The Ruling Class (Modern Plays)

by Peter Barnes

  Peter Barnes

  The Ruling Class

  Bloomsbury Methuen Drama

  An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

  Contents

  Theatre’s Programme Pages

  Cast

  Cast Biographies

  Creative Team Biographies

  Introduction

  The Ruling Class

  Characters

  Prologue

  Act One

  Scene One

  Scene Two

  Scene Three

  Scene Four

  Scene Five

  Scene Six

  Scene Seven

  Scene Eight

  Scene Nine

  Scene Ten

  Scene Eleven

  Scene Twelve

  Scene Thirteen

  Scene Fourteen

  Scene Fifteen

  Scene Sixteen

  Act Two

  Scene One

  Scene Two

  Scene Three

  Scene Four

  Scene Five

  Scene Six

  Scene Seven

  Scene Eight

  Scene Nine

  Scene Ten

  Scene Eleven

  Epilogue

  The Ruling Class

  by

  Peter Barnes

  The first performance of The Ruling Class

  took place in Trafalgar Studios 1

  on 16 January 2015

  Cast

  Ron Cook

  Sir Charles Gurney

  Michael Cronin

  Bishop Bertie Lampton

  Kathryn Drysdale

  Grace Shelley

  Serena Evans

  Lady Claire Gurney

  Paul Leonard

  13th Earl of Gurney

  Mrs Piggot-Jones

  McKyle’s Assistant

  Detective Inspector Brockett

  Second Lord

  Elliot Levey

  Dr Herder

  Forbes Masson

  Toastmaster

  Matthew Peake

  Mrs Treadwell

  McKyle

  Kelso Truscott, Q.C.

  Detective Sergeant Fraser

  First Lord

  James McAvoy

  Jack, 14th Earl of Gurney

  Joshua McGuire

  Dinsdale Gurney

  Anthony O’Donnell

  Daniel Tucker

  Rosy Benjamin

  Ensemble

  Andrew Bloomer

  Ensemble

  Oliver Lavery

  Ensemble

  Geoffrey Towers

  Ensemble

  Director

  Jamie Lloyd

  Designer

  Soutra Gilmour

  Lighting

  Jon Clark

  Sound and Music

  Ben and Max Ringham

  Wigs and Hair

  Richard Mawbey

  Musical Director

  Huw Evans

  Choreographer

  Darren Carnall

  Fight Director

  Kate Waters

  Voice and Dialect Coach

  Penny Dyer

  Associate Director

  Richard Fitch

  Associate Designer

  Rachel Wingate

  Associate Costume Designer

  and Costume Supervisor

  Christopher Cahill

  Props Supervisor

  Lizzie Frankl

  Production Manager

  Dominic Fraser

  For Jamie Lloyd Productions and Trafalgar Transformed

  Artistic Director

  Jamie Lloyd

  Executive Producer

  Adam Speers

  Associate Producer

  Emily Vaughan-Barratt

  General Management

  Zareen Walker

  Production Assistant

  Sarah Cant

  Casting

  Stuart Burt CDG, Ellie Collyer-Bristow

  and Louis Constantine

  Marketing

  Damien Hewitt and Laura O’Toole

  Social Media

  Lauren Ball

  Trafalgar Transformed season stage concept and design by Soutra Gilmour and Jamie Lloyd. Project managed by Dominic Fraser and Evanna White.

  Peter Barnes

  Peter Barnes (1931–2004) was an Olivier Award-winning playwright and screenwriter and the most produced living playwright of the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Ruling Class is his most famous play, which received critical success when it premiered in 1968 at the Nottingham Playhouse before transferring to the Piccadilly Theatre in the West End. The play was then made into a film in 1972, for which Barnes wrote the screenplay, starring Peter O’Toole, who received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Jack. His other plays include The Bewitched, Jubilee, The Candlemaker, Laughter!, Red Noses (which won an Olivier Award for Best Play); Sunsets and Glories, Lunar Park Eclipsis and Corpsing.

  Barnes also worked on several adaptations, including Wedekind’s Lulu plays (which he co-directed); Jonson’s The Devil Is an Ass (1973) and The Alchemist, and Feydeau’s Scenes from a Marriage. In addition, he adapted Feydeau’s On Purge Bebe and Wedekind’s The Singer, entitled the Frontiers of Farce, for the Old Vic. After staging Jonson’s Bartholomew’s Fair (Round House, 1978) and co-directing Antonio (Nottingham Playhouse, 1978) from two plays by Marston, he directed Brian Friel’s Translations (Hampstead Theatre and Lyttelton, 1981). His screenplay of Elizabeth von Arnim’s novel Enchanted April was nominated for an Oscar. One of his last screenplays, Babies, a two-part drama for Granada was inspired by the media attention around him having a daughter and triplets in his late sixties.

