The Lisbon Story - Programme, 1945
Title
The Lisbon Story - Programme, 1945
Date
16 July 1945
Description
Programme for World War Two musical The Lisbon Story by Harold Purcell and Harry Parr-Davies.
What's the story?
The Lisbon Story is a musical set against the background of espionage in occupied Europe.
The show opened at the London Hippodrome in June 1943 where it ran for 492 performances.
Most productions staged at the Theatre Royal at this time tended to be lightweight, escapist musicals. Whilst still a full-blown musical, with dance and ballet sequences, The Lisbon Story does have a World War Two setting and as the programme states, to forewarn the audience, recreates an air raid on stage.
It is also worth noting that dresses worn by leading actor Jessica James were designed by Norman Hartnell, who at this time was in his pomp as the designer and dressmaker for many members of the Royal Family.
This programme was loaned to the Theatre Royal by Lesley Brown from a collection of theatre memorabilia owned by her late father-in-law William Gordon Brown, a keen performer and member of Nottingham Operatic Society.
The show opened at the London Hippodrome in June 1943 where it ran for 492 performances.
Most productions staged at the Theatre Royal at this time tended to be lightweight, escapist musicals. Whilst still a full-blown musical, with dance and ballet sequences, The Lisbon Story does have a World War Two setting and as the programme states, to forewarn the audience, recreates an air raid on stage.
It is also worth noting that dresses worn by leading actor Jessica James were designed by Norman Hartnell, who at this time was in his pomp as the designer and dressmaker for many members of the Royal Family.
This programme was loaned to the Theatre Royal by Lesley Brown from a collection of theatre memorabilia owned by her late father-in-law William Gordon Brown, a keen performer and member of Nottingham Operatic Society.
Type
Programme
Location of item
Private Collection - Lesley Brown
Rights
Private Collection - Lesley Brown
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
