It is currently a very serious time for the arts. Please do consider checking out the links at the bottom of this post to see how you can support the theatre world.
A journey through theatre history. One programme at a time.
Following my previous post regarding the importance of theatrical connections, today I write about my passion for theatre programmes and how we can learn from them.
I have been collecting theatrical memorabilia for the past 20 years. For me, studying memorabilia is a very special way of charting the history of West End and regional theatre.
From modern, richly illustrated souvenir brochures to humble, ageing leaflets of the early 20th century, theatre programmes form the linchpin of my collection – a gateway into the history of theatre.
The magic of programmes stems from the inevitability that, over time, they are one of the last remaining links to performances of the past. Sat in the laps of eager audiences, as they’re whisked away to spectacular new worlds, the programmes would have witnessed some of the greatest performances in history; Danny Kaye playing the Palladium, Ivor Novello, Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave, Judi Dench in triumphant Shakespearean shows – each brochure sharing a space with these theatrical legends, to name only a few.
Programmes can teach us about the changing worlds, social dynamics and cultures of times gone by; adverts for cigarettes, alcohol and trendy bars of London permeate the pages of old programmes – a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors and their world. Theatre names such as the Comedy, Globe and Albery gradually give way to titles of the ‘Harold Pinter’, ‘Gielgud’ and ‘Noel Coward’ respectively as times and trends develop.
Brittle cream and brown colour palettes of the 20’s-40’s publications shift to glossy, rich brochures dripping with colour. Each style – from a basic cast list on a leaflet to a thick souvenir of modern musicals – can tell us a lot about not only the show they focus on, but the world in which that production inhabited.
By using my collection as a catalyst for further research into the history of theatre, musicals and plays, I hope to provide a personal insight and reflection of my experiences and musings.
Feel free to share your memorabilia or theatrical memories via the social media pages to spread the magic of theatre wider!
Tim Norman
IMPORTANT: The theatre world is in crisis due to the Coronavirus pandemic; please do consider checking these websites to learn how you can support the arts:
Comentarios