  In America, he is known for many top audience blockbuster miniseries including Merlin, Arabian Nights, Noah’s Ark, Leprechauns, Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol, a sharp contrast from his persona as a serious black comedy playwright. Other movies include, Voices, Moon and the Stars, Easy Virtue.

  He is survived by his widow Christie, a writer, and their four children, Leela and triplets Abby, Nathan and Zach.

  Cast Biographies

  Ron Cook | Sir Charles Gurney

  Theatre credits include: Henry V (nominated for an Olivier Award, Michael Grandage Co.) Trelawny of the Wells, Richard II, King Lear, Twelfth Night, Glengarry Glen Ross, Helpless, Juno and the Peacock (nominated for an Olivier Award, Donmar Warehouse); Hamlet (Wyndhams and Broadway); The Seafarer, Howard Katz, Black Snow, The Machine Wreckers (National Theatre); Singer (Tricycle); Insignificance (Chichester); Vassa (Almeida West End); Art (Wyndhams); Faith Healer (Abbey Theatre Dublin and Royal Court); Our Country’s Good, The Recruiting Officer, Cloud Nine, The Grass Widow, Geenland, The Arbor (Royal Court); Slavs, How I got that Story, Loose Ends, Ecstasy (Hampstead); A Jovial Crew, The Odyssey, The Dillen, The Winter’s Take, The Crucible, Sons of Light, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Television Times, Henry VI, Coriolanus (RSC).

  Television credits include: Mr Selfridge, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Bert and Dickie, Mrs Biggs, Vera, Little Dorrit, Garrows Law, Silent Witness, Burn Up, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Great Ship (Brunel,) Dr Who, Red Riding, Foyle’s War, Funland, He Knew He Was Right, House of the Baskervilles, Tom Jones, The Lost Prince, Richard III (title role), Henry VI parts 1, 2, 3, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Black Adder, The Young Ones, The Singing Detectives.

  Film credits include: Hot Fuzz, Confetti, On a Clear Day, The Merchant of Venice, Thunderbirds, 24 Hour Party People, Charlotte Gray, Chocolat, Topsy Turvy, Secrets and Lies, Quills, Lucky Break. The Cook the Thief his Wife and her Lover.

  Michael Cronin | Bishop Bertie Lampton

  Theatre credits include: The Last Confession (Chiche
ster/West End); Richard II (Ludlow Festival); Mother Courage, Hamlet (Ambassadors); Twelfth Night, King Lear (Old Vic); Ghosts, The Cherry Orchard, (all for English Touring Theatre); Shakespeare’s Histories, Winter’s Tale, Coriolanus (English Shakespeare Company); All My Sons (Belgrade Theatre); Hedda Gabler (Octagon, Bolton).

  Television credits include: Grange Hill, Fawlty Towers, Merlin, Goodnight Mr Tom, Our Mutual Friend, Tom Jones, Citizen Khan.

  Film credits include: Therese Raquin, The Wolfman, The Discovery of Heaven, RKO281, For My Baby, Jeremiah, Double Identity. Jesus of Nazareth.

  Michael has written three novels, all published by Oxford University Press.

  Kathryn Drysdale | Grace Shelley

  Training: Central School of Speech and Drama

  Theatre credits include: The Recruiting Officer (Donmar); A Sudden Loss of Dignity (Bush Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC Courtyard); Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC West End); Catch (Royal Court); Fen (Sheffield Crucible); Far Away (Sheffield Crucible); Billy and the Crab Lady (Sheffield Crucible); Ewza’s House (Royal Exchange); Twenty Three Fifty Nine (Sheffield Crucible).

  Television credits include: Horrible Histories (BBC); Suspects (Channel 5); The Psycopathy Next Door (Sky); Death in Paradise (BBC); Any Human Heart (Channel 4); Benidorm (ITV); Dr Who (BBC); Girl Friday (Channel 4); Two Pints of Lager and a Package of Crisps – 8 series (BBC); Tripping Over (Channel 5); Sister Francis (ITV); From Bad to Verse (BBC); Mersybeat (BBC); Ultimate Force (ITV); Rockface (BBC); The Vice (ITV); The Glass (ITV); Swivel onthe Tip (BBC); Trial and Retribution IV (ITV); People Like Us (BBC); Chambers (BBC).

  Film credits include: Upcoming Film: Urban and the Shed Crew, other credits include; One Chance, St Trinian’s, Nightvision, Vanity Fair, Zemanovaload.

