The Red Devil Battery Sign
Encyclopedia
The Red Devil Battery Sign is a 1975 drama
written by American
playwright Tennessee Williams
. It was revised substantially before publication.
In October 1980, the Vancouver Playhouse produced Red Devil while Williams was writer in residence at the University of British Columbia
. It was directed by Roger Hodgman and starred Diane D'Aquila
(Woman Downtown) and Richard Donat
(King Del Rey). The play received scathing reviews from the Vancouver and Canadian papers. However, that didn't stop the Playhouse from producing the following year the world premiere of The Notebook of Trigorin
, Williams' free adaptation of Chekov's The Seagull
.
The play was produced in Great Britain
in 1977 at the Roundhouse Theatre, London (during Williams' lifetime) by Gene Persson
. Pierce Brosnan
(later of James Bond
fame) was chosen by Williams to play McCabe in the British premiere.
The original production of Red Devil Battery Sign was in 1975 in Boston, MA, and starred Anthony Quinn, Clair Bloom, Katy Jurado, Annette Cardona, and Steve McAddy. It was directed by Ed Sherin. Among a group of producers were David Merrick and Hilliard Elkins who was married to Ms. Bloom, although they divorced shortly after the play closed. Mr. Williams was fully involved in the production during the New York City rehearsals, but in Boston he was absent part of the time. He sent in rewrites when requested.
The show got a bad review from the Boston critic and the closing notice was posted after a week or so of the run.
1975 in literature
The year 1975 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* August 12 — with the 20-year time limit stipulated by Thomas Mann at his death having expired, sealed packets containing 32 of the author's notebooks were opened in Zurich, Switzerland.* Writing under the...
written by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
playwright Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams
Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams III was an American writer who worked principally as a playwright in the American theater. He also wrote short stories, novels, poetry, essays, screenplays and a volume of memoirs...
. It was revised substantially before publication.
In October 1980, the Vancouver Playhouse produced Red Devil while Williams was writer in residence at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. It was directed by Roger Hodgman and starred Diane D'Aquila
Diane D'Aquila
Diane D'Aquila is an United States-born Canada-based actor. She has appeared in both television and film roles, but is best-known for her stage appearances at the Stratford Festival. She originated the role of Elizabeth I of England in Timothy Findley's play, Elizabeth Rex...
(Woman Downtown) and Richard Donat
Richard Donat
Richard Donat is a Canadian actor known for his roles in Canadian and American television. He is currently into his second season as a cast member of the Canadian-American TV series, Haven...
(King Del Rey). The play received scathing reviews from the Vancouver and Canadian papers. However, that didn't stop the Playhouse from producing the following year the world premiere of The Notebook of Trigorin
The Notebook of Trigorin
The Notebook of Trigorin is a play by American playwright Tennessee Williams. It is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull.The play was first produced in 1981 by the Vancouver Playhouse in Vancouver, British Columbia...
, Williams' free adaptation of Chekov's The Seagull
The Seagull
The Seagull is the first of what are generally considered to be the four major plays by the Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov. The Seagull was written in 1895 and first produced in 1896...
.
The play was produced in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
in 1977 at the Roundhouse Theatre, London (during Williams' lifetime) by Gene Persson
Gene Persson
Eugene Persson was an American actor, theatrical and film producer. He was, perhaps, best known for his work as the co-producer and co-creator of the original 1967 production of the Broadway musical comedy, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, as well as the show's 1999 Broadway revival, which won...
. Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
(later of James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
fame) was chosen by Williams to play McCabe in the British premiere.
The original production of Red Devil Battery Sign was in 1975 in Boston, MA, and starred Anthony Quinn, Clair Bloom, Katy Jurado, Annette Cardona, and Steve McAddy. It was directed by Ed Sherin. Among a group of producers were David Merrick and Hilliard Elkins who was married to Ms. Bloom, although they divorced shortly after the play closed. Mr. Williams was fully involved in the production during the New York City rehearsals, but in Boston he was absent part of the time. He sent in rewrites when requested.
The show got a bad review from the Boston critic and the closing notice was posted after a week or so of the run.