Texas Archival Resources Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Descriptive Summary

Scope and Contents

Restrictions

Administrative Information

Description of Series

Series I. Plays

Series II. Correspondence

Series III. Financial and Legal Records

Series IV. Photographs

Series V. Other Career Related Materials

University of Texas, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center

Frederick Harold Frith Banbury:

A Preliminary Inventory of His Papers at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center



Descriptive Summary

CreatorBanbury, Frederick Harold Frith, 1912-
TitleFrith Banbury Papers
Dates: 1926-1995
Abstract:The papers consist of scripts, correspondence, posters, programs, photographs, publicity clippings and scrapbooks, reviews, and financial records spanning the career of this British actor, director, and producer.
RLIN Record #
Extent59 boxes, 7 oversize boxes, oversize flat file (36 linear feet)
LanguageEnglish.
RepositoryHarry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin

Scope and Contents

The papers of British actor, director, and producer Frith Banbury, consist of scripts, correspondence, posters, programs, photographs, publicity clippings and scrapbooks, reviews, and financial records pertaining to his career from 1926-1995. The papers are arranged in five series: I. Plays, II. Correspondence, III. Financial and Legal Records, IV. Photographs, and V. Other Career Related Materials.

To understand Banbury's work is to comprehend a major portion of British theater history, most particularly London's West End. Banbury was educated at Stowe School (1926) and Oxford (1930), but his attention and affection quickly turned to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He received his certificate of completion in 1932, diploma in 1933, and first walk-on part the same year in Shalom Aleichem's If I Were You (Hard to be a Jew) at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Banbury continued acting for 14 years, appearing in John Gielgud's Hamlet in 1934, Robert Morley's Goodness, How Sad! in 1938, and numerous plays in London and the provinces. In 1947, quite by chance, he had an opportunity to return to RADA as a teacher. There he realized a talent and desire to direct, which he applied with vigor for the next five decades. For his first commercial endeavor, he chose Wynyard Browne's work, Dark Summer. Browne was the first of many new playwrights to be promoted by Frith Banbury.

One perspective which illustrates Banbury's tenure in the theater is to contrast the plays from his acting days with more recent themes he encountered as a director. When Banbury appeared in a farcical revival of the Victorian melodrama, The Streets of London, or, Poverty is No Crime in 1942, the program described the play as a "Stirring Melodrama...in which the Dastardly Doings of a Villainous Financier reduce an innocent family to the Brink of Ruin." Further, it promised a "STUPENDOUS AND TERRIFYING CONFLAGRATION" and a "VAST ENTERTAINMENT" that spared no expense. Nearly fifty years later in 1989, the London stage could tolerate Screamers, a comedic look at homosexual life in the 1960s which acknowledged the change in attitudes toward homosexuality that had transpired in intervening years. British theater had come a long way from the days of melodrama, vaudeville, revues, and censorship. Frith Banbury made the transition as well, both as a witness and participant in the history of the theater.

While the West End was the focal point of Banbury's career, his productions were seen in the United States as well as Dublin, Toronto, The Netherlands, Tel Aviv, Paris, Africa, and Australia. He worked with and promoted playwrights such as Wynyard Browne, Rodney Ackland, Christopher Taylor, Emlyn Williams, Dodie Smith, Terence Rattigan, Tom Stoppard, Robert Bolt, Alan Bennett, John Bowen, and Ray Lawler. He directed actors and actresses including Edith Evans, Sybil Thorndike, Coral Browne, Deborah Kerr, Celia Johnson, Vanessa Redgrave, Ingrid Bergman, Peggy Ashcroft, Margaret Sullavan, Wendy Hiller, Ralph Richardson, Kenneth More, Rex Harrison, Edward Fox, Paul Scofield, Michael Redgrave, Richard Todd, and Vincent Price. Through his company Firth Banbury Ltd., founded in 1948, he produced many new plays including Neville Croft's All the Year Round, Dido Milroy's Always Afternoon, Leonard Smith's A Chance in the Daylight, W. S. Merwin's Darkling Child, Frank Harvey's adaptation The Day After the Fair, Charles Nolte's Do Not Pass Go, Robert Bolt's Flowering Cherry, Noel Robinson's Glasstown, John Whiting's Marching Song, Norman Rosten's adaptation Mister Johnson, Errol John's Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, Christopher Taylor's adaptation My Darling Daisy, Basil Thomas's Shooting Star, Robert Bolt's The Tiger and the Horse, N. C. Hunter's Waters of the Moon, and Wynyard Browne's Dark Summer, The Holly and the Ivy, A Question of Fact, and The Ring of Truth. Revivals include J. M. Barrie's The Admirable Crichton, Jean Anouilh's Adrèle, Henry James's The Aspern Papers, Bernard Shaw's Captain Brassbound's Conversion, T. W. Robertson's Caste, Emlyn Williams's The Corn is Green, Jerome Kilty's Dear Liar, Dodie Smith's Dear Octopus, Rodney Ackland's The Old Ladies, Frederick Lonsdale's On Approval, Bernard Shaw's On the Rocks, Robert Sherwood's Reunion in Vienna, John Galsworthy's The Silver Box, and Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy.

The first and largest series, Plays, contains materials primarily representing stage plays. A few radio, television, and film productions are also included. A televised revue, Look Here, appeared in 1939, not in the post-war era as one might expect, but in the early days of television. Subseries A, Individual Productions, is arranged alphabetically by play title, or in a few instances, by repertory. Similar types of material document the plays so that a common arrangement was created to facilitate access to the collection. Following a logical, sequential order mirroring the development of the play, scripts appear first, followed by correspondence, posters, production photographs, publicity clippings, and reviews. This sequence is consistent for each title. The folder list identifies Banbury's role as actor, director, and/or producer along with the name of the playwright. The names of authors, adaptors, and collaborators along with the year(s) the play was produced are also given, as well as indication of premiere (P) or revival (R). The notation "P, London" indicates a London premiere, with a first performance appearing elsewhere. For example, The Bad Seed was produced in New York prior to its appearance in London under Banbury's direction. Unless stated otherwise, theatres listed are located in London. Some plays are represented only by scripts which were sent to Banbury for his comment. Nothing further on Banbury's part developed with them. Likewise, not every project that Banbury undertook reached fruition. A number of plays were considered by Banbury, some involving considerable work, but for one reason or another were never produced or directed by him. For these plays, no role is indicated for Banbury.

Subseries B contains scrapbooks and posters which describe multiple rather than individual productions. The scrapbooks date from 1926-1944 and, from 1933, cover Banbury's acting career. Included are programs, production photographs, and publicity clippings which supplement the material gathered for the individual productions in Subseries A. For example, the four-year run of the Perranporth Summer Theatre from 1936-1939 is well represented. Play titles in this series include To See Ourselves, Rope, Springtime for Henry, The Shining Hour, The Dover Road, Maria Marten, Lovers' Leap, Dangerous Corner, Goodness, How Sad!, The Importance of Being Earnest, Night Must Fall, Lady Audley's Secret, Private Lives, Suspect, Accent on Youth, Friendly Relations, Bed and Breakfast, and Hands Across the Sea. These scrapbooks provide an important source of additional information and should be used in conjunction with production material arranged by title.

