Coward to direct "Number 7 red" to cross downstage and shake hands with "Number 15 yellow and black". Extras were encouraged to create their own bits of stage business, as long as it did not draw attention from the main action of the scene. Cavalcade premiered on 13 October 1931, starring Mary Clare and Edward Sinclair as the Marryot parents and featuring John Mills, Binnie Barnes, Una O'Connor, Moya Nugent, Arthur Macrae, Irene Browne and Maidie Andrews in supporting roles. Despite a brief delay caused by a mechanical problem early in the first act, the performance was a strong success, and the play went on to become one of the year's biggest West End hits, running for 405 performances. The play closed in September 1932. Original cast Jane Marryot – Mary Clare Robert Marryot – Edward Sinclair Ellen Bridges – Una O'Connor Alfred Bridges – Fred Groves Margaret Harris – Irene Browne Edith Harris – Alison Leggatt Edward Marryot – Arthur Macrae Joe Marryot – John Mills Fanny Bridges – Binnie Barnes Edith (as a child) – Veronica Vanderlyn Edward (as a child) – Peter Vokes Joe (as a child) – Leslie Flack Fanny (as a child) – Dorothy Keefe Laura Marsden (Mirabelle) – Strella Wilson Henry Charteris (Lieutenant Edgar) – Eric Puneur Rose Darling (Ada) – Maidie Andrews Nicky Banks (Tom Jolly) – Billy Fry Cook – Laura Smithson Annie – Merle Tottenham Mrs Snapper – Edie Martin Flo Grainger – Dorothy Monkman George Grainger – Bobby Blythe Daisy Devon – Moya Nugent Marion Christie – Betty Hare Netta Lake – Phyllis Harding Connie Crawshay – Betty Shale Tim Bateman – Philip Clarke Douglas Finn – John Beerbohm Lord Martlett – Anthony Pelissier Uncle Harry – Aly Ford Uncle George – Charles Wingrove Uncle Dick – Walter Rayland Uncle Jack – Tod Squires Uncle Bob – Tom Carlisle Uncle Jim – William McGuigan Freda Weddell – Lena Brand Olive Frost – Marcelle Turner Gladys (Parlourmaid) – Dorothy Drover A communist – Anthony Blair A religious fanatic – Enid Clinton-Baddeley A wireless announcer – W. A. H. Harrison Pianist at night club – Jack London Trumpeter at night club – Leslie Thompson Crowds, Soldiers, Sailors, Guests, etc. Synopsis Part I Scene 1: Sunday 31 December 1899. The drawing-room of a London House It is nearly midnight. Robert and Jane Marryot are seeing in the New Year quietly together in their