On This Day in 1898 • 5 January • Federico García Lorca
5th January ON THIS DAY On this day in 1898 the Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca whose works included The House of Bernarda Alba, Blood Wedding and Yerma was born … Continue reading
Actor and comedian John Sessions dies aged 67 | Television & radio | The Guardian
The actor and comedian John Sessions has died at the age of 67. Sessions, best known for appearing on television shows including Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Have I Got … Continue reading
Happy 138th Birthday Bela Lugosi
Originally posted on waldina:
Today is the 138th birthday of Bela Lugosi. Make the time to watch any of his films, understand his artistry. He is truly one of the greats. …
Julian Bream obituary | Music | The Guardian
Britain had to wait a long time for its great classical guitarist. But the debut at the Wigmore Hall, London, in November 1951 of Julian Bream proclaimed the arrival of … Continue reading
Key Largo (1948) – Waldina
Seventy-two years ago today, the film Key Largo Premiered. A Bogie and Bacall pairing that solidified the legend… Army veteran Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) arrives at the Hotel Largo in … Continue reading
Born on this Day – Peter Ustinov
On this day, Peter Ustinov was born. ‘Writer, performer, wit and humanitarian whose brilliant, 64-year career epitomised an old European culture – and a talent to amuse…’ Source: Born on … Continue reading
Anti-Semitism in Handel’s ‘Messiah’? | A R T L▼R K
The first production of Handel’s Messiah in Dublin in 1742 was also notable for the breakthrough performance of the contralto Susannah Cibber, who consequently became one of the biggest and … Continue reading
Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya: Love in the Creative Partnership | A R T L▼R K
On the 3rd of April 1950, German composer Kurt Weill died of a heart attack in New York City. His highly innovative and eclectic works for the theatre, such as … Continue reading
Henry Montague: First Shepherd of the Lambs
Just a quick shout out to honor the natal day of actor Henry James Montague (Henry John Mann, 1843-1878). Montagu came to our attention through that eerie, ghostly portrait above, … Continue reading
On this day: a choreographer and his muse. | In Times Gone By…
This is the edition of LIFE Magazine for the 23rd of August, 1965. The cover features choreographer George Balanchine, who was born into a Georgian family in Saint Petersburg before moving to … Continue reading
May 29, 1913: Ill-Mannered Factions? In Paris? – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
On the evening of May 29, 1913, the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, the newest venue in Paris, open for just over a month, was packed. According to a newspaper report: “Never. … Continue reading
Stars of Vaudeville #1037: Charles Chaplin, Sr. | Travalanche
Born on this date in 1863: Charles Chaplin the Elder: the father of his better-known namesake, comedian and movie star Charlie Chaplin. It’s not as well known today that in … Continue reading
Derek Walcott is Dead – The St. Lucia STARThe St. Lucia STAR
Derek Walcott is dead. Relatives and sources close to the Saint Lucian poet and playwright who had been suffering with health issues have confirmed that he passed away in the early … Continue reading
Shakespeare buys a house in Blackfriars (1613) | The Lost City of London
On this day in 1613, according to the surviving Deed of Conveyance in the London Metropolitan Archives, William Shakespeare bought for £140 a “dwelling house or Tenement with th’appurtenaunces sit… … Continue reading
January 16, 1908: Next Day on Your Dressing Room They Hung a Star – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
A few names are synonymous with the Broadway musical theater – Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, composers all. As an entertainer, one name looms large; … Continue reading
On this day: the premiere of Metropolis | In Times Gone By…
Iconic futuristic German film Metropolis premiered on the 10th of January, 1927. Filmed in 1925 but set in the year 2026, the film is set in a city with ruling … Continue reading
November 2, 1887: Ode to a Nightingale – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
Wild and crazy entrepreneur, P.T. Barnum was known for bringing audiences such high-brow entertainers as Tom Thumb, the Feejee Mermaid, and Zip the Pinhead. As he said, “Nobody ever lost … Continue reading
Orson Welles: Media and Mass Hysteria | A R T L▼R K
On the 30th of October 1938, the U.S. radio network CBS broadcast an audio drama from the Mercury Theatre on the Air series adapted from English sci-fi writer H. G. … Continue reading
On this day: the premiere of Haddon Hall | In Times Gone By…
Haddon Hall, a light opera by Arthur Sullivan and Sydney Grundy, premiered at the Savoy Theatre in London on the 24th of September, 1892. The production was based on a 16th-century … Continue reading
Edward Alleyn | London Historians’ Blog
We cannot allow Shakespeare 400 completely to overshadow the anniversary of another giant of Elizabethan theatre. Edward Alleyn (1566 – 1626) was born 450 years go this day in Bishopsgate to … Continue reading
Actor and campaigner Lord Rix dies aged 92 – BBC News
Disability campaigner and actor Lord Rix, who starred on stage and TV, has died aged 92, his family says. Source: Actor and campaigner Lord Rix dies aged 92 – BBC … Continue reading
Happy 65th Birthday Anjelica Huston | Waldina
Today is the 65th birthday of Anjelica Huston. Third generation Academy Award winner. That is heritage. She is all angles and attitude, cheeks and confidence. Her beauty is intoxicating and addict… … Continue reading
Caroline Aherne: Royle Family writer and actress dies aged 52 – BBC News
Comedian and TV writer Caroline Aherne has died aged 52, having had cancer, her publicist says. Source: Caroline Aherne: Royle Family writer and actress dies aged 52 – BBC News
Happy 100th Birthday Olivia de Havilland | Waldina
Today is the 100th birthday of one of the last living actors/actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood and the last living actor from the film Gone With The Wind: Olivia de … Continue reading
“Great marvaile and fair grace of God” (fire at Shakespeare’s Globe, 1613) | The Lost City of London
On this day in 1613, the original “Globe” play-house on Bankside in Southwark burned down, after sparks from a theatrical cannon set its thatch alight during a performance of Shakespeare’s “Henry … Continue reading
June 18, 1913: They Call It Sam’s Song | Wretched Richard’s Almanac
Violinist, meat-packer, usher, tinsmith, elevator operator, and lyricist, Sammy Cahn (no relation to Kublai or Genghis) penned his first lyrics at the age of 16 – “Like Niagara Falls, I’… … Continue reading
Equus and Amadeus playwright Peter Shaffer dies aged 90 | Stage | The Guardian
British playwright, who also won an Oscar for film adaptation of Amadeus, has died after falling seriously ill last week Source: Equus and Amadeus playwright Peter Shaffer dies aged 90 … Continue reading
Josephine Baker: Muse of Modern Architecture | A R T L▼R K
On the 3rd of June 1906, the American dancer, singer, and actress Josephine Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her life story is a typical ‘rags to riches’ tale. … Continue reading
Happy 120th Birthday Howard Hawks | Waldina
Today is the 120th birthday of the film director Howard Hawks. He directed one of my very favorite films Bringing Up Baby as well as His Girl Friday, The Big … Continue reading
“Immortal with a kiss” (Christopher Marlowe) | The Lost City of London
On this day in 1593, the colourful Christopher Marlowe, poet, playwright, lover of tobacco and boys, and supposed spy, was fatally stabbed in a tavern in Deptford, under somewhat mysterious … Continue reading
Rogues & Vagabonds 