Young Woodley

Young Woodley

1960 - United Kingdom

Roger Woodley is a shy and sensitive 18-year old schoolboy interested in poetry and literature, as well as games. He proves an easy target for his housemaster, Mr Simmons, who takes every opportunity to sneer at "our young poet." Among his friends, the other house-prefects, his shyness is respected. But when Mrs Simmons, the housemaster's young wife, becomes interested in his poetry, and even in him, he finds himself in a scandalous situation that could jeopardise his entire future.

On 20 March 1960 Young Woodley was presented as part of BBC TV's Twentieth Century Theatre series. Jeremy Spenser played the title role of Young Woodley, John van Druten's first major success, and a play that made a tremendous impact on theatregoers of the 1920s.

William Devlin played the housemaster, Mr Simmons, and Jane Wenham, Laura, his wife. Roger's father, Mr Woodley, was played by Arnold Bell. The schoolboys: Cope, Vining and Milner, were played by boy actors well-known to viewers at that time, Brendan Collins, Pearson Dodd and Michael Tennant. Ainger was played by Michael Bangerter, who was making his first television appearance; the part was offered to him as a result of a BBC TV audition. Michael Bangerter appeared in repertory at Horsham before going to R.A.D.A. The parlour maid was played by Anne Hudson.

Young Woodley
Michael Bangerter (Ainger), Jeremy Spenser (Woodley), Pearson Dodd (Vining).

Young Woodley was written in 1925 on train journeys between Rhyl and Aberystwyth when its twenty-four-year-old author was teaching law. Due to its controversial subject matter, about the bored wife of a school headmaster who falls in love with one of his pupils, Young Woodley was turned down by the Lord Chamberlain. The Theatres Act 1843 had given the Lord Chamberlain the statutory authority to prohibit the performance of plays where he was of the opinion that "it is fitting for the preservation of good manners, decorum or of the public peace so to do", and theatre owners could be prosecuted for staging a play (or part of a play) that had not received prior approval.

Young Woodley
Jeremy Spencer (Woodley), Michael Bangerter (Ainger), Jane Wenham (Laura).

As a result of this decision, Young Woodley had to travel far for its first production, finally being staged in New York in 1926. It was a major success in the United States and as a result, Van Druten moved there to work.

The play was later produced at the Arts Theatre Club in London's Soho district, in February 1928, and following that, the Lord Chamberlain withdrew his objection. It was produced the following month at the Savoy Theatre, where it ran for over 400 performances, making a star of its lead Frank Lawton.

In 1930 the play was adapted into a film by British International Pictures (although it did not receive critical approval). It was directed by Thomas Bentley with Lawton reprising his stage role. Stephen Harrison's BBC TV production was set in the year 1928, and this time round the play was well received by the press, and on the BBC's Third Programme (today's Radio 3).

Photographs courtesy of Michael Bangerter.

Published on February 29th, 2020. Written by Laurence Marcus and Michael Bangerter for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The War Game

A Chinese invasion of South Vietnam triggers a new world war between East and West. In the town of Rochester, Kent, the anticipation of a nuclear attack leads to mass evacuations. This one-off drama proved to be so controversial that the BBC, who made it, refused to broadcast it for 20 years.

Also tagged Single Drama

The Major Barbara

"The greatest of our evils and the worst of our crimes is poverty, and our first duty, to which every other consideration should be sacrificed is not to be poor."

Also starring Michael Bangerter

A Degree in Murder

Crisis comes when auntie decides to leave her cash to a dogs' home. Murder follows.

Also starring Michael Bangerter

Abigail's Party

When teenager Abigail throws a party for her friends, her next-door neighbour, Beverly Moss, does likewise for the adults. But Beverly is the hostess from hell.

Also tagged Single Drama

After the Funeral

When Alun Owen's play 'After the Funeral' was read by Sydney Newman, head of drama for ABC Television, and William Kotcheff, the television director, they were so taken by his conception of Wales and the Welsh, they decided to see for themselves.

Also released in 1960

Arthur's Treasured Volumes

It's title inspired by the initials of the television company that produced the series, Arthur's Treasured Volumes appears to be, if the sole surviving episode is an example, an underrated and unfairly forgotten TV gem.

Also released in 1960

The Naked Civil Servant

The story of Quentin Crisp, from his youth in the early 20th century to his emergence as a flamboyant gay icon, made a star of actor John Hurt and catapulted Crisp himself into overnight celebrity status

Also starring Michael Bangerter

Biggles

Crack pilot James "Biggles" Bigglesworth leads a team of investigators who solve crime around the world.

Also released in 1960

Tunnel Trench ITV Play 1963

Life in the Royal Flying Corps seems pleasant enough to young Bill St. Aubyn as he basks in the French sun. But when an important offensive is mounted, he is suddenly faced with the grim reality of war.

Also starring Michael Bangerter