The London Stage 1940-1949

A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel, Second Edition

J. P. Wearing

Theatre in London has celebrated a rich and influential history, and in 1976 the first volume of J. P. Wearing’s reference series provided researchers with an indispensable resource of these productions. In the decades since the original calendars were produced, several research aids have become available, notably various reference works and the digitization of important newspapers and relevant periodicals.

The second edition of The London Stage 1940–1949: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel provides a chronological calendar of London shows from January 1940 through December 1949. The volume chronicles more than 2,400 productions at 53 major central London theatres during this period. For each production the following information is provided:

Title
Author
Theatre
Performers
Personnel
Opening and Closing Dates
Number of Performances

Other details include genre of the production, number of acts, and a list of reviews. A comment section includes other interesting information, such as plot description, first-night reception by the audience, noteworthy performances, staging elements, and details of performances in New York either prior to or after the London production.

Among the plays staged in London during this decade were The Light of Heart, Mr. Bolfry, Perchance to Dream, Pacific 1860, Bless the Bride, The Lady’s Not for Burning, The Late Edwina Black, Outrageous Fortune, Seagulls over Sorrento, and Buoyant Billions, as well as numerous musical comedies (British and American), foreign works, operas, ballets, and revivals of English classics.

A definitive resource, this edition revises, corrects, and expands the original calendar. In addition, approximately 20 percent of the material—in particular, information of adaptations and translations, plot sources, and comment information—is new. Arranged chronologically, the shows are fully indexed by title, genre, and theatre. A general index includes numerous subject entries on such topics as acting, audiences, censorship, costumes, managers, performers, prompters, staging, and ticket prices. The London Stage 1940-1949 will be of value to scholars, theatrical personnel, librarians, writers, journalists, and historians.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 722 • Trim: 8½ x 11

978-0-8108-9305-4 • Hardback • August 2014 • $293.00 • (£227.00)

978-0-8108-9306-1 • eBook • August 2014 • $278.00 • (£215.00)

Series: The London Stage

Subjects: Performing Arts / Theater / History & Criticism, Performing Arts / Reference

The London Stage 1940-1949

A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel, Second Edition

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Theatre in London has celebrated a rich and influential history, and in 1976 the first volume of J. P. Wearing’s reference series provided researchers with an indispensable resource of these productions. In the decades since the original calendars were produced, several research aids have become available, notably various reference works and the digitization of important newspapers and relevant periodicals.

The second edition of The London Stage 1940–1949: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel provides a chronological calendar of London shows from January 1940 through December 1949. The volume chronicles more than 2,400 productions at 53 major central London theatres during this period. For each production the following information is provided:
- Title
- Author
- Theatre
- Performers
- Personnel
- Opening and Closing Dates
- Number of Performances
Other details include genre of the production, number of acts, and a list of reviews. A comment section includes other interesting information, such as plot description, first-night reception by the audience, noteworthy performances, staging elements, and details of performances in New York either prior to or after the London production.

Among the plays staged in London during this decade were The Light of Heart, Mr. Bolfry, Perchance to Dream, Pacific 1860, Bless the Bride, The Lady’s Not for Burning, The Late Edwina Black, Outrageous Fortune, Seagulls over Sorrento, and Buoyant Billions, as well as numerous musical comedies (British and American), foreign works, operas, ballets, and revivals of English classics.

A definitive resource, this edition revises, corrects, and expands the original calendar. In addition, approximately 20 percent of the material—in particular, information of adaptations and translations, plot sources, and comment information—is new. Arranged chronologically, the shows are fully indexed by title, genre, and theatre. A general index includes numerous subject entries on such topics as acting, audiences, censorship, costumes, managers, performers, prompters, staging, and ticket prices. The London Stage 1940-1949 will be of value to scholars, theatrical personnel, librarians, writers, journalists, and historians.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 722 • Trim: 8½ x 11

978-0-8108-9305-4 • Hardback • August 2014 • $293.00 • (£227.00)

978-0-8108-9306-1 • eBook • August 2014 • $278.00 • (£215.00)

Series: The London Stage

Subjects: Performing Arts / Theater / History & Criticism, Performing Arts / Reference

Author

J. P. Wearing is professor emeritus of English at the University of Arizona and an internationally renowned theatre historian. He is the author of several books, notably volumes on the London stage including American and British Theatrical Biographies, An Index (2012), published by Scarecrow Press.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition
Introduction
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
References

Chapter 1: Productions 1940
Chapter 2: Productions 1941
Chapter 3: Productions 1942
Chapter 4: Productions 1943
Chapter 5: Productions 1944
Chapter 6: Productions 1945
Chapter 7: Productions 1946
Chapter 8: Productions 1947
Chapter 9: Productions 1948
Chapter 10: Productions 1949

Appendix
Title Index
Genre Index
Theatre Index
General Index
About the Author

Reviews

These volumes will be useful in academic and public libraries where theater students, writers, and theater historians will have access to their many treasures.
— American Reference Books Annual