The Play


Our school's drama club is potentially looking at performing this play next year, but we were wondering where to find a copy of the original play script. Does anyone have any ideas/knowledge?

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I saw the original production with Mona Washbourne in the main role at the Duke of York's Theatre in London in 1968. The casting was otherwise much the same. Mona's performance was way more dramatic than Bette Davis as one expects Bette to be evil. Mona's lines came as a shock! Also, the eye patch did not appear until the opening of Act II. This also had more impact than the movie version. I'm just glad some of this brilliant piece is recorded. I recently got a copy of the movie DVD and loved it! But - I still think the original play is better than the movie. I hope you're able to find an original play script by Bill MacllRaith. Please let me know if you're successful as I'd like to see our local Theatre stage a production too.

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Interesting that playwright Bill MacllRaith later wrote the TV series TWO'S COMPANY which starred Elaine Stritch and Donald Sinden.

THE ANNIVERSARY was revived two or three years ago, and Mrs. Taggart was played by Sheila Hancock, who had previously played Karen in the stage and screen versions. Davis was often at her best opposite another highly-charged actress, and her scenes with Hancock crackle.

"Remind me to tell you about the time I looked into the heart of an artichoke."

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One of best nights I ever had in the theatre.

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It's published by Samuel French.

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