON UNKNOWN by David Butler
3 – 9 August – SEE HOW THEY RUN by Philip King
10 – 16 August – MURDER AT QUAY COTTAGE by Simon Amberley
17 – 23 August – AND SUDDENLY IT’S SPRING by Jack Popplewell
24 – 30 August – SEE HOW THEY RUN by Philip King
31 August – 6 September – THE UNEXPECTED GUEST by Agatha Christie
7 – 13 September – THE GRASS IS GREENER by Hugh & Margaret Williams
14 – 19 September – THE CREEPER by Pauline Macaulay
22 – 27 September – BOEING – BOEING by Marc Camoletti
28 September – 4 October – SMALL HOTEL by Rex Frost
5 – 7 October – TRAP FOR A LONELY MAN by Robert Thomas
1968 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
1969 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
5 – 11 June – SAY WHO YOU ARE by Keith Waterhouse & Willis Hall
12 – 18 June – INTENT TO MURDER by Leslie Sands
19 – 25 June – SPRING AND PORT WINE by Bill Naughton
26 June – 2 July – THE HEIRESS by Henry James
3 – 9 July – BIRTHDAY HONOURS by Paul Jones
10 – 16 July – THE HOLLOW by Agatha Christie
17 – 23 July – ROAR LIKE A DOVE by Lesley Storm
24 – 30 July – SPIDER’S WEB by Agatha Christie
31 July – 6 August – THE LOVE MATCH by Glen Melvyn
7 – 13 August – PROOF OF THE POISON by Falkland L Cary & Philip Weathers
14 – 20 August – SPRING AND PORT WINE by Bill Naughton
21 – 27 August – COUNTERCRIME by Olive Chase & Stanley Clayton
28 August – 3 September – BREATH OF SPRING by Peter Coke
4 – 10 September – A MURDER HAS BEEN ARRANGED by Emlyn Williams
11 – 17 September – RELATIVE VALUES by Noel Coward
18 – 24 September – THE WHOLE TRUTH by Philip Mackie
25 September – 1 October – TO DOROTHY A SON by Roger MacDougall
2 – 4 October – FOURSOME REEL by Peter Whitbread
1970 SEASON
28 May – 3 June – NIGHT WAS OUR FRIEND by Michael Pertwee
4 -10 June – PLAZA SUITE by Neil Simon
11-17 June – THE CIRCLE by W Somerset Maugham
18-24 June – DANGER INSIDE by Falkland Cary & Ivan Butler
25 June – 1 July – THE BROWNING VERSION by Terence Rattigan & THE MAN OF DESINY by George Bernard Shaw
2-8 July – SILENCE ON THE ISLAND by Simon Amberley
9-15 July – COME BLOW YOUR HORN by Neil Simon
16-22 July – BLIND ALLEY by Jack Popplewell
23-29 July – MAKE IT A PARTY by Clyde Pollit
30 July – 5 August – TIME TO KILL by Diana Morgan
6-12 August – ONE FOR THE POT by Ray Cooney & Tony Hilton
13-19 August – THE GUILTY ONE by Wyatt Sainsbury
20-26 August – HOT & COLD IN ALL ROOMS by Max Reitman
27 August – 2 September – MURDER WHEN NECESSARY by Philip Levene
2-9 September – THE ORCHARD WALLS by R F Delderfield
10-16 September HOT & COLD IN ALL ROOMS by Max Reitman
17-23 September – AN AIR FOR MURDER by Philip King
24-30 September – BLITHE SPIRIT by Noel Coward
1-3 October – A MONTH OF SUNDAYS by Gerald Savory
1971 SEASON
27 May – 2 June – CASTLE IN THE AIR by Alan Melville
3 – 9 June – MIDNIGHT VISITOR by Michael Curzon
10 – 16 June – CAESAR’S WIFE by W Somerset Maugham
17 – 23 June – VERDICT by Agatha Christie
24 – 30 June – THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE by William Douglas Home
1 – 7 July – GATHERING STORM by Gordon Glennon
8 – 14 July – PENNIES FROM HEAVEN by Naomi Waters
15 – 21 July – A MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE by Frances Brett Young
22 – 28 July – DEVONSHIRE CREAM by Eden Philpotts
29 July – 5 August – TIME TO KILL by Diana Morgan
6 – 12 August – ONE FOR THE POT by Ray Cooney & Tony Hilton
20-25 September – DEAD ON NINE by Jack Popplewell
25 September – 2 October – BOEING BOEING by Marc Camoletti
1972 SEASON
18 – 24 May – MURDER IN SUSPENSE by Stuart Ready
25 – 31 May – ON APPROVAL by Frederick Lonsdale
1 – 7 June – THE MAN OUTSIDE by Janet Allen
8 – 14 June – THE LATE CHRISTOPHER BEAN by Emlyn Williams
15 – 21 – MURDER ON THE NILE by Agatha Christie
