A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

CLOAK WORN BY STEPHEN CASEY

A Jovial Crew, 1992

Playwright:  Richard Brome (c.1590 – 1653)

Adapter:  Stephen Jeffreys

Director:  Max Stafford-Clark

Designer:  Fotini Dimou

A Jovial Crew is about a group of beggars and their influence on the lives of two genteel households. The play examines the social and political aspects of 17th Century society.

In 1642 the outbreak of Civil War in England forced the closure of the playhouses in London. A Jovial Crew was the last play to be performed before this happened. It had not been performed in the 20th Century before this production in 1992.

Critics praised the acting company's comedic style. Stephen Casey played Hilliard, a gentleman who joins the band of beggars to follow his sweetheart. The music was written by Ian Dury and Mickey Gallagher. Dury was lead singer and Gallagher was keyboard player for the rock band 'Ian Dury and the Blockheads'.