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Add MS 88983/8
- Record Id:
- 040-001882347
- Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
- 032-001882331
- MDARK:
- ark:/81055/vdc_100000000195.0x00015f
- LARK:
- SLARK:
- Format:
- ISAD(G)
- Reference (shelfmark):
- Add MS 88983/8
- Title:
- Newspaper Cuttings and Cartoons for 'Oh! Calcutta!' London Production
- Scope & Content:
- Contains extensive collection of newspaper cuttings spanning the lead-up to the play in 1969 and the press's reaction to the London performance in 1970. Cuttings taken from papers including The Evening Standard, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Express. Mention of difficulties in finding a venue for the play as many theatre owners were dubious about the play. Information about auditions for the performance (1970). Information regarding the personal lives of the cast (such as Jess Conrad and Linda Marlowe). Announcements that the play is to be held at The Roundhouse (1970 - 1971) due to the management's inability to find a West End theatre to accomodate the play. Interviews with Kenneth Tynan concerning his opinions on the London production as well as an interview with Tennessee Williams regarding his views on the play. Initial reviews seem mainly negative with headlines such as 'Calcutta's not so hot'. Articles referring to the involvement of Scotland Yard with the production (police visit the performance) and complaints lodged by individuals such as The Dowager Lady Birdwood, the Greater London Council and numerous religious individuals such as the Archbishop. Religious outcry in reaction to the production such as Bishop Stockwood who compares the script to the engravings on the wall of an asylum. He advocates that the theme for nudity within society causes 'the progressive degredation of man, of his dignity and reason'. This extends to the Vatican which also attacks 'Oh! Calcutta!' in August 1970. Comparisons with Lady Chatterley's Lover - 'Oh! Calcutta!' the dramatic equivalent. Short interviews with members of the public as well as famous people giving their reactions to the play. General opinion of the young being that the play was a bit shocking but not offensive. Information regarding the ruling against the banning of 'Oh! Calcutta!'. Letters to the editor (from various papers) demonstrating the public's reaction to the play in London as well as the scandal around the profits of Michael White's so called 'Angels' or the bankers who help fund the show which cost a total of £41,000 in production funds . Letter from Tynan in the press, responding to criticism of him creating his own publicity in New York and regarding complaints against the show (The Times, 30 July ). Interviews with Kenneth Tynan's wife and her opinions on the London production. Frequent references in many of the articles to Kenneth Tynan using the 'F' word live on television. Articles relating to the Attorney General who decided not to prosecute the show for obscenity as well as other legal involvement such as concerns over the play brought into the House of Commons by MP Peter Rost. Noel Coward: 'I found it tasteless. There is nothing more boring than erotica'. Reactions in the press to the banning of a televised extract of the play. Illegal film of 'Oh! Calcutta!' spread around 86 cinemas in the USA. Influence of 'Oh! Calcutta!' and the trend for nude shows which follwed. The influence of the play on other drama of the period, for instance nude versions of 'Macbeth' as well as numerous other titles beginning with 'Oh!'. Play attracts wide range of audiences, by 1971 coachloads of retired people and married couples are attending the performances.
- Collection Area:
- Western Manuscripts
- Project / Collection:
- Additional Manuscripts
- Hierarchy Record Ids:
- 032-001882331
040-001882347 - Is part of:
- Add MS 88983 : Michael White: 'Oh! Calcutta!' Archive
Add MS 88983/8 : Newspaper Cuttings and Cartoons for 'Oh! Calcutta!' London Production - Hierarchy:
- 032-001882331[0008]/040-001882347
- Container:
- View / search within Archive / Collection: Add MS 88983
- Record Type (Level):
- File
- Extent:
-
1 album
- Digitised Content:
- Languages:
- English
- Scripts:
- Latin
- Start Date:
- 1969
- End Date:
- 1990
- Date Range:
- 1969-1990
- Era:
- CE
- Access:
-
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- Physical Characteristics:
- Dimensions: A3
- Material Type:
- Archives and Manuscripts
- Legal Status:
- Not Public Record(s)