Fined For Staging Banned Play

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31027, 5 April 1966, Page 20

Fined For Staging Banned Play

(N.Z.P A -Reuter —Coppripht) LONDON, April 3. The English Stage Company —licensee of the Royal Court Theatre in London —and the theatre’s artistic director have been found guilty of presenting the play, “Saved.” before it had been allowed by the Lord Chamberlain. The licensee, Alfred Esdaile and the director, William Gaskill, were conditionally discharged for 12 months and the company was ordered to pay 50 guineas costs. Mr Gaskill said later; “This is serious for theatre clubs all over the country.” It would effect the English Stage Society Sunday night production at the Royal Court. Legal advice was being sought on these private performances he said. “Saved,’ by an English playwright, Edward Bond, ran into trouble with the Lord

Chamberlain over a scene in which a baby is stoned to death. The Lord Chamberlain refused to license the play unless this scene was cut out. The company ignored his order and put the play on at a London theatre club production. These clubs, traditionally, have been free to show their members plays which have been refused licences for general performance.