Published in Windlesora 14 (1995)
© WLHG
Some 559 editions of Theatre Royal programmes, dating from 1948 to 1991, are to be found in the Royal Borough Collection’s Museum Store. Unfortunately, a few of the programmes are missing, but this does not detract from the overall collection. Also deposited there is a file containing indexed material of the theatre performances and advertisements from both Windsor and the surrounding area.
The programmes were recently donated to the Collection and contain a mass of material covering the history of the theatre and everyday happenings. These are recorded with humour and illustrated with many photographs.
Both the format and front cover were periodically changed. The 1948 programmes were priced at 6d with approximately 10-12 pages. By June 1991 the cost was £1 for 20 pages. Many editions have extra pages as they feature special productions, Royal visits, festivals, or the annual pantomimes, which are a very colourful and entertaining attraction to families over the Christmas holiday period.
In July 1948, John Counsell, licensee of the theatre, wrote an introduction to Curtain Up outlining the aims of the magazine, which were to keep its readers informed of activities, plans and problems, as well as wider ambitions. Articles often featured “off-stage” members of the company, past and present. A correspondence column for the public to air its views was introduced, and occasionally a theatre review was included. John Counsell’s articles were always worth reading, with his unique form of wit, in anecdotes and information. Also worth reading are “Sugar and Cream” from the Coffee Break.
A selection of items of interest:
| Julty 1948 | “Old Friends Make News” – members of the company – Avice Landon, Mary Kerridge, Peter Gray, William Mervyn Highlights of Windsor Festival Programme. Old Windsor Flower Club provided stage flowers “Policy or What We Are Up To” by John Counsell |
| November 1948 | “The exquisite Perdita Robinson lies buried in Old Windsor Churchyard” (died aged 26). |
| December 1948 | Pantomime: Toad of Toad Hall. |
| 24 July 1950 Vol. III, no 11 | Theatrical posters are the oldest form of advertising, illustrated by a simple theatre bill dated 1602 and a day bill of the Theatre Royal dated 1810. |
| 4 September 1950 | The theatrical history of Windsor by R P Mander. Windsor’s first leading lady. The article reveals that the theatre built in the High Street in 1793 was on the site of the Post Office of 1950 and replaced a small barn in Peascod Street. The first play was Everyone has his faults. |
| 18 September 1950 | “Wanted — a Wife” (An advertisement that once appeared in Windsor) “Sir John Dinley of Windsor Castle recommends himself and his ample fortune to any angelic beauty of good breed, fit to become and willing to be mother of a noble heir and keep up the name of an ancient family ennobled by deeds of arms and ancestral renown...” |
| 2 October 1950 | Entertaining article by R P Mander on Richard Thornton, manager of the Theatre Royal in the reign of George III including a photograph of that theatre. |
| 27 November 1950 | Edmund Kean, by R P Mander. |
| 23 December 1950 | Pantomime: Jack and the Beanstalk. |
| 22 October 1951 | “Other World than Ours” by Robert Digby. Picture of Colchester Repertory Company 1812. Thirteen years after the formation of Windsor Repertory Company the author tells a success story about creating a repertory company in Colchester. |
| December 1951 | Pantomime: Cinderella. |
| December 1952 | Pantomime: Robinson Crusoe. |
| December 1953 | Pantomime: Goody Two Shoes. |
| December 1954 | Pantomime: Mother Goose. |
| 30 April 1955 | Royal Visit |
| December 1955 | Pantomime: Babes in the Wood. |
| 19 March 1956 | The Windsorian Coaches advertisement in this edition was their last until June 1962. |
| 25 October 1958 | The Beggars Opera. |
| From here on the magazine is given the production number, rather than a volume and number. | |
| 30 July 1963 1030 | Announcement of the forthcoming publication of John Counsell’s autobiography Counsell’s Opinion to be published on 18 October at 25 shillings. |
| 25 November 1963 | John Counsell is awarded an OBE. |
| 29 November 1965 | “Au Revoir” to Arnold Pilbeam after 28 years. |
| 4 May 1976 1242 | Three Windsor Theatres of the Past by Paul Hanger. An article about Windsor’ s theatrical history. |
| 13 September 1977 | Princess Christian Nursing Home’s first advertisement. |
| 21 March 1978 1271 | Fortieth anniversary 1938-1978. Front cover photograph of the Queen. Flora Robson and John Counsell recall the first forty years. Caley’s first advertisement. |
| 21 March 1978 | Theatre Royal on Nationwide Television on 30th June. |
| 26 September 1980 1309 | Rattle of a Simple Man with Pauline Collins and John Alderton. |
| 26 March 1983 1346 | 45th birthday of the theatre – Article by John Counsell. Article on Eating Out in Windsor. Windsor and Maidenhead Lottery advertisement. (The lottery was giving support to the theatre) |
| 16 December 1983 1358 | Plants by W Wood replace Old Windsor Flower Club for floral decorations in productions. |
| 13 November 1984 | New Circle Bar at the theatre. |
| 21 May 1985 1378 | “Eighty Years Young” – John Counsell. A tribute and greetings from the Board of Directors and theatre staff. |
| 10 June 1986 1394 | John Counsell stepped down as Managing Director on 31 May 1986. A Tribute by Sir Charles Villiers. |
| 8 July 1986 1395 | 8 July 1986 “Pride and Jubilation” by Mark Piper: his first article since occupying the position held by John Counsell for 48 years. “Holiday Delights” by master baker Peter Myers and Colin Duffy (and a photograph by the external wall of their 1839 oven). |
| 27 January 1987 1403 | The new proprietor is The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. |
| 10 March 1987 1405 | Photograph and tribute to John Counsell following his death. A Tribute to his life is found in accompanying booklet. |
| 14 May 1987 1408 | Thanksgiving service held on 28 April at St Pauls’ Church Covent Garden. Remembrance and reception held at Windsor Guildhall. |
| 16 February 1988 1419 | A Fitting Tribute: A bust of John Counsell in the theatre foyer. New Managing Director: Mark Piper |
| 8 March 1988 1420 | Fiftieth Birthday 1938-1988. Many congratulatory messages and a look back 50 years – Mark Piper. |
| 14 March 1989 | “Plus ca change” – Mark Piper |
| 31 July 1990 | “Censorship” by J Johnstone |
| 4 June 1991 1466 | Rear view of the Theatre Royal before and after 1990 and details of the half million pound project. |
To conclude this brief look at the Theatre Royal programmes, it is interesting to note how many actors and performers who have been on stage have also been seen on our television screens, for example:
- 1948 – Gwen Whitby, Ruth Goddard, Malcolm Russell
- 1952 – Patrick Cargill
- 1962 – Mary Kerridge
- 1970 – Michael Dennison and Dulcie Gray
- 1978 – Elaine Stritch
- 1979 – Dandy Nicholls
- 1981 – Moira Lister, Glyn Houston, Barbara Murray
- 1985 – Phyllis Calvert
- 1989 – George Cole
- 1990 – Googie Withers and John McCallum
- 1991 – Patrick Mower, Hayley Mills
Ellen Dollery
Windsor Local History Group 