22 – 28 June – SABRINA FAIR by Samuel Taylor
29 June – 5 July – MURDER AT QUAY COTTAGE by Simon Amberley
6 – 12 July – POOLS PARADISE by Philip King
13 – 19 July – SWEENEY TODD by Austin Rosser
20 – 26 July – NOT NOW DARLING by Ray Cooney & John Chapman
27 July – 2 August – THE CAT & THE CANARY by John Willard
3 – 9 August – BOOK OF THE MONTH by Basil Thomas
10 – 16 August – A LADY MISLAID by Kenneth Horne
17 – 23 August – JANE STEPS OUT by Kenneth Horne
24 – 30 August – ALIBI by Agatha Christie
31 August – 6 September – BREAKOUT by Bill Owen
7 – 13 September – NOT NOW, DARLING by Ray Cooney & John Chapman
14 – 20 September – MURDER ON THE NILE by Agatha Christie
21 – 27 September – DIAL M FOR MURDER by Frederick Knott
26 September – 4 October – DANGEROUS CORNER by J B Priestley
5 – 7 October – DON’T START WITHOUT ME by Joyce Rayburn
1973 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
24 – 30 May – TRAP FOR A LONELY MAN by Robert Thomas
31 May – 6 June – TWO DOZEN RED ROSES by Kenneth Horne
7 – 13 June – PORTRAIT OF MURDER by Robert Bloomfield
14 – 20 June – HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES by Alan Ayckbourn
21 – 27 June – THE BAD SAMARITAN by William Douglas Home
28 June – 4 July – FRENCH FOR LOVE by Marguerite Steen & Derek Patmore
5 – 11 July – THE SECRETARY BIRD by William Douglas Home
12 – 18 July – THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF by George Batson
19 – 25 July – HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES by Alan Ayckbourn
26 July – 1 August – PORTRAIT OF MURDER by Robert Bloomfield
2 – 8 August – FRENCH FOR LOVE by Marguerite Steen & Derek Patmore
9 – 15 August – THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF by George Batson
16 – 22 August – THE SECRETARY BIRD by William Douglas Home
23 – 29 August – PORTRAIT OF MURDER by Robert Bloomfield
30 August – 5 September – BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell
6 – 12 September – SUDDENLY, AT HOME by Francis Durbridge
13 – 19 September – A PUBLIC MISCHIEF by Kenneth Horne
20 – 26 September – THIS WAS A WOMAN by Joan Morgan
27 – 3 October – SILVER WEDDING by Michael Hutton
4 – 6 October – FOUR ON A SEASAW by Michael Brett
1974 SEASON
16 – 22 May – LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER by William Douglas Home
23 – 29 May – THE UNDERSIGNED by Joan Brampton
30 May – 5 June – TIME AND TIME AGAIN by Alan Ayckbourn
6 – 12 June – RETURN TO TYASSI by Benn W Levy
13 – 19 June – LOVE IN A MIST by Kenneth Horne
20 – 26 June – LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER by William Douglas Home
27 June – 3 July – THE MAN OUTSIDE by Janet Green
4 – 10 July – THERE’S A GIRL IN MY SOUP by Terence Frisby
11 – 17 July – MYSTERY AT FOUR WINDS by Alex Atkinson
18 – 24 July – MOVE OVER, MRS MARKHAM by Ray Cooney & John Chapman
25 – 31 July – SUDDENLY, AT HOME by Francis Durbridge
1975 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
15 – 21 May – THE MAN MOST LIKELY TO by Joyce Rayburn
22 – 28 May – THE WHOLE TRUTH by Philip Mackie
29 May – 4 June – AFFAIRS OF STATE by Louis Verneuil
5 – 11 June – FULL HOUSE by Ivor Novello
12 – 18 June – MAKE ME A WIDOW by David Ellis
19 – 25 June – CAROLINE by W Somerset Maugham
26 June – 2 July – BLACK CHIFFON by Lesley Storm
3 – 9 July – THE MAN MOST LIKELY TO by Joyce Rayburn
10 – 16 July – INTENT TO MURDER by Leslie Sands
17 – 23 July – SHE WAS ONLY AN ADMIRAL’S DAUGHTER by Harold Brooke
24 – 30 July – THE TOUCH OF FEAR by Dorothy Christie
31 July – 6 August – FOOLS RUSH IN by Kenneth Horne
7 – 13 August – INTENT TO MURDER by Leslie Sands
14 – 20 August – CRYSTAL CLEAR by Philip King
21 – 27 August – TWO FACES OF MURDER by George Batson
