Alan Ayckbourn: Actor

The Strong Are Lonely (1956)

Production Details

Play:
Author:

First performance:
Final performance:
Venue:
Staging:

Director:
The Strong Are Lonely
Fritz Hochwaelder

20 August 1956
8 September 1956

Lauriston Hall, Edinburgh Festival
End-stage

Donald Wolfit
Character
Alfonzo Fernandez
Soldier
Actor
Donald Wolfit
Alan Ayckbourn
(credited as Walter Plinge)
No other company details known

Quotes & Notes

Alan Ayckbourn's first professional stage role was as a soldier in Donald Wolfit's production of The Strong Are Lonely at the Edinburgh Festival in 1956. Alan joined the company literally days after leaving school at Haileybury and stayed with the company for three weeks; the Festival ran from 19 August - 8 September in 1956 with the production running from 20 August to 8 September.

Alan was apparently credited as Walter Plinge in the programme, which - according to the recollections of Donal Wolfit's dresser Ronald Harwood - was traditionally used when someone was either doubling up on roles or did not want their real name to be used. Alternatively, it could be because, having joined the company straight from school, Alan would not have yet had received his Equity card.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.