No. 467 - July/August 2009 Emeritus Life President: Vice President: Dr Wendy Toye CBE, Hon.D.Litt. Mr Nickolas Grace FCSSD, CLIPA 50p when sold

Outings with the Vic-Wells 16 July 2009 at 3pm: Bank of England: forms of live entertainment. Theatre and Tour of Museum Performance galleries dedicated to the performing arts display works of art, costumes, ephemera, video recordings, The Bank of England Museum is located 30puppets,September posters 2009and photographs.at 10.30am: Royal within the Bank of England in the heart of the Hospital Chelsea – Private Guided Tour City of . The museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central There are few institutions in the UK with an bank.The historical displays include material unbroken three centuries of service and none drawn from the Bank’s own collections of of them is so close to the heart of the nation books, documents, silver, prints, paintings, as ‘The Men in Scarlet’, the Chelsea banknotes, coins and photographs. There is a Pensioners, and their home the Royal display of gold, including Roman and modern Hospital Chelsea. Founded in 1682 by King gold bars, alongside pikes and muskets once Charles II and intended for the ‘succour and used to defend the Bank. Computer relief of veterans broken by age and war’, the technology and audio-visual displays explain Royal Hospital, with its Grade I listed 13the AugustBank’s present2009 at day 3pm: role. V&A: buildings, still serves its original purpose. Guided Tour of the New Theatre Gallery. Visitors are able to see the Great Hall, Octagon and Chapel, walk around Figure, College and Light Horse Courts and visit the The V&A’s Theatre Collections hold the UK’s BOOKINGS:Museum and Please Shop.book at least one month in national collection of material about live advance of the visit date, if possible. For each performance in the UK since Shakespeare’s visit, please send a cheque for £5 per person, day, covering drama, dance, musical theatre, indicating clearly which visit(s) you wish to circus, music hall, rock and pop and other attend, together with an SAE to Tim Rooke, 314B Park Road, London N8 8LA (0208 352 0492)

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Albert Finney as Hamlet, 1975 Annual members are reminded that theirst Photography: Antony Crickman (V&A Theatre Collection) subscriptions are due for payment on the 1 July. A renewal form is enclosed and further details may be found on the back page. Founded in 1923 by The Vic-Wells Association LILIAN BAYLIS CH., M.A. (Oxon) Hon., LL.D. (Birm) Hon. , Waterloo Road, London SE1 8NB Incorporating The Old Vic Association, SADLER’S WELLS, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN The Old Vic Circle, The Old Vic Club, (also at the PEACOCK THEATRE, Portugal Street, Kingsway, Sadler’s Wells Society, Sadler’s Wells Circle London WC2A 2HT) Shakespeare’s Birthday Party

