The Entertainer

New York: The Royale Theatre, 1958. Archive of six vintage photographs, a playbill, a program, and a mimeograph summary from the 1958 stage production. Photographs with occasional cropping annotations on the versos.

After a smash debut in London in 1957 at the Royal Court and Palace Theatres, the play moved to the Royale Theatre on Broadway in 1958, where it ran for 97 performances, between February 12 and May 10.

Osborne's play, written at the behest of Olivier, was about an embittered, middle-aged music hall performer named Archie Rice. Olivier's presence at the theatre, which brought West End London notoriety to a playhouse associated with new and nontraditional drama, made British theatre history.

Photographs 8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus overall.

Playbill 6.5 x 9 inches. About Near Fine, lightly edgeworn.

Program 8.75 x 11.5 inches. Near Fine.

[Book #161017]