While correspondence pertaining to individual plays is found in Series I, Banbury maintained separate correspondence files which retain their original order in Series II, Subseries A. Subject files such as "actors" and "actresses" are included as well as files of correspondence with individual authors, editors, playwrights, managers, and designers. Correspondence from 1944-1995, of a general nature and found outside Banbury's arranged files, is now present in alphabetical order by correspondent in Subseries B. Correspondence throughout the collection includes copies of letters written by Banbury to others as well as letters written to him. Correspondents include: Boris Aaronson, Rodney Ackland, James Agate, Michael Annals, William Armstrong, Nelly Arno, Peggy Ashcroft, Hermione Baddeley, Keith Baxter, Cecil Beaton, Hugh "Binkie" Beaumont (H. M. Tennent Ltd.), Alan Bennett, Vivienne Bennett, Michael Benthall, Ingrid Bergman, Elisabeth Bergner, Grey Blake, Robert Bolt, John Bowen, Richard Briers, Coral Browne, Wynyard Browne, Denis Cannan, Vinnette Carroll, Jane Casson, Lewis Casson, Mary Clare, John Clements, Fay Compton, Katharine Cornell, Cicely Courtneidge, Kerry Lee Crabbe, Wendy Craig, Roland Culver, Stephen Curtis, Clemence Dane, Maureen Delany, Charles Drew, Charles Duff, Edith Evans, Eleanor Farjeon, Herbert Farjeon, Anthony Firth, Robert Flemyng, Evelyn Ford, Raymond Gérome, John Gielgud, Ruth Gordon, Virginia Gordoni, Yossi Graber, Charles Gray, Alec Guinness, Albert and Frances Hackett, John Hallett, Gordon Hamilton, June Havoc, Nigel Hawthorne, Clarissa Henry, Katharine Houghton Hepburn, Jane Henderson, Eileen Herlie, Wendy Hiller, Harold Hobson, Jack Hulbert, N. C. Hunter, Earle Hyman, Celia Johnson, Deborah Kerr, Maynard Keynes, Gordon Latta, Ray Lawler, Margaret Leighton, Joan Littlewood, Margaret Lockwood, Arthur Lowe, Arthur Macrae, Alfred Marks, Mark Marvin, Annabel Maule, Geraldine McEwan, W. S. Merwin, Bernard Miles, Jack Minster, Kenneth More, Robert Morley, Sheridan Morley, Benedict Nightingale, Charles Nolte, Bill Owen, Reece Pemberton, Vincent Price, Luise Rainer, Margaret Ramsay, Tony Randall, Terence Rattigan, Andrew Ray, Michael Redgrave, Vanessa Redgrave, Beryl Reid, Ralph Richardson, Dorothy L. Sayers, Paul Scofield, Glen Byam Shaw, Dodie Smith, C. P. Snow, Tom Stoppard, Margaret Sullavan, Joan Swinstead, Jessica Tandy, Sybil Thorndike, David Tomlinson, Pieter Toerein, Frederick Valk, Ethel Wallace, James Ward, Emmanuel (Jimmy) Wax, Margaret Whiting, Emlyn Williams, Angus Wilson, and Diana Wynyard.

Financial and legal records are found in Series III, arranged in alphabetical order by play title or organization. These records contain bank and royalty statements, theatre returns, income and expenses, disbursements, agreements and contracts, and business correspondence. Records for Frith Banbury Ltd. are also present, from its inception in 1948 through 1978, including the Certificate of Incorporation, accounts, and minutes of the Board of Directors meetings from 1948-70. Directors included Frith Banbury, Wynyard Browne, and Emanuel Wax, with Marjorie Ida Sisley as Secretary of the company.

Series IV contains photographs of Banbury from 1932-1995 as well as other actors, actresses, and associates.

Other career related materials are found in Series V, including a holograph notebook containing Banbury's recollections; an article he wrote on Rodney Ackland for the National Theatre's production of Absolute Hell; articles about Banbury; correspondence and articles on Charles Duff's The Lost Summer dealing with the West End theatre and Banbury; an album of press clippings from 1956-70; and obituaries and other clippings saved by Banbury.

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Restrictions

Access

Open for research

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Administrative Information

Acquisition

Reg. no. 13578

Processed by

Liz Murray, 1996

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Frith Banbury Papers--Folder List

 

