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Orson Welles theatre credits

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This is a comprehensive listing of the theatre work of Orson Welles.

Orson Welles at the Mercury Theatre (1938)

There isn't one person, I suppose, in a million, who knows that I was ever in the theatre.

— Orson Welles to friend and mentor Roger Hill, July 21, 1983[1]: 143 

1918

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
July 10 Madame Butterfly Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, libretto
Giacomo Puccini, score 		Trouble Chicago Opera Ravinia Opera House Cleofonte Campanini [a] [1]: 58 [3]: 326 
1918 Samson and Delilah Ferdinand Lemaire, libretto
Camille Saint-Saëns, score 		walk-on Chicago Opera [b] [3]: 326 

1925

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1925 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Robert Louis Stevenson, novella)
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde Camp Indianola Governor Nelson State Park Orson Welles [c] [3]: 326 
1925 A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens, novella
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Scrooge Washington School, Madison, Wisconsin Orson Welles [3]: 326 [5]

1926

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1926 Nativity play Mary Todd Seminary for Boys Todd Seminary for Boys Roger Hill [d] [2]: 12 [3]: 326 
1926 The Servant in the House Charles Rann Kennedy Jesus Todd Seminary for Boys Todd Seminary for Boys Roger Hill [2]: 12 
1926 Dust of the Road Judas Iscariot Todd Seminary for Boys Todd Seminary for Boys Roger Hill [2]: 12 

1927

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May 27 It Won't Be Long Now Roger Hill, libretto
Carl Hendrickson, music 		Jim Bailey Todd Troupers Durand Art Institute Roger Hill [e] [1]: 135, 275–276 

1928

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May 5 Finesse the Queen Roger Hill, libretto
Carl Hendrickson, music 		William J. Spurns Todd Seminary for Boys Lindo Theatre, Freeport, Illinois Roger Hill [f] [1]: 135 [7][8]: 49–50 [9]

1929

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1929 Julius Caesar William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Mark Antony
Cassius 		Todd Troupers Todd Seminary for Boys Orson Welles [g] [3]: 327 

1930

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1930 Androcles and the Lion George Bernard Shaw, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Ferovious Todd Troupers Todd Seminary for Boys Orson Welles [h] [3]: 327 

1931

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1931 Winter of Our Discontent William Shakespeare, plays
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Richard III Todd Troupers Todd School for Boys Orson Welles [i] [j] [k] [3]: 327 [10]
October 13–31 Jew Süss Lion Feuchtwanger, novel
Ashley Dukes, adaptation 		Duke Karl Alexander of Württemberg Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [l] [m] [n] [o] [3]: 327 
November 3–14 The Dead Ride Fast David Sears Ralph Bentley Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [p] [3]: 328 
November 20–
December 5 		The Archdupe Percy Robinson Marshal François Bazaine
Mexican Colonel 		Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [q] [3]: 328 [17]: 105 
December 6 The Circle W. Somerset Maugham Lord Porteous Abbey Theatre, Dublin [r] [3]: 329 [17]: 105 
December 26–
January 9, 1932 		Mogu of the Desert Padraic Colum Chosroes, King of Persia Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [s] [t] [3]: 328 [19]
December 27 Alice in Wonderland USA Lewis Carroll, novel
William Sherwood, adaptation 		Peacock Players Peacock Theatre, Dublin [u] [v] [w] [x] [3]: 329 [17]: 102 [22]: 75 
1931 The Lady from the Sea Henrik Ibsen Dublin Orson Welles [3]: 329 [22]: 75 
1931 Three Sisters Anton Chekhov Dublin [y] [22]: 75 
1931–32 Hay Fever Noël Coward Dublin Orson Welles [3]: 329 
1931–32 Mr. Wu Harry M. Vernon and Harold Owen Mr. Wu Dublin Orson Welles [3]: 329 
1931–32 The Only Way Frederick Longbridge and Freeman Wills Dublin Orson Welles [3]: 329 
1931–32 Peer Gynt Henrik Ibsen Peer Gynt Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 The Father August Strindberg Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 The Rivals Richard Brinsley Sheridan Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 The Emperor Jones Eugene O'Neill Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 La locandiera Carlo Goldoni Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 The Play's the Thing P. G. Wodehouse and Ferenc Molnár Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 Man and Superman George Bernard Shaw Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 Grumpy Horace Hodges and T. Wrigley Percival Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 The Makropulos Affair Karel Čapek Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 The Dover Road A. A. Milne Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 Volpone Ben Jonson Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 Rope Patrick Hamilton Ronald Kentley Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 Richard III William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 Macbeth William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 Timon of Athens William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 
1931–32 King John William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [3]: 329 

1932

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 12–26 Death Takes a Holiday Alberto Casella, play
Walter Ferris, adaptation 		Baron Lamberto Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [z] [3]: 328 
February 2–13 Hamlet William Shakespeare The Ghost
Fortinbras 		Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [aa] [ab] [3]: 328 
1932 Dr. Knock Jules Romains Peacock Players Peacock Theatre, Dublin [ac] [3]: 329 [17]: 106 
1932 The Chinese Bungalow Marion Osmond and James Corbet acting role Dublin Orson Welles [ad] [8]: 337 
February 16 - 27 The All Alone Henry B O'Hanlon The Dublin Repertory Theatre Peacock Theatre, Dublin William Sherwood [ae] [af] [ag] [17]: 106 [24][25][26]

1933

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May Twelfth Night William Shakespeare Todd Troupers Todd School for Boys Roger Hill and Orson Welles [ah] [ai] [aj] [3]: 330 
July Twelfth Night William Shakespeare Todd Troupers Chicago Drama Festival, A Century of Progress Exposition, English Village Roger Hill and Orson Welles [ak] [al] [am] [3]: 330 [28]
November 29–
June 20, 1934 		Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Mercutio
Chorus 		Katharine Cornell repertory company National tour beginning at the Erlanger Theatre in Buffalo, New York, Cornell's hometown Guthrie McClintic [an] [ao] [ap] [aq] [29]
December 2–
June 20, 1934 		The Barretts of Wimpole Street Rudolf Besier Octavius Moulton-Barrett Katharine Cornell repertory company National tour beginning at the Erlanger Theatre in Buffalo, New York Guthrie McClintic [ar] [as] [3]: 330 [29]
December–
June 20, 1934 		Candida George Bernard Shaw Eugene Marchbanks Katharine Cornell repertory company National tour Guthrie McClintic [at] [3]: 331 

1934

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
July 12–22 Trilby George du Maurier Svengali Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Orson Welles [au] [av] [aw] [1]: 165 [2]: 58 [32]: 76 
July 26–
August 5 		Hamlet William Shakespeare Claudius
Ghost of Hamlet's Father 		Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Hilton Edwards [ax] [ay] [1]: 165 [2]: 62 [32]: 74 [34]
August 9–19 Tsar Paul Dmitry Merezhkovsky Count Pahlen Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Hilton Edwards [az] [1]: 165 [2]: 62 [3]: 331 
August 22–25 The Drunkard William H. Smith Cameo appearance Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Charles O'Neal [ba] [bb] [3]: 331 [20]: 49 
December 3–9 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus 		Katharine Cornell repertory company Cass Theatre, Detroit, Michigan Guthrie McClintic [bc] [bd] [be] [bf] [37]: 7 
December 10–11 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus 		Katharine Cornell repertory company Hanna Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio Guthrie McClintic [bg] [39][40]
December 14–15 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus 		Katharine Cornell repertory company Nixon Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Guthrie McClintic [bh] [41][42]
December 20–
February 23, 1935 		Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus 		Katharine Cornell repertory company Martin Beck Theatre, New York City Guthrie McClintic [bi] [bj] [bk] [bl] [43]: 144–151 [45][46]

1935

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
March 14–16 Panic Archibald MacLeish McGafferty Phoenix Theatre Imperial Theatre, New York City James Light [bm] [bn] [bo] [bp] [43]: 159 

