(The production opened December 5th, 1967 and closed January 18th, 1969 after 462 performances. ).
Harry Secombe “FOUR MUSKETEERS” Elizabeth Larner / Shaun Curry 1967 London Flyer Read Post »
(The production opened December 23rd, 1931 and closed September 3rd, 1932 after 291 performances.).
Marion Lorne “GAY ADVENTURE” Seymour Hicks / Nora Swinburne 1932 London Program Read Post »
This is a rare March 5th, 1864 programme (playbill) from the revival of the William Shakespeare tragedy “MACBETH” at Astley’s Theatre in London ….. The production starred SAMUEL PHELPS in the title role, Mr. HERMANN VEZIN as “Macduff” and Mrs. HERMANN VEZIN as “Lady Macbeth” and featured Mr. HENRY DUDLEY, Mr. HENRY FLETCHER, Miss MARIAN, Mr. CHARLES HARCOURT, Mr. W. HOLLAND, Mr. J. G. ROSIERE, Miss LEVETTEZ, Mr. J. CLIFTON, Mr. J. GARDINER, Mr. LICKFOLD, Mr. J. B. JOHNSTONE, Mr. ALBYN, Mr. SHELTON, Mr. GRANGER, Mrs. MAUNDERS, Mr. WAKEFIELD, Mr. GEORGE YARNOLD, Mr. J. RUSSELL, Mr. HARRY PRITCHARD, Mr. LOVEL, Miss GRIFFIN, Miss STACEY and Miss ANNIE THIRLWALL ….. CREDITS: Book by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE; Music composed by LOCKE; Music conducted by Mr. JOHN BARNARD; Scenery designed by Mr. F. FENTON; Costumes designed by Mr. DICKWYNKYN; Directed by Mr. SAMUEL PHELPS; Produced by E. T. SMITH ….. The play was presented in repertory with the farce “TWENTY MINUTES WITH A TIGER” with Mr. CHARLES HARCOURT, Mr. JOHN RUSSELL, Mr. ST. ALBYN, Miss CONSTANCE BRABBANT and Miss TILLY WRIGHT ….. DETAILS: The four page playbill measures 4 7/8″ X 7 1/2″ inches, is printed on an embossed stock and includes full production credits, cast list, schedule of upcoming engagements and wonderful vintage advertising ….. CONDITION: With the exception of minor creasing and light soiling to the cover, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
Samuel Phelps “MACBETH” Mr. and Mrs. Hermann Vezin 1864 London Astley’s Program Read Post »
This is a rare single-page advertising handbill (flyer) promoting ticket sales for the Original West End production of the PAM GEMS play with songs “PIAF” at the Piccadilly Theatre in London. (The play premiered on October 5th, 1978 at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Other Place Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England and following engagements at London’s Donmar Warehouse and the Aldwych Theatre, opened March 14th, 1980 at the Piccadilly Theatre where it ran for five months, closing August 16th, 1980.) ….. The play starred JANE LAPOTAIRE as “Edith Piaf” and featured JOAN MORROW, DIANA VAN FOSSEN, HELEN BRAMMER, ZOE WANAMAKER, HARRY DITSON, ALAN BARKER, HILTON McRAE, GEOFFREY FRESHWATER, MICHAEL BERTENSHAW, TONY ROBINSON, BRIAN ABBOTT, DANIEL BENZALI and PAUL GREENWOOD ….. CREDITS: Book by PAM GEMS; Sets and Costumes designed by DOUGLAS HEAP; Directed by HOWARD DAVIES; Produced by the ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY ….. DETAILS: Advertising handbills (heralds) were distributed or inserted into the playbills of other productions to help generate ticket sales for upcoming shows and events. This single page, two-sided handbill measures 5 3/4″ X 8 1/4″ inches and includes wonderful graphics, promotional text, excerpts from the “Financial Times” review, list of awards, performance schedule, ticket prices and booking information. The other side of the flyer promotes the West End revival of the GEORGE S. KAUFMAN and MOSS HART comedy “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” which shared the stage of the Piccadilly Theatre on alternate nights. It includes a photo of RICHARD GRIFFITHS and ZOE WANAMAKER, excerpts from several reviews, list of awards and booking information ….. CONDITION: This rare flyer is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
Jane Lapotaire “PIAF” (Edith Piaf) Zoe Wanamaker / Pam Gems 1980 London Flyer Read Post »
This is a rare programme (playbill) from the Original West End production of the PETER COOK and LAURIE JOHNSON musical revue “PIECES OF EIGHT” at the Apollo Theatre in London. (The production opened September 23rd, 1959 and ran for more than a year, closing October 29th, 1960.) ….. The ensemble cast included MYRA DE GROOT, PETER REEVES, JOSEPHINE BLAKE, TERENCE THEOBALD, VALERIE WALSH, PETER BRETT, FENELLA FIELDING and KENNETH WILLIAMS ….. CREDITS: Sketches by PETER COOK; Music by LAURIE JOHNSON; Additional Material by HAROLD PINTER, SANDY WILSON (“The Boy Friend”, “Buccaneer”, “Valmouth”, “Pieces of Eight”, “Call It Love”, “Divorce me Darling!”, “His Monkey Wife”), JOHN LAW, LANCE MULCAHY, LIONEL BART (“Oliver!”, “Blitz”, “Lock Up Your Daughters”, “Maggie May”, “Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’ Be”, “Twang”, “La Strada”), LENNY ADDELSON, EDWARD SCOTT, ROBERT GOULD, DOLORES CLAMAN and ANNE CROSSWELL; Sets and Costumes designed by TONY WALTON; Devised by MICHAEL CODRON and PADDY STONE; Directed and Staged by PADDY STONE; Produced by MICHAEL CODRON in association with NEIL CRAWFORD ….. DETAILS: The eight page program measures 4 7/8″ X 7 1/4″ inches and includes full production credits, cast list, scenes, musical numbers and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos or bios ….. CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
Peter Cook “PIECES OF EIGHT” Josephine Blake / Lionel Bart 1959 London Program Read Post »
(The production opened June 17th, 1948 at the Aldwych Theatre and closed January 15th, 1949 after 243 performances.).
Hermione Baddeley “A LA CARTE” Henry Kendall / Musical Revue 1948 London Program Read Post »
(The production opened. GREATREX NEWMAN, CLIFFORD GREY and NOEL SCOTT ; Music by GEORGE GERSHWIN (“Girl Crazy”, “Lady, Be Good!”., “Oh, Kay!”., “Funny Face”, “Rosalie”, “Strike Up the Band”, “Of Thee I Sing”, “Porgy and Bess”, “George White’s Scandals”). ).
George Gershwin “SHAKE YOUR FEET” Fred Astaire / Gwen Farrar 1927 London Program Read Post »