''Miss Isobel'' is a 1957 play by Michael Plant and Dennis Webb.
Premise
An elderly lady regresses to her childhood.
Background
It was originally written by Australian
Michael Plant
Michael Plant (1930–1965) was an Australian screenwriter, actor and producer best known for co-creating ''Whiplash''.
''The Bulletin'' said on his death in 1965 that Plant "had left as big an impression on Australian viewing habits as any one m ...
. It was optioned in 1955 by actor Paul Douglas who called it a play "filled with great charm" and he wanted
Helen Hayes
Helen Hayes MacArthur ( Brown; October 10, 1900 – March 17, 1993) was an American actress whose career spanned 80 years. She eventually received the nickname "First Lady of American Theatre" and was the second person and first woman to have w ...
to star. The script had originally been sent to Douglas as a TV show.
In 1956 producer Leonard Stillman read the play and became enthusiastic. In December of that year he took over the option from Douglas. The play had been co written by a 48 year old Yorkshireman, Dennis Webb.
Shirley Booth
Shirley Booth (born Marjory Ford; August 30, 1898October 16, 1992) was an American actress. One of only 24 performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, Booth was the recipient of an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and three Tony Awa ...
became attached to star.
[The Long, Long Trail To Broadway: The Long, Long Trail to Broadway
By GILBERT MILLSTEIN. New York Times 22 Dec 1957: 123. ] Darryl Richard played the role of Robin in the Broadway play.
Sir Cedric Hardwicke
Sir Cedric Webster Hardwicke (19 February 1893 – 6 August 1964) was an English stage and film actor whose career spanned nearly 50 years. His theatre work included notable performances in productions of the plays of William Shakespeare, Shakes ...
signed to direct. There was film interest in the play. The budget of the Broadway production was $120,000.
The play debuted on Broadway in December 1957.
Brooks Atkinson
Justin Brooks Atkinson (November 28, 1894 – January 14, 1984) was an American theatre critic. He worked for ''The New York Times'' from 1922 to 1960. In his obituary, the ''Times'' called him "the theater's most influential reviewer of his ...
of the ''New York Times'' said the play was "difficult to like".
[Theatre: 'Miss Isobel': Shirley Booth Stars in Play at Royale
By BROOKS ATKINSON. New York Times 27 Dec 1957: 22. ] It ran for 53 performances and is considered a flop.
References
External links
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1957 in theatre
{{1950s-play-stub