The Entertainer
The Entertainer is a three-act play by John Osborne, first produced in 1957. Having depicted an "angry young man" in the earlier play, Osborne wrote at Laurence Olivier's request about an angry middle-aged man in The Entertainer. Its main character is Archie Rice, a failing music-hall performer. Years later, Tony Richardson, who directed The Entertainer's premiere season, described Archie as "the embodiment of a national mood ... Archie was the future, the decline, the sourness, the ashes of old glory, where Britain was heading." The first performance was given on 10 April 1957 at the Royal Court Theatre, London. That theatre was known for its commitment to new and non-traditional drama, and the inclusion of a West End star such as Olivier in the cast caused much interest.
The original programme for the play “The Entertainer”
Cranks
It all begins with an idea.
Revue written and devised by John Cranko. Music by John Addison.
New Watergate Theatre, London: December 19, 1955
Transferred to St Martin’s Theatre, London: March 1st, 1956
Transferred to the Duchess Theatre: May 28, 1956
Total of 223 performances
This landmark revue was first performed just before Christmas 1955 and upon receiving glowing reviews it quickly moved into the West End to the St. Martin's Theatre. Written and devised by John Cranko, a respected choreographer of the Sadler's Wells Ballet Company and John Addison who composed the score, Cranko's new wave revue had a style and approach of its own, and this followed the choice of musical accompaniment - a harpsichord, doubled with a piano, and a harp.
The cast were a deliberate mix. One black male and a white female joined two white men: Anthony Newley, with a score or so non-singing films under his belt, and ballet dancer Gilbert Vernon. The remaining two other performers were the American Hugh Bryant making his first appearance in Britain and Annie Ross, the jazz singer: both were replacements for the West End transfer but featured in the cast recording.
Cranks transferred to the Duchess Theatre in May and finally went to the Lyric, Hammersmith where it stayed until mid September eventually totaling a respectable 223 performances in London. Two months later it opened, cast intact, on Broadway at the Bijou Theatre.
Cast: Hugh Bryant, Anthony Newley, Annie Ross and Gilbert Vernon
The Guide to Musical Theatre
Popkiss
It all begins with an idea.
Original theatre poster advertising 'Popkiss' at the Globe Theatre in 1972. The play was a musical adaption of the classic 1920s farcical comedy 'Rookery Nook' by Ben Travers. Directed by Richard Cottrell with lyrics by Michael Ashton and music by David Heneker and John Addison.
Previews: August 10, 1972
Opening: August 22, 1972
Closing: October 14, 1972
Length of run: 65 perf.
Theatres: Globe Theatre London
Original programme for “Popkiss”
The Amazons
It all begins with an idea.
A new musical based on the play by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero.
Book by Michael Stewart.
Lyrics by David Heneker.
Music by John Addison.
Musical numbers staged by Irving Davies.
Director: Philip Wiseman
Settings: Robin Archer
Costumes Michael Stennett
The talents that created Hello Dolly (book by Michael Stewart), Tom Jones (film score by John Addison) and Charlie Girl (lyrics by David Heneker) are united in this charming Edwardian musical. Pinero’s famous farce of the three well-born young ladies who, in deference to the wishes of their father, have been brought up as boys, provides the perfect plot for this ideal Easter holiday entertainment.
Joan Turner leads the Company as Serjeant Shuter
Original programme for the play “The Amazons”
Hamlet
It all begins with an idea.
Cast
Richard Chamberlain as Hamlet - Michael Redgrave as Polonius
Margaret Leighton as Gertrude - Richard Johnson as Claudius
John Gielgud as the ghost - Ciaran Madden as Ophelia
Quote from Voltaire
“The tragedy of Hamlet… is a coarse and barbarous piece, which would not be tolerated by the basest rabble in France or Italy. Hamlet goes mad in the second act, and his mistress goes mad in the third; the prince kills his mistress’s father, supposing him to be a rat, and the heroine throws herself into the river. Her grave is dug on the stage; gravediggers utter gibes appropriate to their calling, holding skulls in their hands; Prince hamlet replies to their gross language with jests not less disgusting. During this time, one of the actors is conquering Poland. hamlet, his mother and his step-father tipple together on stage; people sing, squabble, fight among themselves and kill each other; one would think that this work was the fruit of the imagination of a drunken savage.”
Voltaire.