The Party - a play divided into two acts by Jane Arden

Programme of the first production of
The Party by Jane Arden

Jane Arden was born in Newport, South Wales, and went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art when she was fifteen. After a period in repertory she went to America and lived in Greenwich Village "looking around absorbing all I could - looking for new ideas". It was while there that she first began writing seriously. She returned to England because she could only "write out of my own background". Charles Laughton happened to see the unfinished script of The Party, and immediately wanted to act in it. According to the author, he nagged her until the play was completed.

The play was first performed on Wednesday May 28th, 1958, with a cast that included Charles Laughton, Albert Finney, Elsa Lanchester, Ann Lynn and John Welsh.

Ann Lynn and Albert Finney in
The Party by Jane Arden

Elsa Lanchester and John Welsh in
The Party by Jane Arden