1936

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
April 12 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Lafayette Theatre, Harlem, New York City Orson Welles [bq] [43]: 198 
April 14 –
June 20 		Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Lafayette Theatre, Harlem, New York City Orson Welles [br] [bs] [3]: 333 
July 6–18 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Adelphi Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [bt] [bu] [bv] [3]: 333 [49]
July 21–25 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Park Theatre, Bridgeport, Connecticut[51] Orson Welles [bw] [49]
July 28 –
August 1 		Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Hartford, Connecticut Orson Welles [bx] [49]
August 6 – ? Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Exhibit Theatre, Dallas, Texas Orson Welles [by] [49][52]
August 13–23 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Amphitheater, Texas Centennial Exposition, Dallas, Texas Orson Welles [bz] [ca] [cb] [56]
August 25–29 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Keith's Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana Orson Welles [cc] [cd] [58]
September 1–13 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Great Northern Theater, Chicago, Illinois Orson Welles [ce] [3]: 333 [59]
September 1936 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Detroit, Michigan Orson Welles [cf]
September 1936 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Cleveland, Ohio Orson Welles [cg]
September 23–25 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Civic University, Syracuse, New York Orson Welles [ch] [60]
September 26 –
December 5 		Horse Eats Hat Eugène Labiche and Marc-Michel, play
Orson Welles and Edwin Denby, adaptation 		Mugglethorp Federal Theatre Project Maxine Elliott's Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [ci] [cj]
October 6–17 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Federal Theatre Project Majestic Theatre, Brooklyn, New York Orson Welles [ck] [55]: 393 [62]
October 23 –
November 1 		Ten Million Ghosts Sidney Kingsley André Pequot St. James Theatre, New York City Sidney Kingsley [cl] [63]

1937

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 8 –
May 29 		The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus Christopher Marlowe Faustus Federal Theatre Project Maxine Elliott Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cm] [64]
April 21–23 The Second Hurricane Edwin Denby, libretto
Aaron Copland, score 		Henry Street Settlement Music School Henry Street Settlement Playhouse, New York City Orson Welles [cn] [co]
June 16 – July 1 The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Federal Theatre Project Venice Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cp] [cq]
Summer The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Federal Theatre Project Tour of steel districts of Pennsylvania and Ohio Orson Welles [cr] [3]: 338 
November 11 – May 28, 1938 Caesar William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Marcus Brutus Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cs] [ct] [cu] [43]: 324 [65]
December 5–19 The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cv] [cw] [43]: 325 [66]
December 25 The Shoemaker's Holiday Thomas Dekker Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cx] [cy] [67]: 50–51 

1938

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 1 –
April 28 		The Shoemaker's Holiday Thomas Dekker Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cz] [3]: 341 
January 3 –
April 2 		The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Mercury Theatre Windsor Theatre and Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [da] [db]
April 29 –
June 11 		Heartbreak House George Bernard Shaw Captain Shotover Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [dc]
August 16–29 Too Much Johnson William Gillette, play
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Mercury Theatre Stony Creek Theatre, Stony Creek, Connecticut Orson Welles [dd] [de] [df] [dg] [22]: 50–51, 152–153 
November 2–19 Danton's Death Georg Büchner Louis Antoine de Saint-Just Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [dh] [di] [72]

1939

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
February 27 – March Five Kings (Part One) William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Sir John Falstaff Mercury Theatre Colonial Theatre, Boston Orson Welles [dj] [dk] [dl] [dm] [dn] [3]: 350 
March 13 – ? Five Kings (Part One) William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Sir John Falstaff Mercury Theatre National Theatre, Washington, D.C. Orson Welles [do] [dp] [3]: 351 
March 20–25 Five Kings (Part One) William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Sir John Falstaff Mercury Theatre Chestnut Street Opera House, Philadelphia Orson Welles [dq] [dr] [43]: 428 
July–August The Green Goddess William Archer Rajah Mercury Theatre RKO Vaudeville Theatre circuit (tour) Orson Welles [ds]

1941

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
March 24 – June 28 Native Son Paul Green and Richard Wright Mercury Theatre St. James Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [dt] [du] [dv] [75]

1942

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
October 23 –
January 2, 1943 		Native Son Paul Green and Richard Wright Mercury Theatre Majestic Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [dw] [76]

1943

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
August 3 –
September 9 		The Mercury Wonder Show Orson Welles and others "Orson the Magnificent" Mercury Theatre Cahuenga Tent, Cahuenga Boulevard, Hollywood Orson Welles [dx] [dy] [dz]
September 1943 – 1944 The Mercury Wonder Show Orson Welles and others "Orson the Magnificent" Mercury Theatre Nationwide tour of army bases Orson Welles [ea]

1946

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
April 1–2 The Airborne Symphony Marc Blitzstein Speaker New York City Symphony Orchestra New York City Center, New York Leonard Bernstein [eb] [ec] [ed] [ee] [79]
April 28–May 4 Around the World Jules Verne, novel
Orson Welles, adaptation
Cole Porter, music 		Inspector Dick Fix
Japanese magician 		Mercury Theatre Boston Opera House, Boston Orson Welles [ef] [eg]
May 7–11 Around the World Jules Verne, novel
Orson Welles, adaptation
Cole Porter, music 		Inspector Dick Fix
Japanese magician 		Mercury Theatre Shubert Theatre, New Haven Orson Welles [eh]
May 31 –
August 1 		Around the World Jules Verne, novel
Orson Welles, adaptation
Cole Porter, music 		Inspector Dick Fix
Japanese magician 		Mercury Theatre Adelphi Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [ei] [80]

1947

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May 28–31 Macbeth William Shakespeare Macbeth Mercury Production, Utah Centennial Festival Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, Salt Lake City Orson Welles [ej] [ek] [el] [em] [3]: 401 

1950

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
June 15 – July The Blessed and the Damned Orson Welles Various (Lobster)
Faustus (Time Runs…) 		Théâtre Édouard VII, Paris Orson Welles [en]
August 7 – August An Evening With Orson Welles Orson Welles
Oscar Wilde 		Faustus (Time Runs…)
Algernon (Earnest) 		Altjakobstheater am Zoo, Frankfurt Hilton Edwards [eo]
August 15 – August An Evening With Orson Welles Orson Welles
Oscar Wilde 		Faustus (Time Runs…)
Algernon (Earnest) 		Hamburg Hilton Edwards [ep]
August 21 – August An Evening With Orson Welles Orson Welles
Oscar Wilde 		Faustus (Time Runs…)
Algernon (Earnest) 		Munich Hilton Edwards [eq]

1951

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
October 1–7 Othello William Shakespeare Othello Theatre Royal, Newcastle Orson Welles [er] [es]
October 18 –
December 15 		Othello William Shakespeare Othello St James's Theatre, London Orson Welles [et]
November Midnight Matinee Orson Welles Himself Coliseum Theatre, London Orson Welles [eu]

1953

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
September 7 –
October 		The Lady in the Ice Orson Welles, libretto
Jean-Michel Damase, score 		Ballet de Paris Stoll Theatre, London Orson Welles [ev]
October Une femme dans la glace Orson Welles, libretto
Jean-Michel Damase, score 		Ballet de Paris Paris Orson Welles [ew]

1955

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
June 16 – July 9 Moby Dick—Rehearsed Herman Melville, novel
Orson Welles, play 		An Actor-Manager
Father Mapple
Captain Ahab 		Duke of York's Theatre, London Orson Welles [ex] [ey]

1956

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 12–29 King Lear William Shakespeare King Lear New York City Center Theater Company Lincoln Center Theater, New York City Orson Welles [ez] [fa]
February 22 –
March 13 		Variety act Orson Welles Himself Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas Orson Welles [fb] [fc] [85]

1960

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Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
February 13–18 Chimes at Midnight William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Sir John Falstaff Gate Theatre Company Grand Opera House, Belfast Hilton Edwards [fd] [fe] [3]: 427 
March 1 – March Chimes at Midnight William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation 		Sir John Falstaff Gate Theatre Company Gaiety Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [ff] [fg]
April 28 –
June 7 		Rhinoceros Eugène Ionesco English Stage Company Royal Court Theatre, London Orson Welles [fh] [fi]
June 8 –
July 30 		Rhinoceros Eugène Ionesco English Stage Company Strand Theatre, London Orson Welles [fj]

