Mere Soup Songs (1986)

Stacks Image 41
World Premiere: 22 May 1986
Venue: Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough

London Premiere: 5 December 1986
Venue: Lyttelton Buffet, National Theatre

Description: Revue
Composer: Paul Todd

Published / Available to Stage: No

History

Mere Soup Songs was the final collaboration between Alan Ayckbourn and the composer Paul Todd and was premiered as a lunchtime entertainment in the Studio Theatre at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough, in 1986. Like the majority of Alan’s previous revues, the entertainment offers a look at the relationships between men and women with Mere Soup Songs focussing on the untruths and lies found in relationships.

It was revived by Alan Ayckbourn at the National Theatre as a late-night entertainment in December 1986* when he took his two-year sabbatical at the National Theatre and pressed the venue to allow him to do work in spaces other than the main auditoria.

* The exact dates for Mere Soup Songs are subject to confirmation. The National Theatre Archive lists six performances between 9 and 31 January 1987. However, reviews for the production date back to the 15 December 1986 with previews apparently taking place from 4 December. The Times review also notes the production will run until 14 March 1987.

The Songs

1. Prologue
2. Untruths
3. Deceptions
4. Falsehoods
5. Deceits
6. Fibs
7. Total Lies
8. Epilogue

Premiere Production Details (1986)

World premiere: 22 May 1986
Final performance: 11 September 1986
Venue: Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Musical Director: Paul Todd
Design: Clare Bracewell
Lighting: Mick Thomas
Character
Charles
Janice
Michael
Annabelle
Actor
Richard Mapletoft
Janet Jefferies
Nigel Cooke
Serena Evans
Stage Manager: David Parker

London Premiere Details (1987)

First performance: 5 December 1986 (TBC)
Premiere: 14 December 1986 (TBC)
Final performance: 14 March 1987 (TBC)
Venue: Lyttelton Buffet, National Theatre, London
Staging: End-stage

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Music: Paul Todd
Design: Emma B Lloyd
Lighting: Steve Ramsden
Sound: Rob Barnard
Sound: Gary Giles
Character
Charles
Janice
Michael
Annabelle

Synthisiser
Actor
Russell Dixon
Kate Dyson
Michael Simkins
Diane Bull

Paul Todd
Stage Manager: Jenny Frazer

Further Reading

Mere Soup Songs has not been published.

Research
◦ An original manuscript is held in the Ayckbourn Archive in the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York. The manuscript is accessible onsite for research purposes.
◦ Material relating to the play is also held in the Ayckbourn Archive at the Borthwick Institute for Archives. The holdings relevant to the play can be found in the archive catalogue by clicking here.
◦ Material relating to the National Theatre production, directed by Alan Ayckbourn, is also held in the National Theatre archive. The holdings relevant to the play can be found in the archive catalogue by clicking here.

Reviews (world premiere)
Mere Soup Songs Recipe For Success (Scarborough Evening News, 23 May 1986)
Mere Soup Songs (David Jeffels, The Stage, 19 June 1986)

Reviews (London premiere)
There's A Lie In My Soup (Stephen Games, The Independent, 15 December 1986)
Mere Soup Songs (The Times, 15 December 1986)
Mere Soup Songs (What's On, 22 January 1987)
All research and original material in this section of Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website is by Simon Murgatroyd M.A. and copyright of Haydonning Ltd. All other material is copyright of the named copyright holder. Please do not reproduce any material without permission of the copyright holder. For enquiries, email: archive@alanayckbourn.net