Walter Plinge
|
|
Walter Plinge is a pseudonym, traditionally used in London theatres. He is also a character from the Discworld novels.
| Contents |
Theatrical pseudonym
The name Walter Plinge is used in London theatre when a part has not been cast, an actor is playing two parts or an actor does not want his or her name in the programme. Plinge was supposedly a real London pub owner, honoured by a group of actors with the borrowing of his name.
The name has also been used occasionally in American theatre, as has the more popular George Spelvin. Similar pseudonyms are David Agnew at the BBC and Alan Smithee in Hollywood.
Discworld character
In reference to the theatrical pseudonym, Walter Plinge is the odd-job man at the Ankh-Morpork Opera House in the Discworld novel Maskerade by Terry Pratchett.
Plinge was an awkward, nervy figure in a beret, extremely similar to Frank Spencer, from the BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. However he had a secret identity as the suave and sophisticated "Opera Ghost" (i.e. the Phantom of the Opera). (This is a play on the fact that Spencer was played by Michael Crawford, who went on to play the Phantom in the Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical.)
Convinced by Agnes Nitt that he was wearing his mask on the inside, he became the director of music, following the death of Salzella. He writes popular operas with tunes you can hum.