Walter Plinge is a
pseudonym
A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...
, used in British theatres since the 19th century on occasions when it is not possible or desirable to make an actor's real name known.
Name and usage
Walter Plinge is a pseudonym traditionally used in British theatres when a part has not been cast, an actor is playing two parts, or an actor does not want their name in the programme.
The name has also been used in radio and television credits.
''
Who's Who in the Theatre
''Who's Who in the Theatre'' is a British reference work, first published in 1912 with sixteen new editions from then until its last issue in 1981.
The book was a successor to ''The Green Room Book'', of which four editions were published betw ...
'' has this entry for the name:
In 1939
Alfred Wareing
Alfred John Wareing (26 October 1876 – 11 April 1942) was an English actor-manager. He was a pioneer of the repertory theatre in Britain and an authority on the plays of Shakespeare.
Life and career
Wareing was born in Greenwich, London on 26 ...
, a former member of Benson's company, wrote in ''
The Stage
''The Stage'' is a British weekly newspaper and website covering the entertainment industry and particularly theatre. It was founded in 1880. It contains news, reviews, opinion, features, and recruitment advertising, mainly directed at those wh ...
'' that the real Walter Plinge had been the landlord of the public house in
Wellington Street near the stage door of the
Lyceum Theatre, London.
[ Wareing recalled that Plinge was not entirely pleased at having his name used by Benson, particularly as the company already had other pseudonyms in use when needed. These included "R. Sherard" and "T. Ashman" – the latter used by among others ]Oscar Asche
John Stange(r) Heiss Oscar Asche (24 January 1871 – 23 March 1936), better known as Oscar Asche, was an Australian actor, director, and writer, best known for having written, directed, and acted in the record-breaking musical ''Chu Chin C ...
when doubling roles, although in Asche's case, according to Wareing, the false name "never deceived the knowing public".[Wareing, Alfred. "Walter Plinge", ''The Stage'', 31 August 1939, p. 13] Another former Bensonian recalled the pseudonym "Hugh S. Hay" being used when the American actor Walter Hampden
Walter Hampden Dougherty (June 30, 1879 in Brooklyn – June 11, 1955 in Los Angeles), known professionally as Walter Hampden, was an American actor and theatre manager. He was a major stage star on Broadway in New York who also made numerous ...
was in the company. The actor-manager Murray Carrington recalled that in the 1920s his company had featured not only Walter Plinge Jr. but also a female counterpart, Juliet Plinge.
The name Walter Plinge has been used occasionally in American theatre, where the more usual equivalent is "George Spelvin
George Spelvin, Georgette Spelvin, and Georgina Spelvin are traditional pseudonyms used in programs in American theater.
"Georgina Spelvin" has fallen out of general use since it was adopted as a screen name by pornographic actress Shelley Grah ...
". Analogous pseudonyms – for writers rather than actors – are Alan Smithee
Alan Smithee (also Allen Smithee) is an official pseudonym used by film directors who wish to disown a project. Coined in 1968 and used until it was formally discontinued in 2000, it was the sole pseudonym used by members of the Directors Guild o ...
in Hollywood
Hollywood usually refers to:
* Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California
* Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States
Hollywood may also refer to:
Places United States
* Hollywood District (disambiguation)
* Hollywood, ...
and David Agnew
"David Agnew" is a pen name that was employed on BBC television drama programmes of the 1970s as a scriptwriting credit.
Conditions of use
The pseudonym "David Agnew" was most often used when the original freelance scriptwriter was unable to acc ...
at the BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
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...
.
From its earliest years the BBC has used "Walter Plinge" in its listings of acting roles, and "he" is the corporation's longest-serving broadcaster, having made his first broadcast in 1925, with subsequent appearances up to 2018.