1971-79: STAGE: THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE, RSC 1976

Summer of '76

There was something altogether special about the Summer of 1976. The sun seemed to shine forever and the discord of the early 70s, the three day weeks and the energy crisis had all but passed into recent memory. Meanwhile for TP, there was the opportunity to be a part of one of the big theatrical hits of that season, the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of George Bernard Shaw's The Devil's Disciple directed by Jack Gold.

American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976

'76 was also the year of the American Bicentenniel celebrations of the War of Independence, an event the British seemed as keen to mark as their American cousins and the RSC were all set to be a part of the celebrations with Shaw's Saratoga based melodrama.

A Rebellious Reverend

TP took the part of the upstanding Reverend Anderson, a straitlaced puritan, who apparently runs away to evade capture by the British, but actually embarks on a quest to create further foment for the colonial masters.

Meanwhile, his apparent rival, the local outcast and self-proclaimed 'Devil's disciple', Dick Dudgeon (Tom Conti) has allowed himself to be taken prisoner when he is mistaken for the Reverend Anderson. Whether by chance or conversion, Dudgeon refuses to condemn another in his place and is prepared to go to the gallows.

The action proceeds apace and there's a trial led in high, imperious fashion by General Burgoyne (John Wood). This is interrupted by news of rebel successes close by which hasten a summary verdict and a rush to the gallows for Dudgeon's apparent date with destiny.

The drums of the execution party strike up and all is lost, until that is, the leader of the rebel forces bounds on stage with a tremendous roar of 'Stop!!'

In a great coup de theatre it transpirses that rebel leader is none other than the Reverend Anderson. He bargains with the General for Dick's life while the British relent and prepare to retreat all too aware that their colonial quest is reaching its end.

Anderson realises that he is a man of action and urges Dudgeon, clearly a man of prinicple, to take his place as pastor.

'McKenna's Anderson ... a handsome pulpit matinee idol'

More Than Melodrama

Melodrama can pall if it’s not performed with the appropriate dash and verve but that was never going to be a problem for this cast. While the director Jack Gold was a rare visitor to the world of theatre, he only had to lay down a good set of tracks for the players to proceed along, as they did, rather like a stylish steam express.

There was John Wood, as General Burgoyne, in breeches and legs as long as the day, every bit the perfect Georgian aristocrat and looking as if he had just stepped out of his Reynolds portrait. Meanwhile Tom Conti duelled deftly with him in the best Shavian manner and there was a feast of choice support performances from the likes of Patience Collier, Zoe Wannamaker, Patrick Godfrey and two young actors very much on the way up. One was Tony Haygarth, lavishly praised for his excellent sense of comedy as Dick Dudgeon’s dim witted brother while the other was Bob Hoskins as the gaoler, in fine scene stealing form.

As for TP, it was a gift of a part and he was perfectly suited to mark the transition from plump puritan to charismatic man of the hour and derring-do. As the Guardian's Michael Billington put it, ‘TP McKenna has the handsome appearance of a pulpit matinee idol.’

A Uniform Press

The Devil's Disciple opened on 13th July 1976 and the following day's papers served up a feast of rave reviews.