Theatre
Prowse, Philip (6 of 27) An Oral History of Theatre Design
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Type
sound
Duration
01:19:35
Shelf mark
C1173/03
Recording date
2005-11-01, 2005-11-09, 2005-11-16, 2005-11-23, 2005-12-07, 2005-12-14, 2005-12-21
Recording locations
Interviewee's home, Chelsea
Interviewees
Prowse, Philip 1937- (speaker, male)
Interviewers
O'Ryan, Lydia (speaker, female)
Abstract
Part 6: PP's remarks on role of designer, mentions David Bintley, 'Beauty and the Beast'. Recalls influence of teenage visits to Tate, National, and Cork Street Galleries; mentions purchase of print , Botticelli 'Mars and Venus'; profound influence of Diaghilev Exhibition (organised by Richard Buckle at Forbes House, Park Lane, London). Mentions Leonard Rosoman design for staircase, also fabrics by Miki Sakis. Comments on importance of lighting; collaboration with Gerry Jenkinson in Glasgow. Refers to Robert Stanbury at Slade School of Art. Remarks on design demands of Opera, Ballet, Theatre. PP refers to work done at Taynton, Gloucestershire for Currah Briggs music festival with Giles Havergal, leading to tenure at Palace Theatre, Watford. [PTW] Mentions unsatisfactory nature of earlier work situation and increasingly high production standards at PTW, including European premiere of ' Sweet Bird of Youth' Tennessee Williams, Harold Pinter's appearance in 'The Homecoming'. PP's description of circumstances relating to moving to work at Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland [CTG] , (GH's father head of Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama ); refers to Richard Eyre's [RE] tenure at Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and design for his production of 'The Seagull', Anton Chekhov. Description of PP's arrival in Glasgow, (refers to Great Western Road, Queen Margaret Drive and first sight of the Gorbals tenements). Detailed description of CTG auditorium. Comments on importance of practising one's theatre craft.
Description
Life story interview with Philip Prowse (1937-), theatre designer.
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