BECKET At this performance the part of ‘Saxon Girl’ will be played by MEG RITCHIE See ace tae ee ae ee aT i Ss SsSseeSBsesessesess 7 oT . Ss a i Se oe 9 110 11 419ALDWYC THEATRE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY ee eteWhen you leave this Theatre... Make straight for the Waldorf Restaurant, adjoining this theatre, for a superb supper in a delightful atmosphere. Open until Midnight. RS | oS AVN Epyelsag Tia tiat trea loys ALOWICH, LONDON, W.C.2. TEtiple Bar 2400 2a HONG KONG EMPORIUM Here ‘you can obtain Oriental foods, delicacies, chinaware, faney goods, silks, umbrellas, lanterns and decorative articles. 53 RUPERT STREET, W.1 ‘Telephone : GER 8272 Nese lobe Theatre, Shaftesbury Aerie, WI Opea Daily 10 am. to 6 p.m. ‘Closed Thursdays at 1 pm. HONG KONG RESTAURANT ‘58-60 Shaftesbury Avenue, W.1 Fully Licensed Open 12 noni-12 midnight weekdays) I pm. (Sundays)‘CONTRACT TO THE ROYAL SUARESPEARE, THPATRE COMPANY Peggy Asheroft ‘Max Adrian Jan Bonen James Bree David Buck Patsy Byrne Patience Collier Roy Dottice Mavis Edwards Paul Hardwick Ian Holm Peter Jeffrey Richard Johnson Donald Layne-Smith Peter McEnery Erie Porter Ian Richardson Diana Rig Clive Switt Dorothy Tusin Patrick Wymark associare DIRECTORS Peter Brook Michael Elliott Donald MeWhinnie Peter Wood Desmoné Heeley Leslie Hurry ‘Sean KennyTAKE HOME Genuine sueve, aa olen | Send gat Leni atopy sale feseurade eet |31 Bavecame Pac, rarepton Rd, M3 PRA SS THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE NOW IN ITS FOURTH FABULOUS YEAR | ANNE ROGERS CHARLES STAPLEY | JAMES HAYTER | MY FAIR LADY ZENA DARE HUGH PADDICK CANNOT BE SEEN ELSEWHERE IN BRITISH ISLES BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 1962 Seats from 5]- to 25/- now available most performances (except Saturday evenings). Box Office (TEM 8108) open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ARE YOU AWARE.... ‘Ther THE REPERTORY PLAYERS have produced over 273 new plays on Sunday evenings luring the past 40 years in West End Theatres, that many of these plays have I subsequently ad successful runs, THE REPERTORY PLAYERS are now in association with the Society of West End Theatre Managers, and a few vacancies are available for audience membership. Pull particulars can be obinined {som the Secretary, The Repertory Players, 67 Chandos Place, London, W.C2 (TEMple Bar 3530)ALDWYCH THEATRE ALDWYCH, WC2 Managing Diretor = = = = = Paw Licensed by the Lord Chamberlain t0 - D. A. ABRAHAMS General Manager ape gin to ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY BECKET THE HONOUR OF GOD by Jean Anouilh re Jacl by Looe Hl London premiere 1th July, 1961. presented by the governors of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre STRATFORD-UFON-AVON Incorporated under Royal Charter Patron: Her Majesty The Queen President THE RI MON THE EARL OF AVON, KO, ¥C, MC Chairman SIR FORDAM FLOWER ORE, DL Director reren wattGood things made better by Morphy-Richards IRONS ROTARY IRONER TOASTER HAIR DRYER ELECTRIC SHAVER DOOR CHIMES ELECTRIC BLANKETS FOOD MIXER ELECTRIC SKILLET SUCTION CLEANER FAN HEATERS CONVECTOR HEATERS RADIANT FIRES, REFRIGERATORS SPIN DRYER ETM TEIUS] 50 Conduit Street, London, Wt.BECKET A Note on the Play ‘Thomas Becket is the King's constant companion in iunting and pleasure; he also tries to curb the excessive power vested in the Church and its Archbishop by England's ancient charter. He is the King’s true friend. They have much in common, as well as the usial differences that separate any friends. But he is deeply loyal to his Hege lord and the feudal ‘oath that