King John - Newspaper Review, 1941
Title
King John - Newspaper Review, 1941
Date
29 July 1941
Description
Nottingham Journal opening night review and picture of King John by William Shakespeare at the Theatre Royal week beginning Monday 28 July 1941.
What's the story?
As this article points out, King John is a lesser seen historical play by Shakespeare, but this 1941 production from the Old Vic Company is reviewed extremely favourably.
The Second World War was now in its third year and reference is made to it in the review:
“A red-haired and foxy King John, as warped in mind and treacherous in his dealings as any Nazi leader today, was the interpretation of this royal personage which we were given by Ernest Milton.”
The star turn for this production was leading Shakespearean actress Dame Sybil Thorndike (1882 – 1976).
Despite an impressive roster of classic roles, Thorndike is perhaps most well-known for playing the title role in Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan in 1924, a part which was written specially for her and which she continued to play until 1941.
She was also an active pacifist and was a member of the Peace Pledge Union.
Thorndike is pictured here in costume with Nottingham actor Frederick Horrey, who played an English Herald in the play.
The Second World War was now in its third year and reference is made to it in the review:
“A red-haired and foxy King John, as warped in mind and treacherous in his dealings as any Nazi leader today, was the interpretation of this royal personage which we were given by Ernest Milton.”
The star turn for this production was leading Shakespearean actress Dame Sybil Thorndike (1882 – 1976).
Despite an impressive roster of classic roles, Thorndike is perhaps most well-known for playing the title role in Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan in 1924, a part which was written specially for her and which she continued to play until 1941.
She was also an active pacifist and was a member of the Peace Pledge Union.
Thorndike is pictured here in costume with Nottingham actor Frederick Horrey, who played an English Herald in the play.
Type
Newspaper cuttings
Location of item
Nottingham Local Studies Library
Rights
Nottingham Local Studies Library
Contributor
Researcher: Lynn Whitley
