Case 1
- Prominent Entertainers Visiting Dunedin
Sir Harry Lauder. His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin, June 21, 1923.
This
case contains programmes for productions that featured prominent entertainers
who visited Dunedin during the 20th century.
Sir
Harry Lauder (1870-1950) was a Scottish music hall and vaudeville theatre
singer and comedian of international fame. Typically dressed in a kilt and
carrying a cromach, he was the first Scottish recording artist to sell a million
records, and, at his peak, the highest paid performer in the world.
Anna Pavlova. His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin, June 29, 1926.
Anna
Pavlova (1881-1931) was a Russian prima ballerina and choreographer who became
the most celebrated ballet dancer of her time. The company she formed in 1911
was the first to tour ballet around the world.
Saint Joan. George Bernard Shaw. His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin, Jan. 24-26, 1933.
Dame
Sybil Thorndike (1882-1976) was an English actress who toured internationally
in Shakespearean productions, often appearing with her husband Lewis Casson.
Bernard Shaw wrote Saint Joan
especially for her and she starred in it with great success.
Noel Coward: Patriotic concert. Town Hall, Dunedin, Jan. 22, 1941.
Noel
Coward (1899-1973) was an English playwright, actor, director, composer and
singer famed for his flamboyance and wit. During World War II he toured widely,
having been tasked by British intelligence to use his celebrity to influence
public and political opinion in favour of aiding Britain. His travels brought
him to Dunedin in 1941, in which year his London home was destroyed by German
bombs.
Under the counter. Book by Arthur Macrae; lyrics by Harold Purcell; music by Manning Sherwin. St. James Theatre, Dunedin, Sept. 18, 1948.
Cicely
Courtneidge (1893-1980) was an English actress of stage and screen, comedian
and singer. Produced by her husband Jack Hulbert, Under the counter was a highly successful comedy concerning the
post-War black market in luxury goods, which struck a chord with audiences
after the privations of war.
Under the counter. Book by Arthur Macrae; lyrics by Harold Purcell; music by Manning Sherwin. St. James Theatre, Dunedin, Sept. 18, 1948.
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Cambridge Circus (featuring John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie). New Zealand tour, 1964.
The
Cambridge Circus was a group of seven ex-Cambridge students who successfully
toured New Zealand in 1964. The show included pre-fame appearances by John
Cleese and Graham Chapman (later members of Monty Python), and Tim Brooke-Taylor
and Bill Oddie (later members of The Goodies).
Cambridge Circus (featuring John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie). New Zealand tour, 1964.
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