Series I. Plays

Subseries A. Individual Productions
The Admirable Crichton [FB director; play by J. M. Barrie] (R), 1988
boxfolder
11Script, director's unmarked copy
2Correspondence with Edward Fox; company addresses and telephone numbers
Poster, Theatre Royal Haymarket
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
3Programs, Theatr Clwyd Wales and Theatre Royal Haymarket, and playbill
4Souvenir program, Duke of York's Theatre, 1902
5Publicity clippings and review article
6Adventure! [FB as "Gerald Perkins"; play by Amicia Heming] (P), 1936.
Program, Victoria Palace Theatre
7Alice [FB NP; author Lewis Carroll, adapted by Vinnette Carroll], 1974.
Correspondence with Vinnette Carroll, Bret Adams and others re: proposed production
8Alice in Wonderland [FB as "White Knight"; author Lewis Carroll, adapted by Clemence Dane] (P), ca. 1945.
Program, Palace Theatre, and playbill
9Alice Through the Looking-Glass [FB as "Unicorn"; 1936; author Lewis Carroll, adapted by Nancy Price] (R).
Program, Little Theatre
All the Year Round [FB producer and director; play by Neville Croft] (P), 1951
boxfolder
110Script, director's working copy
Poster, Duke of York's Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
11Production photographs by Angus McBean
12Programs, The Duke of York's Theatre and Theatre Royal Brighton
13Publicity clippings, 1950-51
14Always a Little Further [FB as "Betty Costive"; lyrics and music by FB and others; George Divine production] (P), 1931.
Program, O.U.D.S. Cast includes Terry Rattigan, Jon Bayliss, and George Devine
Always Afternoon [FB producer and director; play by Dido Milroy, story by Shelagh Fraser] (P), 1950
boxfolder
21Script, director's working typescript
2Script, unmarked bound copy
Production photographs by Angus McBean
[removed to oversize, Box 61]
3Programs, Embassy Theatre, Garrick Theatre, and Theatre Royal Brighton
4Publicity clippings and review articles
5Anthony and Anna [FB as "Hubert Dunwoody"; play by St. John Ervine] (R), 1937.
Program, Richmond Theatre
Ardèle [FB producer and director; play by Jean Anouilh] (R), 1975
boxfolder
26Correspondence with Jean Anouilh, Coral Browne, Alec Guiness, Paul Scofield, Robert Whitehead, investors and others; auditions roster and suggested cast, 1974-75
Poster, Queen's Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
7-8Production photographs
[oversize photographs removed to Box 61]
9Publicity clippings and review article
The Aspern Papers [FB director, 1978 (McCarter Theater, Princeton) and 1984 (Theatre Royal Haymarket and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford); adapted by Michael Redgrave, story by Henry James] (R)
boxfolder
31Script, director's working copy, for Theatre Royal Haymarket production
2Correspondence, 1978 and 1984
3Rehearsal photographs and publicity clippings, McCarter Theater, Princeton, 1978
Posters, McCarter Theater, Princeton and Theatre Royal Haymarket
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
4Programs and playbills, Theatre Royal Haymarket and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford, 1984
5Publicity clippings, 1984
Assault [FB director; play by James Bradford] (P). Previously produced under the title Heat of the Moment, 1978
boxfolder
36Script, working copy
7Correspondence including Richard Todd, 1977-78
Poster, Churchill Theatre Bromley
[removed to oversize flat file]
8Publicity clippings
The Bad Seed [FB director; play by Maxwell Anderson, based on novel by William March] (P, London), 1955
box
3Poster, Aldwych Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
9-10Production photographs
11Program, Aldwych Theatre
12Publicity clippings
13Review articles
boxfolder
41Before Autumn [FB NP; play by John Hailstone]
Script, unmarked copy, no. 16
2Berkeley Square [FB as "Tom Pettigrew"; play by John L. Balderston and J. C. Squire] (R), 1938.
Program, The Intimate Theatre, Palmers Green
Big Fish Little Fish [FB co-producer and director; play by Hugh Wheeler] (P, London), 1962
boxfolder
43Correspondence
Poster, Duke of York's Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
4Production photographs
5Programs, Duke of York's Theatre, New Theatre Oxford, Theatre Royal Brighton
6Publicity clippings
7Review articles
8Bird in Hand [FB as "Cyril Beverley"; play by John Drinkwater] (R) 1944.
Program, production photographs, and publicity clippings, St.Martin's Theatre; program, The Cobham Dramatic Society, Stowe School (FB as "Mr. Blanquet"), ca. 1928
9Bligh [FB NP; play by Ray Lawler].
Correspondence re: proposed production, including Alec Guinness, Ray Lawler, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Paul Scofield, 1966-1971
10The Box [FB actor ("Wilkins"), play by Dorothy Hewlett] (P), ca. 1935.
Program, Kingsway Theatre
Brief Lives [FB investor; play by Patrick Garland, adapted from works of John Aubrey] (P)
boxfolder
411Script, inscribed "To Frith, from Patrick"
12Correspondence, 1961-74
boxfolder
51The Caine Rehearsals [FB C; play by Charles Nolte].
Script, unmarked copy
Captain Brassbound's Conversion [FB director; play by Bernard Shaw] (R), 1970-71
boxfolder
52Correspondence, audition schedules, and montage photograph of company, including Ingrid Bergman
Poster, Cambridge Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
3Production photographs by Angus McBean
4-5Publicity clippings, 1970-71
The Case of the Frightened Lady [FB director; play by Edgar Wallace] (R), 1992
boxfolder
56Script, two working copies and ground plans
7Audition schedules and show reports
8Program, Palace Theatre Watford
Caste [FB as "Captain Hawtree"; play by T. W. Robertson] (R), 1946-47
boxfolder
61Production photographs by Angus McBean
[oversize photograph removed to Box 63]
2Programs and playbills, Arts Theatre Cambridge, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Prince of Wales's Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton, Duke of York's Theatre, Grand Theatre Blackpool
Publicity clippings
[see clippings included in the Jacobowsky and the Colonel album, Box 23, folder 14]
3Review articles
4Catsplay [FB C; play by Istvan Orkeny], 1976.
Script, photocopy of printed version
5Ce Soir àSamarkand [FB NP; play by Jacques Deval], 1953.
Correspondence re: proposed production
A Chance in the Daylight formerly titled Without Ceremonies [FB producer and director; play by Leonard Smith] (P), 1960
boxfolder
66Script, carbon typescript
7Correspondence with Hugh Beaumont, Leonard Smith, Margaret Ramsay, 1958-66
Poster, Oxford Playhouse
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
8Programs, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Oxford Playhouse
9Publicity clippings
10Charles and Mary [FB as "Charles Dudley"; play by Joan Temple] (R), 1938.
Program, The Players' Theatre, Covent Garden
A Choice of Heroes [FB NP; play by Wynyard Browne]
boxfolder
71-2Script, two unmarked copies
3Correspondence, 1961-1963
4Club Sandwich [FB actor; sketches by Nicholson Soulsby] (P), 1938.
Program, The Players' Theatre, Covent Garden
The Corn is Green [FB director; play by Emlyn Williams] (R), 1985
boxfolder
75Script, director's working copy
6Correspondence, actor's resumes, audition schedules, ground plan, 1984-85
Costume designs with fabric swatches by Alan Tagg for Deborah Kerr
[removed to oversize, Box 63]
Poster, The Old Vic
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
7Programs, Theatre Royal Bath, The Old Vic, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
8Publicity clippings
9Crise Ministerelle ( Cabinet Reshuffle) [FB NP; play by Louis Gay].
Correspondence, 1975-77
10The Critic and the Heart [FB C; play by Robert Oxton Bolt].
Script, unmarked typescript copy
11The Cup of Trembling [FB as "Jaddua"; play by Grace Carlton] (P), 1937.
Program, Aldwych Theatre
12Cymbeline [FB producer; play by William Shakespeare] (R), 1947.
Program, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Dark Summer [FB director; play by Wynyard Browne] (P), 1947-49
boxfolder
713Script, director's working copy
Posters, Theatre Royal Brighton and Netherlands
[removed to oversize flat file]
14Production photographs by Angus McBean
boxfolder
81Programs and playbills, Grand Theatre Croydon, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, St. Martin's Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton, and Dutch tour
2Publicity clippings and review articles
3The Dark Tower [FB as "Barry Green"; play by George S. Kaufman and Alexander Woollcott] (P, London), 1933.
Program, Shaftesbury Theatre
Darkling Child [FB producer and director; play by W. S. Merwin in collaboration with Dido Milroy] (P), 1956
Scripts
boxfolder
84Director's working copy
5Unmarked typescript
6Unmarked bound copy
7Production photographs by Angus McBean
[oversize photographs removed to Box 63]
