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Significant Productions

This page contains details of significant productions of Alan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends, such as the world and London premieres as well as Ayckbourn-directed revivals. It is not a complete list of productions given how frequently it has been performed by professionals and amateur companies around the world.

World Premiere (1974)

First Performance: 17 June 1974 | World premiere: 17 June 1974 | Final performance: 28 September 1974
Venue: Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough
Staging: Round

Director: Alan Ayckbourn | Costumes: Christine Welch

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: Ronald Herdman | Diana: Heather Stoney | John: Stephen Mallatratt | Evelyn: Eileen O’Brien | Colin: Christopher Godwin | Marge: Janet Dale

London Premiere (1975)

First performance: 23 July 1975 | Final performance: 24 April 1976
Venue: Garrick Theatre, London
Staging: End-stage

Director: Eric Thompson | Design: Derek Cousins | Lighting: Nick Chelton

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: Peter Bowles | Diana: Pat Heywood | John: Ray Brooks | Evelyn: Cheryl Kennedy | Colin: Richard Briers | Marge: Phyllida Law

North American Premiere (1976)

First performance: 2 April 1976 | Final performance: TBC 1976
Venue: Long Wharf Theater, New Haven
Staging: End-stage

Director: Eric Thompson | Design: Edward Burbridge | Lighting: Ronald Wallace | Costumes: Michele Suzanne

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: Joseph Maher | Diana: Anne Jackson | John: Jacob Brooke | Evelyn: Dale Hodges | Colin: Eli Wallach | Marge: Christina Pickles
Note: The following year, Absent Friends was revived with Eric Thompson directing and Eli Wllach and Anne Jackson reprising their roles and produced at the Kennedy Centre, Washington (11 July - 13 August, 1977). This was almost certainly a try-out for an intended New York transfer which never transpired.

Tour (1982)

First performance: 16 March 1982 | Final performance: 4 April 1982
Venue: Alley Theatre, Houston
Staging: Round

Director: Alan Ayckbourn | Design: Edward Lipscomb | Lighting: Francis Lynch

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: Graeme Eton | Diana: Lavinia Bertram | John: Robin Bowerman | Evelyn: Gillian Bevan | Colin: Robin Herford | Marge: Susan Uebel
Note: In 1982, Alan Ayckbourn and the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round company had a two month residency at the Alley Theatre, Houston. The recently premiered Way Upstream was produced alongside an entirely new production of Absent Friends. The play ran for two weeks in rep from 16 - 24 March and 1 - 4 April 1982.

New York Premiere (1991)

First performance: 29 January 1991 | Final performance: 15 March 1991
Company: Manhattan Theatre Club
Venue: City Center Stage, New York
Staging: End-stage

Director: Lynn Meadow | Design: John Lee Beatty | Lighting: Ken Billington | Costumes: Jane Greenwood

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: David Purdham | Diana: Brenda Blethyn | John: John Curtess | Evelyn: Gillian Anderson | Colin: Peter Frechette | Marge: Ellen Parker

Revival (1997)

First performance: 8 October 1997 | Premiere: 9 October 1997 | Final performance: 15 November 1997
Venue: Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
Staging: Round

Director: Alan Ayckbourn | Design: Roger Glossop | Lighting: Mick Hughes

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: Paul Raffield | Diana: Janet Dibley | John: Tyler Butterworth | Evelyn: Tamzin Outhwaite | Colin: Martin Ball | Marge: Jacqueline King

London Revival (2012)

First performance: 26 January 2012 | Premiere: 9 February 2012 | Final performance: 14 April 2012
Venue: Harold Pinter Theatre, London
Staging: End-stage

Director: Jeremy Herrin | Design: Tom Scutt | Lighting: Peter Mumford | Sound: Ian Dickinson

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: Steffan Rhodri | Diana: Katherine Parkinson | John: David Armand | Evelyn: Kara Tointon | Colin: Reece Shearsmith | Marge: Elizabeth Berrington

Revival (2027)

First performance: 13 March 2027 | Premiere: TBC | Final performance: 3 April 2027
Venue: Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Scotland
Staging: TBC

Director: Owen Horsley | Design: TBC | Lighting: TBC | Sound: TBC

The Company (character in bold)
Paul: TBC | Diana: TBC | John: TBC | Evelyn: TBC | Colin: TBC | Marge: TBC
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.