Tag: British Pathe News

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Time Travel Theatre: Let’s take a stroll around the West End – in 1975

Perhaps you, like me, dream of travelling back in time to see a particular show or star, and although some productions were filmed in some manner or other, most have been lost to the mists of time.

Here is just a fleeting chance to roam London’s West End in 1975, where we can stroll and admire the exteriors of some of London’s finest theatres, and see the shows that kept them going then.

You’ll catch glimpses of The Lyric, Globe and Apollo (all on Shaftesbury Avenue), the Adelphi and Vaudeville (on the Strand), and close by, the Strand, Duchess and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Enjoy this four-minute nostalgia trip, courtesy of British Pathe.

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Time Travel Theatre: Let’s go to the Little Angel Theatre in 1964!

The fantastic Little Angel Marionette Theatre in London’s Islington has been operating since 1960, delighting children for over six decades with their lovingly crafted puppets and imaginatively staged shows for younger audiences.

In 1964, British Pathe saw the value in filming a short tribute to the Theatre’s amazing contribution to children’s appreciation of theatre, as well as to the skills of the puppeteers themselves, in this brief visit to the theatre. Enjoy a trip back in time!

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Theatre archive; watch decorative plaster makers at work

If you, like me, have ever looked intently with pleasure at the beautiful plasterwork in many of our older theatres, then you will be intrigued to discover and enjoy this short film courtesy of British Pathe which details the process of casting elaborate plaster decoration for theatre walls and ceilings.

For anyone interested in, or wanting to know more about theatre plasterwork, further reading can be found in an interesting article by David Harrison here

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Time Travel Theatre: Celebrating Noel Coward’s 120th anniversary- and you’re invited to his 70th birthday!

In celebration of the 120th anniversary of his birthday, let’s remind ourselves of the author, actor and leading light of the English twentieth century stage, Sir Noel Coward (1899-1973).

The above footage was filmed on the occasion of his 70th birthday in 1969, exactly 50 years ago today. Anyone who was anyone in the theatre world paid homage to “The Master” at a gala reception at London’s Savoy Hotel. Sadly the footage has no sound as it was shot for British Pathé News who put a voice-over commentary over the sequences, as was their practice at the time.

So grab some canapes, crack open a bottle of bubbly/prosecco/Vimto/fizzy water, and let’s all celebrate Sir Noel Coward!

BONUS EXTRA

Here’s a clip of Noel Coward a few months later at the 1970 Tony Awards in New York being presented with an honorary Tony Award by the equally legendary Cary Grant.

With thanks to the original YouTube posters, British Pathé and MrPoochsmooch