binds him. He belongs 0 an age when human relations were hased, quite simply, on faith between man and man, The Archbishop dies, and the King tries to resolve matters to England's benefit by forcing Becket to take his place. Becket warns him ‘against such folly. “If I become Archbishop,” he tells him, “I cannot remain ‘your jriend.” But the King is adamant. So, om the evening of his election, Becket dismisses his concubines, sells his gold plate, horses and rich clothes to @ Jew; and having done so. puts on a homespun robe, invites the tocal poor to sup with him, and begins his struggle against the King whom he still loves. He has accepted the burden. The easy-going libertine, the realist who squeezed the Church's wealth into his King's cojfers, is now the guardian of God's Honour. All this I read one day in Augustin Thierry’s Norman Conquest of England, which I had bought solely for its handsome green binding. I was so delighted and moved by it that I looked no further. In the relationship between these two men, these close friends divided by one great absurdity — absurd at least to the more deeply loving — I already had my play. T hope the English will forgive me, not only for a few satirical digs which I couldn't resist, but also for never bothering to find out what Henry II, or even Becket, was really like, I created the King I wanted, and the ambiguous Becket I needed. T have since been told that poor old Augustin Thierry, and the contemporary chroniclers whose clumsy Latin he so faithfully quotes, have teen utterly superseded by modern, scientific history; for even history progresses, and the world of scholarship moves radiantly and rationally towards the Truth. Apparently Thomas Becket was not even of Saxon origin — one of the mainsprings of my play — he was a Norman, Was he in fact the son of the beautiful Saracen gis who saved his captive father from a Pasha during the Second Crusade? Is my song on the subject inaccurate, then? An inaccurate song! God forbid ! Everything, in fact, for a serious man, has collapsed, But 1 suppose Tam not very serious; after all, I work in the theatre... JEAN ANOUILHeT PEQQD PAGO SAMEERA RE MERE AE CNU AS xt | GOEHE KING HENRY OF ENGLAND HOMAS BECKET ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY BISHOP OF OXFORD BISHOP OF YORK GILBERT FOLLIOT Bishop of London SAXON FATHER SAXON GIRL ‘SAXON SON FIRST BARON SECOND BARON THIRD BARON FOURTH BARON WILLIAM OF CORBETL THE ACTION TAKES PLAGE IN ENGLAY (OF KING HEN! Muse by TAIN HAMILTON The ig of te Nana Aas aged sai AUR ACARI INURE Rue ‘The Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company | BECKET THE HONOUR OF GoD by Jean Anouith Ironlted by) Lclonne Hit characte im the one of their appearance camistorueR PLUMMER 4 ‘auc PoxTi SERVANTS | [DONALD LAYNE-SMITHE ‘QUEd Peg, sTaruns ‘You Pete RUSSELL even srrRRey ene ‘MAN DOWNER FREY Seaxne HEPRLE FRENCH | asa stacaneaoR A Stone MURCELL sd uve swier TDWARD. ARGENT ied Spe SECOND FREI Bune KING LOUIS Goneney STAVERT ti HOD PHILIP VOSS 4 TERENCE GREENIDGE { you! AND IN FRANCE DUS "1 OF ENGLAND. Directed by PETER HALL Seting and contmer by LESLIE HURRY Lightine by 3 The Royel Shakespeare Theatre Wind Bond: Leader ALEC WH ‘Mucie Director BRIAN PRIESTMAN THERE WILL BE ONE INTERVAL OF FIFTEEN 34 2 en, oxchend ‘om te Sates, own aoszee ot Be Choreourap Te hee] Stace Ratner! Kaymood Lepend Tishing Abs SHBBGOBSOO SOSI “ SOOO be Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company in BECKET by Jean Anouilh ranslted by)Eclenne Hilt a 8 Characters in the onder of their appearance be ecusmer AN OFFICER