th The party was held on Saturday 25 April in the second circle bar area of the Old Vic. Members enjoyed the usual excellent refreshments as well as wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee.Dancing The at ToastLughnasa this year was proposed by Niamh Cusack who was appearing in at the Old Vic. Members were enthralled by her speaking so James Ranger talks to cast members passionately a b o u t Venice Shakespeare’s plays, saying and concluding with ‘God save the how relevant King’. The third verse was, ‘God save our t h e y w e r e splendid men, Bring them safe home again, today to people God save our men, Keep them victorious, in all walks of patient andTwelfthchivalrous,NightThey are so dear to life. The plays us, God save our men’. On the evening of the have certainly same day, . The theatre then st th inspired her held a Shakespeare Birthday Festival from over the years April 21 to May 4 performing several w h e n s h e different Shakespeare plays and with Sybil andPhotosRussell by NickThorndike Panagakisand Ellen Terry in Niamh Cusack toasts the Bard performed as J u l i e t , the cast. James Ranger As You Like It, D e s d e m o n a and Rosalind in Note from the Hon. Secretary her favourite part, and other great roles. Most of the cast attended the partyand Members enjoyed talking to them. Many of you will who are e-mail users are Our thanks to both the Old Vic and the probably only too aware of the problem of ‘spam’, those messages you do not care to receive from people you do not know offering things you do not want. Even with a ‘spam filter’, (which is supposed to eliminate most of the unwanted messages), my e-mail address [email protected] is currently receiving from 30–40 spam messages per day. Having found no way of stemming the tide Sir Peter Wright and Members enjoy the speech of rubbish, I have decided to close the nunsacre e-address. In future, all e-mails concerning The Vic-Wells Association will Committee members who provided the be sent from a new e-address vic- refreshments. [email protected] has been specially Members will be interested to hear that, in set-up for this purpose.The BroadYousheetwill find the 1917, the Friends of the Old Vic hosted rda new address on the back page of this and performance in the theatre onAsMondayYou Like23It, future editions of with the atJulius2.30Caesar, pm King withJohn scenesThe fromMerchant severalof other officers of the Association.RichardPlease Reavilluse Shakespeare’ plays including it for any future communications you wish and 2 to make. Lilian Baylis Theatrical Excellence Awards they start to rehearse and the 7 plays are presented in the evening. The Association will make a Lilian Baylis The Old Vic New Voices club offers an Theatrical Excellence Award of £250 to one unrivalled professional development writer, one producer, one director and one programme of workshops and master actor. Subject to their professional classes for 18-25 year olds who are engagements, our judging panel will consist committed to a career in the theatre. The of our Vice President, Nicholas Grace, Honor highlight of their year is the 24 hour play Blackman, Joy Ranger and Steve Winter, cycle to be presented at the Old Vic on the who organises the event. The award is for evening of Sunday 25th July. Auditions are the recipients to widen their arts knowledge carried out in June with the final audition by attending art galleries, concerts, plays weekend at the end of the month. From the and other theatrical events and when the verymanyapplicantsthey choose 7 writers, money runs out they are asked to present a 7 producers, 7 directors and 30 actors. In a short report saying how the money was bonding weekend they form themselves spent. Members will be able to attend the intoseven ‘companies’. They all arriveth at the evening performanceth and tickets go on sale theatre on the evening of the 25 July for at the Old Vic on 24 June (ask for 24 hourth the companies to choose the subject of their plays, Old Vic New Voices, on Sunday 26 15 minute play. The actors go home and the July on 0870 0606628). WeJameshope to Rangersee as writers start to write during the night. Each many Members as possible in the audience. director is allowed 3 lighting and 3 sound cues. When the actors return in the morning NEWS from Sadler’s Wells Grammys and Tony awards for his SUMMER AT SADLER’S WELLS unforgettable show tunes), the production took almost three years to develop – alone the task of choosing music from the composer’s huge oeuvre proved The weather experts have promised us a monumental. Adam Cooper decided against beautiful summer this year – and Sadler’s involving singers in the show, convinced Wells promises you a luscious summer that a pure orchestral arrangement of the programme of dance, both in the theatre famous melodies would offer more dramatic and out of doors.ReturningAdamtoSadler’sCooperWells range and freedom, as well as the chance to in July isShallBritain’sWe Dancefavourite ballet dancer create a different kind of narrative. The and all round talent . He magical journey around the world will be presents , a spectacularRichardnew realised throughAdam sweepingCooper projections and Rogersdance show celebrating the most well- lavish costumesSarah for aWildor large cast whichEmma is known music from some of Simmsheaded by himself, his long- ’ best-loved musicals. Be transported term partner , and from the Orient to the Wild West by way of (who like them, attended the Royal Russian folk dance, New York Jazz and the Ballet School when she was young). He says delirious waltzes of a Viennese ballroom – it is ‘a spectacle’, a show that has dance at you’ll experience a