or torches are lit, the lights grow dimmer. Black Comedy was first presented at the Chichester Festival Theatre by the National Theatre on 27 July 1965, and subsequently at the Old Vic, London, directed by Dexter with the following cast: Brindsley Miller – Derek Jacobi Carol Melkett – Louise Purnell Miss Furnival – Doris Hare Colonel Melkett – Graham Crowden Harold Gorringe – Albert Finney Schuppanzigh – Paul Curran Clea – Maggie Smith Georg Bamberger – Michael Byrne Source: Playscript. Synopsis The play begins in complete darkness. Brindsley Miller, a young sculptor, and his debutante fiancée, Carol Melkett, have stolen some expensive antiques from his neighbour Harold Gorringe, who is away for the weekend, to spruce up Brindsley's apartment to impress Carol's father and a wealthy prospective art buyer named Georg Bamberger. Before the guests arrive, a fuse in the cellar short-circuits, causing a blackout. The stage is instantly illuminated. As Brindsley and Carol search for matches, the phone rings and Brindsley answers. It is his former mistress Clea, who has just returned from Finland. Brindsley distracts Carol and refuses to see Clea. Miss Furnival, the occupant of the flat upstairs, enters seeking refuge from her fear of the dark. Miss Furnival is a spinster and lifelong teetotaller. They ring the London Electricity Board, but are told only that an electrician might arrive some time later that night. Carol's father, Colonel Melkett, arrives. He takes an almost instant dislike to Brindsley and is unimpressed with one of his sculptures – a large work in iron with two prongs. Harold Gorringe returns from his weekend early. Brindsley quickly pulls Harold into the flat so that he will not go into his own and discover the thievery. In the dark, Harold does not realise that the room is full of his own things. As Carol blindly mixes everyone drinks, Brindsley attempts to silently restore as much of the stolen furniture to Harold's flat as possible. There is a mix-up as Carol hands out the drinks in the dark, and Miss Furnival is given liquor by mistake. She is hooked after her first taste, and stealthily procures more. Harold discovers Brindsley and Carol's engagement, and is furious at the news. It is obvious that he himself has secret feelings for Brindsley. (It is also implied that Brindsley might also be having an affair with Harold.) Clea enters unannounced. In the confusion, Brindsley catches