Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus is a stage comedy in two acts by the English author Alan Bennett. It was first performed at the Lyric Theatre in London on 10 May 1973, with Alec Guinness in the central role. It ran, with cast changes, until 10 August 1974. The Broadway production that followed was less successful, running for less than three months. The play has been revived several times since then, in London and elsewhere. The action revolves around the (generally) thwarted libidos of the principal characters. The title of the play is an old legal term habeas corpus, which translates from Latin as "you shall have the body". Background Having made his reputation as a co-writer of and performer in Beyond the Fringe, Bennett turned to writing full-length plays. Habeas Corpus was his third to be staged in the West End. It followed Forty Years On (1968) and Getting On (1971), which were described by the critic Michael Billington as "two elegiac comedies about the decline of England". In the new play Bennett's comedy became farcical: Billington called it "a gorgeously vulgar but densely plotted farce". Original cast Arthur Wicksteed, a General Practitioner – Alec Guinness Muriel Wicksteed, his wife – Margaret Courtenay Dennis Wicksteed, their son – Christopher Good Constance Wicksteed, the doctor's sister – Phyllida Law Mrs Swabb, a cleaning lady – Patricia Hayes Canon Throbbing, a celibate – Roddy Maude-Roxby Lady Rumpers, a white settler – Joan Sanderson Felicity Rumpers, her daughter – Madeline Smith Mr Shanks, a sales representative – Andrew Sachs Sir Percy Shorter, a leading light in the medical profession – John Bird Mr Purdue, a sick man – Mike Carnell Directed by Ronald Eyre, designed by Derek Cousins; music by Carl Davis. In February 1974 Robert Hardy succeeded Guinness as Dr Wicksteed, and the author took over the role of Mrs Swabb.