ANDROCLES & THE LION

Directed by: Keith Jefferies

Genre:  Comedy Drama

Group:  BHTC

Staged: Marle Place, Burgess Hill - open air presentation

Frank Oakley

Neil Batsford

Sheila Newell

Fred Richings

Anthony White

Inez Wedderburn

Rodney Nash

Peter Coveney

Dick Doyle

Ron Forsdike

Sarah Coveney

Alan Dann

Michael Wedderburn

Leigh Towell

Keith Jefferies

Graham Paterson

Ken Barron

Cast

Synopsis: 

The play is set in the last days of the Roman Empire. A Christian tailor named Androcles helps a suffering lion by removing a thorn from his paw. Later, after Caesar has rounded up the Christians and sentenced them to death by the beast, the lion refuses to harm the man who has been so kind to him.

Written in 1912, Androcles and the Lion has themes of martyrdom and persecution which are portrayed through Shaw's use of comedy, slapstick humour, verbal wit and physical humour.

BHTC NOTES: This was the first BHTC open air production in the grounds at Marle Place. Sheila Newell (playing the part of Magaera), remembers it as a great experience but that everyone got bitten by all the insects!

Programme

Production Date:  May 1971

The Lion / Soldier

Androcles

Magaera

Centurion / Gladiator

Captain

Lavinia

Ferrovius

Spintho

Lentulus / Menagerie Keeper

Metellus

Editor

Call Boy / Beggar Child

Emperor / Soldier

Secutor

Retarius

Soldier

Gladiator

Stage Director

Stage Manager

Asst. Stage Manager

Wardrobe

Sound Effects

Graphic Designer

Set Designer

Created the Armour

Publicity

Catering Supervisor

Frank Oakley

Richard Tapner

Patrick O'Meara

Pam Jefferies

Mike Cannon

Anthony White

Richard Tapner

Alan Dann

Neil Batsford, Joan O'Meara

Barbara Chamberlain

Crew

Playwrights:  G Bernard Shaw

Press Cuttings

BHTC Production Number: 68