| Family Fever | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Sam Cree |
| Date premiered | 23 December 1968 |
| Place premiered | Ulster Group Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | Belfast |
Family Fever, also known as My Favourite Family and His Favourite Family [1], is a comedy play written by Northern Irish playwright Sam Cree. The play premiered on 23 December 1968 at the Ulster Group Theatre by Belfast Arts Theatre Company.[2]
The play follows the characters from Cree's previous play Wedding Fever as they prepare for Christmas and New Year.[3] The main character is Alec Galbraith, who wants a peaceful Christmas. However, Myra, his eldest daughter, is heavily pregnant and is ready to give birth at any moment, his youngest daughter, Linda, has become involved with the politics obsessed Archie, unwanted relations and neighbours Willie and Emily Beatty disturb the peace and a troublesome mouse constantly evades Alec's attempt to trap it.
The play would find success as His Favourite Family starring Sid James and later Jack Douglas.[4]
Plot
editAct One
editAct Two
editAct Three
editOriginal cast
edit- Alec Galbraith - J.J. Murphy [2]
- Linda Galbraith - Laura Hunter [2]
- Myra Hall - Marianne Crosslé [2]
- Willie Beattie - Maurice O'Callaghan [2]
- Sadie Galbraith - Sheila McGibbon [2]
- Emily Beattie - Heather Gibson [2]
- Mary Hall - Doreen Hepburn [2]
- Patrick Hall - Arthur Ross [2]
- Archie McNulty - Charles Armstrong [2]
- Maud McHenry - Leila Webster [2]
- Norman McHenry - Unknown
- Dennis Hall - George Kirkpatrick [2]
Reception
editA review of a 1969 production of the play starring Sid James said the play was "well paced and excellently timed, this is a play that lives up to its description of 'an uproarious family comedy'".[5] Recent reviews of the play have also been postive with one reviewer calling it "a classic ‘Kitchen Comedy’". [6]
Television adaption
editThe play was adapted in 1971 by Yorkshire Television as All This, and Christmas Too! it was produced and directed by Bill Hitchcock and was broadcast on 24 December 1971.[7] The adaption has been described as being 'for all intents and purposes the Christmas special Bless This House never had'.[8]
Cast
edit- Sid Jones - Sid James [7]
- Peggy Jones - Beryl Mason [7]
- Linda Jones - Juliet Kempson [7]
- Sally Jones - Katie Allan [7]
- Willie Beattie - Kenneth Connor [7]
- Emily Beattie - Nicolette Roeg [7]
- Mrs Hall - Rose Power [7]
- Patrick Hall - Joe Gladwin [7]
- Aunt Maud - Janet Webb [7]
- Dennis Hall - Brian Marshall [7]
- Bus Conductor - John Lawrence [7]
References
edit- ^ "Stars and Shows of the 1960s part 2". Blackpool Grand. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Family Fever". Irish Playography. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ "Wedding Fever". Irish Playography. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ "Star Parade / Artists' Appearances" (PDF). Blackpool Grand. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ "Sid James salutes a Grand audience". Evening Gazzette Quoted www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk. 19 June 1969. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ "Family Fever at The Braid". Antrim Times. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "All This, and Christmas Too!". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ Ross, Robert (2014). Smasher!: The Life of Sid James. Aurum Press.