84 Charing Cross Road

84 Charing Cross Road is a play by Helene Hanff and James Roose-Evans.

The original text

A 1970 book 84 Charing Cross Road [1] by Helene Hanff about her twenty-year correspondence with Frank Doel, the chief buyer of Marks & Co, antiquarian booksellers located at that address in London.

Translations and adaptations

The book was adapted for the stage by Roose-Evans and also made into a television drama and a film.

Performance history in South Africa

1981: A Company of Four production was directed by Leonard Schach, performed in the Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre. The cast: Vivienne Drummond (Helene Hanff), Keith Grenville (Frank Doel), Lynne Maree (Cecile Farr), Jenny Pogrund (Megan Wells), Anthony Drake (George Winter), David Muller (Bill Humphries) and Diana Allen (Maxine Stuart). Decor by Emile Aucamp and wardrobe by Shauna Johnson.

1982: Performed again in 1982 at the Market Theatre and presented by The Company in association with the Company of Four. Directed by Leonard Schach. Designed by Norman Coates. Production manager: Patti Slavin. Stage manager: Elaine Born. Cast: Helene - Shelagh Holliday Frank Doel - Eric Flynn Megan Wells - Gabrielle Lomberg Cecily Farr - Lynne Maree William Humphries - Michael Maxwell Mr. George Winter - Jacques Loots Maxine Stuart - Melody O'Brian

Sources

The Company of Four Theatre programme, December 1981.

84 Charing Cross Road programme notes of the Market Theatre run.

(Source: Barrow, Brian & Williams-Short, Yvonne (eds.). 1988. Theatre Alive! The Baxter Story 1977-1987).

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

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