28 August – 3 September – HOT AND COLD IN ALL ROOMS by Max Reitman
4 – 10 September – MAKE ME A WIDOW by David Ellis
11 – 17 September – STRIKE HAPPY by Duncan Greenwood
18 – 24 September – VERDICT by Agatha Christie
25 September – 1 October – THE MAN MOST LIKELY TO by Joyce Rayburn
2 – 4 October – CAROLINE by W Somerset Maugham
1976 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
13 – 19 May – RELATIVELY SPEAKING by Alan Ayckbourn
20 – 26 May – PARTY TO MURDER by Oliver Chase
27 May – 2 June – COME BLOW YOUR HORN by Neil Simon
3 – 9 June – THE SECRET TENT by Elizabeth Addyman
10 – 16 June – THE GENTLE HOOK by Francis Durbridge
17 – 23 June – A MONTH OF SUNDAYS by Gerald Savory
24 – 30 June – THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF by George Batson
1 – 7 July – RELATIVELY SPEAKING by Alan Ayckbourn
8 – 14 July – PARTY TO MURDER by Oliver Chase
15 – 21 July – COME BLOW YOUR HORN by Neil Simon
22 – 28 July – THE SECRET TENT by Elizabeth Addyman
29 July – 4 August – ALL FOR MARY by Harold Brooke & Kay Bannerman
5 – 11 August – THE GENTLE HOOK by Francis Durbridge
12 – 18 August – GEORGE AND MARGARET by Gerald Savory
19 – 25 August – A CLEAN KILL by Michael Gilbert
26 August – 1 September – YOUR OBEDIENT SERVANT by Diana Morgan
2 – 8 September – PARTY TO MURDER by Oliver Chase
9 – 16 September – SLEUTH by Anthony Shaffer
17 – 23 September – COME BLOW YOUR HORN by Neil Simon
24 – 30 September – THE GENTLE HOOK by Francis Durbridge
1 – 7 October – THE DEEP BLUE SEA by Terence Rattigan
8 – 9 October – SLEUTH by Anthony Shaffer
1977 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
26 May – 1 June – SEPTEMBER TIDE by Daphne du Maurier
2 – 8 June – BIRTHDAY HONOURS by Paul Jones
9 – 15 June – DON’T START WITHOUT ME by Joyce Rayburn
16 – 22 June – THE MAN WHO CHANGED HIS NAME by Edgar Wallace
23 – 29 June – BAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil Simon
30 June – 6 July – DUET FOR TWO HANDS by Mary Hayley Bell
7 – 13 July – THERE’S A GIRL IN MY SOUP by Terence Frisby
14 – 20 July – I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE by J B Priestley
21 – 27 July – THIS THING CALLED LOVE by Michael Brett
28 July – 3 August – THE GUILTY ONE by Clyde Pollit
4 – 10 August – MAN IN A MILLION by C Neilson Gattey
11 – 17 August – COUNTERCRIME by Stanley Clayton
18 – 24 August – HAPPY THE BRIDE by Peter Blackmore
25 – 31 August – BIRTHDAY HONOURS by Paul Jones
1 – 7 September – MIDNIGHT VISITOR by Michael Curzon
8 – 14 September – THIS THING CALLED LOVE by Michael Brett
15 – 21 September – SOMETHING TO HIDE by Leslie Sands
22 – 28 September – FOURSOME REEL by Peter Whitbread
29 September – 5 October – THE SOUND OF MURDER by William Fairchild
1978 SEASON
THE COMPANY
(including) Janet Allen, Shulie Bannister, Suzzanne Derby, John Atterbury, Angela Carroll, Hugo Myatt, C Lethbridge Baker, Tony Sampson, Peter Small, Maggie Dean, Janet Green, Roy Kean, Sandria Pickard, Alice Olsher, Diana Ellis
THE PRODUCTIONS
25 – 31 May – CASTLE IN THE AIR by Alan Melville
1 – 7 June – A LADY MISLAID by Kenneth Horne
8 – 14 June – MARY, MARY by Jean Kerr
16 – 21 June – SHADOW OF THE PAST by Rachel Gurney
22 – 28 June – THE CHILTERN HUNDREDS by William Douglas Home
29 June – 5 July – SUDDENLY AT HOME by Francis Durbridge
6 – 12 July – ALL FOR MARY by Kay Bannerman
13 – 19 July – DANGEROUS CORNER by J B Priestley
20 – 26 July – TWO DOZEN RED ROSES by Kenneth Horne
27 July – 2 August – MURDER FOR THE ASKING by Derek Benfield
3 – 9 August – LOVE LESSON by Barry Conners
10 – 15 August – DEAD ON ARRIVAL by George Batson
24-30 August – WHO WAS THAT LADY by Frank Dunne
31 August – 6 September – TWO FACES OF MURDER by Peter Hoar
7 – 13 September – PRIVATE LIVES by Noel Coward