8Programs and playbills, The Arts Theatre Club
9Publicity clippings
10Dath [FB as "Balt"; play by Leslie Greene] (P), 1933.
Program, Ambassadors Theatre
The Day After the Fair [FB producer and director, numerous productions; play by Frank Harvey, based on short story by Thomas Hardy] (P), 1972-79
boxfolder
91Script, bound duplicated copy no. 23, with holograph notes insert
2-3Correspondence, 1971-74
4Correspondence, Australian production, 1978-80
Posters, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Australia; Lyric Theatre; Royal Alexandra Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
5-7Production photographs
boxfolder
101Photographs by Arnold Weissberger taken at Kennedy Center production
2Programs, Auditorium Theatre, Denver and Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
103Book I, 1972
4Book II, 1972-73
5Loose clippings, 1973-1979
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg [FB director; play by Peter Nichols] (P, Israel), 1968
boxfolder
106Correspondence, 1968-69
Poster, The Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv [removed to oversize flat file]
boxfolder
107Production photographs
8Program, The Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv
A Dead Secret [FB director; play by Rodney Ackland] (P), 1957-58
boxfolder
111Script, director's working copy
2Correspondence, 1957
3Correspondence re: Rodney Ackland accounts, 1950-61
Posters, Piccadilly Theatre
[removed to oversize Box 60]
Production photographs by Angus McBean
boxfolder
114Book I
5Book II
6Programs, Piccadilly Theatre and Royal Court Theatre Liverpool
7Publicity clippings, Book I, 1957
8Publicity clippings, Book II, 1958
boxfolder
121-2Review articles
Dear Liar [FB producer and director; play by Jerome Kilty, adapted from the correspondence of Bernard Shaw and Mrs. Patrick Campbell] (R), 1982
boxfolder
123Script, director's copy
4Script, prompt copy
5-6Correspondence and ground plans, 1981-82
Poster, Mermaid Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
7Production photographs
8Programs and playbills, Alexandra Theatre Birmingham, Mermaid Theatre, Richmond Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton, Theatre Royal Windsor, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford
9Publicity clippings
Dear Octopus [FB director; play by Dodie Smith] (R), 1967-68
boxfolder
131Script, director's working copy
2Correspondence with Cicely Courtneidge, Dodie Smith, and others
Posters, Golders Green Hippodrome and Haymarket Theatre [removed to oversize, Box 60]
boxfolder
133-4Production photographs
5Publicity clippings, Book I, 1967
6Publicity clippings, Book II, 1967-68
7Review article re: Cicely Courtneidge, 1972
The Deep Blue Sea [FB director; play by Terence Rattigan] (P), 1952
boxfolder
141-2Script, director's working copy, September 1951,
2 copies
Posters, Duchess Theatre and Morosco Theatre, New York
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
3Production photographs by Angus McBean
[signed oversize photograph of Peggy Ashcroft removed to Box 62]
4Programs, The Duchess Theatre; Morosco Theatre, New York; National Theatre, Washington, D.C.; Schubert Theatre, New Haven; Theatre Royal Brighton
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
145American production, 1952
6Book I
7Book II, 1952-53
8Review articles
The Diary of Anne Frank [FB director; dramatized by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett] (P, London), 1956-58
boxfolder
151Correspondence with Otto Frank and others
Posters, Phoenix Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
2-3Production photographs
4Programs, Phoenix Theatre and Theatre Royal Brighton
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
155Book I, 1956-57
6Book II, 1957-58
7Review articles
8Division [FB as "Giffard Stevens"; play by Oscar Cook] (P), 1934.
Poster & programs, The Shilling Theatre, Fulham
Do Not Pass Go [FB producer and director; play by Charles Nolte] (P), 1965-1966
boxfolder
161Script, director's working copy, carbon typescript
2Script, director's working copy, also titled "The Two Shot"
3-4Correspondence, script fragments, 1964-66
Poster, Hampstead Theatre Club
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
5Production photographs
[oversize photograph removed to Box 63]
6Programs, Cherry Lane Theater, New York and Hampstead Theatre Club
7Publicity clippings album (also contains review of The Unshaven Cheek)
Doctor's Joy [FB producer; translation by Charles Drew of Molière's Le Malade Imaginaire] (R), 1948-50
boxfolder
168Program, The Arts Council of Great Britain, various locations and dates
9Publicity clippings
10The Dominant Sex [FB as "Alec Winstone"; play by Michael Egan] (R), 1937.
Program, Richmond Theatre
11The Edwardians [FB as "John Spedding"; play by Edward Knoblock from the novel by V. Sackville-West] (P), 1937.
Program, Richmond Theatre
Enter a Free Man [FB director; play by Tom Stoppard, also titled Home and Dry] (P), 1968
box
16Poster, St. Martin's Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 60]
12Correspondence, audition notes, 1967-68
13Publicity clippings and review article
Equus [FB director; play by Peter Schaffer] (R), 1978
boxfolder
171Correspondence with Annabel Maule
2Production photographs, Donovan Maule Theatre, Nairobi, Kenya
3Publicity clippings
4Ever Since Paradise [FB producer; play by J. B. Priestley] (R), 1948.
Programs, Guildford Theatre and The Playhouse Amersham
Fallen Angels [FB director; play by Noël Coward] (R), 1983
boxfolder
175Script, director's working copy
6Correspondence, 1982-83
Playbill, with signature of cast and crew
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
boxfolder
177Program, Players State Theatre, Coconut Grove, Florida
8Publicity clippings and review articles
9The Faithful Shepherdess [FB as "Thenot"; play by John Fletcher] (R), 1933.
Program, The Playhouse Oxford
Family Matter [FB director; play by Noel Robinson] (P), 1976
boxfolder
1710Script, director's working copy
11Correspondence, publicity clippings, 1975-76
Poster, Watford Palace Theatre
[removed to oversize flat file]
boxfolder
1712Production photographs
13First Night [FB as "Michael"; play by G. Sheila Donisthorpe] (P), 1937.
Program, rehearsal and production photographs, The Arts Theatre
14Flat to Let [FB as "Tony"; play by Arthur MacRae] (R), 1938.
Program, The Intimate Theatre, Palmers Green
15Florence Nightingale [FB NP; play by John Bowen], 1976.
Correspondence, 1974-76
Flowering Cherry [FB co-producer and director; play by Robert Bolt] (P), 1957-1959.
Script, director's working copy
boxfolder
181Typescript
21957 production
31959 New York production
4Typescript page, Robert Bolt suggestions for character "Tom" in New York staging
5-7Correspondence with Hugh Beaumont, Robert Bolt, Jerome Chodorov, Margaret Ramsay, Ralph Richardson; budgets, audition notes, actors' headshots, and royalty statements
Posters, Golders Green Hippodrome, Haymarket Theatre, Lyceum Theatre
[removed to Box 64 and oversize flat file]
8Production photographs, Angus McBean
boxfolder
191Programs--Ford's Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland; King's Theatre, Edinburgh; Lyceum Theatre, New York; National Theatre, Washington, D.C.; Theatre Royal Brighton; and Theatre Royal Haymarket
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
192Book I, 1957
3Book II, 1957-58
4Book III, 1958-59
5U. S. tour, 1959
6Review articles
7Follow My Leader [FB as "Quetsch"; play by Terence Rattigan and Anthony Maurice] (P), 1939-40.
Program, Apollo Theatre
8A Fool and His Money [FB as "Tony"; play by Laurence Housman] (R), ca. 1935.
Program, Kingsway Theatre
Forty Years On [FB investor; play by Alan Bennett] (P), 1968-1969
boxfolder
199Correspondence, 1967-69
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
1910Book I, 1968
11Book II, 1968-69
boxfolder
201Book III, 1969
2French Without Tears [FB as "Kit Neilan"; play by Terence Rattigan] (R), 1939.
Program, Chatham Empire Theatre
3Frolic Wind [FB NP; new adaptation by Christopher Taylor], 1961.
Correspondence, 1961-62
4Frolic Wind [FB as "Mr. Charlecote"; play by Richard Pryce, adapted from the novel by Richard Oke] (R), 1943.
Poster, production photographs, and programs, Cambridge Arts Theatre and The Playhouse Liverpool
5The Gates of Summer [FB NP; play by John Whiting].
Script, copy no. 3, 1953
6The Gay Lord Quex [FB as "The Marquess of Quex"; play by Arthur Pinero] (R), 1943.
Poster, The Playhouse, Liverpool; program and playbill for The Pavillion, Torquay; and production photograph [poster removed to oversize flat file]
Glasstown [FB producer and director; play by Noel Robinson] (P), 1973
boxfolder
207Correspondence, press clippings, 1971-1975
Poster, Westminster Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
