Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 My last school trip was to the Playhouse in March or April 1966 to see Shaw's 'Saint Joan' as we were doing it for O Level. In the title role was the 31-year-old Judi Dench, and although I'm not sure any of us knew of her we did know Jimmy Thompson who played the part of the Dauphin and was well known for starring with Pinky & Perky on TV. A few other names that stand out in the cast are John Shrapnel, Ronald Hines (maybe best known for later being in 'Not in Front of the Children' on TV) and Harold innocent. I remember that Thursdays used to be early closing day in Nottingham, but it's interesting to note that Pearson's were closed all day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,529 Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Something surreal about advertising a Kenwood Chef during a production of St Joan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 5 hours ago, Cliff Ton said: Something surreal about advertising a Kenwood Chef during a production of St Joan. Well it did have twelve wonderful attachments. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2016 I hadn't intended to include this with it not being a Notts theatre, but as it's coincidental with the recent death of Brian Rix here it is. My next theatre trip happened to be to see one of his farces while on holiday in London - 21 July 1967. This was at the Garrick Theatre at the end of Charing Cross Road, just up from Trafalgar Square. I still have the ticket stub, and it cost 15 shillings for a seat in the stalls. We saw 'Let Sleeping Wives Lie', and I must say I can recall a lot more of this production than I can about 'Saint Joan' seen just a year before! None of the details of the plot though, just that it involved trying to keep some sort of secret from an American businessman. Some notable names in the cast, not least Andrew Sachs long before he became famous on TV, plus early 1950s British film star Derek Farr, Bill Treacher, later of EastEnders and Leo Franklyn - a Brian Rix regular - who was the father of William Franklyn. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,529 Posted August 22, 2016 Report Share Posted August 22, 2016 Had you realised that there is a local connection with that production ? Leslie Crowther was born in West Bridgford. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2016 Yes, and didn't he at one time go to the school on Haydn Road, Sherwood? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 Looking back it seems to have been a long time before my next theatre trip but it was only three years later, and it was when my theatre-going seemed to really begin. I wasn't sure whether Gilbert & Sullivan might be considered a little uninteresting and highbrow on this Forum, but in view of certain recent posts some may think it rather lowbrow! Anyway, I've always enjoyed the catchy tunes and humour, and can remember the days when Uncle Mac used to play 'A Policeman's Lot' and G & S would even turn up on such programmes as 'Family Favourites'. I thought about going when D'Oyly Carte visited the Theatre Royal in 1968 but didn't, however I took the plunge two years later when their next visit coincided with the first Nottingham Festival. I was completely hooked, partly with the whole theatrical experience and went to more performances than originally intended. Presented in repertory over the fortnight beginning 13th July 1970 were: Iolanthe The Yeomen of the Guard The Mikado Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore (double bill) Patience The Gondoliers Cox & Box and The Pirates of Penzance (double bill) I'm not sure whether any of the performers' names will be known - there were no stars as such, and the principal artistes were listed in alphabetical order (although with the gentlemen taking precedence over the ladies!) followed by the small-part players. I say there were no stars, but one or two of the names may be known, e.g. John Reed who played the principal comedy parts and as far as I'm concerned had more talent in his little finger than many much better known TV stars then or since. I booked seats for some performances in advance but mostly went in the Gallery (the 'Gods') where at that time you just paid as you went in at the entrance round the side towards where the Empire used to be. There was usually a queue before the doors opened half an hour before curtain up, and after handing over your 4/- at the pay box it was a mad scramble up the stone steps to get a good seat. I well remember my first experience of the Gods, being almost scared to move for fear of falling over the edge - standing up for the National Anthem (which was played prior to the performance in those days) was the worst part. But as I've written elsewhere, after going a few times and finding I still hadn't fallen over the edge I began to realise I wasn't going to and the height ceased to bother me. However, I much preferred to be on the front row as sitting elsewhere made my back ache with nothing to lean against - at least on the front row there was the option of leaning forward. This is the only picture I've seen showing the old Gallery: Finally, here's a page advertising some of the restaurants of those days: 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,386 Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 #33 That photo of the 'Gods' brings back memories! I've been up there many times as a child. The first ever visit was to see The Nutcracker performed by Sadlers Wells one Christmas. It was magical and I've never forgotten it. I, too, was a bit perturbed about the long drop over the edge but once the house lights were down, you forgot about it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,529 Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 #33 - Mr Pickwick's Old World Restaurant. Not one I remember. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,530 Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 I remember it, had a meal in there several times in early 70s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 Nor me - the Golden Egg across the road was more in my line! I did go to Le Gourmet once though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,386 Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 Who remembers the Cafe Duet on Broad Street? It was a stone's throw from the Cooperative Arts Theatre and usually full of amateur thespians and ballet students. It had a vast array of old pewter pots hanging from it's blackened beams and a stable type door behind which was the kitchen. I believe the entire building collapsed some time during the late 70s/early 80s and the site was cleared. There was a Chinese shop next door and Mr Moran, the baker, further along next to the Lord Roberts pub. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Braddy 160 Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 I remember Mr Pickwick's the food was bad, they had used frozen veg and instant mash. Never went back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 Went to the Moulin Rouge. 1963. First time I'd ever taken a girl to anything fancier than a chip shop. Can't remember if the food was that great. I was more worried about picking up the right knife and fork. :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Following that fortnight at the Theatre Royal I became something of a D'Oyly Carte 'groupie', in the next year or so travelling to see performances at places such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and even Oxford. Back in Nottingham, in the company's absence during 1971 I had to settle for other productions, including the first of the West Bridgford Operatic Society's annual productions I went to. Nottingham Operatic, of course, performed at least once a year at the Theatre Royal, but in my time (1970s/80s) they never did anything by Gilbert & Sullivan. The West Bridgford society did nothing else at that time, performing at the Co-Operative Arts Theatre on George Street, where I went in April 1971. They followed the D'Oyly Carte line in presenting 'Cox & Box' (words actually by F. C. Burnand rather than W. S. Gilbert) as a curtain-raiser to 'The Pirates of Penzance'. Here's a page of adverts - I remember it was James millinery shop where I had to get my ticket from. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Some great stuff here Merthyr... thank you very much! Was Jean Marsh in Frenzy too? Saw Gemma Jones in a play later in Nottm,a fine actress. She later appeared in Bridget Jones Diary. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 James Bride,the shop that is now /and always has been on Pelham st. Clarice & Peter chew ran this shop for yonks. If I recall they and previous relations were involved in marriage/millenary wear dating back to the 1860's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 I perhaps should have mentioned that Clarice and Peter Chew were both performers with the Society, Peter taking the part of Cox on this occasion. He is also listed as being a member of the Society's committee. Clarice was amongst the ladies of the chorus for 'Pirates'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 1 hour ago, iandawson said: Was Jean Marsh in Frenzy too? Yes, according to IMDB. Can't recall her in it, but I've not seen the film for ages. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 She was the straight laced Secretary at the dating agency. Great pics by the way! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Here's the photo apparently gone missing from post #1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,529 Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 It wasn't missing when I looked at it ! Still there at #43. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Post #1 not #43. It's still not there when I look at it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,529 Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 I was looking at the wrong one. Yes, it isn't there ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Conway V 0 Posted August 30, 2016 Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 So pleased to become new member of the Forum and amongst other experiences tap into people's memories over the years of the wonderful Nottingham Playhouse and other theatres in the area left, upon marriage, in 1957. As a child I was first taken to the Empire where George Formby played the ukelele. At the age of twelve it was to the Theatre Royal to see Julie Andrews in the pantomime Little Red Riding Hood (she signed a prized autograph book at the stage door). Teenage years spent at the nationally long gone and sorely missed "rep". In our case the old Playhouse. Believe we saw Judi Dench, then more or less the same age as ourselves, in productions there. Wonder whether anyone can substantiate this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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