14 – 20 September – SUDDENLY, AT HOME by Francis Durbridge
21 – 27 September – DANGEROUS CORNER by J B Priestley
1979 SEASON
THE COMPANY
Ronald Govey, Diana Ellis, Susan Parriss, Alison Dean, Eric Corlett, John Atterbury, Rita Adam, Jill James, Nicholas Gray, Roy Kean, Norah McCall, Terence Ward, Christopher Prior, Edward J Mann (design), Alastair Hay (lighting)
THE PRODUCTIONS
26 July – 1 August – THE MAN OUTSIDE by Janet Allen
2 – 8 August – SILVER WEDDING by Michael Clayton
9 – 15 August – THE KEY TO THE DOOR by Philip Mackie
16 – 22 August – BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell
23 – 29 August – EDGE OF DARKNESS by Brian Clemens
30 August – 5 September – VERDICT by Agatha Christie
6 – 12 September – BEDROOM FARCE by Alan Ayckbourn
13 – 19 September – PORTRAIT OF MURDER by Robert Bloomfield
20 – 22 September – BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell
1980 SEASON
THE COMPANY
(including) Nicholas Brent, Jennifer McEvoy, John Atterbury, Alison Temple Savage, Jeanne Adriane
THE PRODUCTIONS
24 – 30 July – SLEUTH by Anthony Shaffer
31 July – 6 August – AFFAIRS OF STATE by Louis Verneuil
7 – 13 August – DEAD ON NINE by Jack Popplewell
14 – 20 August – THERE GOES THE BRIDE by Ray Cooney
21 – 27 August – THE TWO MRS CARROLLS by Martin Vane
28 August – 3 September – SOMETHING TO HIDE by Leslie Sands
4 – 10 September – LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER by William Douglas Home
11 – 17 September – TRAP FOR A LONELY MAN by Robert Thomas
18 – 24 September – THE SECRETARY BIRD by William Douglas Home
25 – 27 September – THERE GOES THE BRIDE by Ray Cooney
1981 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
23 – 29 JULY – DON’T START WITHOUT ME by Joyce Rayburn
30 July – 5 August – TIME TO KILL by Sylvia Rayman
6 – 12 August – SPRING AND PORT WINE by Bill Naughton
13 – 19 August – WAIT UNTIL DARK by Frederick Knott
20 – 26 August – FOOLS RUSH IN by Kenneth Horne
27 August – 2 September – HOUSE ON THE CLIFF by George Batson
3 – 9 September – THE GIRL WHO COULDN’T QUITE by Leo Marks
10 – 16 September – THE LATE EDWINA BLACK by William Dinner & William Morum
17 – 23 September – GEORGE AND MARGARET by Gerald Savory
1982 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
6 – 12 August – THE WHOLE TRUTH by Philip Mackie
13 – 19 August – BOOK OF THE MONTH by Basil Thomas
20 – 26 August – THE UNEXPECTED GUEST by Agatha Christie
27 August – 2 September – THE GIRL WHO COULDN’T QUITE by Leo Marks
3 – 9 September – A CLEAN KILL by Michael Gilbert
10 – 16 September – THE UNEXPECTED GUEST by Agatha Christie
17 – 23 September – RELATIVE VALUES by Noel Coward
24 – 28 September – IN PRAISE OF LOVE by Terence Rattigan
1983 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
11 – 17 August – DEATHTRAP by Ira Levin
18 – 24 August – CRYSTAL CLEAR by Philip King
25 – 31 August – BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell
1 – 7 September – SUDDENLY, AT HOME by Francis Durbridge
8 – 14 September – CRYSTAL CLEAR by Philip King
15 – 22 September – COME BLOW YOUR HORN by Neil Simon
23 – 29 September – DEAD ON NINE by Jack Popplewell
30 September – 4 October – THE KINGFISHER by William Douglas Home
1984 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
5 – 11 July – THE MAN WHO CHANGED HIS NAME by Edgar Wallace
12 – 18 July – HOUSE GUEST by Francis Durbridge
19 – 25 July – TAKING STEPS by Alan Ayckbourn
26 July – 1 August – DOUBLE EDGE by Leslie Darbon
2 – 8 August – SPRINGTIME FOR HENRY by Benn W Levy
9 – 15 August – THE MURDER ROOM by Jack Sharkey
16 – 22 August – BIG BAD MOUSE by Philip King
23 – 29 August – INVESTIGATION by Cecil Madden
30 August – 5 September – CHILDREN’S DAY by Keith Waterhouse