8-9Production photographs and album
10Programs, Cambridge Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre, Westminster Theatre
11Publicity clippings
The Good Sailor [FB director; play by Louis Coxe and Robert Chapman, adapted from the novel "Billy Budd" by Herman Melville] (P, London, although first appeared in New York as Billy Budd), 1956-57
boxfolder
211Script, director's working copy
Poster, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
2Program and playbills, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
3Publicity clippings
4Review articles
Goodness, How Sad! [FB as "Peter Thropp"; play by Robert Morley] (P), 1938-39
boxfolder
215Programs and playbills, Vaudeville Theatre and Wimbledon Theatre
Publicity clippings and review articles
[removed to oversize, Box 65]
The Government Inspector [FB as "Hlestakov"; play by Nikolay Gogol, adapted by Guy McCrone] (R), 1945
box
21Poster, Glasgow Citizens' Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
6Production photographs, program, and publicity clipping, Glasgow Citizens' Theatre
7The Guardsman [FB as "The Actor"; play by Ferenc Molnár] (R), 1943.
Program, with holograph notes, The Arts Theatre Cambridge
8Hail Variety! No. 1 Lion Comique, radio broadcast [FB participant; by Gale Pedrick], 6th April 1938.
Radio script for the B.B.C.
Hamlet [FB as "A Courier,""Francisco," and "Guildernstern"; play by William Shakespeare] (R), 1934 and 1937
boxfolder
219Programs, New Theatre (FB as "A Courier" with John Gielgud, Jessica Tandy, George Devine, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quayle), 1934; and The Intimate Theatre, Palmers Green, 1937 (FB as "Francisco" and "Guildernstern")
10Review article, 1934
11The Hangman [FB as "Apprentice"; play by Par Lagerkvist] (P), 1935.
Program, Duke of York's Theatre, and review article
Hassan [FB as "Willow" and "The Fountain Ghost"; play by James Elroy Flecker] (R), 1931
boxfolder
2112Production photographs and program, O.U.D.S., The New Theatre Oxford. Cast includes Peggy Ashcroft, George Devine, William Devlin, Hugh Hunt, and Terence Rattigan
13Review articles
Heat of the Moment see Assault
The Holly and the Ivy [FB co-producer and director; play by Wynyard Browne] (P), 1950-51
boxfolder
2114Script, director's working copy
15Correspondence, 1950-51
Posters, Duchess Theatre and Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
16Production photographs by Angus McBean
17Programs and playbills, Devonshire Park Theatre, Duchess Theatre, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Prince of Wales Theatre Cardiff, Theatre Royal Brighton
boxfolder
221-2Publicity clippings, Books I and II
3-4Review articles
Home and Dry, see Enter a Free Man
Howard's End [FB director; play by Lance Sieveking in collaboration with Richard Cottrell, based on the novel by E. M. Forster] (P, London), 1967
boxfolder
225Correspondence, audition notes, playbill, 1966-72
Poster, New Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
6Production photographs
7Publicity clippings
8The Huggetts Abroad [FB as "French Doctor"; film], 1949.
Still photographs and publicity clipping
I Love You, Mr. Patterson {alternate titles Something from Colette? and A Lot of Old Lies} [FB co-producer and director; play by John Bowen] (P), 1964
boxfolder
231Script, director's working copy
2Correspondence, 1963-64
Poster, St. Martin's Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
3Production photographs by Angus McBean
4Programs and playbills, St. Martin's Theatre
5Publicity clippings
The Idiot [FB as "Prince Lef Nicolaievitch Muishkin"; adapted by Ronald Barker from a novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky] (P), 1943.
Poster, Cambridge Arts Theatre [removed to oversize flat file]
6If I Were You (Hard to be a Jew) [FB actor (cast); play by Shalom Aleichem] (P), 1933.
Program, Shaftesbury Theatre
7Immortal Garden [FB as "Rylands"; play by H. C. G. Stevens] (R), 1937.
Program, Richmond Theatre
Imperatives [FB NP; play by Maggie Wadey], 1980-83
boxfolder
238Script, unmarked copy
9Correspondence
10The Importance of Being Earnest [FB as "Algernon Moncrieff"; play by Oscar Wilde] (R), 1940.
Program and playbill, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford
It's the Geography That Counts, see Listen James
Jacobowsky and the Colonel [FB as "The Gestapo Man"; play by Franz Werfel, adapted by S. N. Behrman] (P, London), 1945
boxfolder
2311Production photographs by John Vickers
12Program, playbills, poster, Piccadilly Theatre and Wimbledon Theatre
13Review article
14Publicity clippings (album also includes clippings for Caste and While the Sun Shines)
15Jam To-day [FB as "Peter Blakeston"; play by Denis Waldock and Roger Burford] (P), 1942.
Program and playbills, St. Martin's Theatre; review article
boxfolder
241Leonce & Lena [FB as "The Chief Courtier"; play by Georg Büchner, translated and re-adapted by Robin Anderson and Borge Jensen] (R), 1934.
Program, The Tempest Theatre at the Fortune Theatre
2Let's Face It [FB in revue cast; devised by Roy Rich] (P), 1939.
Program, The Chanticleer Theatre, and clipping
3Libel [FB as "Emile Flordon"; play by Edward Woll] (R), 1937.
Program, Richmond Theatre
The Life of the Party [FB co-producer and director; play by Ray Matthew] (P), 1960
Scripts
boxfolder
244Director's working copy
5Version approved by Lord Chamberlain's Office, includes Stage License
6Correspondence, 1959-61
Poster, Lyric Opera House Hammersmith
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
7-8Production photographs and contact sheets
9Program and playbills, Lyric Opera House Hammersmith
10Publicity clippings
boxfolder
251Listen James (known as It's the Geography That Counts) [FB NP; play by Raymond Bowers], 1957.
Correspondence, with notes on play by Christopher Taylor
A Little Bit of Fluff [FB director; play by Walter W. Ellis] (R), 1978
boxfolder
252Script, prompt copy
3Correspondence
Poster, Churchill Theatre, Bromley
[removed to oversize flat file]
4Publicity clippings
5Little Boxes [FB NP; play by John Bowen], 1967.
Correspondence
6Little Ol' Boy [FB as "A Monitor"; play by Albert Bein] (P, London), 1936.
Program, The Arts Theatre Club
7Look Here! [FB in revue cast; television program], 1939.
Review article
A Lot of Old Lies see I Love You, Mrs. Patterson
boxfolder
258Love of Women [FB as "Philip Vesey"; by Aimée and Philip Stuart] (P), 1935.
Program, playbill, and reviews, Phoenix Theatre
Love's Labour's Lost [FB producer; play by William Shakespeare] (R), 1954
boxfolder
259First night telegrams
10Production photographs
11Program, The Old Vic Theatre
12Publicity clippings and review article
Lucrezia Borgia [FB producer; opera by Gaetano Donizetti] (R), 1966
boxfolder
2513Correspondence
14Program, Wexford Festival Opera
15Publicity clippings
16Lucy Negro [FB NP; proposed musical], 1974.
Correspondence, 1974-75
17Major Barbara [FB director; play by George Bernard Shaw], 1982.
Program, Juilliard Theater, New York
18Major Barbara [FB as "Adolphus Cusins"; 1942-43.
Production photographs and publicity clipping, Arts Theatre
A Man for All Seasons [FB investor; play by Robert Bolt] (P), 1960-86
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
261Book I, 1960
2Book II, 1960-61
3Book III, 1961-63
Marching Song [FB producer and director; play by John Whiting] (P), 1954
boxfolder
264Correspondence
Poster, St. Martin's Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
5Production photographs
6Programs, Cambridge Arts Theatre, St. Martin's Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton
7Publicity clippings
8Review article
9"...Merely Players "[FB director; scene from Hearts and Trumps by Cecil Raleigh] (R), 1952.
Program, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (benefit performance)
10Milestones [FB as "Ned Pym,"" Lord Monkhurst") nd; play by Arnold Bennett and Edward Knoblock] (R).
Program, C.E.M.A. production (Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts, which later became The Arts Council)
Mister Johnson [FB producer and director; play adapted by Norman Rosten from a book by Joyce Cary] (P, London), 1960.
Script, second revised version, October 1957
boxfolder
271Typescript
2Director's working copy
3-4Correspondence, 1957-61
Poster, Lyric Opera House Hammersmith
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
5Production photographs
6Program and playbills, Lyric Opera House Hammersmith
7Publicity clippings, 1956-60
Mixed Feelings [FB NP; play by Donald Churchill], 1976-78
boxfolder
281-2Scripts, no. 17 and no. 21
3Correspondence, 1976-78
4Monsieur Moi [FB as "The Marquis de Brézé" and "Frochot"; play by Hugh Ross Williamson] (P), 1935.
Program, Ambassadors Theatre and Arts Theatre, and publicity clipping
Moon on a Rainbow Shawl [FB producer and director; play by Errol John] (P), 1958
