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Last Updated: 18 Mar 11

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David Turner

DAVID TURNER   (1927 - 1990)

Nationality:   English    Email:   n/a   Website:   n/a

Literary Agent:  n/a

Geoffrey David Turner, born to a working-class family in a deprived area of Birmingham in 1927, was a brilliant scholar, but started his working life in a paint factory. He joined a drama group at a local Youth Club,where he was befriended by a teacher, who eventually persuaded him to apply for a place at Birmingham University. He studied there for a degree in Spanish, but by the time he graduated, although the war was by now over, he was conscripted for National Service. He was drafted into the Intelligence Corps, but after a very short time his talent as an actor was spotted and he was asked to join "Stars in Battledress," an organisation which at that time employed both military and civilian personnel. He spent the rest of his service time entertaining the troops in Gremany and also further afield, appearing in "Sweeney Todd," "The Shop at Sly Corner" and other plays, After demobilisation he took a training course at Saltley College and became a teacher, writing for both stage and TV in his spare time. He married in 1957, and later he and his wife adopted two children. Being now a succesful playwright, David was able to give up teaching and buy a house in Leamington Spa. His play "The Prodigal Daughter" was produced at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington in 1973, starring Wilfred Hyde-White, but by far his greatest success was "Semi-Detached" which also appeared in film form as "All the Way Up" starring Warren Mitchell.

Plays by David Turner

Antique Shop, The

1st Produced:

Coventry

1963

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35083

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

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amazon.co.uk

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Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Bedmakers, The

1st Produced:

Coventry

1962

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35084

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

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abebooks.co.uk

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amazon.co.uk

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Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

7

Female

5

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Beggar's Opera, The

1st Produced:

London

1968

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

Samuel French, London, 1982

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35085

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

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abebooks.co.uk

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amazon.co.uk

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Genre:

Adaptation

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

Original Playwright - John Gay; music edited by Benjamin Pearce Higgins

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Believe It Or Not

1st Produced:

Coventry

1962

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35086

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

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abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

13

Female

4

Parts other:

extras

Notes:

written with Edward J. Mason

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Bottomley

1st Produced:

Coventry

1965

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35087

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Girls, The

1st Produced:

London

1975

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35088

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Initiation, The

1st Produced:

Barrow-in-Furness

1966

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35089

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

7

Female

3

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Miser, The

1st Produced:

Birmingham Rep, Birmingham, UK >>>

1973

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35090

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

Adaptation

Parts:

Male

11

Female

3

Parts other:

-

Notes:

Original Playwright - Moliere

Synopsis:

the miser loves his gold but decides to take a second wife, four lovers plot to save themselves, Period 1668

Further Reference:

-


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Only True Story Of Lady Godiva, The

1st Produced:

Coventry

1973

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35091

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

written with Paul Lapworth

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Prodigal Daughter, The

1st Produced:

Colchester

1973

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

Samuel French, NY, 1976

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35092

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

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abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

Play/Drama

Parts:

Male

4

Female

2

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

a lapsed Anglican seeking punishment for having an abortion is hired as a housekeeper for three Roman Catholic priests

Further Reference:

-


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Quick Quick Slow

1st Produced:

Birmingham Rep, Birmingham, UK >>>

1969

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35093

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

music and lyrics by Monty Norman and Julian More; book by David Turner

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


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Semi-Detached

1st Produced:

Coventry

1962

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

Heinemann, London, 1962

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35094

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

Farcical Comedy

Parts:

Male

5

Female

4

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

The Midways, spurred on by father Fred, are a family on the move. Thanks to his energetic success in selling insurance they have put their humble beginnings behind them and have established themselves as solid members of the burgeoning middle class-but greener pastures still lie ahead. Turning each new opportunity to his advantage Fred moves onward and upward, maneuvering his youngest daughter into marriage with the insipid scion of a wealthy family-but trouble erupts when April, the married daughter, announces that she intends to divorce her spineless hubby because of a supposed indiscretion, and because of the fact that he stands to be disinherited by his rich uncle's impending marriage. Taking command, with wife Hilda as his trusting lieutenant, Fred plunges vehemently into the fray and, despite a few desperate moments when his Machiavellian cunning threatens to desert him, pulls all the chestnuts out of the fire with masterly and unerring self-concern. It all works out his way-or does it? As the play ends we sense that even Fred, that paragon of expediency, is beginning to wonder a bit about whether the real values in life might lie elsewhere than in the goals which he has been so furiously pursuing.

Further Reference:

-


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Servant of Two Masters, The

1st Produced:

London

1968

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

Evans, London, 1973

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35095

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

Adaptation

Parts:

Male

8

Female

3

Parts other:

-

Notes:

Original Playwright - Carlo Goldoni, with Paul Lapworth, music by Benjamin Pearce Higgins

Synopsis:

the terrible complications wrought by Truffaldino when he gets engaged as a servant by two different people at the same time

Further Reference:

-


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Slap In the Middle

1st Produced:

Birmingham Rep, Birmingham, UK >>>

1965

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35096

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

written with others

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


Top of Page Top of Page


Trevor

1st Produced:

Birmingham Rep, Birmingham, UK >>>

1963

Company:

n/a

1st Published:

I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page.

ISBN/ASIN:

-

Music:

-

doollee no

#35097

To Buy This Play:

If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

 

abebooks.com
abebooks.co.uk

stageplays.com

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

Genre:

n/a

Parts:

Male

-

Female

-

Parts other:

-

Notes:

-

Synopsis:

Further Reference:

-


Top of Page Top of Page


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Apart from very popular and world touring productions, many performing arts events are largely forgotten about in a matter of months. Traces may remain in various collections, but few collecting agencies, such as libraries, catalogue each flyer or program individually. Hence, unless one knows that an event took place at a certain time in a certain place, tracking down such an event as part of a research project is often a matter of chance. Where research needs to be carried out on high profile and well-documented productions only, this is not a problem. However, both the historian and the analyst will attest that the cultural, political, or sociological context in which a performing arts event takes place is also of major importance, as are the other events that took place in close proximity, either in place or time. A good overview of such productions provides us with a 'social document' that can greatly enhance cultural studies in ways that extend far beyond the narrow confines of theatre history. For instance, data such as this can be used to monitor the health of communities, particularly when used in association with data obtained from other social science disciplines. When one researches a particular playwright one might want to know about all the productions of plays by that author; if one wants to investigate what choices a particular audience had over a period of history and compare this to, say, an ethnic breakdown of the population, one would need to know broadly all the events that took place during that time. If one wanted to do a statistical analysis on the shift in popularity of a genre over one or more generations, it is important to have knowledge of most of the relevant major and minor performance events that took place. In this context, issues of aesthetic quality and the professionalism of a production - which will of course have an impact on such studies - are not the determining factors when deciding to include or exclude events, since all events are the raw material for such research.