The Ruling Class
by Peter Barnes

February 1985
Directed by Kelly McDonald

Reality and fantasy blend into a satirical mixture of laughter and drama in this irreverent comedy. Jack, the 14th Earl of Gurney, returns home to the manor and announces to his family that he is, actually, Jesus Christ.

When they ask him how he knows for sure, his answer is: "It's simple. I find that when I pray, I'm talking to myself."

His psychiatrist describes him as a paranoid schizophrenic. The rest of the family thinks he's just plain crazy. But they cannot commit him because he has no heir. So a plot is hatched to marry the Earl off, have him produce a child and then send him off to the loony bin for life!

Filled with boistrously funny characters and crazy ideas, THE RULING CLASS exemplifies society's attitude toward unorthodox behavior.

(Photo provided by Richard Lemin)