trip around the world Shall We Dance its very heart and is defined by the different without ever leaving your seat! styles he has enjoyed dancing in a long and Lesis LiaisonsAdam Cooper’s Dangereusesfirst new prodigious career spanning principal roles production at Sadler’s Wells since hisRicharddance at the Royal Ballet and Billy Eliot, the film. Roadaptiongers of in Expect a summer spectacular, with lyrical 2005. Created as a tribute to classicism, tap dancing, Jazz, and big (who died in 1979, a Broadway numbers inspired by classic Broadway and legend, having won several Oscars, Emmys, 3 West End shows. SADLER’S WELLS – ON THE LAKE wild outdoors at Latitude. It’s absolutely the right time for these dynamic artists to be For the last few years, Sadler’s Wells has part of such a rich festival, especially in such Waynebuilt upMacGregora presence |a t Random the hippest, Dance most a setting. All the dancers will have Begoña Cao LatitudehappeningBre summerakin’ Convention festivals. It broughtBig swimming proficiency badges …” Chill to , to the Those who have to miss Carlos’s ; and inspired people to learn Salsa, Acostamagic moment on the lake might be happyCarlos Samba and Bollywood dancing in the toAcostaknow andthat Guestshe will Artistsalso perform in Glastonbury mud. ’s new show at the Coliseumnd th , from 22 – 25 Now, for the first time, Sadler’s Wells will July. Tickets are available both from Sadler’s Lisa Marie Bowler presentLatitudework onFestivala specially designed, Wells and the ENO’s box office. spectacularly beautiful floating stage on the lake at . At sunset in this stunning setting, three companies will take NEWS from The Old Vic to the stage to give a new and different Hofeshaudience Shechterthe chance to experience the diversity of work that Sadler’s WellsAssociatoffers.e The Norman Conquests Artists The– ArttheofyoungestNot Lookingand mBackost Firstly, some exciting news about Matthew recent of all Sadler’s Wells Warchus’ revival of . - shows Following its successful run at The Old Vic (set to Hofesh Shechter’s own composition the trilogy transferred to Broadway and with additional music by Nitin Sawhney, J.S. received a Tony Award for Best Revival of a HofeBachshand ShechterJohn Zorn). DanceInspired Companyby and made Play, the production also received a further for the world-class female dancers of the 6 Tony Award Nominations. , the Trevor Nunn Kevin piece is physical, complex and unrelenting, SpaceyNow for some news on our new season - in presenting the choreographer’s favoured September, will direct theme of ‘man againstPsychothe wStylezorld’ in a as HenryInheritDrummondthe Wind., in Jerome different and unnervingBreakin’light.ConventionA breakdance Lawrence and Robert E. Lee's grippingly crew from Edinburgh, , will relevant drama Two legal bring a taste of to the Titans confront each other when a Festival. Having competed and performed community puts freedom of thoughtInherit the on across the world, with a host of UK titles trial.WindConsidered one of the great American under their belts, they are continuing to plays of the twentieth century push the boundaries of hip hop dance and is based on the famous 1925 Scopes develop the art form – while never failing to 'Monkey' Trial in which science teacher thrill audiences with their death-defying John Scopes was accused of violating a stunts. In perfect contrast, theSwanthirdLakepiece in Tennessee state statute by teaching Charles the line-up will be the White Swan pas de Darwin's theory of evolution to his students. Begodeux fromña Caothe andsecond Jamesact ofForbat . This This production marks the 150th truly iconic piece of dance is performedEnglish by Anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s National Ballet , principal 'The Origin of Species' dancer and first artist in the In January 2010, David GrindleySix Degrees will direct of . As Emma Gladstone, JohnSeparationGuare’s adrenalin-fuelled, Olivier producer of the Latitude programme says: award-winning play “It will look like dancing on water – the . A sharp, vivacious take on two spectacle will be extraordinary”. Surely worlds colliding, the play is inspired by the every ballerina’s dream. real life story of a flamboyant con artist who Alistair Spalding is equally excited: “I’m managed to convince wealthy residents of really delighted for Sadler’s Wells to be able Manhattan’s Upper East Side that he was to take a leap out of the theatre and into the 4 the son of Sidney Poitier. The play originally debuted on Broadway in 1990 and in 1993 delighted to welcome two of Britain’s finest it was adapted as a film starring Stockard theatre directors back to our stage.”Finally, Channing - reprising her Broadway role - a quick reminderThe toCherry book yourOrchard tickets nowThe Donald Sutherland and Will Smith. This new forWinter’sThe TaleBridge Project. Our current production will be the first major London productions of and revival of the play in almost 18 years.Kevin (playing in rep until 15 Spacey, Artistic Director of TheRichardOld VicII August), have received some wonderful 4 commented “I had a wonderful experience and 5 star reviews, so be sure to book your working with TrevorInheritNunntheonWind. tickets now before it’s too late. and I am thrilled we’ll be reuniSix tedDegrees for thisof To keep up-to-date with news and timelySeparationproduction of David www.oldvictheatre.cominformation for all productions at The Old Grindley's production of Vic you can register with usRebecca at our websitePepper will, I am sure, be a highly anticipated event. These productions continue The Old Vic tradition of great plays and renowned creative talent and we're From the Archives

