Collection search - Part 7, The Days of the Road

SHAW, Grace Lydiatt

1987-0416

Sound

1 of 1

1964-03-08

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

producer, Hugh Webster; narrator, Leon Pownall; narrator Alan McFee; production assistant, Elizabeth Barry; creator, Grace Lydiatt Shaw

While certain Canadian cities, like Montreal and Halifax, had enjoyed theatre from abroad very early on, the development of a good railway system encouraged large American and British companies to travel more extensively throughout the country. These were not just small troupes, but often massive travelling extravaganzas, or displays worthy of stars like Lillie Langtry, Sarah Bernhardt and Anna Pavlova. Opera, ballet, symphony and the classics all made their way across the continent by train-load, booked on large American or eastern Canadian circuits. By interviewing old stage-hands, front of house staff (a ticket-taker and an advance man) props people, and the performers themselves, the program describes the excitement and problems of these large-scale travelling shows.

English

Open

MSS 25997

No Restrictions / Pas de restrictions

with written permission of copyright owner : with permission of donorCBC Radio owns copyright on some of this material.