Props
by Mark Eden & Steve Nallon
Mark Eden & Steve Nallon - Props
BBC Radio 4: Saturday Playhouse
Broadcast: Saturday 13th September 1997 @ 2:30 p.m.
It's 1974 on the evening Shepperton Film Studios close. "Props" is a true story based on two actual prop men, Chuck Farrago and Bobby
Murrell, who worked at Shepperton Film Studios during the halcyon days of the British film industry. The play follows their last hours at the
studio - their second home for a quarter of a century - as they reminisce about the past and discuss their uncertain future.
Chuck and Bobby worked together on hundreds of films, achieving almost legendary status, and a degree of affection not usually
afforded to a couple of props men. The two were inseparable, and in spite of the marked difference in their appearance, temperament and,
it would seem, sexual orientation, their relationship was devoted and enduring. This is the story of that special relationship set against the
closure of the studios and sell-off to a property development company.
Mark Eden and Steve Nallon later adapted their radio play for the stage. The play premiered in 2004.
With Mark Eden [Charlie 'Chuck' Farrago], Steve Nallon [Robert 'Bobby' Murrell], Roy Boulting [As Himself], Jon Glover [Charles
Laughton / George Cole / David Niven], Dan Strauss [Richard Wattis / David Tomlinson / Ken, a Props Man], Lesley Mackie [Judy
Garland / Audrey, Studio Nurse], and Tracy Russell [Ivy Baker, Wardrobe Supervisor / Brenda De Banzie].
Other parts played by members of the cast.
Directed by Turan Ali.
80 minutes.
Jim
