2003
1903
1865
2020

The Sleeping Beauty - Programme, 1959

Title

The Sleeping Beauty - Programme, 1959

Date

24 December 1959

Description

Full programme for The Sleeping Beauty, the Theatre Royal Pantomime for 1959.

What's the story?

This production of The Sleeping Beauty starred Jimmy Jewel as The King and Ben Wariss as Presto, the Court Jester.
Other members of the cast included Betty Emery, Dorothy Dampier, Charles Harris, Patricia Moore, Ernest Arnley and Joan Pethers.
Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss were first cousins and had a 32 year career as a double-act, appearing in numerous Pantomimes. Jewel was the more comedic half of the partnership, whilst Wariss was dubbed “the best straight main in the business”.
The Walt Disney animated film of The Sleeping Beauty was released earlier in 1959. Was this Pantomime chosen as a good title to capitalise on that film later on in the year?
On the back page of the programme it is interesting to note how the rise of television during the 1950s is now influencing our homes and interior design, with Goodwood Furnishers promoting Tele-Circle Sectional Upholstery – ‘Teleview in Comfort’.

Type

Programme

Location of item

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Rights

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Contributor

Researcher: David Longford

Format

14.5cm x 22.5cm