A flying visit – A Shakespearean story arc… | Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo
The afternoon was drawing to a close and the chill of early spring was settling over Stratford-upon-Avon as we made our way back towards the car. There were still many … 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 the Pivotal Thomas Mitchell: From Classics to “Columbo” | Travalanche
The great Thomas Mitchell (1892-1962) came into the world on this day (11th July). Mitchell remains well-known today as a character actor with parts in an unnaturally long list of … Continue reading
The Ups and Downs of Lina Basquette | Travalanche
Lina Basquette (Lena Copeland Baskette) was born on April 19, 1907. Basquette was a star of stage and screen through several different phases but is perhaps best remembered today for … Continue reading
Consent, National Theatre, South Bank, London | reviewdonkey
The reviews for this show had been so good, but it was sold out. I know that NT have a few restricted view seats that they sell at 9.30 on … Continue reading
Don Juan in Soho, Wyndham’s Theatre, London, 2017 | reviewdonkey
The 17th Century version of this play closed, after only one performance, because of its repulsive and offensive nature. It was not shown in an uncensored form again for almost 150 … 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
THE BURNLEY EMPIRE THEATRE | Beauty Bellezza Beauté
The Empire Theatre in Burnley, UK. The Empire Theatre in Burnley opened in 1894 with seats for 1,935 and hosted acts from around the world. Photos (1 to 6): Mark … Continue reading
Charles Macklin | London Historians’ Blog
Last week I gave St Paul’s Covent Garden a proper visit for the first time. The church was designed by Inigo Jones, having been commissioned by the Duke of Bedford, who told … Continue reading
Theatrical links and war heroes in Bedford Park, Chiswick – House Historian
In looking through the 1891 census for Bath Road, which runs along the boundary of Bedford Park, I found the widowed, Marie Saker, recorded as an actress. She was living … Continue reading
Archive Interview • Hugh Bonneville • 2004
FROM THE ARCHIVE Hugh Bonneville is not only a sublime actor but a charming and erudite chap with a fine line in drollery. He sounds a little wary at the start … Continue reading
96,000 stars for In the Heights – hello emma kay
Recently, I’ve had a major blogger break. Feeling underwhelmed by theatre, I had run out of inspiration. Blogging became a burden, rather than a joy. Being blinded, dazed and bored … 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
Quotes • Joan Littlewood | Rogues & Vagabonds
FROM THE ARCHIVE 15th February 2013 ‘With her gap-toothed grin and deep-set eyes, croaky-voiced and always with some sort of cap or bobble hat on her head, she resembled a … Continue reading
The perils of being theatre’s next big thing | Stage | The Guardian
Theatre’s obsession with the new is magnified during the Edinburgh fringe. But as well as hunting out fresh talent, we need to ensure that artist development schemes support sustainable careers … Continue reading
My role on Holby City helps change attitudes about autism – Jules | Scope’s Blog
Jules is an actor and a regular on Holby City. He also happens to have Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism. As part of 30 Under 30, we … Continue reading
Scandalous Women: Was Aemilia Bassano Lanier Shakespeare’s Dark Lady? – Guest Post by Mary Sharratt
Born in 1569, Aemilia Bassano Lanier (also spelled Lanyer) was the highly cultured daughter of an Italian court musician—a man thought to have been a Marrano, a secret Jew living … Continue reading
On this day… Scottish Opera Singer Mary Gordon
World-renowned Scottish opera singer Mary Garden poses in costume as Méĺisande in Debussy’s Pelléas et Méĺisande. 4th April,1908. Source: On this day…
Disaster at Drury Lane | London Historians’ Blog
On this day in 1809, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane was destroyed by fire. Theatres were always burning down, so nothing really unusual in fact. What made this conflagration different, is the … Continue reading
Five Fascinating Facts about David Garrick | Interesting Literature
The life of actor David Garrick (1717-1779), told through five pieces of interesting trivia 1. He helped to bring a new degree of realism to acting. In his An Essay on … Continue reading
Lost Theatre in the East End
‘A vanished theatre on the borders of Hoxton, just before demolition, photographed by William Whiffin. In 1838, a tea garden by the name of ‘the Eagle Tavern’ was put up … Continue reading
First Night Design | The Criterion Theatre #Vintage Programme
This is an adaptation of an original 1890s Criterion Theatre programme in my collection. I confess to being potty about it. The original image is the central strip which I copied, … Continue reading
Five Fascinating Facts about Kenneth Tynan | Interesting Literature
Fun facts about the life and work of the theatre critic Kenneth Tynan 1. He dodged his National Service – possibly by being too flamboyant. When Kenneth Tynan (1927-1980) was … Continue reading
On this day: Ballet in 1937
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…:
Danish ballerina Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka at the Theatre Royal. Australia, 11th January 1937. Kirsova created Australia’s first professional ballet company. Source
The Tongue that Shakespeare Spoke | Culture and Anarchy
Theatre, Shakespeare, David Crystal, linguistics, Pronunciation, performance… Source: The Tongue that Shakespeare Spoke | Culture and Anarchy
The Crucible, Bristol Old Vic
…As always, this Old Vic production attracted a talented and impressive cast who did amazing justice to Miller’s play. I was particularly impressed by Rona Morison’s impassioned Abigail Williams, David … Continue reading
Samuel Foote Comes Home
Originally posted on London Historians' Blog:
This is excellent news. It has been announced this morning that Ian Kelly’s play Mr Foote’s Other Leg will transfer to Theatre Royal Haymarket…
Thought for the Day • IS THIS A DAGGER…? or NO BLUES FOR SPACEY • 2006
‘Fresh from my triumph last week in advocating that influential restaurant critics should be compelled to dine at an establishment twice before writing their reviews, I’m grateful to The Old … Continue reading
On this day: Ballerina Pierina Legnani in 1891
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…:
Italian ballerina Pierina Legnani photographed in London on the 15th of September, 1891, fifteen days before her twenty-eighth birthday. Legnani was born and…
On this day: The Great Theatre Royal Fire | In Times Gone By…
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…. On the 5th of September 1887, the Theatre Royal in Exeter, England burnt down, killing 186 people. It was not the first time the … Continue reading
Rogues & Vagabonds 