Notes

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  1. ^ Visiting soprano Claudia Muzio asked Beatrice Welles if three-year-old Orson could play the part of her illegitimate son, and Beatrice agreed. "The greatest soprano I ever heard was Claudia Muzio," said Welles. "I love the opera; it's my favorite form of theatre and always has been." Welles played child roles in the Chicago Opera Company until he became so heavy that singers complained about lifting him.[2]: 5 
  2. ^ Frank Brady: "His opera career ended when tenor Giovanni Martinelli indignantly refused to hoist him in a performance of Samson and Delilah."[2]: 5 
  3. ^ Lowell Frautschi, Welles's camp counselor, described this as "a one-man show in which Orson acted out Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, making the transformation from one character to the other, altering his facial expressions, voice, and movements in a truly amazing way. I told Mr. [Frederick G.] Mueller about it and suggested we save it for the last night of camp when a large number of parents would be present for a sort of commencement exercise to mark the close of the camp season. Young Orson played to a packed hall and was a stunning success."[4]
  4. ^ Welles entered the Todd Seminary for Boys September 15, 1926.[1]: 3 
  5. ^ In spring 1927 Welles became a member of the Todd Troupers, a touring company that performed at regional schools, in suburban Chicago movie houses and at the Goodman Theatre. This touring performance of Todd's 1927 musical comedy was one of two in which Welles appeared. Welles was director of productions at the school for three years, producing eight to ten plays annually. These included Molière's The Physician in Spite of Himself, Dr. Faustus, "and an innovative Everyman staged with ladders and platforms" (Frank Brady).[2]: 12 
  6. ^ In this touring performance of Todd's 1928 musical comedy, Welles appeared as a detective modeled after William J. Burns. Welles joined the ensemble in the finale, and he was featured in the number, "Everyone Loves a Fellow Who Is Smiling". Joseph McBride wrote that "when Welles felt in a particularly festive mood, or wanted to cheer up his sluggish actors, he would burst into a favorite song. It came from Finesse the Queen … Hearing him warble the tune in a tone of innocent sincerity took the listener back to Welles's semi-mythological youth:
    Everyone loves the follow who is smiling,
    He brightens the day and lightens the way for you —
    He's always making other people happy
    Looking rosy when you're feeling awful blue.    "[6]: 174 
  7. ^ The New Yorker: "This was the Todd School's entry in the annual Drama League contest for high schools and little-theatre groups around Chicago. It didn't get the prize; the judges explained that, meritorious as the production was, the two lads who played Cassius and Mark Antony were both too mature to be bona-fide students. This was a severe disappointment to Welles, who had cast himself in these two leading roles to make sure that they were played exactly right."[10]
  8. ^ Cast: Edgerton Paul (Androcles), Robert Crane (The Emperor), Hascy Tarbox (Metellus), others[1]: 242 
  9. ^ Roger Hill: "He produced student plays in our own theatre nearly every weekend. And his senior project, Five Kings, played to the public as well as a Todd commencement audience."[11]: 117 
  10. ^ Richard France: "In 1930, a year before his graduation, Welles created an appropriately titled version of two of the chronicle plays for an unofficial weekly publication. This was done expeditiously with crayon markings in a handy edition of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. … Winter of Our Discontent is not merely an important artifact; it is the paradigm for all of his future adaptations of Shakespeare, whether for radio, film, or the stage. His editing showed an almost preternatural familiarity and sureness in reshaping Shakespeare into productions which for all intents and purposes were entirely his own."[12]: 5 
  11. ^ The New Yorker: "His last big job before he graduated from Todd was a mélange of Shakespeare's historical plays—edited and directed by Orson Welles, starring Orson Welles. This was the germ of the Five Kings chronicle play to be presented by the Mercury this autumn to the Theatre Guild subscribers."[10]
  12. ^ Welles's professional stage debut[1]: 37 
  13. ^ Exaggerating his age and stage experience to the Gate Theatre's managers, Hilton Edwards and Micheál Mac Liammóir, Welles secured membership in the company at age 16, and soon replaced the actor playing this leading role.[1]: 37 
  14. ^ The New York Times: "The Gate Theatre, for the first time since it took up quarters in its present home, is turning people away from its performances of Jew Süss … magnificently produced by Hilton Edwards, who also plays the title role. His is a most difficult part because for more than half the play it is second to that of the Duke Karl Alexander, and when Jew Süss's great moment comes it is too late as the play belongs to the Duke. This is particularly true in the case of the Gate production, in which the Duke is played by a young American actor, 18 years old, whose performance is amazingly fine. … Dublin is eager to see him in other roles."[13]
  15. ^ Cast: Coralie Carmichael (Marie Auguste, the Duchess), Edward Levy (General Remchingen), William Sherwood (Councillor Weissensee), Meriel Moore (Magdalen), Hilton Edwards (Josef Süss Oppenheimer), Betty Chancellor (Naomi), Joseph Levison (Leader of Jewish Delegation), others[14]
  16. ^ The New York Times reviewed the premiere of "a weird drama which grips from the very start and at times develops situations which are well nigh terrifying in their tensions and power … I have never seen on any stage a more true-to-life portrait than that of the wealthy self-made American millionaire who, away from his field of activity, gives himself up with complete abandon to the enjoyment of the hour. Played by Orson Wells [sic], the young American actor, Ralph Bentley came to life in most convincing fashion."[15]
  17. ^ Reviewing this premiere of a new play about ill-fated Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, The New York Times wrote that "Orson Welles, the young American actor, scored heavily as General Bazaine in the earlier scenes and, again, as the Republican Mexican Colonel in charge of the final arrangements."[16]
  18. ^ Welles's only performance at the Abbey Theatre, in an independent production on its stage presented during the Abbey company's U.S. tour[18]: 59 
  19. ^ The New York Times called this premiere "pure Arabian Nights entertainment and it is extremely appropriate to the holiday season. The story is that of a beggar who, with his daughter and a tame mouse, strays in from the desert and joins the Persian camp. The daughter marries the king while Mogu is raised to exalted rank. Years pass, power wearies and the wanderer, his daughter and second wife both dead, returns alone to the desert. … A series of beautifully colorful stage pictures."[19]
  20. ^ Cast: Hilton Edwards (Mogu), Betty Chancellor, others[3]: 328 
  21. ^ Twenty-two settings designed by Orson Welles[17]: 102 
  22. ^ "I am quite rushed these days [just before Christmas, 1931] as I am designing and superintending the construction and painting of scenery—all of the scenery—in the Peacock, an art-theaterish stock company quite distinct from the Gate. As the bill is changed weekly, and my regular acting and publicity work for the Gate goes on all the same and all the time, I am kept in a perpetual state of sweaty bliss!" (Orson Welles, undated letter to Roger Hill)[20]: 36 
  23. ^ "While in Dublin, OW does a few productions of his own … and acts in several productions" (Jonathan Rosenbaum)[3]: 329 
  24. ^ "He played forty roles that season at the Gate Theater, directed and designed sets at the famed Peacock Theater, made an occasional guest appearance at the Abbey." (Radio Guide)[21]
  25. ^ Set designer only[3]: 329 
  26. ^ The Irish Independent credits Welles with "an excellent impersonation".[20]: 35 
  27. ^ Cast: Micheál MacLiammóir (Hamlet), Hilton Edwards (Claudius), others
