"Five years ago I had a
plan to straighten myself
out. Here I am thousands
of dollars later with one
more insight. That you grow
older faster staying in the
same place."

For more on Kenneth
Rexroth, visit Ken
Knabb's excellent
Rexroth Archive page.

THE GINGER MAN

Fortune Theatre, London, September 15, 1959 - The first production: presented by
Spur Productions, Ltd.,(length of run not known at this time) but was said to be a hit
production and received many favorable reviews. Directed by Philip Wiseman.
Designed by Tony Walton.

CAST:

Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, October 26, 1959. The infamous first Dublin production: presented
by Spur Productions, Ltd., in association with the Globe Theatre Company.  Donleavy's
full account of the opening and forced closing of the play on "moral" grounds is chronicled in
his introduction to the published play, titled "What They Did in Dublin."  The same piece has
appeared in periodicals under the title, "What They Did in Dublin With The Ginger Man."
Directed by Philip Wiseman. Designed by Tony Walton.

CAST:
 

Royal Court Production. This production is still being researched but was probably
sometime in the early 60s in London. Supporting cast and director also being researched.
Photos from this production appear in the book The Plays of J.P. Donleavy (Delacorte
Press, New York & Penguin, London) but no details are given regarding date, full cast,
director, etc.

CAST:
 

Orpheum Theatre, New York Production, November 21, 1963. This Broadway
production was well-received by audiences but was given little press attention as it
opened on the eve of the JFK assassination. Details on the full cast, director, etc are
being researched. The lead in this version of the play went on to open a landmark
bar/restaurant in New York called The Ginger Man. A chain of pubs in the US
(See J.P. Links ) now uses the name upon agreement with Donleavy (permission
was apparently not obtained for the early New York establishment).

CAST:
 

Encore Theatre, San Francisco, March, 1964.
News of this production came as a big surprise to me and those in the Donleavy
camp. It appears to be an unauthorized production. Since the theatre went through
many owners and managers and is now closed, tracking down details may prove
difficult. Special thanks to Ken Knabb at The Bureau of Public Secrets for sending
a review of this production written for the San Francisco Examiner by Kenneth
Rexroth (see complete Rexroth review, posted by permission of the Kenneth
Rexroth Trust). More on this Encore Theatre performance as it is discovered.

Stage Society Theatre, Los Angeles Production, July 28, 1965.
By chance, I managed to obtain the director's original script of this production,
along with a mint copy of the program as it appears in The Playgoer magazine.
Said to be the first west coast production of the play, this conflicts with the
(possibly) unauthorized production in San Francisco at the Encore in 1964.
Other details (including whether or not this LA production was authorized)
and reviews are being sought.  Directed by Robert Angus. Set design by
James West. Lighting by Ian Kirk.

CAST:

White Bear Theatre Production, May 2 - 28, 1995, Kennington, England.
Special thanks to Gareth Griffiths for providing information and a facsimile
of the program for this production, presented by "Rummage." Directed &
produced by Caterina Loriggio; co-producer: Helen Scott; set & costume design:
Philippa Kunisch; assistant designer: Mavis Howard; lighting: Charlotte McClelland;
original music: Peter Davies; stage manager: Stephen Haynes; production assistant:
Olivia Foster; sponsorship & development: Peter Tunwell.

CAST:

Sebastian Balfe Dangerfield

Marion Dangerfield

Miss Lilly Frost

Kenneth O'Keefe

David Murray

Julie Hale

Mary McEvoy?

Karl Hayden?

Dublin Theatre Company Production, May - June, 2000, The Irish Arts Center, New York.
Presented by Robert A. Mitchell, David P. Addington, Philip Donleavy (son of JPD) and
The Irish Arts Center. Director: Ronan Wilmot; associate producers: Druids Restaurant, Rosie
O'Grady Restaurant, Chris Noth & Sea Green Productions; design: Niall Walsh; costumes:
Marie Tierney; lighting: Michael Doyle; sound: David Nolan; original music composed and
performed by Tom Cullivan; production manager Dublin: Conor Mullen; producer New York:
Pauline Turley; stage manager: Jenny Deady; program cover design: Benjamin Kirkendoll;
assistant stage manager/understudy: Laura Flynn; press relations New York: David Rothenberg
press relations Ireland: Carmel White.

CAST:

Several other productions of The Ginger Man are being researched, and details will be listed when found.

Back to Production Histories & Notes Index

FAIRY TALES OF NEW YORK

Pembroke Theatre-in-the-Round, Croydon, Surrey, England Production,
December 6 1960
Presented by Spur Productions, the first production of the play, which was a success,
won Donleavy the Evening Standard Drama Critics' Award. Directed by Philip Wiseman.
Setting by Assheton Gorton.