Scripts
boxfolder
285Copy with emendations
6Director's working copy
7-81st and 2nd act, director's working copy
9Correspondence
Posters, Royal Court Theatre and Theatre Royal Brighton
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
boxfolder
291-3Production photographs by Angus McBean
4Programs, Alexandra Theatre, The Opera House Manchester, Royal Court Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton
5Publicity clippings and review articles
Motherdear [FB director; play by Royce Ryton] (P), 1980
boxfolder
296Correspondence
7Playbill, Ambassadors Theatre
Posters, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre
[removed to oversize flat file]
8Publicity clippings and review article
9Mrs. Beeton [FB NP; proposed musical, see also Sam and Bella], 1961-64.
Correspondence with William Sansom, Geoffrey Wright
10Mrs. Warren's Profession [FB NP; play by George Bernard Shaw], 1966-67.
Correspondence with Coral Browne and Julie Christie
My Darling Daisy [FB co-producer and director; play by Christopher Taylor, based on book "My Darling Daisy" by Theo Lang] (P), 1970
Scripts
boxfolder
301Original holograph manuscript
2-3Working copy (playwright's)
4Working copy, heavily edited, May 1970
5Unmarked copy
6-7Prompt copy
boxfolder
311-2Working notes and manuscript copy
3-4Script and script changes
5Stage manager's notes
6Correspondence with Theo Lang and Coral Browne; audition notes and rosters
Posters, Alexandra Theatre Birmingham and Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
[removed to Box 64 and oversize flat file]
Production photographs by Angus McBean
[oversize photograph of Lyric Theatre marquee removed to Box 64]
8Program, Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
9Publicity clippings
The New Ambassadors Revue [FB actor] (P), 1941-42
boxfolder
321Production photographs, program, and playbills, Ambassadors Theatre
2Publicity clippings
New Faces [FB actor, The Eric Maschwitz Revue] (P), 1940
boxfolder
323Production photographs, FB
Programs, Comedy Theatre Haymarket, Golders Green Hippodrome, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, and publicity clippings
[oversize newspaper clippings and review articles removed to Box 65]
Costume design by Berkeley Sutcliffe for FB performance in 2nd edition of "New Faces " at the Apollo Theatre, 1941
[removed to oversize, Box 62]
5Night Must Fall [FB director; play by Emlyn Williams] (R), 1980.
Production notes, production photographs, program, and royalty statements
6None So Blind [FB as "Secretary"; play by R. Comyns Carr & John Connell] (P), 1930.
Program and reviews, O.U.D.S.
The Old Ladies [FB director, play by Rodney Ackland] (R), 1950
boxfolder
327Production photographs by Angus McBean
Poster, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
8Programs, The Arts Theatre Cambridge, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Theatre Royal Brighton; sketch of set design and theatre returns
9Publicity clippings
On Approval [FB director, play by Frederick Lonsdale] (R), 1976-77
box
32Posters, Nico Malan Theatre, Cape Town, South Africa; O'Keefe Centre, Toronto; and Vaudeville Theatre
[removed to oversize flat file]
10Production photographs, South Africa
11Programs, Hamilton Place Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario and O'Keefe Centre, Toronto
12Publicity clippings
On the Rocks [FB director; play by Bernard Shaw] (R), 1969
boxfolder
3213Correspondence, audition notes, photograph of set
Poster, Gaiety, Dublin for the Dublin Festival
[removed to oversize, Box 64]
14Programs, The Opera House Manchester and Royal Court Theatre
15-16Publicity clippings
boxfolder
331Oscar Wilde [FB as "Eustace"; play by Leslie and Sewell Stokes] (P), 1936.
Program, Gate Theatre and publicity clippings
2La Parisienne [FB NP; play by Henri Becque, adapted by Ashley Dukes], 1983-87.
Correspondence
3Parnell [FB as "Captain William Henry O'Shea"; play by Elsie T. Schauffler] (R), 1937.
Production photograph and program, Richmond Theatre
Perranporth Summer Theatre [FB actor], 1936-38
box
33Posters
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
4Production photographs and programs
The Pink Room [FB director, play by Rodney Ackland] (P), 1952
boxfolder
335Correspondence, 1950-52
Poster, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
6Program, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith and Theatre Royal Brighton
7Production photographs and caricatures
8Publicity clippings
9Programme of Concert [FB participant], 1942.
Program, Ritz Cinema, Basingstoke (benefit performance)
A Question of Fact [FB co-producer and director; play by Wynyard Browne] (P), 1953
boxfolder
3310Correspondence, photocopy of set renderings, script revisions
Posters, Piccadilly Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
11Production photographs
boxfolder
341Production photographs
2Program, Olympia Theatre Dublin and Piccadilly Theatre
3Publicity clippings
4Review articles
Quinneys [FB as "Cyrus P. Hunsaker"; play by Horace Annesley Vachell] (R), 1940
box
34Poster, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre
[removed to oversize flat file]
5Program, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford
Reunion in Vienna [FB director; play by Robert Sherwood] (R), 1971-72
boxfolder
346Correspondence
Poster, Piccadilly Theatre
[removed to oversize flat file]
7Production photographs
8Publicity clippings
9Rich Man--Poor Man [FB as "Foley"; play by John Gliddon and G. K. Alan] (P), 1936.
Program, The Arts Theatre Club
10Richard of Bordeaux [FB as "Sir Richard" and "Sir John Montague"; play by Gordon Daviot] (FB on tour during London premiere), 1934.
Program, Brighton Theatre Royal, King's Theatre Southsea and Hammersmith, New Theatre Oxford
11Ridgeway's Late Joys [FB actor], ca. 1938-39.
Production photographs and programs [review removed to oversize flat file]
The Right Honourable Gentleman [FB director; play by Michael Dyne] (P, New York), 1965
boxfolder
351-2Correspondence, portion of script, contracts, stage designs, audition records
Poster, Billy Rose Theatre, New York
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
3Production photographs
4Program and playbill, Billy Rose Theatre, New York
5-6Publicity clippings
The Ring of Truth [FB co-producer and director; play by Wynyard Browne] (P), 1959-60
boxfolder
361Script, director's working copy
2Correspondence
Poster, Savoy Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
3Production photographs
4Program, Savoy Theatre
5Publicity clippings and review articles
Rise Above It [FB in revue; lyrics and music by Leslie Julian-Jones] (P), 1941
box
36Poster, Opera House Manchester
[removed to oversize flat file]
6Program and playbill for The Arts Theatre Cambridge and Royal Court Theatre; and review article
7Sainte Jeanne [FB as "La Trémouille, chambellan"; play by Bernard Shaw, French version adapted by Augustin & Henriette Hamon] (R), 1932.
Program, RADA Theatre
8Sam and Bella [unproduced musical about Bella Beeton; see also Mrs. Beeton], 1962.
Correspondence and typescript of story
9The School for Scandal [FB as "Joseph Surface"; play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan] (R), 1943.
Programs, Theatre Royal Bristol, production photographs, and publicity clipping
Screamers [FB co-producer and director; play by Anthony Davison] (Revised version), 1989
Scripts, October 1988
boxfolder
3610Rewritten version, unmarked copy
11Prompt copy
boxfolder
371Correspondence, 1988-89
Poster, Arts Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
2Production photographs
[oversize photographs removed to oversize flat file]
3Programs and playbills, Arts Theatre
4Publicity clippings
Shooting Star [FB producer and director; play by Basil Thomas] (P), 1949-50
boxfolder
375Script, director's working copy
Posters, King's Theatre, Glasgow and Playhouse Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
6Production photographs by Angus McBean
[oversize photographs removed to Box 63]
7Programs and playbills, Grand Theatre Wolverhampton, The Playhouse, Theatre Royal Norwich
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
378-9Book I-II and review article, 1949-50
10A Shriek to Melt the Texas Moon [FB C; play by Christopher Cooper Mathewson]
Script, copy #4, 1974
The Silver Box [FB director; play by John Galsworthy] (R), 1951
box
37Poster, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
11Production photographs by Angus McBean
12Programs, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, and Prince of Wales Theatre Cardiff
13Publicity clippings and review article
boxfolder
381Slow Dance on the Killing Ground [FB NP; play by William Hanley], 1964.
Publicity clippings
Smithereens [FB director; play by Rodney Ackland] (R), 1985
boxfolder
