SPRING 1600

Written by Emlyn Williams

Directed by Cliff Aspinall

Ian McKellen in the role of Jeremy

Bolton Little Theatre

25 March 1952 - 30 March 1952

 

Words from Ian McKellen

When the family moved with my father's job, a few miles from Wigan to live in Bolton in 1951, I transferred my theatre-going allegiance from Wigan's amateur Little Theatre to Bolton's, in Hanover Street, near the central marketplace. I saw most of their productions but gave my first performance in Emlyn Williams' romantic comedy about the runaway Ann who, disguised as a boy, arrives in London where she meets Shakespeare and his actors and becomes the first actress on the British stage in the premiere of 'Twelfth Night': cf the Oscar winning 'Shakespeare in Love' half a century later. Michael Sefton was woodwork master at Bolton School, whence he recruited my pal Duncan Sculthorpe and me to play Ann's pages in her first scene. Our dialogue was minimal. — Ian McKellen, December 2006

Banner photo: Bolton Little Theatre

 

Full Cast List

Photos

Next Play: LES MEURTRES CHEZ LE COIFFEUR