Thursday 5th May to Saturday 7th May and Tuesday 10th May to Saturday 14th May 1983
Directed by Lezley Picton
The dilemma posed of a medical profession committed to save on one hand, and an individual claiming the right to make his own decisions about his life on the other, is one that has struck a deep chord in the public imagination.
"If you're clever enough and sane enough to put up an invincible case for suicide, it demonstrates that you ought not to die."
"A deliberate decision to embark on a course of action that will lead inevitably to death is not 'ipso facto' evidence of insanity. If it were, society would have to reward many man with a dishonourable burial rather than a posthumous award for gallantry."
Set in a hospital room, the action revolves around Ken Harrison, a sculptor by profession, who has been paralysed from the neck down (quadriplegia) in a car accident and is determined to be allowed to die. In the play, Clark presents arguments both in favour of and opposing euthanasia and questions to what extent government should be allowed to interfere in the life of a private citizen.
'Whose Life Is It Anyway?' was originally seen on television in 1972 but it took author Brian Clarke six years to find a West-End theatre management (Mermaid Theatre) who would risk presenting a play in which the central character is a quadriplegic faced with a future of total dependence on hospital care. The reworked play won a Society of West End Theatres Award, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award; and in 1981 was adapted in to a film and novel.
This play was staged at Havant Arts Centre, East Street Havant - Bench Theatre's home since 1977.
Ken Harrison | David Penrose |
Sister Anderson | Nicola Scadding |
Nurse Kay Sadler | Jude Salmon |
John | David Urquhart |
Dr Scott | Jo German |
Dr Emerson | Peter Corrigan |
Mrs Boyle | Sylvia Brierley |
Philip Hill | Peter Holding |
Dr Paula Travers | Jane Hart |
Peter Kershaw | Terry Cattermole |
Dr Barr | John Kershaw |
Andrew Eden | Derek Cusdin |
Mr Justice Millhouse | Ray Osborne |
Director | Lezley Picton |
Stage Manager | Robbie Cattermole |
Assistant Stage Manager | Gina Cameron |
Lighting | Paul Francis |
Publicity | Penny Francis |