Grorrney stavenr z SERVANTS TO BECKET WittiaMt aust2s, tan CULLEN pe-socne QUEEN MOTHER WEN FFRANGCON-DAVIBS: bes YOUNG QUEEN Yvon noNNAuy fe PRINCES DANE HOWELL, HARRIE DAVIES per BTIENNE a monk BARRY MACGREGOR fx FRENCH PRIEST. G. stePHENs free FRENCH CHOIR BOY annie DAVIES xzcoe FIRST MONK. ALAN DOWNER ee SECOND MONK EDWARD ARGENT E. A PAGE PHILIP voss & FIRST FRENCH BARON WituinN AUSTIN SECOND FRENCH BARON aN cvLtzx KING LOUIS OF FRANCE Parice wrMan ‘ARUNDEL | J4MES KEEN - THE POPE oy pormice b ACARDINAL oronce muxcent poe A SENTRY ALAN DOWNER — i YOUNG SENTRY naany wacoRtcor [KES PLACE IN ENGLAND AND IN FRANCE DURING THE REIGN OP KING HENRY I! OF ENGLAND Direced by PETER HALL Setting and coatumes by LESLIE. HURRY boatToN, Lighting by JOHN WYCKHAM. Ue Shakespeare Thesire Wind Bend: Leader ALEC WHITTAKER ‘Mtwic Director BRIAN PRIESTMAN WILL BE ONE INTERVAL OF FIFTEEN MINUTES Le ational Anthem played tonight tas Been orchestrated and arranged FSR 8"H ERex tow aource of the melaly, 1740 [ eesener on the now stage and proscenium arch: Henry Bardon batee Grant Scripts Avner foba.Holmsom Eysand Leppard Tightiag Adviser? Joba Wyetham SSREBSOSS SSS SEES BOSCS OS SDSS QO SoNow you must see— Kenneth Williams One Over the Eight the hit revue “SCANDALOUSLY FUNNY ”—Evening News “SNAPPY AND GAY ”—Evening Standard DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE ST. MARTIN'S LANE ‘Telephone: TEMple Bar 5122 PEN! THE RUSSIAN SHOP London's unique centre for unusual gits from Russia * BEAUTIFUL DOLLS In the national costumes of Russia's fifteen republics FASCINATING TOYS Including wild birds and animals that whistle and grow! % EXOTIC HANDICRAFTS hhandzpainted and earved in metal and semi-precious stones Russiés Perfumes Watches! Balalakas Records! and lots more THE RUSSIAN SHOP 218 High Holborn, London, W.C.l. (2 mins. fom Kingswey oF Chancery Lane Stations)ALDWYCH THEATRE productions by the ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY BECKET by Jean Anouilh CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER ERIC PORTER GWEN FFRANGCON-DAVIES PATRICK WYMARK directed by Peter Hall “brilliantly theatrical” (Times); “another triumph” (Daily Mail); “dazzling . . . superbly produced and acted” (Financial Times); “magnificent, breathtaking theatre” (Daily Herald); “its grip never falters” (Daily Express). THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare VANESSA REDGRAVE DEREK GODFREY PATRICK WYMARK GEORGE MURCELL the 1960 Stratford Production “the best production of ‘The Shrew’ that I have seea” (Daily Sketch); “enormously enjoyable” (Daily Mail); “admirable” (Times); “rich and obstreperous” (News- Chronicle); “exceeding good” (Star). THE HOLLOW CROWN devised by John Barton FOUR LEADING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY A brilliant and unique entertainment by and about the Kings and Queens of England. “superb” (Daily Mail; “raptarously received . . .” (Evening News): “great golden rivers of enchantment and delight . .. We must, we must, we MUST see this again. And again, AND again.” (Daily Express). For performance details, please see daily press or obiain a leaflet from the Aldwych Bax Ofice or your Booking Ageat.WANT A QUICK DRINK?... THE Opera TAVERN IS THE NEAREST {TURN RIGHT AT THE STRAND THEATRE CATHERINE STREET ALDWYCH tHE ONLY opera TAVERN YOUMMASE VISIT GARNERS RESTAURANT FOR LONDON’S BEST SEAFOODGud STEAKS Situated at 27 WARDOUR STREET (Leicester Sq. end) GERrard 1287 NOW OPEN FOR SERVICE UNTIL 11.30 p.m.STRATFORD’S ILLUSTRATED PROGRAMME 'N 1961, this super’ publication is enlarged to no. less than 72 