Off-Centre Stages Fringe Theatre at the Open Space and the Round House, 1968–1983

by Schiele, Jinnie

• ISBN13: 9781902806433
• ISBN10: 1902806433
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-28
• Publisher: University Of Hertfordshire Press

Summary

Relating the histories of two important London fringe theatersthe Round House and the Open Spacewith the use of rare archives, this text offers a detailed look at these pioneering companies and answers key questions about performance space and its influence on the types of productions successfully presented. The work of maverick American playwright and director Charles Marowitz, who founded the Open Space Theater, is fully detailed, as is that of political playwright Arnold Wesker, who founded the Round House. Also explored is the role Thelma Holt played in the development of both theaters. Rare photographs of productions and a complete list of plays and events staged at the two venues are included.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vi
List of Illustrations	ix
Abbreviations Used	x
Preface	xi
PART 1 THE OPEN SPACE THEATRE
The History of the Open Space Theatre	3	(6)
Official Artistic Policy and the Permanent Company	9	(6)
New Forms: Adaptations and Collages	15	(27)
Environmental Pieces	42	(14)
New American Writers	56	(15)
New British Writers	71	(12)
Lunchtime and Late-Night Theatre	83	(7)
Personalities of the Management	90	(12)
Summary of the Theatre's Achievement	102	(17)
PART 2 THE ROUND HOUSE
The History of the Round House	119	(22)
Centre 42	119	(9)
Implementation of `The Seven-Year Plan'	128	(3)
Thelma Holt's Alterations	131	(10)
`The Wesker Years'	141	(24)
Brook's Themes on The Tempest	141	(2)
Arden and D'Arcy's The Hero Rises Up	143	(8)
Richardson's Hamlet	151	(3)
The Living Theatre and Freehold	154	(4)
Berkoff's Metamorphosis	158	(2)
Potter's The Son of Man' Genet's The Blacks; Wesker's The Friends	160	(5)
`The Hoskins Years'	165	(12)
Foreign Companies	165	(10)
Rock Musicals	175	(2)
`The Holt Years'	177	(13)
The Association with the Manchester Royal Exchange	177	(5)
Regional Theatre at the Round House	182	(2)
Summary of Holt's Achievement	184	(6)
Conclusion	190	(20)
Afterword	204	(6)
Appendix	210	(13)
Chronological list of Productions at the Open Space	210	(6)
Chronological list of Productions Presented by the Open Space in other Theatres	216	(1)
Chronological list of Main-House Productions at the Round House	217	(6)
Bibliography	223	(7)
Open Space Theatre	223	(3)
Round House	226	(4)
Index	230