John Arden’s morally ambiguous play about an imperious army sergeant who descends on an emotionally vulnerable family in an unnamed small northern town and psychologically intimidates them into submission stirred some critical interest at the time.
Andrew Keir played the vulgar Scottish soldier who tricks his way into a family home by claiming he knows their missing son, having served in the same regiment.
Finally, after having elicited several favours, robbed them of their savings, and made love to the missing son’s wife (Margaretta D’Arcy), he tells them that he had made the whole thing up to show them what fools they were and moves on, piping his tin whistle.
Maurice Denham costarred as the busybody neighbour of the missing soldier’s parents. Frank Finlay, Anna Wing, and Edna Petrie also appeared.
The 60-minute BBC play was produced by Stuart Burge.
Soldier
Andrew Keir Mary
Margaretta D’Arcy Charlie Scuffham
Frank Finlay Mrs Scuffham
Anna Wing Joe Parker
Maurice Denham Mrs Parker
Edna Petrie Landlord
Stuart Saunders Jim
Frank Atkinson
Director
Norman James
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