pages so that it includes Stratford’s London productions at the Aldwych ‘as well as those at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Nearly every page has colour; there are vivid photographs representing eleven pro- ductions; the article is by Mary Holland of Vogue; the high-gloss ‘cover is by Eden Box. It is by far Stratford's biggest and most ambitious illustrated programme, yet its price remains the same. Price: SIX SHILLINGS (or by post, one shilling extra). FOR STRATFORD'S ALDWYCH AND ROYAL SUAKESPEARE THEATRE STAFF PLEASE SEE BACK PAGE Tie nieratons o the weave wee casted out under the sieeribon of J: Lawson and Cn, oy Hah Suse Basioment ted Maskease Lad. Wie ty Wir Cremlons an Got, sicet by Anclo & Devde ‘rockin ty Kancc onder Wardrobe care by La Hoorermats Washicy Machine and seam or ry komt used in the wardabe supe Sy Hoover Listed. ex Ofices W. R. SHEEN 0am te 8 om. se TEM ar tne “The Management rsrvs the righ o face sGmiton, abo to make any aieratlon ia the est wiles may be ended TELS inet or oder untaulo chs THE ATTENTION OF STALLS PATRONS IS DIRECTED TO THE LARGE BAR AT THE REAR OF THE AUDITORIUM fy seers, Tana Uber eae bee ie Se gpen 2 Al sages and. sta ‘eke yao Sop 20, 68 GOO a eee Se bersoas hal Bor io any Scimmeances be pected lo saa ee a ca lat the ena or (eroh apy of the ber gmngrnga it san, be ermitat Be tater ena a ere et esc Salah usc Braid to, she member tated a eee. RARREE Hoa RRS TERS, hrats ‘out be lowered ane abe se presses ofeach diene ‘ REFRESHMENTS—Tbe Management desire to draw the attention of their patrons to the special service of Tea, pric 2s Od at matiness, and Coftee with biscuits, price 15, AI evening performances’ which ace. served ‘by the attendan’s, To facilitate service ‘Patrons are requested to order in advance. [A variety of sandwiches is avallable in the Stalls and Dress Circle bar.You must not miss... - SHANI WALLIS IRMA LA DOUCE Now IN ITS FOURTH YEAR. “EVEN BETTER AFTER THREE YEARS” “Sunday Timos LYRIC THEATRE GERrard 3686 The smesh musical success from the Shubert Theatre, New York CHITA RIVERA PETER MARSHALL in the Edward Padula Production of BYE BYE BIRDIE with ANGELA BADDELEY and MARTY WILDE HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE Wiiltehall 6606 PHYLLIS CALVERT ALAN BADEL MAGGIE SMITH DIANA CHURCHILL ROBERT HARDY THE REHEARSAL by Jean Anouilh ‘Translated by Pamela Honsford Johnson and Kitty Black sve one of the mett affecting things to be scon in London at the moment, ‘Thia is a. production to be secn end savoured.” ‘—Robert Muller, Daily Mail GLOBE THEATRE GERrard 1592 ROSS by Terence Rattigan “ALTOGETHER THE BEST-ACTED, BEST-WRITTEN PLAY IN LONDON” —Alan Brien, The Spectator JLLY WRITTEN AND BEAUTIFULLY ACTED"—Financi! Times ‘THIS 1S AN EVENING OF REAL IMPACT" — HAYMARKET THEATRE WHitehall 9832 AUTFor the infant, the schoolboy, the lover, the soldier, the Justice or the Jean and slippered— Mr. Therm’s instantaneous gas water heaters provide bath after bath after bath ‘There’s n0 work, no Worry, no waiting; just instant endless hot water: when and as you like it. See them as the gas showrooms, bath ‘eaters from about £18, or on easy terms. North Thames Gasei ee DESMOND HAL MAURICE DANIELS KEGAN SMI FRED TANEINS oHK COLLINS Pes ond Pattee JOHN GOODIFIS wi VINCENT TSARMALy Suaperaaie: 1uceres Az is GuDwyoH TasArRD wo Iomden Gemint 2anger JOIN. BORERTS inagir BA BRADSHAW. endow Sige Mover ETTH GREE Dopey Sewn Ben | owe Nanuet LEONARD JANES ‘Sige Maren ATISOUN PRONE Gatemig Umiget SBOARDO BEANO. Des Offce LESLIE MITCHELL Yoee Prauclon nus WARREN Mewowod NORMAN avREON