  28. ^ Denied the role of Othello, Welles resigns from the Gate in March.[2]: 35 
  29. ^ Set design only
  30. ^ Midnight benefit[8]: 337 
  31. ^ Set design only
  32. ^ Welles travels to London, where he is unable to obtain a work permit.[3]: 330 
  33. ^ On March 9, Welles boards the RMS Olympic at Southampton, and arrives in New York March 15. On March 18, a Chicago Tribune headline reads, "Chicago Schoolboy Who Won Place on Dublin Stage Returns".[23]
  34. ^ Welles was invited by Roger Hill to join the Todd faculty.[11]: 117 
  35. ^ Welles co-directed this production using the edited version of the play that would appear in the book he wrote with Hill, Everybody's Shakespeare (1934). Welles designed the costumes and conceived and created the set—a 12-foot-high book with hand-painted pages that turned as scenes changed. Welles filmed most of a dress rehearsal—his very first film[2]: 44 
  36. ^ Cast: Hascy Tarbox (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Joanne Hill (Viola)[1]: 172 
  37. ^ Todd School for Boys received first prize from the Chicago Drama League after competition at the Century of Progress Exposition (July–August), 1933 Chicago World's Fair.[27]
  38. ^ Richard France: "A short film excerpt from it is still in the Hills' possession. Unfortunately, Welles's original staging was not used, only his set. A small backdrop is completely covered with a bright stylized rendering of a London street."[20]: 38 
  39. ^ Cast: Hascy Tarbox (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Joanne Hill (Viola)
  40. ^ Orson Welles: "I was out on the road with Katharine Cornell for a whole year in the thirties … playing all over in theatres where no play had been for twenty, thirty, forty years. There we were, bringing really good actors and a repertoire of three plays …"[3]: 6, 77 
  41. ^ Frank Brady: "And what a tour it was! Eight months, 17,000 miles, and 225 performances from New York to San Francisco, crisscrossing the United States and ending at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on June 20, 1934."[2]: 52 
  42. ^ Cast: Katharine Cornell (Juliet), Basil Rathbone (Romeo), George Macready (Paris), John Hoysradt, Brenda Forbes, others
  43. ^ In repertory with The Barretts of Wimpole Street and Candida
  44. ^ Cast: Katharine Cornell (Elizabeth Barrett), Basil Rathbone (Robert Browning), Margot Stevenson (Bella Hedley), Brenda Forbes (Wilson), George Macready, John Hoysradt, others
  45. ^ In repertory with Candida and Romeo and Juliet
  46. ^ Cast: Katharine Cornell (Candida), others; in repertory with The Barretts of Wimpole Street and Romeo and Juliet
  47. ^ This production launched The Todd Theatre Festival, a six-week summer festival organized by Welles.[3]: 331 
  48. ^ Welles's American debut as a professional theatre director[30]
  49. ^ Cast: Louise Prussing (Trilby), Hilton Edwards (Taffy), Micheál MacLiammóir (Little Billee), Virginia Nicolson (Angele), William Vance (Zouzou)[31]
  50. ^ Chicago Tribune: "Orson Welles doubles as the ghost and the king. He reads the magnificent speeches of the ghost with fine effect, and adds new touches of character to the king. I have never before seen the murderous and incestuous Claudius acted except as an obvious and perfunctory villain. Welles, the twenty-year-old master of character, puts into the role suggestions of an exceeding corrupt Roman emperor."[33]
  51. ^ Cast: Micheál MacLiammóir (Hamlet), Hilton Edwards (Polonius), Louise Prussing (Gertrude), Constance Heron (Ophelia), Charles O'Neal (Horatio), Clifford Baer (Laertes), William Vance (Fortinbras)[33]
  52. ^ Cast: Micheál MacLiammóir (Alexander), Constance Heron (Elizabeth), Hilton Edwards (Paul I), Robert Newman (Grand Duke), Richard Ogden (Lieutenant Marin), William Vance (General Talyzin), Charles O'Neal (Colonel Yashvil), William Mowrie (Colonel Argamakoff), Ralph O'Connor (General Bennigsen), William Yule (Baron Rosen), Louise Prussing (Princess Anna Gagarin)[35]
  53. ^ Peter Noble: "Roger Hill and his wife Hortense … prevailed upon Welles to produce that old-time temperance melodrama, The Drunkard … It was a riotous success … Hilton and Michael adored it and later produced it triumphantly at the Gate."[18]: 70 
  54. ^ Cast: William Vance (Lawyer Cribbs)[36]
  55. ^ The first production of the new repertory season is a revised version of the play that toured 1933–34, choreographed by Martha Graham, with scenic design and costumes by Jo Mielziner and music by Paul Nordoff.[37]: 7, 9 
  56. ^ Virginia Welles Pringle: "Orson thought Brian Aherne was a terrible actor and very much resented losing Mercutio to him. He made Tybalt outstanding, however, and the changes of roles didn't hurt him at all. Aherne was absolutely necessary to Kit Cornell as Robert Browning in The Barretts of Wimpole Street and being something of a star, he wouldn't join the company unless he played Mercutio."[20]: 53 
  57. ^ Cast: Katharine Cornell (Juliet), Basil Rathbone (Romeo), Brian Aherne (Mercutio), Edith Evans (Nurse), John Emery (Benvolio), George Macready (Paris), John Miltern (Montague), Moroni Olsen (Capulet), Charles Waldron (Friar Laurence), others[37]: 7, 9 
  58. ^ Pre-Broadway tour begins in Detroit followed by performances in Cleveland and Pittsburgh[38]
  59. ^ Cast: Katharine Cornell (Juliet), Basil Rathbone (Romeo), Brian Aherne (Mercutio)
  60. ^ Cast: Katharine Cornell (Juliet), Basil Rathbone (Romeo), Brian Aherne (Mercutio)
  61. ^ Welles's Broadway debut
  62. ^ John Houseman: "That glossy and successful evening was marked for me by one astonishing vision … the excitement of the two brief moments when the furious Tybalt appeared suddenly in that sunlit Verona square: death, in scarlet and black, in the form of a monstrous boy—flat-footed and graceless, yet swift and agile; soft as jelly one moment and uncoiled, the next, in a spring of such furious energy that, once released, it could be checked by no human intervention."[43]: 144 
  63. ^ Cast: Katharine Cornell (Juliet), Basil Rathbone (Romeo), Brian Aherne (Mercutio), Edith Evans (Nurse), John Emery (Benvolio), George Macready (Paris), Brenda Forbes (Lady Montague), Moroni Olsen (Capulet), William Hopper (Ensemble), others[44]
  64. ^ About three weeks after seeing the December 21 performance, producer John Houseman secretly went backstage to introduce himself to Welles and recruit him to star in his production of a new play, Panic.
  65. ^ Co-produced by John Houseman, his first work with Welles: "And to his own part of the sexagenarian McGafferty, he brought us, as a free gift, the strength, the keen intelligence, the arrogance and the prodigious energy of his nineteen and a half years."[43]: 156 
  66. ^ Set and lighting by Jo Mielziner, movement by Martha Graham
  67. ^ Cast: Rose McClendon (An Old Woman), Russell Collins (A Man), Joanna Roos (A Girl), Bernard Zanville (A Young Man), Paula Trueman (A Woman), Karl Swenson (A Young Man), George Glass (Immelman), Zita Johann (Ione), Richard Whorf (Griggs); Walter Coy, others (Bankers); Abner Biberman, William Challee, Paul Genge, Wesley Addy, others (Unemployed); Virginia Welles, Osceola Archer, Beatrice Pons, Mary Tarcai, others (Chorus)[47]
  68. ^ On March 22, Welles made his debut on the CBS Radio series The March of Time, performing a scene from Panic for a news report on the stage production.[2]: 70–71 
  69. ^ A free preview draws 3,000 more people than can be seated
  70. ^ The "Voodoo" Macbeth with an all-black cast, set on a mythical Caribbean island modeled upon 19th-century Haiti
  71. ^ Cast: Jack Carter (Macbeth), Edna Thomas (Lady Macbeth), Canada Lee (Banquo), Maurice Ellis (Macduff), Marie Young (Lady Macduff), Eric Burroughs (Hecate), Service Bell (Duncan), Wardell Saunders (Malcolm), Frank David (Ross), Thomas Anderson (Lennox), Archie Savage (Siward), George Nixon (First Murderer), Kenneth Renwick (Second Murderer), Laurence Chenault (The Doctor), Al Watts (The Priest), Philandre Thomas (First Messenger), Herbert Glynn (Second Messenger), J. Lewis Johnson (The Porter), Larrie Lauria (Seyton), Charles Collins (A Lord), Lisle Grenidge (First Captain), Ollie Simmons (Second Captain), William Cumberbatch (First Chamberlain), Benny Tattnall (Second Chamberlain), Chauncey Worrell (First Court Attendant), George Thomas (Second Court Attendant), Sarah Turner (First Page Boy), Beryle Banfield (Second Page Boy), Alma Dickson (The Duchess), Virginia Girvin (The Nurse), Bertram Holmes (Young Macduff), Wanda Macy (Daughter to Macduff), Carl Crawford (Fleance), Wilhelmina Williams (First Witch), Josephine Williams (Second Witch), Zola King (Third Witch), Abdul (Witch Doctor)[48]: 4–5 
