Set against the backdrop of Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II, the play depicts a single mother's struggles as welfare cuts affect the poor and disabled. The derogatory term 'spongers' is used by British tabloid press to describe people who are dependent on welfare support, however the play presents the case of a family who really need the help of welfare support. The title sequence shows the title of the play, 'The Spongers', superimposed over a picture of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, denoting them as 'the real spongers' as Royal finances are paid by British taxpayers.
Credits
The Spongers Cast
| Name |
Character |
|
Bernard Hill
He was 33, now 79 years old
|
as Sullivan |
|
Donald Gee
He was 87, 75 years old when he died
|
as Dr Whitehead |
|
Bernard Atha
He was 49, now 95 years old
|
as Councillor Conway |
|
David Hatton
|
as DHSS Clerk |
|
Christine Hargreaves
She was 38, 45 years old when she died
|
as Pauline |
|
Roger Sloman
He was 31, now 77 years old
|
as Presenting Officer at Tribunal |
|
Fred Pearson
He was 54, 86 years old when he died
|
as Director of Social Services |
|
Joan Peters
She was 39, 76 years old when she died
|
as Social Services Committee |
|
Peter Lawrence
He was 36, now 82 years old
|
as Pauline's GP |
The Spongers Crew
| Name |
Department |
|
Roland Joffé as Director. He was 32 (now 78) years old
|
Directing |
|
Jim Allen as Writer. He was 51 (72) years old when He died
|
Writing |
