Inadmissible Evidence
Encyclopedia
Inadmissible Evidence is a play written by John Osborne
in November 1964. It was also filmed in 1968
.
The protagonist of the play is William Maitland, a middle-aged English solicitor
who has come to hate his entire life. Much of the play consists of lengthy monologues in which Maitland tells the audience about his life, a life he now regards as an utter failure. He readily acknowledges that he is bored with his wife and children, and just as bored by the petty, meaningless love affairs he's been carrying on with other women. His career revolves around sordid divorce cases, and he's come to despise both his clients and his colleagues. Maitland drinks heavily, and enjoys bullying and insulting everyone he comes into contact with.
In Act One, like a prosecutor presenting a case, Maitland brutally shows the audience the utter despair and mediocrity of his life. In Act Two, Maitland's crimes receive their due punishment, as he is deserted by everyone he ever cared about, including his clerk, his mistress and his wife. At times the play uses the technique of intercut monologues, which are arranged like dialogue but involve no communication between the characters.
The role of Maitland was created by Nicol Williamson
who played the role in the original West End production of "Inadmissible Evidence", in its Broadway debut, and in the 1968 movie version.
and starring Nicol Williamson
, Eleanor Fazan and Jill Bennett
.
John Osborne
John James Osborne was an English playwright, screenwriter, actor and critic of the Establishment. The success of his 1956 play Look Back in Anger transformed English theatre....
in November 1964. It was also filmed in 1968
Inadmissible Evidence (film)
Inadmissible Evidence is a 1968 British drama film directed by Anthony Page and starring Nicol Williamson, Eleanor Fazan and Jill Bennett. John Osborne wrote the screenplay, adapting his own 1964 play Inadmissible Evidence.-Main cast:...
.
The protagonist of the play is William Maitland, a middle-aged English solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
who has come to hate his entire life. Much of the play consists of lengthy monologues in which Maitland tells the audience about his life, a life he now regards as an utter failure. He readily acknowledges that he is bored with his wife and children, and just as bored by the petty, meaningless love affairs he's been carrying on with other women. His career revolves around sordid divorce cases, and he's come to despise both his clients and his colleagues. Maitland drinks heavily, and enjoys bullying and insulting everyone he comes into contact with.
In Act One, like a prosecutor presenting a case, Maitland brutally shows the audience the utter despair and mediocrity of his life. In Act Two, Maitland's crimes receive their due punishment, as he is deserted by everyone he ever cared about, including his clerk, his mistress and his wife. At times the play uses the technique of intercut monologues, which are arranged like dialogue but involve no communication between the characters.
The role of Maitland was created by Nicol Williamson
Nicol Williamson
Nicol Williamson is a Scottish-born English actor who was described by English playwright John Osborne as "the greatest actor since Marlon Brando".-Early life:...
who played the role in the original West End production of "Inadmissible Evidence", in its Broadway debut, and in the 1968 movie version.
Film adaptation
In 1968 the play was made into a film directed by Anthony PageAnthony Page
Anthony Page is a British stage- and film director.-Filmography:*Male of the Species 3-episode TV special that featured Sir Laurence Olivier, Paul Scofield, Sean Connery and Michael Caine. The Scofield episode, Emlyn, won an Emmy Award...
and starring Nicol Williamson
Nicol Williamson
Nicol Williamson is a Scottish-born English actor who was described by English playwright John Osborne as "the greatest actor since Marlon Brando".-Early life:...
, Eleanor Fazan and Jill Bennett
Jill Bennett
Jill Bennett was a British actress, and the fourth wife of playwright John Osborne.-Early life and career:She was born in Penang, The Straits Settlements, to British parents, educated at Priors Field, an independent girls boarding school in Godalming, and trained at RADA...
.