382Script, working copy entitled "Scenes!"
3Correspondence, 1984-85
Poster, Theatre Royal Windsor
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
4Program and playbill, Theatre Royal Windsor
5Publicity clippings and review article
A Soldier For Friday [FB actor, play by Reginald Beckwith] (P), 1943.
Poster, Cambridge Arts Theatre [removed to oversize flat file]
Something From Colette?, see I Love You, Mrs. Patterson
Squaring the Circle [FB as "Abram"; play by Valentine Katayev] (R), 1942
box
38Poster, Theatre Royal Brighton
[removed to oversize flat file]
6Program, The New Connaught Theatre, Worthing
7Strange Orchestra [FB as "Gordon"; play by Rodney Ackland] (R), ca. 1934-1935.
Program, "Q" Theatre
Streets of London [FB as "Paul"; play by Dion Boucicault] (R), 1942-43
box
38Poster, Orpheum
[removed to oversize flat file]
8Program, Orpheum Golders Green
9Summer Snow [FB as "Robin Vesey"; play by Aimee Stuart] (P), 1939.
Program from Richmond Theatre, playbill, and publicity clippings
10Susanna [FB as "Daniel"; play by Margaret Haythorne] (P), 1935.
Program, Kingway Theatre
11Sweet Lavender [FB as "Horace Bream"; play by Sir Arthur Pinero] (R), 1940.
Program, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford
12These Mortals [FB as "Hermes"; play by H. M. Harwood] (P), 1935.
Program, Aldwych Theatre
13Three Sisters [FB as "Captain Vladimir Solyary"; play by Anton Chekhov] (R), 1946.
Publicity clippings, B.B.C. broadcast
The Tiger and the Horse [FB co-producer and director; play by Robert Bolt] (P), 1960-61
Scripts
boxfolder
3814Director's working copy
15Unmarked file copy
16Correspondence, theatre returns, accounts, script revisions and audition notes
Poster, Queen's Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
boxfolder
391Production photographs by Angus McBean
2Programs, Queen's Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
393Book I and review articles, 1960
4Book II, 1960-61
boxfolder
401The Times [FB director; play by Arthur W. Pinero] (R), 1947.
Program, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
A Touch of the Sun [FB director; play by N. C. Hunter] (P), 1958
boxfolder
402Correspondence, 1957-58
Posters, Princes Theatre and Saville Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
3-4Production photographs by Angus McBean
5Programs, Princes Theatre, Saville Theatre, and Theatre Royal Brighton
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
406Book I, 1958-59
7Book II and review articles, 1957-58
Town and Country Lovers see A Woman's Touch
boxfolder
408The Toy Princess [FB as "Prince Saccharine"], (P), 1943-44.
Program, Arts Theatre Cambridge
Trelawny of the "Wells" [FB as "Ferdinand Gadd"; play by Arthur W. Pinero] (R), 1952
boxfolder
411Production photograph, FB
2Program, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
3Publicity clippings
[oversize clippings removed to Box 65]
4The Trial of Mrs. Beeton [FB director; sketch by John Mortimer], 1977.
Program, "Jubilee: A Theatrical Celebration," Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
A Trip to Scarborough [FB as "Lord Foppington"; play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan] (R), 1944
boxfolder
415Production photographs
6Program, Theatre Royal Bristol, and reviews
7The Twelfth Hour [FB C; adapted by Nicholas Moore from a play by Alexi Arbuzov] see A World of Doves.
Holograph playscript
8Two to Samarkand [FB NP; play by Evelyn Ford].
Script, unmarked file copy
9Uncle Vanya [FB as "Mihail Lvovitch Astrov"; play by Anton Chekov] (R), 1943.
Programs for The Playhouse, Liverpool and Westminster Theatre; playbill, poster, production photographs, photo of set design, and publicity clipping
The Unshaven Cheek [FB co-producer and director; play by Ray Lawler] (P), 1963
boxfolder
4110Script, prompt copy
11-12Correspondence
Poster, Theatre Royal Newcastle
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
13Production file
boxfolder
421Production photographs, contact sheets, and informal cast photographs
[stage set photographs removed to oversize, Box 63]
2Programs, Theatre Royal Newcastle and Edinburgh International Festival at the Lyceum Theatre
3Publicity clippings
Le Valet [FB director (mise en scène); play by Robin Maugham, adapted by Jacques Perry] (P), 1968
boxfolder
424Correspondence re: Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris production
Poster, Théâtre de la Renaissance
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
The Velvet Shotgun [FB co-producer and director; play by Christopher Taylor] (P), 1958
Script
boxfolder
425Director's working copy
6Working prompt copy
7Correspondence
Poster, Duchess Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
boxfolder
431Production photographs by Angus McBean
2Program, The Duchess Theatre
3Publicity clippings and review article
4Viva! [FB director; play by Andy de la Tour] (P, Durban, South Africa), 1989.
Correspondence, press clippings, and programs Durban NAPAC Drama Theatre
5Volpone [FB as"The Judge"; play by Stefan Zweig, adapted by Robin Anderson, based on Ben Jonson's Volpone] (P), 1934.
Program, The Tempest Theatre
6Waking Up Celia [FB NP; play by Drury Pifer], 1985.
Script, working copy and correspondence with Lee Menzies Limited
Waters of the Moon [FB director; play by N. C. Hunter] (P), 1951-53
boxfolder
437-8Scripts, director's working copies
9Correspondence and first night telegrams
10Set designs, ink/watercolor sketches by Reece Pemberton
Poster, Theatre Royal Haymarket
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
boxfolder
441Production photographs from Book I, by Angus McBean
[oversize photograph of Sybil Thorndike (with signature) and Edith Evans, removed to Box 62]
2Production photographs from Book II
3Programs, Theatre Royal Brighton and Theatre Royal Haymarket
Publicity clippings
boxfolder
444Book I, 1951
5Book II, 1951-53
6Review articles
While the Sun Shines [FB as "Lieutenant Colbert"; play by Terence Rattigan] (P), 1949
box
44Poster, N.A.A.F.I for H.M.F. Forces
[removed to oversize flat file]
7Production photographs
[oversize photograph of FB by John Vickers removed to oversize flat file]
8Program, Globe Theatre and publicity clipping of radio broadcast, April 15, 1949
Publicity clippings
[see clippings album, Box 23, folder 14]
The Wild Duck [FB as "Gregers Werle"; play by Henrik Ibsen] (R), 1943
box
44Poster, Cambridge Arts Theatre
[removed to oversize flat file]
9Program, Theatre Royal Bristol
10Publicity clippings
The Wings of the Dove [FB co-producer and director; play adapted by Christopher Taylor from the novel by Henry James] (P), 1963-64
Scripts
boxfolder
451-2Author's holograph manuscript
3Author's holograph notebook
4Bound carbon typescript, unmarked
5Director's working copy
6Notebook of script changes (C. Taylor)
7-8Correspondence, including Guy Bolton Robert Shaw, Jean Simmons, and Susannah York, 1961-65
9Correspondence re: Guy Bolton's adaptation
Poster, Lyric Theatre
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
10Production photographs
boxfolder
461Programs, Lyric Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton and Theatre Royal Haymarket
2Publicity clippings
The Winslow Boy [FB director; play by Terence Rattigan] (R), 1970-71
Scripts
boxfolder
463Bound volume, with author's changes
4Bound volume, unmarked copy
5Director's working copy
6Correspondence and audition notes
Poster, New Theatre, Oxford
[removed to oversize, Box 66]
7Production photographs
8Publicity clippings
8Without Ceremonies, see A Chance in the Daylight
boxfolder
471A Woman's Crowning Glory [FB as "Captain Betts"; play by Herbert Swears] (R), 1930.
Program, The Moor House (benefit performance)
A Woman's Touch [FB NP; play by John Hailstone] (Also known as Town and Country Lovers), 1978-79
boxfolder
472Script
3Correspondence
4A World of Doves [FB NP; play by Alexi Arbuzov] Title changed from The Twelfth Hour, 1961-63.
Correspondence
5The Wrong Year [FB NP; play by Alison McLeod], 1962-66.
Correspondence
6You Never Can Tell [FB as "Valentine"; play by George Bernard Shaw] (R), 1948.
Production photograph and program, Guildford Theatre
7Zig Zag Zelda [FB C; play by Drury Pifer]
Script
Subseries B. Multiple Productions
Clippings scrapbooks
boxfolder
478 1926-1927
box
48 1928
box
49 1929
box
49* 1933-1938
[*oversize poster of The Faithful Shepherdess removed to oversize flat file]
box
50 1938-1939
1940-1942
1942-1944
Posters
box
50*A Kind of Alaska, The Room, and The Dumbwaiter, Theatre Royal Haymarket, 1988
[*removed to oversize flat file]
Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, and Love's Labour's Lost, The Old Vic
[*removed to oversize flat file]
The Rivals, Dear Antoine, and Caesar and Cleopatra, Reunion in Vienna, Chichester Festival Theatre
[*removed to oversize flat file]

