The Art of the Theatre Workshop

A book compiled and introduced by Murray Melvin

In 1953 a small company of actors led by Joan Littlewood arrived in London's East End for a six week season at the vacant Theatre Royal. The company's commitment to theatre for all still thrives at Theatre Royal Stratford East over half a century later.

The Theatre Workshop's influence on post-war British theatre is now legendary. Among the highlights were The Quare Fellow, A Taste of Honey, The Hostage, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T' Be and Oh What a Lovely War.

Much less well known is Theatre Workshop's equally strong dedication to design and production values, influenced by giants of European theatre such as Meyerhold and Piscator.

The Art of the Theatre Workshop is a collection of images by people working closely with the company in the early years. Over fifty photographs by John Spinner form the centre-piece of this collection, along with costume designs by Una Collins for Oh What a Lovely War and the innovative lantern slides for The Good Soldier Schweik by Ernest Brooks.

Murray Melvin, a leading member of Theatre Workshop, has created this precious archive from scattered sources and gives us an insider's view of a legend in the making.

Published by Oberon Books

To reserve a copy ring the Theatre Box Office on 020 8534 0310 or email tickets@stratfordeast.com: book price £20 + £2.85 pp.

PRICES including postage and packing:
for UK £20 + £2.85 pp
for EU £20 + £6.94 pp
for USA £20 + £14.95 pp
for AUSTRALIA £20 + £17.58 pp

for any other country please ring 0044 20 8534 0310 or email tickets@stratfordeast.com for further price details.

 

ListenNOW 

theatreVOICE interviews MURRAY MELVIN

Veteran actor Murray Melvin, who worked with the legendary Joan Littlewood and the Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in the late 1950s and 1960s. He talks to theatreVOICE co-editor Aleks Sierz about classic stagings such as A Taste of Honey, The Hostage and Oh What a Lovely War, as well as his new book, The Art of the Theatre Workshop (Oberon Books).

We thank Theatre Voice and Aleks Sierz for allowing us to feature Murray's interview on our web site.

© Murray Melvin 2007