CAST:

Comedy Theatre, London Production, January 24, 1961
The entire first production was moved to this location for the above
opening date, again directed by Philip Wiseman.

CAST:
 

The Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society (B.M.D.S.)
Theatre Workshop Production, Cavendish Hall, Devonshire,
Feb. 17, 1966
According to the program, several plays were included in this
presentation, one act from each. Act III of Fairy Tales of New York
was presented. Director: Alec D. Foster

CAST:

Bradford Civic Playhouse (The Civic) Production, Main Theatre,
Little Germany Bradford West Yorkshire, June 13-18, 1966
(The theatre has now become The Priestley Centre for the Arts.)

Special thanks to Roger Beaumont who was part of the production crew
for this presentation of Fairy Tales of New York. Director: Sydney Irving;
set design: Hazel Irving; stage manager: Betty Woodrow; assistant stage
manager: Maraget Clough; lighting Tom Whitwham; wardrobe: Stella Birkett;
effects: David Guest, Margaret Read; properties: Susan Bonny, Peter Corrigan,
Stephen Hodson, Stephen Pearson, John Lambert; controlled by: Ian Graham,
Derek Lister

CAST:
 

Details about the American premiere of Fairy Tales of New York are still
being researched along with information on other possible productions.
I've recently been in contact with director Charles Towers who has kindly
agreed to send information on this production soon. Watch for updates.

A Theatre Under the Influence Production, Seattle, Washington, Feb.
- March, 2000
A well-reviewed and received revival. More details being researched. Director:
Craig Bradshaw; fight choreographer: Geoffrey Alm.

CAST:

Back to Production Histories & Notes Index

A SINGULAR MAN

Cambridge Arts Theatre Production, October 6, 1964. Details being
researched. Cast and credits may be the same as the 2nd production.

Comedy Theatre, London, October 21, 1964. Directed by Philip Wiseman.
Designed by Carl Toms

CAST:
 

THE BEASTLY BEATITUDES OF BALTHAZAR B.

Duke of York's Theatre Production, London, Sept. 30, 1981.
Many thanks to Dr. Andrew Schuman for forwarding detailed information
on the world premiere of this play, as well as many reviews and articles.
Naim Attallah presents The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B, a Namara
Production, presented by arrangement with Riteglen Ltd; director: Ron Daniels
design: Liz da Costa; costumes: Sue Formston; lighting: Leonard Tucker;
Company and stage manager: Marj Williams; deputy stage manager:
Sue Darke; assistant stage managers: Helen Bennett, Gilly Archer.

CAST:
 

Balthazar

Beefy
 

Patrick Ryecart

Billy Connolly
 

THE BEASTLY BEATITUDES OF BALTHAZAR B.

Virginia Stage Company Production, Norfolk, Virginia,
Oct 9 - 26, 1985.
Warmest thanks to Wendy Barrie-Wilson (Rebecca and Millicent
in this production), for donating a copy of the program from this,
the U.S. premiere, to the JPDC. According to Wendy, this production
was a true labor of love, and Donleavy was a pleasure to work with.

And special thanks to Director, Charles Towers for additional details
as well as forwarding a copy of his excellent article "Anatomy of an
Obsession," American Theater, Dec. 1985,  an inside chronicle of the
struggle to get this play produced in the US. Mr. Towers now directs
and is the associate artistic director for The Cincinnati Playhouse. 

Artistic director: Charles Towers; director: Charles Towers; set design:
John Lee Beatty; lighting: Roger Morgan; production manager: Kurt
Wilhelm; stage manager: Nancy Kay Uffner; sound design: Dirk Kuyk;
hair consultant: Tom Watson; scenic artist: Deborah Jasin; voice & dialect
consultant: Tim Monich; casting director: Stuart Howard Associates;
properties manager: Gretchen Gregg; properties assistant: Rob Hyman;
properties intern: John Trosko.

CAST:
 

THE BEASTLY BEATITUDES OF BALTHAZAR B.

Douglas Fairbanks Theatre "Reading," New York. Monday,
March 2, 6 p.m., 1987.
This reading of the play was performed by the entire cast of the US
premiere, all members of The Virginia Stage Company. According
to the promotional card, there was a reception for Donleavy after the
performance which was presented by Milton Goldman. Special
thanks to Wendy Barrie-Wilson for donating this card with its
valuable information  to the JPDC.

CAST:
 

Balthazar

Beefy
 

Patrick Ryecart

Sullivan (Bille) Brown