Much ado about casting

IDON’T know why theatrical anecdotes appear more interesting than anecdotes related to other professions, but they do. While appearing in a West End play, in the middle of a scene, Sir Ralph Richardson walked to the edge of the stage and asked the classic question: “Is there a doctor in the house?” When someone called out from the stalls “I’m a GP!”, Sir Ralph, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, said “Doctor. Isn’t this a terrible play?”

When Sir Peter Hall was running the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, one of his many tasks was to decide what plays they would be staging each season and which of the actors from the RSC company would be cast in them.

Do bear in mind that I’m recalling this story from many years ago, but as I remember it, the actors wouldn’t know who would be playing what part until Sir Peter hung the play cast lists up on the wall outside his office, a month or so before the new season commenced.

Naturally, the actors would be anxious to know what they would be appearing in – or conversely if their services wouldn’t be required for the next year.

With me so far?

One long-standing member of the company, an elderly gentleman I’ll call Abernathy Farquhar, wasn’t a particularly good actor – in fact, Peter Hall wanted to retire him at the end of every season. But out of loyalty (a quality in short supply in the theatre world) he kept him employed with minor walk-on/ walk-off parts.

Sir Peter was in his office one morning, having just hung up the cast lists for the following season.

There was a knock on the door and in walked Abernathy Farquhar.

“Sir Peter”, he said “I’ve just looked at the next season’s cast lists and see that I shall be in three productions, for which I humbly thank you”.

Sir Peter nodded and remained silent.

Abernathy continued “I wonder… Sir Peter…as I have been with the company for over 30 years…might it be possible to have my name printed on the posters separately… in this manner. “…and with Abernathy Farquhar?”

Without missing a beat, Sir Peter, famous for his scathing wit, replied “How about … despite Abernathy Farquhar?”