  72. ^ Transfer of previous production
  73. ^ Jack Carter completed only Act I of the July 15 performance and was replaced by understudy Thomas Anderson.[49]
  74. ^ Beginning July 16, Maurice Ellis stars as Macbeth, with Charles Collins succeeding Ellis in the role of Macduff.[50]
  75. ^ Touring version of previous production
  76. ^ Touring version of previous production
  77. ^ Touring version of previous production
  78. ^ Touring version of previous production, presented in the band shell of the new open-air amphitheater that seated 5,000[53]
  79. ^ Integrated seating was a unique experience for theatergoers in Dallas.[54]: 64 
  80. ^ Hallie Flanagan: "Dallas did see some excellent Federal Theatre productions. The Texas Centennial wanted Follow the Parade from Los Angeles, and the Negro Macbeth from New York."[55]: 95 
  81. ^ Touring version of previous production
  82. ^ Welles is sent to soothe inter-company quarrels that threaten the production; incognito, he performs the role of Macbeth at one performance when Ellis is ill.[57]
  83. ^ Touring version of previous production
  84. ^ Touring version of previous production
  85. ^ Touring version of previous production
  86. ^ Three-day engagement concluding the 4,000-mile tour
  87. ^ Farce based on the French play Un chapeau de paille d'Italie
  88. ^ Cast: Joseph Cotten (Freddy), George Duthie (Entwhistle), Donald MacMillan (Uncle Adolphe), Dana Stephens (Queeper), Hiram Sherman (Bobbin), Sidney Smith (Grimshot, Lieutenant of Cavalry), Harry McKee (Joseph), France Bendtsen (Gustave, Viscount), Edgerton Paul (Augustus), Virginia Welles (Myrtle Mugglethorp), Paula Laurence (Agatha Entwhistle), Arlene Francis (Tillie), Sarah Burton (The Countess), Henriette Kaye (Daisy), Lucy Rodriguez (Clotilda), Bernard Savage (Corporal), Walter Burton (Butler), Steven Carter (First Footman), J. Headley (Second Footman), Enrico Cellini (Raguso), George Barter (Berkowitz), Bil Baird, Edwin Denby[61]
  89. ^ Touring version of previous production
  90. ^ Cast: Howard Solness (Foreman), Martin Gabel (Peter), Otto Hulett (Charlie Ryan), Barbara O'Neil (Madeleine), Joseph Singer (German Worker), Jan Ullrich (French Worker), George Coulouris (Zacharey), others
  91. ^ Cast: Charles Peyton (the Pope), J. Headly (Cardinal of Lorraine), Bernard Savage (Valdes), Myron Paulson (Cornelius), Arthur Spencer (Wagner), William Hitch (First Scholar), Joseph Cotten (Second Scholar), Huntly Weston (Third Scholar), Harry McKee (Clown), Hiram Sherman (Robin), Wallace Acton (Ralph), George Smithfield (Vintner), George Duthie (Old Man), Edward Hemmer (First Friar), and Jack Carter (Mephisto)
  92. ^ Premiere of new opera; there were just three performances of the Welles production
  93. ^ Cast: Vivienne Block (Queenie), Estelle Levy (Gwen), Arthur Anderson (Gyp), Buddy Mangan (Lowrie), John Doepper (Butch), Harry Olive (Fat), Carl Crawford (Jeff), Clifford Mack (The Teacher), Joseph Cotten (Mr. MacLanahan), Charles Pettinger (Radio Operator)
  94. ^ Musical. Additional, one-off performances were given during this time on a Sunday in an amusement park in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and at Uncasville, New York.
  95. ^ Cast: Olive Stanton (Moll), George Fairchild (Gent, Gus Polock), Guido Alexander (Dick), Robert Farnsworth (Cop), Clifford Mack (Clerk), Bert Weston (Editor Daily), Hansford Wilson (President Prexy), Edward Fuller (Yasha), Warren Goddard (Dauber), Frank Marvel (Dr. Specialist), Edward Hemmer (Rev. Salvation), John Adair (Druggist), Will Geer (Mr. Mister), Peggy Coudray (Mrs. Mister), Hiram Sherman (Junior Mister, Prof. Skoot), Dulce Fox (Sister Mister), Josephine Heathman (Maid), Howard Bird (Steve), Geoffrey Powers (Bugs), Marian Grant Rudley (Sadie Polock), Howard da Silva (Larry Foreman), Leopold Badia (Prof. Mamie), George Smithfield (Prof. Trixie), Blanche Collins (Ella Hammer), Robert Hopkins (Reporter), Huntley Weston (Reporter), Jack Mealy (Reporter)
  96. ^ Touring version of the earlier production
  97. ^ First Mercury Theatre production, a modern staging of the Shakespeare play set amongst 1930s fascist dictators
  98. ^ Cast: Joseph Holland (Julius Caesar), George Coulouris (Marcus Antonius), Joseph Cotten (Publius), Martin Gabel (Cassius), Hiram Sherman (Casca), John A. Willard (Trebonius), Grover Burgess (Ligarius), John Hoysradt (Decius Brutus), Stefan Schnabel (Matellus Cimber), Elliott Reid (Cinna), William Mowry (Flavius), William Alland (Marullus), George Duthie (Artemidorus), Norman Lloyd (Cinna, the poet), Arthur Anderson (Lucius), Evelyn Allen (Calpurnia, wife to Caesar), Muriel Brassler (Portia, wife to Brutus), John Berry (extra)[20]: 186 
  99. ^ Moved to the larger National Theatre January 24, 1938[3]: 341 
  100. ^ First of the Mercury Theatre's experimental Worklight Theatre presentations offered on Sunday nights
  101. ^ Revised oratorio version using the Caesar set, with a 12-person chorus on the second platform. Chairs were placed in two rows on the first raised platform, from which the cast descended to the apron to join Marc Blitzstein at the piano for their individual scenes.
  102. ^ Surprise preview performance immediately following Caesar[43]: 332 
  103. ^ Welles invited the audience to stay and watch the set changes. Actor Norman Lloyd called the performance "the wildest triumph imaginable. The show was a smash during its run—but never again did we have a performance like that one."
  104. ^ Moved to the National Theatre January 26
  105. ^ Revival of the 1937 musical[68]
  106. ^ John Houseman: "So now during February and March, the Mercury had 124 actors performing in four shows in three theatres … within two blocks of each other on West 41st Street. We renamed it Mercury Street, and without permission from the city, put up temporary signs to that effect on the corners of 6th and 7th Avenues and Broadway."[43]: 342 
  107. ^ Cast: Geraldine Fitzgerald (Ellie Dunn), Brenda Forbes (Nurse Guinness), Phyllis Joyce (Lady Utterword), Mady Christians (Hesione Hushabye), Erskine Sanford (Mazzini Dunn), Vincent Price (Hector Hushabye), John Hoysradt (Randall Utterword), Eustace Wyatt (The Burglar)[69]
  108. ^ Sets by James Marcom, costumes by Leo van Witsen, lighting by Jean Rosenthal
  109. ^ Motion picture sequences that were to provide exposition had to be abandoned due to the theater's lack of projection facilities, resulting in plot confusion that contributed to the play's failure.
  110. ^ Bret Wood: "The multi-media concept was a throwback to the early age of cinema when vaudeville shows were punctuated by quick cinematic vignettes."
  111. ^ Cast: Eustace Wyatt (Faddish), Edgar Barrier (Dathis), Anna Stafford [Virginia Welles] (Lenore Faddish), Guy Kingsley (MacIntosh), Joseph Cotten (Augustus Billings), Ruth Ford (Mrs. Billings), Mary Wickes (Mrs. Battison), George Duthie (Purser), Richard Wilson (Cabin Boy), Howard Smith (Johnson), Erskine Sanford (Frederic)[70]
  112. ^ Cast: Anna Stafford [Virginia Welles] (Julie), Martin Gabel (Danton), Edgar Barrier (Camille Desmoulins), Evelyn Wahle (Lucile), Morgan Farley (Herault de Sechelles), William Mowry (Philippeau), Guy Kingsley (Lacroix), Ellen Andrews (A Lady), Vladimir Sokoloff (Robespierre), Arlene Francis (Marion), Ruth Ford (Rosalie), Rosemary Carver (Adelaide), Richard Wilson (Mercier), Eustace Wyatt (Fouquier), Joseph Cotten (Barrerre); William Alland, Edgerton Paul, Stanley Poss (Servants to Danton); Richard Baer, Ross Elliott (Convention Attendants)
  113. ^ Songs by Marc Blitzstein: "Christine" sung by Joseph Cotten and Mary Wickes, and "Ode to Reason" sung by Adelyn Colla Negri[71]