6 – 12 September – THE KILLING GAME by Constance Cox
13 – 19 September – THE ANNIVERSARY by Bill McIlwraith
20 – 26 September – STAGE STRUCK by Simon Gray
27 September – 2 October – THE GOLF UMBRELLA by William Douglas Home
1985 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
4-10 July – MR FOTHERGILL’S MURDER by Peter O’Donnell
11-17 July – ONE FOR THE ROAD by Willy Russell
25-31 July – MURDER WITH LOVE by Francis Durbridge
1-7 August – TWO AND TWO MAKE SEX by Richard Harris & Leslie Darbon
8-14 August – HOME AT SEVEN by R C Sherriff
15-21 August – DEAD RINGER by Charles Ross
22-28 August – GO BACK FOR MURDER by Agatha Christie
29 August – 4 September – ABSENT FRIENDS by Alan Ayckbourn
5-11 September – PACK OF LIES by Hugh Whitemore
12-18 September – TELL TALE PAST by Philip Weathers
19-25 September – MAKE ME A WIDOW by David Ellis
26 September – 1 October – WHY NOT TONIGHT by C Stafford Dickens
1986 SEASON
THE PRODUCTIONS
3-9 July – DON’T MISUNDERSTAND ME by Patrick Cargill
10-16 July – AURELIA by Robert Thomas & Jean Pierre Ferriere, adapted by Tudor Gates
17-23 July – THE MATING GAME by Robin Hawdon
24-30 July – MURDER AMONG FRIENDS by Bob Barry
31 July – 6 August – OUT WITH A BANG by Mike Harding
7-13 August – GRAND NATIONAL NIGHT by Dorothy & Campbell Christie
14-20 August – FAMILY DANCE by Felicity Browne
21-27 August – THE RATTENBURY AFFAIR by Simon Gray
28 August – 3 September – PARTY MANNERS by Val Gielgud
4-10 September – MURDER IN MIND by Terence Feely
11-17 September – ROUND AND ROUND THE GARDEN by Alan Ayckbourn
18-24 September – VERDICT by Agatha Christie
25-30 September – CANARIES SOMETIMES SING by Frederick Lonsdale
1987 SEASON
Following the difficulties of the 1986 Season and Ronald Govey’s call for financial support from local people and businesses alike, the general view was that he would continue to present a 1987 Season. Sadly the front page headline in the Sidmouth Herald in February announced “Curtain falls on summer repertory”. Govey’s warnings of withdrawing had become a reality and a mutual agreement was reached with East Devon District Council. After 28 Summer Seasons, Ronald Govey was leaving it at that.
Govey had requested that the Council waive the £1,000 rent for the season, but this had been turned down and asking for a subsidy of £5,000 was also met with a negative response. “If they want repertory theatre to continue in Sidmouth, it has to be subsidised, which happens everywhere else.” Govey said. In order to cover losses from 1986, Govey and his wife, Diana Ellis, had re-mortgaged their house…”I don’t see what more can be asked than that.”
In response, David Gibbons, the chairman of East Devon’s Amenities Committee, said he was sorry to hear about the loss of the repertory company but said he didn’t think the Council should be financially supporting them, suggesting that the Town Council and the Hotels and Caterers’ Association might like to help. It was also stated that, unlike the Folk Festival, the productions at the Manor Pavilion didn’t attract people into the town or region, but was there to satisfy the resident holiday-makers and the local population.
This final point was disputed by Govey in a subsequent letter to the newspaper, “We are told the contrary on many occasions by visitors… In fact the theatre is not much supported by the local people or indeed many councillors.”
Recent talk about the building of a new theatre in Sidmouth had been in the paper for a few weeks and Govey said he supported it…”In the long term, it must be faced that the Manor Pavilion is in a poor position.” He went on to warn, “..please remember that if summer repertory finishes in the town it will almost certainly not return.”