South Pacific - Programme, 1954
Title
South Pacific - Programme, 1954
Date
29 June 1954
Description
Selected pages from programme for the musical South Pacific, which ran for three weeks at the Theatre Royal in 1954.
What's the story?
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the cover of the Theatre Royal programme was a simple generic image, such as this ballet dancer. It is only when you open it up you can see what the actual show is. This can also reveal a little piece of history.
This is just a standard programme for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific taking pace in 1954. However, closer inspection reveals that one of the cast members, in a lesser role of Sgt Kenneth Johnston, is in fact Sean Connery.
South Pacific was his first professional theatre role, having previous taken on several jobs, including milkman and body-builder, as well as a stint in the Royal Navy.
Therefore, this programme is significant for marking the career start of one of the world’s most famous actors and movie stars – eight years before he became James Bond in Dr. No.
All this information was confirmed following contact with a Sean Connery Facebook fan page, who informed us when checking the information …
"You are absolutely right - we believe it was the first (or at the least one of the first) engagement Sir Sean got as an actor! All biographies mention the musical 'South Pacific' from 1954! We think he was part of the chorus. How nice & exciting that you found this! Congrats & Cheers to you & Team!
The team in question being our volunteer archivists and Pete Hewitt in particular for spotting Connery’s name.
This is just a standard programme for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific taking pace in 1954. However, closer inspection reveals that one of the cast members, in a lesser role of Sgt Kenneth Johnston, is in fact Sean Connery.
South Pacific was his first professional theatre role, having previous taken on several jobs, including milkman and body-builder, as well as a stint in the Royal Navy.
Therefore, this programme is significant for marking the career start of one of the world’s most famous actors and movie stars – eight years before he became James Bond in Dr. No.
All this information was confirmed following contact with a Sean Connery Facebook fan page, who informed us when checking the information …
"You are absolutely right - we believe it was the first (or at the least one of the first) engagement Sir Sean got as an actor! All biographies mention the musical 'South Pacific' from 1954! We think he was part of the chorus. How nice & exciting that you found this! Congrats & Cheers to you & Team!
The team in question being our volunteer archivists and Pete Hewitt in particular for spotting Connery’s name.
Type
Programme
Location of item
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
Rights
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
Contributor
Researchers: Pete Hewitt & Ian Webster