Return to the Table of Contents




 

Series II. Correspondence

Subseries A. FB's Arranged Files
boxfolder
511Actors
2Actresses
3British Actor Equity Association, 1971-76
4Browne, Wynyard, including memorial service, 1964
*Curtis, Steve
[*see Pieter Toerein]
5Ford, Evelyn, 1961-68
*Gerhardi, William
[*see C. P. Snow]
6Hunter, N. C.
7Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, esp. productions of Mister Johnson, The Life of the Party, and Lewis Allen, 1960s
8Managers and designers, 1945-82
9Mercury Theatre, 1962
10Merwin, W. S., esp. The Beggar's Room, 1956-58
boxfolder
521The Philanderer
2Playwrights and writers
3RADA, 1965
4St. Martin's and Bolton's Theatres, 1949-50
5Scripts, 1960-66
6Selected correspondence
7Snow, C. P. and William Gerhardi
8Toerein, Pieter and Steve Curtis
9Wyatt, Woodrow
Subseries B. General Correspondence
1944-95
boxfolder
5210A-H
11I-Z

Return to the Table of Contents




 

Series III. Financial and Legal Records

boxfolder
531ACTAC (Theatrical and Cinematic) Ltd., service agreement with FB, 1948
1The Admirable Crichton
1After the Rain
1All the Year Round
1Always Afternoon
2Ardle
3The Aspern Papers [1984]
3Assault
3The Bad Seed
3Big Fish Little Fish
*Billy Budd,
[*see The Good Sailor]
3Bligh
4Brief Lives
5Browne, Wynyard, contracts
6Captain Brassbound's Conversion
6A Chance in Daylight
6A Choice of Heroes
6Dark Summer
7Darkling Child
boxfolder
541-2The Day After the Fair
3A Dead Secret
3Dear Liar
3Dear Octopus
3The Deep Blue Sea
3Devil May Care
3Diary of Anne Frank
4Do Not Pass Go
4Family Matter
4First Love
5-6Flowering Cherry
boxfolder
551-2Forty Years On
1-2Frith Banbury Ltd.
1-2Accounts
3 1949-52
4 1959-78
5Agreements between Frith Banbury Ltd. and Frith Banbury Esq., 1950-53
6Certificates of Incorporation and Registration
7Minutes of Board of Directors meetings, 1948-70
8Miscellaneous
9A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
10The Good Sailor (called Billy Budd in America)
10Happy As a Sandbag
10Hampstead Theatre Club
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561The Holly and the Ivy
1Housekeepers and tenancies (Frith Banbury Ltd.)
1Howard's End
1I Love You, Mrs. Patterson
1It's the Geography That Counts
2The Life of the Party
2A Little Bit of Fluff
2The Little Red Fox
2Lyric Theatre Company, 1976 season
3A Man for All Seasons
4The Man in Question
4[Many's the Time] fabricated title to provide payment for Laurence Hugo's audition in London for the American production of A Day After the Fair
4Mister Johnson
4Moon on a Rainbow Shawl
4Motherdear
5My Darling Daisy
6The New Ambassadors Revue
6The Old Ladies
6On Approval
6On the Rocks
6Opus Two
7A Question of Fact
8The Right Honourable Gentleman
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571The Ring of Truth
2-4Screamers
5She Loves Me
5Shooting Star
5The Silver Box
5The Solid Gold Cadillac
5Taylor, Christopher
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581The Tiger and the Horse
2A Touch of the Sun
*Town and Country Lovers
[*see A Woman's Touch]
2Undue Influence
2The Unshaven Cheek
3The Velvet Shotgun
4Virginia
4Waters of the Moon
4When Did You Last See My Mother
5-6The Wings of the Dove
7The Winslow Boy

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Series IV. Photographs

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588*Frith Banbury, ca. 1932-1995
[*oversize photograph of FB removed to Box 63]
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591FB photographs (continued)
2FB with theater people, including Rene Asherson, Moie Charles, Alice Delysia, Hermione Gingold, Milton Goldman, Paul Hastings, Eileen Herlie, Wendy Hiller, Libby Holman, Deborah Kerr, Arthur Kober, Michael Langham, Kenneth More, Maureen O'Sullivan, Luise Rainer, Cyril Ritchard, George Rose, Alan Schneider, David Tomlinson, and the cast of The Day After the Fair
3Theater people including John Casson, Gladys Cooper, Rachel Kempson (wife of Michael Redgrave and mother of Vanessa, Lynne and Corin), Rosamund Merivale, Gertie Millar, Ginger Rogers, Yoma Sasburgh, George Bernard Shaw, Olive Sloane, Ellen Terry

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Series V. Other Career Related Materials

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594Holograph notebook, FB biographical notes, n.d.
5"Ackland and Absolute Hell," FB article on Rodney Ackland for Absolute Hell program, National Theatre, and related clippings, 1995
6Articles about FB
7Correspondence and articles re: The Lost Summer, Charles Duff's work about FB and the West End theatre
8"The Theatre Critics," by John Osborne in The Sunday Times Magazine, in which FB had a "part," October 16, 1977
9Press clippings album, 1956-70
10Obituaries and theater clippings saved by FB
11St. John, Orford. Two plays "Salad Sir" and "A Fool There Was," King's Mead School, Sussex, FB as actor, ca. 1919-1922
12Shaw, Bernard. Two articles, "The Theatre of the Future" and "Wagner in Bayreuth"
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60-66Oversize material

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