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| Cast |
| Thirteenth Earl of Gurney | Colin Townsley |
| Daniel Tucker | Bob Lacey |
| Bishop Lampton | Tony Donnelly |
| Sir Charles Gurney | Brian Warner |
| Dinsdale Gurney | John King |
| Lady Claire Gurney | Maureen Hardwen |
| Miss Peake | Shirley Andrews |
| Fourteenth Earl of Gurney | David Hampton |
| Dr Herder | Tricia Robertson |
| Mrs Treadwell | Freda Phillips |
| Mrs Piggot-Jones | Shirley Andrews |
| Grace Shelley | Gill Rafferty |
| McKyle | Colin Townsley |
| McKyle's Assistant | Tina Bicknell |
| Kelso Truscott QC | Colin Townsley |
| Detective Inspector Brockett | Sven Hallin |
| Detective Sergeant Fraser | Cliff Williams |
| First Lord | Colin Townsley |
| Second Lord | George Everett |
| Third Lord | Cliff Williams |
| Crew | |
| Stage Managere | Eve Sutch |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Carol Collins, Jean Gordon, Alan Doherty, Mark Phillimore |
| Set Designer | Steve Marshall |
| Costumes | Chris Milkins, Stephanie Dungate |
| Lighting | Peter Meehan, Toby Moore |
| Sound | Bill Ayling |
| Properties | Shelley Bolger, Sue Neville |
| Projections | Peter Rose, John Midlane |
| Aria from La Traviata sung by | Doreen Evans |
Review
Provoking but still amusing
A confrontation between the High Voltage Messiah and the God of Love provides a spot of action in the otherwise rather static production of Peter Barnes' first play The Ruling Class at the Edward Alderton Theatre, Bexleyheath, until this Saturday.
It is static in many ways, with a lot of standing, sitting and scene changing, but it is thought-provoking and amusing. As a satirical play it is a blistering assault on traditionalist attitudes and greedy manoeuverings in the upper echelons of society. Deeper down it is an attack on all who consider pitilessness more equitable than benevolence, and cruelty more sane than compassion.
David Hampton as a mad Earl puts on a convincing and highly professional performance. He is as brilliant a mad man as he is a speaker in the House of Lords and it is his acting which holds the whole show together.
The High Voltage Messiah, another madman, is played by Colin Townsley whose professionalism shows through. Gill Rafferty plays the only 'normal' person around. She adds the glamour, sex and beauty and takes her part with confidence. Bob Lacey puts on a slick and fault-free performance.
Brian Warner plays his part well, although I cannot help feeling there should be perhaps more movement, more ranting and raving.
I felt John King and Maureen Hardwen tried too hard and this led to a little stiffness in their performances. Tricia Robertson, however, is powerful and confident, though she fails to have a foreign accent.
The main criticism I have of the production is the rather amateur use of colour slides shot onto a white cloth background. In this case, it does not work. All in all, though, the play is worth seeing. Directed by Steve Marshall, the cast do well and their costumes by Chris Milkins and Stephanie Dungate are excellently chosen.
CF
Bexley Times | December 1978 (unpublished due to industrial action)
