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A Theatre for all Seasons
by Michael Hasted
STR member Michael Hasted's new book is the history of the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham and tells the story of the good times and bad, of the financial problems, the ghosts and personalities of a typical British provincial theatre.
Full information is available at Jeremy Mills Publishing or Everyman, and copies are available from the publisher at a discount of 35% for two or more copies ordered.
[added: 15.12.11]
Christchurch's Court Theatre
Christchurch's much-loved Court Theatre's home in the Art Centre was badly damaged in February's earthquake, writes STR vice-president, Graeme Cruickshank, who now lives in New Zealand.
An old grain store near the site of the Old Mill Theatre has been found and a purpose-built theatre will be built inside. During the preparation of the theatre, productions will be presented in alternative venues around Christchurch.
"Establishing The Court in this new facility and opening to the public will be a major step towards our cultural recovery. It will mark the return of a major Christchurch institution and a signal of new beginnings in the city as people return to enjoying a night out," says Chief Executive Philip Aldridge.
If anyone is interested in helping Christchurch's Court Theatre go to: http://courttheatre.org.nz/helpthecourt
[added: 14.9.11]
Queenie Leighton
For anyone researching music hall history, STR Vice-President Neville Hunnings has noticed an article in the July 2011 issue of Family History magazine, called "The soldier and the showgirl" by Janet Cockerill. It relates to Cockerill's research into the life of Queenie Leighton, née Lilian Caroline Rickard, in 1874, who was inter alia principal boy in a number of Drury Lane pantomimes and made a bit of a speciality of playing male roles.
[added: 14.9.11]
Ada Reeve
STR member Brian Cook would be pleased to make contact with anyone who has an interest in a collection of memorabilia of the late Ada Reeve. She played leads at the Gaiety including "The Shop Girl".
Interested parties should email: brian@garrick1.plus.com.
[added: 14.9.11]
David Wood's "Storytime"
David Wood's "Storytime" is at the Arts Theatre, Great Newport Street from Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd April. Performance details at www.artstheatrewestend.com.
[added: 12.4.11]
Listen Again
Two events were held towards the end of last year. In September, For One Night Only: A Celebration of 'Variety' Theatre was staged at the British Library. Then, in October, Dominic Shellard gave his inaugural Professorial Lecture at De Montfort University, titled The Breakthrough that Broke Down? British Theatre from 1945 to 1968 and the British Library Theatre Archive Project.
If you were unable to get to the British Library event, or would simply like to listen to it again, the audio from the evening can be found as a podcast on the British Library website, via the following link:
http://www.bl.uk/whatson/podcasts/exhibition/golden/index.html.
[added: 2.3.11]
Julie and Frans Muller
Julie and Frans Muller, STR members in the Netherlands, who lectured to the Society a couple of years ago on their reconstruction of the finale of Purcell's The Fairy Queen, have built a website about their research work: www.julieandfransmuller.nl
[added: 2.3.11]
STR member Keith Sharp's book Bouffonnerie Musical: the Story of H B Farnie has just been published. The book is the result of Keith's research into Farnie (1836-1889) and his adaptations of French opera bouffe for the London stage. More information on availability, price, etc. available by emailing KiloSierra@aol.com.
[added: 17.1.11]
L'Aventurra, the baroque music ensemble headed by member Dr Zac Ozmo, to whom the STR made a research award two years ago to help with the production of a CD of theatre music, are now offering a special price for Society members at their concerts - £10.00 against the normal £14.00.
The next concert is on Friday 10th September, 7.30pm at St Cuthbert's Church, Philbeach Gardens. London SW5. Tickets at the door and online at: lavventuralondon.ticketsource.co.uk and use the promotional code STR.
A copy of the flyer for the concert is attached for London/Home Counties members. I promise to be less selective in future when longer notice is possible!
[added: 8.9.10]
Member Janet Snowman has just published a book on the singer and artist John Orlando Parry, active in both music and theatre from the 1830s-late 60s. It is 167pp with 139 illustrations relating to his paintings, music title sheets, songs and other activities, and publishes for the first time his sketches for his famous painting 'A London Street Scene', which in particular conveys images of posters of theatrical performances in London c.1835-7.
John Orlando Parry and the Theatre of London is available in paperback from Amazon
[added: 8.9.10]
The paperback edition of Walking in Pimlico, by member Ann Featherstone, is now out. Also just published by John Murray The Newgate Jig, and again reflecting the author's own research interests, this new novel is set in the murky world of 19th-century entertainments - gaffs and freak shows, with a pantomime thrown in for good measure. Available from Amazon.
[added: 8.9.10]
Mr Dickens and Master Betty
In member Alan Stockwell's latest book the tile characters meet when the nascent novelist is employed as an amanuensis by the former infant prodigy known as Young Roscius. "Although it is 'faction'," says Alan, "I think my research has ensured accuracy even though treated imaginatively."
