Another trip down memory lane, 50 years ago in fact. In the footsteps of Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair - the contemporary stage musical was a very 'happening thing'
But this program is not only a fascinating piece of Australian musical production history but just taking a look through the advertisements creates 'flashbacks' Qantas spruiking their 747B aircraft (The Service Is As Big As The Plane), Ansett (We Know About Flight), An invitation to visit The Crown during the interval (Ladies are even welcome in the Saloon Bar!) Dunhill cancer sticks, McWilliams products by the half gallon bottle!, Mother's Cellar in The Cross (Remember that one?) and Pan Am (Every Country Has An Airline, The World Has Pan Am)
Programme Guide - Stage Musical
GODSPELL (Rock Musical Based Upon The Gospel According To St. Matthew)
22 pages plus cover
Sydney premier 10th April 1972
The Richbrooke
Never heard of it? Not surprising really, it has had a colourful history.
Originally built in 1901 and known as The Concordia Club in Philip Street, Sydney city. 1911 it became a live theatre called Australian Hall, then in 1961 it became the Phillip Theatre, then it had another name change, this time The Richbrooke. By 1974 live theatre had ceased at the Richbrooke and it was converted into a film cinema (Rivoli Theatre) and following this yet more name changes until the last screenings were under the name of The Mandolin Cinema until it was completely closed in the early 2000's
As far as I can tell, the ONLY major stage musical undertaken at The Richbrooke was Godspell.
Hilton Bonner
John O'May
Jan Fosh
Christopher Pate
William Gluth
Marty Rhone
Sue Hollywood
Carmen Tanti
Jenny Lee
Peita Toppano
Sydney production by Betty Pounder
Musical Director: Rory Thomas
COSMETIC CONDITION:
In my view the programme is in good condition, not perfect but acceptable
Clean
NO pages are torn
NO pages are missing
NO personal writing
Stapled (2) pages, the staples are sound and secure
A couple of pages (the centre pages which give the actual programme) there is a small medium intensity black 'smudge'
Pages have light signs of 'foxing' where the paper has reacted with the environment causing the paper to slowly yellow and eventually turn brown.
I have now sealed it within clear plastic to maintain the condition and protect it from the environment.