  114. ^ A Theatre Guild and Mercury Theatre presentation produced by John Houseman
  115. ^ Original, five-hour version with two intermissions[3]: 350 
  116. ^ John Houseman: "The first half of Five Kings, which included a fragment of Richard II, the two parts of Henry IV, and Henry V, was to be presented on its subscription series by the Guild … If successful it was to be followed by a second evening—all three parts of Henry VI and Richard III—to be rehearsed during the run of the first."[43]: 416 
  117. ^ Music by Aaron Copland; sets by Jean Rosenthal—notably a revolving platform 30 feet in diameter "which kept circling like a lazy Susan without blackouts or visible sceneshifts in a great variety of forms throughout the play's thirty-two scenes" (John Houseman)[43]: 417 
  118. ^ Cast: Robert Speaight (Chorus), Morris Ankrum (Henry IV), Burgess Meredith (Prince Hal, later Henry V), Richard Baer (Clarence), Guy Kingsley (Gloucester), John Emery (Hotspur), others[12]: 174–175 
  119. ^ Welles had cut 40 minutes of the production's running time[43]: 425 
  120. ^ Richard France: "No one was more insistent than Welles on presenting Five Kings in all its fulsomeness, and he did so in spite of the Theatre Guild's continuing demands that, if only in the interests of a conventional running time, the production be cut. His stage manager, Walter Ash, still blames the Guild for the demise of Five Kings."[12]: 172 
  121. ^ Five Kings (Part One) did not make it to New York, and its failure meant that the planned Five Kings (Part Two) was never produced.
  122. ^ Richard France: "Throughout the tour of Five Kings, Welles grappled with this seemingly impenetrable mountain of material. In his dispatch to the New York Herald-Tribune, columnist Herbert Drake suggests that, had Welles been given the extra week of uninterrupted rehearsal time that he had requested of the Guild, Five Kings might today be recognized as Welles's theatrical masterpiece."[12]: 172 
  123. ^ Short 20-minute play, including a five-minute film segment, performed on tour
  124. ^ Brooks Atkinson: "Out of Richard Wright's novel, Native Son, Mr. Wright and Paul Green have written a powerful drama. Orson Welles has staged it with imagination and force. Those are the first things to be said about the overwhelming play that opened at the St. James last evening. But they hardly convey the excitement of the first performance of a play that represents experience of life and conviction in thought and a production that represents a dynamic use of the stage. … In staging it Mr. Welles picks up the bravura style of the Mercury Theatre where he left it two or three seasons ago. In ten savory scenes, acted on different levels with a resourceful use of the stage, he runs through the narrative, giving motion to static scenes by flares of light and putting Native Son into its urban environment by a varied use of sound accompaniment. Mr. Welles is a dramatic showman; he likes big scenes, broad sweeps of color and vigorous contrasts in tempo. He likes theatre that tingles with life."[73]
  125. ^ Cast: Canada Lee (Bigger Thomas), Evelyn Ellis (Hannah Thomas), Helen Martin (Vera Thomas), Lloyd Warren (Buddy Thomas), Jacqueline Ghant Andre (A Neighbour), Eileen Burns (Miss Emmett), J. Flashe Riley (Jack), Rena Mitchell (Clara), Rodester Timmons (G.H. Rankin), Wardell Saunders (Gus Mitchell), C.M. Bootsie Davis (Ernie Jones), Erskine Sanford (Mr. Dalton), Nell Harrison (Mrs. Dalton), Everett Sloane (Britten), Frances Bavier (Peggy), Anne Burr (Mary Dalton), Joseph Pevney (Jan Erlone), Philip Bourneuf as Buckley), Ray Collins (Paul Max), Paul Stewart (A Reporter), William Malone (Judge); John Berry, Stephen Roberts, George Zorn, Don Roberts (Newspaper Men)[73]
  126. ^ Actual Stage Timing, Court Room Scene, from the Mercury Theatre Production of Native Son (1941). Orson Welles reads the role of defense attorney Paul Max.[74]
  127. ^ Revival of 1941 production
  128. ^ Variety show
  129. ^ Cast: Joseph Cotten ("Jo-Jo the Great"), Agnes Moorehead ("Calliope Aggie"), others
  130. ^ Rita Hayworth appeared as herself—and after Hayworth was forced out of the production by her studio contract, her part was filled by Marlene Dietrich.
  131. ^ Variety show, previously mounted in Hollywood
  132. ^ World premiere of a symphony that presents the history of human flight, narrated by Welles
  133. ^ Commissioned in 1943 by the United States Army, officially dedicated to the Eighth Air Force
  134. ^ Soloists Charles Holland, tenor, and Walter Scheff, baritone, with the male section of the Collegiate Chorale[77]
  135. ^ Recorded in 1966 with Welles as narrator and Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic[78]: 13–24 
  136. ^ Musical; preview of the below Broadway production
  137. ^ Cast: Arthur Margetson (Phileas Fogg), Mary Healy (Mrs. Aouda), Julie Warren (Molly Muggins), Larry Laurence (Pat Passepartout), Victoria Cordova (Lola), Stefan Schnabel (Avery Jevity), Brainerd Duffield (Mr. Benjamin Cruett-Spew), Dorothy Bird (Meerahlah), Guy Spaull (Ralph Runcbile), Bernard Savage (Sir Charles Mandiboy)
  138. ^ Musical; preview of the below Broadway production
  139. ^ Musical. Despite relatively healthy ticket sales, the extravagance of the staging meant that the production lost a fortune.
  140. ^ Six performances presented by the Utah Centennial Commission and University Theatre in cooperation with American National Theatre and Academy[81]
  141. ^ Staged in preparation for the film version shot in June 1947, with the same principal cast
  142. ^ Set design by Robert Shapiro, costumes by Ricki Grisman, executive director Richard Wilson, stage manager William Alland, production coordinator Emerson Crocker, executive secretary Michael Zimring
  143. ^ Cast: Dan O'Herlihy (Macduff), Jeanette Nolan (Lady Macbeth), Roddy McDowall (Malcolm), Erskine Sanford (Duncan), Edgar Barrier (Banquo), Brainerd Duffield (First Witch, First Murderer), Sereta Jones (Second Witch), Virginia McGrew (Third Witch), Roy Gibson (Ross), John McIntire (Friar), Richard Crane and William Campbell (Messengers), Robert Russon (Fleance) Ross Ramsey (Porter), Keene Curtis (Seyton), Joseph Bywater (Lennox), William Alland (Second Murderer), Joyce Barlow (Lady Macduff), John Covey (Son to Macduff), Georgiana Lees (Daughter to Macduff, Gentlewoman), Ross Dalton (Doctor), John Nocolaysen (Old Siward), Arch Heugly (Young Siward)[22]: 62–63 
  144. ^ Compilation of two one-act plays, each written by Welles: The Unthinking Lobster and Time Runs... Cast of The Unthinking Lobster included Marcel Archard, Georges Baume, Frédéric O'Brady and Maurice Bessy. Cast of Time Runs… included Eartha Kitt as Helen of Troy.
  145. ^ Compilation of the one-act Orson Welles play The Unthinking Lobster, and a heavily abridged one-act condensation of the Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Earnest. The cast of The Unthinking Lobster were as above.
  146. ^ Compilation of the one-act Orson Welles play The Unthinking Lobster, and a heavily abridged one-act condensation of the Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Earnest. The cast of The Unthinking Lobster were as above.
  147. ^ Compilation of the one-act Orson Welles play The Unthinking Lobster, and a heavily abridged one-act condensation of the Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Earnest. The cast of The Unthinking Lobster were as above. On 30 August, Welles did film both segments (along with the final scene of Henry IV, Part 2) at the Geisengeige Studios outside Munich, but disposed of the footage after he was dissatisfied with the result.
  148. ^ Preview of the West End run below
  149. ^ Cast: Gudrun Ure (Desdemona), Peter Finch (Iago), Basil Lord (Roderigo), John Van Eyssen (Cassio), Keith Pyott (Brabantio), Aubrey Richards (The Duke), Edward Mulhare (Lodovico), Maxine Audley (Emilia), Michael Warre (Montano), Dianne Foster (Bianca), Edmund Purdom
  150. ^ Cast as above. Notably, Winston Churchill attended this production as recalled in a later interview by Welles.[82]
  151. ^ Late-night magic and variety act Welles did concurrently with the West End run of Othello
  152. ^ Ballet with cast including Colette Marchand, Georges Reich and Joe Milan
