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1947 – New Theatre – The Life and Death of King Richard – SIGNED

£75.00

Date: 1947

Theatre: New Theatre, London

Performance: The Life and Death of King Richard II

Main Actors: Alec Guinness, Ralph Richardson, John Biggerstaff, Frank Duncan, Michael Warre and  Margaret Leighton

1 in stock

Description

Date: 1947
Theatre: New Theatre, London
Performance: The Life and Death of King Richard II
Main Actors: Alec Guinness, Ralph Richardson, John Biggerstaff, Harry Andrews, Frank Duncan, Michael Warre and Margaret  Leighton

 

This rare theatre programme of The Life and Death of King Richard II is signed: Alec Guinness, John Biggerstaff, Frank Duncan, Margaret Leighton and Michael Warre.

The performance was produced by Ralph Richardson. The cast list is presented across page 4 and includes very popular actors of the time including Alec Guinness. Alec Guinness (1914 -2000) was a prolific English actor of the 20th century, who, in his early days, was a popular Shakespearian stage actor, often working with John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier; after World War II he went on and became an extremely successful film actor. He starred in the classic Ealing Comedies and other well-known films such as Laurence of Arabia and the Star Wars trilogy. Because of his success and influence in British theatre and film industry he was awarded a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1959.

The programme includes interesting advertisements; the original black and white seal sticker still remains on the front and back cover. The programme has the printers stamp, written as ’12-5-47’ displayed at the bottom left of page 6.

The Life and Death of King Richard II, written by William Shakespeare, was performed by The Old Vic Theatre Company at the New Theatre on St Martins Lane, London. The New Theatre was built in 1903 by Sir Charles Wyndham. Sir Charles Wyndham employed the architect William G.R Sprague (1863 – 1933) to build his theatre. Mr Sprague had a successful career and was known for his work as a theatre architect. During its lifetime, the theatre has been renamed twice. In 1973 it was renamed the Albery Theatre after the manager of the theatre Sir Bronson Albery who ran the theatre for many years. In 2006 the theatre underwent a major refurbishment and was renamed Noel Coward Theatre after the famous playwright.

The programme is of smooth white paper, printed with black and red ink, consisting of 8 pages including front and back cover.

Approx. H18cm x W12cm

 

Condition Code: 4-5: No foxing tears or cuts. Original staples remain with very little rusting, resulting in pages being firmly secured. Date notation in pencil at top right of programmes cover page, presumably written by the original theatre-goer. The programme is in great condition for its age.