Details

When bank clerk Sam Hark-Harkalark is falsely accused of stealing half a million pounds in banknotes signed 'Good God', he loses his job. Unbowed, he determines to jump higher than anyone else ever has. The only thing is, so far he hasn't jumped at all.... This is the play’s first revival since its first performance by Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1960, and the only piece Saroyan ever wrote to be premiered in Britain. After seeing Joan Littlewood’s production of Brendan Behan’s The Hostage, Saroyan wrote asking if the theatre wanted a new play from him. They responded enthusiastically, and the result was Sam, the Highest Jumper of Them All, a typically whimsical Saroyan play, as free-form and beguiling as a John Coltrane solo. Among the many characters surrounding Sam are a rock ‘n’ roll singer, a Russian policeman who periodically stands on his head, and the Ambassador from the Audience to the Play. This production will incorporate some sections banned by the Lord Chamberlain, and never seen on stage before. Performance length approx. 2 hours

Cast/Performers

Martin Bishop, Richard Crawley, Richard Cunningham, Antony Jardine, Anil Kumar, Gordon Ridout, Martin Ritchie, Julia Sandiford, Jessica Sandry, Jennifer Thorne, Matt Tully, Sam Webster, Tom Yeates

Creatives/Company

Author: William Saroyan
Producer: Instant Classics (in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre)
Director: David Cottis
Design: Fiona Parker