  153. ^ French version of the ballet The Lady in the Ice
  154. ^ Minimalist production of a play about a group of 19th-century actors rehearsing a play of Moby Dick
  155. ^ Cast: Gordon Jackson (A Young Actor/Ishmael), Christopher Lee )(A Stage Manager/Flask; replaced by Peter Sallis later in the run), Patrick McGoohan (A Serious Actor/Starbuck), Wensley Pithey (A Middle-Aged Actor/Stubb), Joan Plowright (A Young Actress/Pip), Kenneth Williams (A Very Serious Actor/Elijah and others), Joseph Chelton (A Manager/Tashtego), John Gray (An Assistant Stage Manager/Bo'sun), Jefferson Clifford (An Experienced Actor/Peleg)
  156. ^ A New Mercury Theatre Production
  157. ^ Cast: Robert Blackburn (King of France), Walter Mathews (Duke of Burgundy, Doctor), Sorrell Brooke (Duke of Albany), Thayer David (Duke of Cornwall), Roy Dean (Earl of Kent), Lester Rawlins (Earl of Gloucester), Robert Fletcher (Edgar), John Colicos (Edmund), Tom Clancy (Curan), Francis Carpenter (Oswald), Jack Aronson (Old Man, Gentleman to King Lear), Robert Burr (Servant to Cornwall, Captain to Edmund), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Goneril), Sylvia Short (Regan), Viveca Lindfors (Cordelia)[83]
  158. ^ 25-minute one-person show, assisted by Kirk and Phyllis Kirkham[84]: 316–323 
  159. ^ Magic show and Shakespearean readings from Julius Caesar, King Lear and The Merchant of Venice[3]: 420 
  160. ^ Adapted from Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, Henry V, Richard III and The Merry Wives of Windsor[3]: 427 
  161. ^ Cast: Hilton Edwards (Narrator),[86] Reginald Jarman (Henry IV), Keith Baxter (Hal, Prince of Wales, later King Henry V), Peter Bartlett (Prince John of Lancaster; Peto), Stuart Nichol (Earl of Westmoreland), Terence Greenidge (Lord Chief Justice; Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland), Alan Mason (Gower), John Southarn (Page to Gower), Orson Welles (Sir John Falstaff), Shirley Cameron (Doll Tearsheet), Thelma Ruby (Mistress Quickly), Keith Marsh (Justice Robert Shallow), Aubrey Morris (Master Silence; Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester), Patrick Bedford (Ned Poins), Rory Macdermott (Pistol; Sheriff Fang; Chorus), Leonard Fenton (Bardolf), Henry Woolf (Nym), Lee Harris (Francis, a Drawer), Alexis Kanner (Harry Percy, known as Hotspur)[87]
  162. ^ Transfer of the above production
  163. ^ Welles's last performance as an actor in the theatre
  164. ^ Welles's last stage production
  165. ^ Cast: Monica Evans (Bessie), Laurence Olivier (Berenger), Duncan Macrae (John), Henry Woolf (A Grocer), Margery Caldicott (The Grocer's Wife), Hazel Hughes (A Lady with a Cat), Geoffrey Lumsden (A Logician), Michael Bates (An Old Gentleman), Will Stampe (A Publican), Joan Plowright (Daisy), Alan Webb (Duddard), Miles Malleson (Mr. Butterfly), Peter Sallis (Bottard), Gladys Henson (Mrs. Beef), Philip Anthony (A Fireman)[88]
  166. ^ By the time the play had transferred to its new venue, Welles had ceased to be associated with the production, with its star Laurence Olivier having taken over as de facto director. However, the production's innovative set design remained Welles's. The cast remained as above, except with Maggie Smith taking over from Joan Plowright as Daisy, and Michael Gough taking over from Alan Webb as Duddard.[88]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Tarbox, Todd (2013). Orson Welles and Roger Hill: A Friendship in Three Acts. Albany, Georgia: BearManor Media. ISBN 978-1-59393-260-2.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Brady, Frank (1989). Citizen Welles: A Biography of Orson Welles. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. ISBN 0-385-26759-2.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj Welles, Orson; Bogdanovich, Peter; Rosenbaum, Jonathan (1992). This is Orson Welles. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0-06-016616-9.
  4. ^ "Camp Indianola and Orson Welles, Boy Genius: A Memoir". Frautschi, Lowell, Wisconsin Academy Review, Winter 1994–95. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  5. ^ "Washington School". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  6. ^ McBride, Joseph, What Ever Happened to Orson Welles? A Portrait of an Independent Career. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 2006, ISBN 0-8131-2410-7
  7. ^ Display advertisement, Freeport Journal-Standard, May 2, 1928, page 5.
  8. ^ a b c Higham, Charles (1985). Orson Welles: The Rise and Fall of an American Genius. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-31280-6.
  9. ^ "Page the Prince (1930)". Port Hope, Ontario … A Living Past. Retrieved 2014-09-14. By September 1929, Finesse the Queen was retitled Page the Prince and performed by high school and civic groups throughout the U.S. and in Canada. Performances were directed by the John B. Rogers Producing Company of Fostoria, Ohio, which supplied client towns with scripts, costumes, sets and lights for amateur theatre productions. The Rogers Company Collection is archived at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
  10. ^ a b c Maloney, Russell (October 8, 1938). "Profile: This Ageless Soul". The New Yorker. pp. 23–24.
  11. ^ a b Hill, Roger, One Man's Time and Chance, a Memoir of Eighty Years 1895 to 1975 Archived 2014-09-07 at the Wayback Machine. Privately printed, 1977. Woodstock Public Library collection, digitized by Illinois State Library.
  12. ^ a b c d Welles, Orson, Richard France, William Shakespeare. Orson Welles on Shakespeare: The W.P.A. and Mercury Theatre Playscripts. New York: Routledge, 2001. ISBN 9780415937269
  13. ^ Yeats, J. J. (November 8, 1931). "A Yeats Play and An American Actor in Dublin". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  14. ^ "Orson Welles' Dublin Visit". Come Here to Me (blog), December 1, 2010; includes facsimile clippings from The Irish Times, October 14, 1931. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
  15. ^ Yeats, J. J. (December 6, 1931). "Irish Eyes are Smiling". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  16. ^ Yeats, J. J. (December 27, 1931). "A Dublin Play About Maximilian". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Callow, Simon, Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu. New York: Viking, 1996. ISBN 9780670867226
  18. ^ a b Noble, Peter, The Fabulous Orson Welles. London: Hutchinson and Co., 1956.
  19. ^ a b Yeats, J. J. (February 7, 1932). "Irish Eyes are Smiling". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  20. ^ a b c d e f France, Richard. The Theatre of Orson Welles. Lewisburg, Pennsylvania: Bucknell University Press, 1977. ISBN 0-8387-1972-4
  21. ^ "Me, Myself and I". Radio Guide, Vol. 7, No. 39, July 16, 1938, page 1.
  22. ^ a b c d e Wood, Bret, Orson Welles: A Bio-Bibliography. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1990 ISBN 0-313-26538-0
  23. ^ "Chicago Schoolboy Who Won Place on Dublin Stage Returns". Chicago Tribune, March 18, 1932, page 17. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  24. ^ Class: BT26. Ancestry.com, UK Outward Passenger Lists, 1890–1960 [database online]. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
  25. ^ Year: 1932; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897–1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 5124; Line: 12; Page Number: 152. Ancestry.com, New York Passenger Lists, 1820–1957 [database online]. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
  26. ^ "The All-Alone 1932 (Peacock) | Abbey Archives | Abbey Theatre - Amharclann na Mainistreach". Abbey Theatre. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  27. ^ "Amateur Dramatic Groups to Compete for Trophy at Fair". United Press, July 7; Ruston Daily Leader, July 8, 1933, page 1. "Amateur dramatic groups from all sections of Metropolitan Chicago will compete this summer at Enchanted Island, World's Fair fairyland for children at A Century of Progress, for a silver cup to be awarded by the Chicago Drama League, Miss Anna Agress, director of the Children's Theatre on the Island, has announced. Twenty-four groups, ranging from Thespians of years' experience to child actors, are on the schedule. Although most of the program will be played during July and August, the contest opened several days ago with the Todd School for Boys, of Woodstock, Ill., presenting Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The Todd boys were the 1932 cup winners."
