On 12 November 1963, Mr Whatnot opened at the Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent. It was Alan Ayckbourn's fifth full-length play and unlike anything he had written before or has written since.
The main character, Mint (or Mr Whatnot), is a mute, anarchic, piano-tuner and his adventures as he tries to woo the debutante girl of his dreams are surreal and often bizarre.
The play, which features an enormous and technically challenging sound plot of more than 300 effects (considerably easier to achieve today than on the technology available in 1963!), was a great success in its original production and was optioned for the West End by the producer Peter Bridge.
Unfortunately, the simplicity and charm of the original production was lost in its West End production, which was brutally received by the critics and the play closed two weeks after opening.
However, it went in to find success in other productions around the world and became particularly popular with schools. Earlier this year, the Royal & Derngate, Northampton, revived the play to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Mr Whatnot is also notable as the first time Alan Ayckbourn directed a world premiere of one of his own plays.
Happy birthday Mr Whatnot!
