The Hang of the Gaol
Hang of the Gaol, The Author: Howard Barker
First Performance: 1978, London
Published: 1982
Genre: Pol. com. in 2 acts
Setting: Burnt-out shell of Middenhurst Gaol, the moors, and the Coopers' drawing room, 1970s
Cast: 9m, 3f
The historic Middenhurst Gaol has burned down to the distress of the Governor, Colonel Cooper. Two gay fire inspectors and Home Secretary Stagg arrive to inspect the damage. Three ministry officials, Scottish ex-Communist George Jardine, the long-suffering Elizabeth Matheson, whom Jardine desires, and junior civil servant Barry Ponting, conduct an inquiry into the fire. The self-effacing Ponting surprises himself by bullying one of the prison officers into admitting that there was a discipline problem after Cooper had introduced reforms. Cooper, a former officer responsible for suppressing...
[The entire page is 321 words long]
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