  28. ^ "Roger Hill's daughter recalls Orson Welles at the Todd School for Boys in Woodstock, Illinois". Wellesnet, February 8, 2013. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  29. ^ a b Erlanger Theatre, Katharine Cornell, November 29–30, December 1–2, 1933. Buffalo, New York: Erlanger Buffalo Theatre Corporation (playbill), Vol. X, No. 4, 1933.
  30. ^ "Dedication of Woodstock Opera House stage to honor Orson Welles set for February 10". Wellesnet. January 8, 2013. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  31. ^ "Bill Vance is Cast for Important Role in 'Trilby' in Summer Theatre Festival". Freeport Journal-Standard, July 10, 1934, page 4.
  32. ^ a b Leaming, Barbara, Orson Welles, A Biography. New York: Viking, 1985 ISBN 0-670-52895-1
  33. ^ a b Collins, Charles, "MacLiammóir Is Exceedingly Good as Hamlet". Chicago Tribune, July 27, 1934, page 15.
  34. ^ "Freeporters Thrilled by Performance of Hamlet at Woodstock". Freeport Journal-Standard, July 27, 1934, page 6.
  35. ^ Collins, Charles, "Todd Festival Gives Premiere of 'Tsar Paul'". Chicago Tribune, August 10, 1934, page 15.
  36. ^ "'The Drunkard' To Be Given This Week by Todd Festival Players, Woodstock". Freeport Journal-Standard, August 21, 1934, page 4.
  37. ^ a b c Romeo and Juliet, Cass Theater, December 3–9, 1934. The Playgoer (playbill), Vol. 9 No. 7, December 3, 1934.
  38. ^ The Escanaba Daily Press, November 4, 1934, page 8.
  39. ^ "Romeo and Juliet (1934)". Cleveland Centennial (blog). October 20, 2010. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  40. ^ Sandusky Register, December 13, 1934, page 4.
  41. ^ Monessen Daily Independent, December 15, 1934, page 2.
  42. ^ Steubenville Herald Star, December 17, 1934, page 12.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Houseman, John (1972). Run-Through: A Memoir. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-671-21034-3.
  44. ^ "Romeo and Juliet". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2014-10-01.
  45. ^ "News of the Stage". The New York Times, February 25, 1935, page 14.
  46. ^ "Romeo and Juliet". Playbill. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  47. ^ Phoenix Theatre Inc. Presents Panic, A Modern Tragedy by Archibald MacLeish. Imperial Theatre (playbill), March 14–15, 1935.
  48. ^ "Production Notebook from New York production of Macbeth". American Memory: New Deal Stage. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2015-02-13.
  49. ^ a b c d e "News of the Stage". The New York Times. July 16, 1936.
  50. ^ "News of the Stage". The New York Times. July 17, 1936.
  51. ^ "Playbill from Bridgeport production of Macbeth". Library of Congress American Memory Collection. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  52. ^ "Playbill from Dallas production of Macbeth". Library of Congress American Memory Collection. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  53. ^ "Stage at the Texas Centennial Exposition". George Mason University. Archived from the original on 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  54. ^ Thomas, Jesse O. (1938). Negro Participation in the Texas Centennial Exposition. Boston: Christopher Publishing House. OCLC 2588921. Retrieved 2015-02-17.
  55. ^ a b Flanagan, Hallie (1965). Arena: The History of the Federal Theatre. New York: Benjamin Blom, reprint edition [1940]. OCLC 855945294.
  56. ^ "All-Negro Cast to Produce Macbeth". The Olney Enterprise. August 14, 1936.
  57. ^ Perry, Edward G. (October 25, 1943). "Actor lauds Orson Welles for work in Negro theatre". Los Angeles Tribune. p. 18.
  58. ^ "Poster from Indianapolis production of Macbeth". Library of Congress American Memory Collection. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  59. ^ Collins, Charles (August 30, 1936). "'Macbeth' as Negro Play Comes to Great Northern Theater". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  60. ^ "No title". Syracuse Herald. August 27, 1936. p. 12. "Syracuse will be the last stop for the touring 'Macbeth' production … closing a 4,000 mile jaunt with a three-day run at the Civic University, opening Sept. 23."
  61. ^ "Playbill for Horse Eats Hat". Library of Congress. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  62. ^ "Poster from Brooklyn production of Macbeth". Library of Congress American Memory Collection. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  63. ^ "Ten Million Ghosts". Playbill, October 23, 1936. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  64. ^ "News of the Stage". The New York Times. May 24, 1937. Retrieved 2023-03-08. Somewhat off Broadway Saturday night will be ... Dr. Faustus suspending for a while at Maxine Elliott's.
  65. ^ "News of the Stage; 'Julius Caesar' Closes Tonight". The New York Times. May 28, 1938. Retrieved 2015-09-07. The Mercury Theatre's production of 'Julius Caesar' will depart from the National tonight, the only Broadway closing of the evening. At the National, and earlier at its home grounds, it will have amassed a total of 157 performances.
  66. ^ "News of the Stage". The New York Times. December 14, 1937. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  67. ^ Lloyd, Norman (1993) [1990]. Stages of Life in Theatre, Film and Television. New York: Limelight Editions. ISBN 9780879101664.
  68. ^ "The Cradle Will Rock". Playbill, January 3, 1938. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  69. ^ "Heartbreak House". Playbill, May 2, 1938. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  70. ^ "Too Much Johnson: Becoming Orson Welles". Movie Morlocks (blog), Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  71. ^ "Danton's Death". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  72. ^ "News of the Stage". The New York Times. November 18, 1938. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  73. ^ a b Atkinson, Brooks (March 25, 1941). "The Play: 'Native Son,' by Paul Green and Richard Wright, Put On by Orson Welles and John Houseman". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  74. ^ "Actual Stage Timing, Court Room Scene [from Mercury Theatre Production of Native Son] (12:03)". Orson Welles on the Air, 1938–1946. Indiana University Bloomington. 1941. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  75. ^ "Native Son". Playbill, April 13, 1941. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  76. ^ "Native Son". Playbill, October 25, 1942. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  77. ^ Downes, Olin (April 2, 1946). "Audience Cheers Blitzstein Work". The New York Times.
  78. ^ American Masters 2: Bernstein Century. Sony Classical (SMK 61849), Sony Music Corporation, Ltd. 2000. OCLC 463338165.
  79. ^ "Premiere for Symphony; Bernstein to Present 'Airborne' by Blitzstein, on April 1". The New York Times. March 22, 1946.
  80. ^ "Around the World". Playbill, May 31, 1946. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  81. ^ Salt Lake Tribune, May 18, 1947, page 3.
  82. ^ "Orson Welles remembers a hilarious meeting with Churchill". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  83. ^ "King Lear". Playbill, January 12, 1956. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  84. ^ Whaley, Barton, Orson Welles: The Man Who Was Magic. Lybrary.com, 2005, ASIN B005HEHQ7E
  85. ^ "Orson Welles in Wonderland". Kirkham Magic (blog), May 24, 2014. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  86. ^ Thomson, David (1996). Rosebud: The Story of Orson Welles. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. p. 364. ISBN 9780679418344.
  87. ^ French, Lawrence (November 25, 2011). "'I have heard the Chimes at Midnight'—Orson Welles plays Falstaff in his final theatrical performance on the Dublin stage in 1960". Wellesnet. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
  88. ^ a b "Rhinoceros Program". Wellesnet. Retrieved 2015-08-31.
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