  Radio credits include: What Does the K Stand For (BBC)..

  Serena Evans | Lady Claire Gurney

  Theatre credits include: Blithe Spirit and Things We Do for Love (Gielgud Theatre); The School for Scandal (Bath); Inadmissible Evidence (Donmar Warehouse); The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare’s Globe/UK tour/New York); Present Laughter (UK tour); God of Carnage (UK tour); Once in a Lifetime, Remember This and The Recruiting Officer (National Theatre); Blue Eyes and Heels (Soho Theatre); Candida (Oxford Stage Company); Life x 3 and Noises Off (Savoy Theatre); The Constant Wife (Apollo Theatre); A Small Family Business and Love For Love (both Chichester Festival Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park); The Killing of Sister George (Ambassador’s Theatre); Lysistrata (Liverpool/Old Vic); The Comedy of Errors (RSC); Confusions, Calling and Blithe Spirit (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough); The Norman Conquests (Leatherhead); Getting On and Candlelight (Palace Theatre, Watford); Henceforward (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough/Vaudeville Theatre – SWET Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress); Time and Time Again (UK/Canadian tours); Charley’s Aunt (Birmingham Rep).

  Television credits include: Trial and Retribution, Every Woman Knows a Secret, Ruth Rendell Mystery – You Can’t Be Too Careful, Pie in the Sky, Came Out, It Rained, Went Back In Again, The Piglet Files (3 series); The Management, Never Come Back, Mr Majeika, The Comic Strip Presents series and two series of The Thin Blue Line.

  Paul Leonard | 13th Earl of Gurney, Mrs Piggot-Jones, McKyle’s Assistant, Detective Inspector Brockett, Second Lord

  Theatre credits include:: Paul has recently played Lord Stanley in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Richard III starring Martin Freeman. Ratcliffe/Lord Mayor in Richard III (RSC Stratford & Savoy Theatre); Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland (RSC Stratford & Barbican); Original cast in Les Miserables (Barbican & Palace Theatre); and later played Javert; Prince Arigon in Merchant of Venice and The Water Babies (Chichester Festival Theatre); The Original Chinese Conjurer (Almeida Theatre); Amos Hart in Chicago (Adelphi Theatre); Henry Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Jones in Chorus of Disapproval, The Day of the Triffids, A Mad World My Masters and Sweeney in Sweeney Todd (Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich); Relatively Speaking, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Neville’s Island, Around the World in 80 Days, Titfield Thunderbolt, Perfect Pitch, 39 Steps, A Chorus of Disapproval, Don’t Dress for Dinner, The Beggars Opera, Dick Barton and Lust (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch); Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Crocker-Harris in The Browning Version, A Voyage Round My Father, Flarepath, Cowardy Custard, The Lady Vanishes, Dick Barton, Climbing the Wall, Green for Danger and Holiday Snap (Southwold Theatre); Lop Wink in Mr. Wonderful (Chester Gateway).

  Television credits include: Coronation Street, Sherlock, Mr. Selfridge, Episodes, Dark Matters, The Bill, Perfect Strangers and Oliver Twist.

  Film credits Include: Gambit, Christmas Candle, Les Miserables, Ninja Assassins and Piercing Brightness.

  Elliot Levey | Dr Herder

  Theatre credits include: Danton’s Death, The Habit of Art, All’s Well That Ends Well, England People Very Nice, Henry IV Parts 1&2, His Dark Materiials (National Theatre); Kafka’s Dick (Theatre Royal Bath); Coriolanus (Donmar Warehouse); Canvas (Chichester Festival Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing (Wyndhams); Three Sisters (Hampstead Theatre/Liverpool Everyman); Take Flight (Menier Chocolate Factory); How Much Is Your Iron? (Young Vic); On Religion/Grace, On Ego (Soho Theatre); Beats and Beauties (Bristol Old Vic); Tonight We Fly (Trestle); Monkey! (Young Vic); The Tempest (British Council world tour); Love’s Work (Gate/NT Studio); Pidgin Macbeth (Piccadilly); The Comedy of Errors (RSC); If I Were Lifted up from Earth and Arabian Nights (BAC); The Reckless Are Dying Out (Lyric Hammersmith); The Soldier’s Tale (Theatre Artaud); Tongue-tied (Young Vic Studio); Passion (UK tour); The Warp (Three Mill’s Island); Cyrano de Bergerac (Bridewell).

