A Small Archive of Material Including Correspondence, Financial Records, Old French Sheet Music and Decorative Prompt Cards Relating to Geoffrey Staines, Director of the Theatre Royal, York Circa 1945-54

Staines, Geoffrey

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this small archive contains approximately items: (1) There are 7 items relating to Mr. Staines's stint as Repertory Producer at The Alexandra Theatre Bormingham. Included are 3 tyoed letters signed from Basil Thomas (2) and the General Manager (1) of the Alexandra Theatre regarding the terms of contract for his work as producer for the Derek Selberg Repertory Company & issues relating to other members of the cast. These are dated January & February 1945. In June of the same year a J.P. Flavell of "Castle Mona" in Coventry writes asking for Staines to fulfil a promise he made in an interview in 1942 in which he promised the immediate return of the the local repertory company. He is asked to make every effort to make this possible.There is a mss. double page lined wages sheet with details of the artists salaries for the week ending 14 Sept' 45. Two other letters, one from an accountant in London who he has asked to deal with his tax affairs & another from the Alexander Theatre with his earnings details to the end of November '45; (2) There are about 30 items pertaining to his work with the Theatre Royal, York from 1945-57 including 1945 & 46 mss. salary list; weekly summary of takings for various productions in 1949/50: Dick Whittington; 1951: Puss in Boots & Jack the Giant Killer; a folio salary sheet for the artists in Jack the Giant Killer & correspondence from a theatrical supplier in London re wigs for the same play; weekly summary takings sheets for Babes in the Wood & correspondence from the theatre regarding his pay & royalty fees in 1953; Weekly takings sheets for Aladdin & payments & royalties to Staines; a press cliiping from the Yorkshire Evening Post refers to Staines appearance on BBC TV & theatrical issues in 1954; there is a flyer advertising attractions at the theatre & a letter outlining his pay, bothin January 1957; (3) There are 13 pieces relating to the Opera House, Scarborough 1950-58 including weekly takings summary sheets, stage director's reports; a fine programme for Aladdin, December 26th, 1953; two telegrams with love from "Norah" in 1954; s letter from Lester on Equestrian Hotel Scarborough notepaper in September 1958 expresses surprise to read of his resignation from the Theatre Royal. there is a typescript of verse for "If murdering be required." (4) This section includes 5 typescript bound vols. of plays he produced: Sinbad, Aladdin (2), Jack the Giant Killer & Cinderella. These were his own working copies and most have notes and are highlighted & some have loose insertions; 38 almost postcard size cards with decoratively embossed borders with writing in black ink on each side. One side has what appears to be verse and the other has set numbers. They appear to be prompt cards and they look to be a lot earlier than the other material. (5) Finally there are 9 pieces of sheet music all in French: Un Amour comme Le Noir (Copyright date 1935); Pierre Dudan/Jack Hotte On Prend L'Cafe au Lait au Lit with text in French & Dutch (Copyright date 1940); Jacques Larue & Sylviano. Si vous voulez savoir (Serenade Espagnole). Copyright date (1943); Frenesie (1946); Franz Winkler. Etoile des Neiges (1950); Jacques Larue & Louiguy. Cerisier rose et Pommier blanc (1950); Jean Lenoir & J.R. Baltel & Alex Padou. Voulez vous Danser Grand Mere; Georges Guetary & Andrex. Beuscher Arpege Succes. a large folding sheet with a number of songs; A. Prevost & Fred Dolys. Le Chant de la Liberte sur les motifs de la Marche de L'Armee Secrete. The last 3 are undated. Range from fair to good with some writing & with signature of Mme Cadet (? or possibly Caolet?) & another signature on some of the covers. An interesting archive of theatrical material. Seller Inventory # 012192

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Small Archive of Material Including ...
Binding: Hardcover
Signed: Signed by Author(s)