Rushen Players

Ruffian on the Stair

by Joe Orton
February 2009
Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin
also presented at:
Heswall, May 2009

Photos

Joe Orton wrote seven plays between 1964 and 67. The Ruffian on the Stair was his first play, written for radio and broadcast in 1964. Orton met with a violent death in 1967, age 34. He has been described as 'the Oscar Wilde of the Welfare State gentility'

"Madame, Life's a piece in bloom
Death goes dogging everywhere
She's the tenant of the room
He's the ruffian on the stair"

W E Henley

The action take splace over two days in winter in the mid-sixties. It is et in a dingy bed-sit, where Joyce, an ex-prostitute, lives with Mike. Into their lives comes a trougbled young man, known only as Wilson.

Presented as one of three plays at the MADF One Act Drama Festival where is won two awards.

Directed by	Adrienne Sanderson
Cast
Joyce	Jenny Baker
Mike	Wayne Kelsall
Wilson	Carl Parker
Back Stage Crew
Set Design & Construction	John Hayes, Peter Alibone, Frank Sanderson
Props	Thelma Floate, Jackie Alibone, Jane Clark
Lights & Sound	Caroline Cole, Terry Driscome
Back Stage	Vicky Kelsall, Tania Quine, Jane McGreggor Edwards