Haunting Julia - Productions

Productions

The original production at the Stephen Joseph Theatre had its first performance on 12 April 1994, and an opening night on 20 April 1994, featuring the following cast:

• Joe - Ian Hogg
• Andy- Damien Goodwin
• Ken - Adrian McLoughlin
• Voice of "Julia" - Cathy Sara

The production team were:

• Director - Alan Ayckbourn
• Design - Roger Glossop
• Lighting - Jackie Staines
• Music - John Pattinson

Owing to the lack of an available end-stage theatre, the interval-free play was performed, in the round. This led to difficulties as some of the audience could not see the door that flies open at the end of the play. As a result, the play had mixed success. It did not tour, and the script was not published.

In 1999, with the Stephen Joseph Theatre moved to its new venue and a proscenium theatre available, the play was revived in its intended end-stage format, with John Branwell as Joe, Bill Champion as Andy and Richard Derrington as Ken. Under pressure from bar takings, an interval was introduced into the play. This time, the play had more success, and the production toured, although it did not include London. The script was published as part of "Plays 3" in 2005, although the interval was removed from the published version.

In 2008, Haunting Julia was again revived by Stephen Joseph Theatre Company as part of the Things That Go Bump trilogy, along with 2002 play Snake in the Grass (generally regarded as a female companion play) and new play Life and Beth, which combined the cast of these two plays. Ian Hogg and Adrian Adrian McLoughlin reprised their roles from 1994, with Richard Stacey playing the role of Andy. Richard Derrington also re-appeared as Director. With the other two plays written for the Round, it was decided to revert to a performance in the Round, and the problem with the door was overcome by changing it to a trapdoor. The interval was also removed. This play toured to New Vic Theatre as part of the trilogy.