Brian Norman Roger Rix, Baron Rix, was an English actor-manager, who produced a record-breaking sequence of long-running farces on the London stage, including Dry Rot, Simple Spymen and One for the Pot. His one-night TV shows made him the joint-highest paid star on the BBC. He often worked with his wife Elspet Gray and sister Sheila Mercier, who became the matriarch in Emmerdale Farm.
The Whitehall farces were a series of five long-running comic stage plays at the Whitehall Theatre in London, presented by the actor-manager Brian Rix, in the 1950s and 1960s. They were in the low comedy tradition of British farce, following the Aldwych farces, which played at the Aldwych Theatre between 1924 and 1933.
Reluctant Heroes is a 1952 British comedy film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Ronald Shiner, Derek Farr and Christine Norden. It is based on the popular farce of the same title by Colin Morris. The play, which had its West End premiere at the Whitehall Theatre in September 1950, was the first of the Brian Rix company's Whitehall farces. The film was shot at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith in West London. Its sets were designed by the art director Wilfred Arnold.
To Dorothy, a Son is a 1950 comedy play by the British writer Roger MacDougall. The plot revolves around a complex inheritance in which the American ex-wife of a man tries to prevent his current pregnant wife giving birth before a certain day, in order that she can claim the money.
The French Mistress is a comedy play by the British entertainer Sonnie Hale under the pen name Robert Munro about the arrival of a new young French teacher at a traditional public school.
A Lady Mislaid is a 1948 comedy play by the British writer Kenneth Horne.
Who Goes There! is a 1950 comedy play by the British writer John Dighton. The action takes place entirely around St James's Palace.
Afterwards is a 1933 mystery play by the British-American writer Walter C. Hackett revolving around a psychic medium.
The Gay Adventure is a 1931 comedy play by the British-American writer Walter C. Hackett.
The Holly and the Ivy is a 1950 play by the British writer Wynyard Browne. A vicar attempts to deal with the various problems of his family as they gather for the Christmas period.
Background is a 1950 play by the British writer Warren Chetham-Strode. It examines the effect on the children of a married couple going through a divorce.
His Excellency is a 1950 play by the British writers Campbell Christie and Dorothy Christie. A former docker takes over as the British governor of an island colony in the Mediterranean.
The Gentle Gunman is a 1950 thriller play by the British writer Roger MacDougall. A former IRA gunman attempts to renounce his violent past, as he is now convinced a non-violent approach is best.
Young Wives' Tale is a 1949 comedy play by the British writer Ronald Jeans. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Brighton before transferring to the Savoy Theatre in London's West End where it ran for 373 performances between 7 July 1949 and 27 May 1950. The original London cast included Naunton Wayne, Joan Greenwood, Derek Farr, Joan Haythorne and Margaret Scudamore.
For Better, for Worse is a comedy play by the British writer Arthur Watkyn. It was first performed at the Q Theatre in Kew Bridge in 1948. It enjoyed a lengthy and successful run at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End where it lasted for 618 performances between 17 December 1952 and 12 June 1954. The original West End cast included Leslie Phillips, Geraldine McEwan, Tom Macaulay, Anthony Sharp, Gwynne Whitby, Polly Elwes, Aimée Delamain, Charles Lamb and Dandy Nichols. It was directed by Kenneth Riddington who also appeared in the cast. The plot revolves around the trials and tribulations of a newly-married couple.
Seagulls Over Sorrento is a play by Hugh Hastings, an Australian who had served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
French Salad is a 1934 comedy play by the British writer Max Catto. It appeared in London's West End between 31 July and 7 September 1934 initially at the Westminster Theatre before transferring to the Royalty Theatre. The West End cast included Clive Morton, Aubrey Dexter, A.R. Whatmore, Hilda Trevelyan, Leonora Corbett, Faith Bennett and Ellen Pollock.
The Limping Man is a 1930 mystery thriller play by the British author Will Scott. It premiered at the Pleasure Gardens Theatre in Folkstone before transferring to London's West End. It ran for 91 performances between 19 January and 18 April 1931, initially at the Royaly Theatre before switching to the Apollo Theatre and then to the Shaftesbury. The West End cast included Arthur Hardy, Ronald Simpson, Franklin Dyall, Eve Gray. It subsequently returned to the West End for a longer run from 1935 to 1936.
Murder Mistaken is a 1952 thriller play by the British author Janet Green. It first appeared at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cardiff under the title Teddy Bare's Picnic. It then transferred to London's West End under its new title first at the Ambassadors Theatre and then at the Vaudeville Theatre. It's West End run lasted 156 performances between 4 November 1952 and 28 March 1953. The West End cast included Derek Farr, Anthony Marlowe, Phyllis Morris, Iris Hoey, Brenda de Banzie, Patricia Burke and Rosalie Crutchley. It appeared on Broadway under the alternative title Gently Does It, lasting for thirty seven performances at the Playhouse Theatre. Green wrote a novelisation in 1953 with Leonard Gribble.
As You Are is a 1939 comedy play by Hugh Mills and Wells Root. It premiered at Richmond Theatre under the title Stay Just As You Are during the early months of the Second World War. It then transferred to London's West End where it ran for 74 performances from 12 January 1940 to 16 March 1940, initially at the Aldwych Theatre before moving to the Whitehall Theatre. The West End cast included Diana Churchill, Morland Graham, Edward Chapman, Hugh Dempster, Elliott Mason, Muriel George, O.B. Clarence, Vincent Holman, Charles Mortimer and Joan Hickson. A review in the New Statesman considered that despite its complicated plot, the play had many of the "right ingredients" for a successful comedy.