There is more information about the novella on the websites www.vesperhawk.com and www.MrCharlesDickens.com where there are direct links to Amazon.
[added: 1.9.10]
Why Theatre History? This is a one-day symposium, sponsored by the STR, to be held at Royal Holloway, University of London on Friday, June 18th, 10.30-6.30, and has been convened in connection with a forthcoming Cambridge Companion to Theatre History, to be edited by David Wiles and Christine Dymkowski.
The focus of this symposium will be: why do we NEED historical research? And why do students need a historical grounding?
The event will take place in the Boilerhouse Theatre at RHUL and has been supported by the Royal Holloway Arts Faculty and the Society for Theatre Research. Registration costs £25 (£15 concession). The price includes refreshments and a sandwich lunch. Places are limited. More information and booking facilities can be found on this website.
[added: 16.6.10]
Free to a Good Home
Long-time member Brian Cook has "a lot of Theatre World, Play Pictorial and early Plays and Players which I shall be heartbroken to lose; but for the sake of my heirs... life has to be a continual downsize. I wondered if they could be offered to any member who might like them, for themselves or for a college or collection that they know of. They are free but taker collects."
Interested STR members should contact Brian at brian@garrick1.plus.com.
[added: 8.6.10]
The 'Sister Arts' in the Popular Theatre, c.1820-1910
8-10th July 2010, University of Birmingham,
Topics and themes to be addressed include:
- Set design and scene painting
- Visual culture
- Audience and the theatre-going experience
- Children in theatre
- Dance, spectacular theatre and dancers
- Pantomime in popular literature and periodicals
- Genre development
- Political and cultural dimensions
- Interdisciplinary approaches
- Masks and mask-making
- Digital archiving
- Metropolis and Province
- Exoticism on the popular stage
- Music Hall, Pantomime, Melodrama
[added: 8.6.10]
For One Night Only: A Celebration of Variety Theatre
Tuesday, 14th Sept, British Library Conference Centre, 6.30-8.30pm
The latest Theatre Archive Project event presents an evening which will include interviews with Variety Artistes who performed in Variety theatres, footage of their work, a drinks reception and a display of memorabilia. The interviews will give an insight into what it was like to be 'in Variety', with a particular focus on the day to day living and working in this popular form of entertainment. Featured speakers include Mike Hope (Hope and Keen), Hilary Young, son of Kenway and Young, Tommy Wallis and Beryl and Jean Barbour (The Barbour Brothers and Jean).
'For One Night Only: A Celebration of Variety Theatre' is the British Library/De Montfort University Theatre Archive Project's sixth event. They have been collecting memories of British Theatre between 1945 and 1968 for over seven years. All interviews can be found on their website.
The event is FREE but tickets need to be booked in advance.
[added: 8.6.10]
'How the Vote was Won: Art, Theatre and Women's Suffrage'
This new exhibition, which runs from 1st May to 4th September 2010, is now open at The Museum of Richmond, Old Town Hall, Richmond, co-curated by Susan Croft and Irene Cockcroft.
Susan wrote a report on Oral Theatre History for the STR, and organized the Society's recent one-day conference on the subject.
www.museumofrichmond.com 
www.suffragette.org.uk
Network Appoints First CEO
Network, the national membership body representing the UK's audience development agencies, has appointed David Brownlee as its first ever Chief Executive to support the delivery of its new business plan, which is supported by an Arts Council England Grant for the Arts. For more information visit www.audiencedevelopment.org
A Cultural History of English Pantomime, 1837-1901
A series of colloquia will be held (2010-2012) as part of an AHRC-funded research project on Victorian Pantomime, the first to discuss various topics in nineteenth-century theatre history, particularly pantomime and popular entertainment.
Proposals are now invited for papers on the Victorian theatre and the 'sister arts' of spectacle, painting, music, and dance. Our particular, but not exclusive, focus is on pantomime, but we are interested in exploring a wide range of theatrical practices in the Victorian period. Convenors: Kate Newey, Jeffrey Richards, Peter Yeandle
Proposals for 30-minute papers should be sent to Peter Yeandle at p.yeandle@lancaster.ac.uk by no later than 30 April 2010. Please include a 250-300 word abstract.
The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne and its history is the subject of a 60 minute presentation on Sunday 21st February at 3.00pm to the Ashcroft Theatre Club , Croydon, which meets in the Fairfield Halls.
[added: 7.1.10]
Interesting Websites
Two Websites notified by members which you might like to explore, the first about Hamletzar and events in London NW5 and the Barbican and the second to do with a series of events happening around Europe and Canada during 2010. [added: 7.1.10]
Last update: 15th December 2011 |
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