  Television credits include: Ripper Street, The Wrong Mans 2, Jamaica Inn, New Tricks, Da Vinci’s Demons, Silent Witness, Parade’s End, Touch of Cloth, Hotel Babylon, Robin Hood, Casualty, Monday Monday, Truckers, Sex, the City and Me, Beau Brummell (This Charming Man); Casualty 1906, EastEnders, Holby City, Amnesia, A Lump in My Throat, Sirens, Fat Friends, Lovejoy.

  Film credits include: The Lady in the Van, Fallen, Spooks: The Greater Good, The Wall, Philomena, Filth and Wisdom, The Queen, Song of Songs, Supertex, The Book of John, Judas and Jesus, Jason and the Argonauts, The Bible.

  Radio credits include: The Cazalets, Warsaw Ghetto, Life and Fate, The Recruiting Officer, Our Country’s Good, What I Read to the Dead, The Takeover, Vasily Grossman from the Front Line, Dickens’ London, Living with Princes.

  Forbes Masson | Toastmaster, Matthew Peake, Mrs. Treadwell, McKyle, Kelso Truscott Q.C, Detective Sergeant Fraser, First Lord

  Forbes is delighted to be back working with Jamie Lloyd for a third time at Trafalgar Transformed, having played Banquo in Macbeth and Hastings in Richard III

  Other theatre includes: Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew (RSC); Mr Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (360); Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet, and Jacques in As You Like It (RSC - RST, Roundhouse and New York); Merlin in Le Morte d’Arthur, Romeo in A Tender Thing, Chorus, King Edward and Bagot, in the Histories, Feste in Twelfth Night, Dromio of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors, Horatio in Hamlet and Porter in Macbeth (RSC); The Fool in King Lear (Headlong/Everyman/Young Vic); Gilbert in The Breathing House, ‘Yvan in Art’, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and Stiff! (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh); The Life of Stuff (Donmar Warehouse); Endgame, The Trick Is to Keep Breathing, Laurel and Hardy, Dumbstruck, The Real World, Cinzano and Cinderella (Tron, Glasgow); The Lady in the Dark (Scottish Opera).

  Television credits include: Shetland, Dead Boss, EastEnders, Monarch of the Glen, Hamish Macbeth, No Holds Bard, The Creatives, Red Dwarf, Rab C Nesbitt, 49,000 Steps and The High Life (BBC Television); The Young Person’s Guide to Becoming a Rock Star and Paris (Channel 4); My Dead Dad, Taggart, and Victor and Barry Take the High Road (STV).

  Film credits include: Gypsy Woman and The Green Man of Knowledge.

  Radio credits include: Red Gauntlet, Waverley, The F
air Maid of Perth, McLevy, Arthur Conan Doyle: a Life in Letters, Pinkerton and Weir of Hermiston.

  As writer/composer: Crackers (Belgrade, Coventry); Stiff! (Tron/Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh); Mince (nominated for Best Musical at the 2001 TMA Awards - Dundee Rep); Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Aladdie and Weans in the Wood (Tron, Glasgow); The Forbes Masson Half Hour (BBC Radio Scotland); Victor and Barry (Assembly Edinburgh Fringe/Donmar Warehouse/Sydney Opera House) and The High Life (co-writer - BBC Television).

  Cabaret: Victor and Barry (Perrier Award-nominated cult comedy double act).

  Forbes is an Associate Artist with the RSC and The National Theatre of Scotland.

  James McAvoy | Jack, 14th Earl of Gurney

  Trained: RSAMD (Glasgow).

  Theatre credits include: Macbeth (Trafalgar); Three Days of Rain (Apollo Theatre); Breathing Corpses (Royal Court); Privates on Parade (Donmar Warehouse); Out in the Open (Hampstead Theatre).

  Television credits include: Shameless; Early Doors; State of Play.

  Film credits include: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby; X-Men: Days of Future Past; Filth; X-Men: First Class; The Conspirator; Gnomeo and Juliet; The Last Station; Atonement; Becoming Jane; Starter for Ten; The Last King of Scotland; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Bright Young Things.

  Upcoming film credits include: Frankenstein and X-Men: Apocalypse.

  Awards include: BIFA Best Actor Award – Filth; London Critics Circle Best British Actor Award – Filth; British Academy Scotland Best Actor Award – Filth; Empire Award for Best Actor – Filth; Olivier Award nomination – Macbeth; Olivier Award nomination – Three Days of Rain; Best Actor at the London Film Critics Circle – Atonement; Best Actor at Empire Film Awards – Atonement; Richard Attenborough Film Awards – Atonement; nominated for BAFTA and Golden Globe for Atonement; Best Actor BAFTA Scotland Award – The Last King of Scotland; 2006 BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award.