The Old Vic The OldMagazine Vic has recently found and allowed us to copy a number of early issues of and some programmes. Reproduced below is an article by which was published in the May 1929 issue of the magazine.

5 Why I won’t apologise for defending the Arts

by Kevin Spacey

I have watched as young children from the The creative industries lead the UK Old Vic’s neighbourhood have attended economy and are the envy of the world. workshops, school projects and community Having lived here for seven years I productions and seen them totally engaged genuinely believe that the UK’s pre- and enthralled. These are thousands of kids eminence inartsand culture constitutes one from low-income families, not some middle- of the nation’s most powerful natural class-onlyplayingfield. Thisistrue, not only resources. Many arts institutions are of our work at the Old Vic but of suffering and without political will and programmes the National Theatre, the public support some will struggle to survive and countless other institutions the chill winds of recession. We risk are providing“It’s inan London investment and beyond. allowing our cultural life to be diminished, in the future available only to the minority who can of our society” afford high West End prices or rarefied arts events.

So I make no apology for banging the drum to ensure that those who hold the purse Education through the Arts enriches the strings realise the value of the arts to our next generation, and not just of artists. economy, as well as to our collective soul. Theatre for example teaches young people to communicate, to resolve conflicts and to explore emotions. It’s not about whether these kids want a career in the arts when they grow up. These programmes can be good for business as they contribute to a wide range of interpersonal skills.Soit’s not a charity or empty philanthropy, it is an investment in the future of our society. Those of us in a position to make an argument for supporting arts and culture will continue to fight for the opportunities that we believe can enrich the lives of people all over this land. The curmudgeons Kevin Spacey who speak against art funding should Artistic Director, the Old Vic. realise that there are good hard working and honourable practitioners who want the Reprinted with thanks and with arts to reach as broad an audience as permission from newspaper. possible. If mainstream media such as TV and the internet can help, all the better. 6 WHAT’S ON Shall We Dance 23 July Sadler’s Wells 0870 737 7737

www.sadlerswells.com 30 June - 4 July Sidi Larbi CherkaouiSutra & Antony Gormley with monksDorianfrom Gray the ShallShaolin WeTemple Dance : 7 - 19 July Matthew Bourne’s 23 Jul - 30 Aug Falmenco: A sin Tribute Fronteras to RichardRosas Rodgers danst Rosas / Zeitung 1 - 5 Sept Paco Peña: Lost Action Bahok (Akram Kahn) 25 September 8 - 12 Sept Rosas: bahok 17-18Sept Crystal Pite’s Kidd Pivot: 25 - 26 Sept Akram Khan Company:

At the London Coliseum Lilian22 - 25 Baylis July StudioCarlos Acosta & Guest0870 Artists 737 7737 Stillen

24 - 25 Sept Lotte van den Berg: Peacock Theatre 0870 737 0337 Rossini Double Bill / The Rake’s Progress 4 - 12 Sept British Youth Opera: Insane in the Brain Scottish Ballet 1 October 15 Sept - 3 Oct Bounce: Old Vic Theatre 0870 060 6628

The Cherry Orchard / Thewww.oldvictheatre.com Winter’s Tale 23 May - 15 Aug InheritThe Bridge the Wind Project:

To18book Septtickets - 20 forDecall productions at The Old Vic: 0844 871 7628

REHEARSALS at SADLER’S WELLS

SUMMER 2009 In the spirit of Diaghilev 12 or 13 October

We recently enjoyed a photo shoot rehearsal with Rambert and full performance rehearsals, with orchestra, for two Northern Ballet Programmes and again for two English National Ballet Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev (1872 - 1929) programmes. Listed below are the potential rehearsal opportunities for the next few months which will all be in the afternoon. Not all of these may be open to Members so please check with Richard Reavill, tel: 0149187 2574 nearer the time or e-mail [email protected]. If you are on his e- Illustrations from the Sadler’s Wells website are used with permission mail list you will be informed automatically. 7 Paul Jesson and Sinead Cusack in Shall We Dance – “a show that has The Cherry Orchard, directed by Sam dance at its very heart” (see page 3 - Mendes, which runs at the Old Vic until th Summer at Sadler’s Wells). 15 August (see page 7).

WHO’s WHO in the Vic-Wells Association

Chairman: Hon. Treasurer: Hon. Social Secretary: Mr. James Ranger Mr. Neville C Taylor Kirsten Sheridan Cromer Cottage Flat 1 [email protected] Cromer, Stevenage 128 Gloucester Terrace Herts SG2 7QA London W2 6HP 0143 886 1318 0207 262 5898 [email protected] [email protected]

Hon. Secretary: Hon. Registrar: Hon. Editor: Dr. Richard Reavill Professor Liz Schafer Mrs Marjory Agha 7 Nuns Acre 372 Stroude Road 18 Pembroke Road Goring, Reading Virginia Water Kensington Berkshire RG8 9BE Surrey GU25 4DB London W8 6NT 0149 187 2574 0134 484 2836 0774 684 7126 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions run from July 1st each year and are therefore now due. The annual rate is £7.50 (reduced to £6.00 for OAP’s) Life membership is available for a single payment of £75.00. If you have not yet done so, please send your payment to the Hon. Registrar: Professor Liz Schafer, 372 Stroude Road, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4DB Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for your membership card (no SAE, no card!)

The copy deadline for the next issue of Please send items or letters for The Broadsheet is publication to any of the above contacts Saturday, 5th September 2009. to arrive before this date. Printed and distributed by The Ludo Press Ltd., 18 Wimbledon Stadium Business Centre, Riverside Road, London SW17 0BA