1956 Theatre Programme Mrs Willie – Yvonne Arnaud Roger Maxwell Molly Francis

Up for sale is an original vintage theatre programme from 1956 Mrs Willie Theatre Programme Liverpool Royal Court by Alan Melville. An original, authentic mid-century theatrical programme from the historic Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. This collectible ephemera piece documents the week-long run commencing Monday, 12th March, 1956.

Presented by the prestigious H. M. Tennent Ltd., this production is the celebrated drawing-room comedy “Mrs. Willie” by famed British playwright Alan Melville. This specific production panel is highly notable to theatre historians, as the title character “Ilena” is portrayed by the legendary French-born actress star Yvonne Arnaud, in one of her final stage appearances before her passing. The panels also showcase a phenomenal collection of mid-1950s local Liverpool commercial advertising history.

PRODUCTION & CAST DETAILS:
• Play: “Mrs. Willie” by Alan Melville
• Venue: Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
• Date: March 1956
• Director: Anthony Chardet
• Settings Designer: Michael Weight
• Characters in Order of Their Appearance: Roger Maxwell (Willie), Jeremy Burnham (Paul), James Sharkey (Waiter), Yvonne Arnaud (Ilena), Molly Francis (Nellie), Diana Beaumont (Mrs. Gregson), Isabel George (Jane), Michael Nightingale (Lord Allerdale), Hugh Manning (Vitulescu), Violet Coleman (Nurse Otway), Gordon Phillott (Mr. Butler).
• Synopsis of Scenery: The scene is the Living-room of a Country House in Sussex. Time: The Present. Structure: Act I (About 7 p.m.), Act II (An Hour and a Half Later), Act III (The Following Morning).

VINTAGE LOCAL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING INSIDE:
• Majorca Espresso Coffee Bar and Grill: A fantastic period advertisement celebrating the 1950s coffee bar boom, located at 34a Tarleton Street (one minute from the theatre). Ad reads: “Gay – Contemporary – Decor. Serving the World’s Best Coffee in the City’s Best Surroundings. Open Daily 10 a.m. to Midnight. It’s Wonderful!”
• Marchioness Mattress: Upper display box block for “Marchioness Mattress — for a lifetime of comfort in sleep.” Available from all good stores.
• Oranjeboom Celebrated Dutch Pilsner: On sale in the Theatre’s Bars. Distributing agents listed as Cowley & Richardson, The Bottlers, Middleton, near Manchester.
• Office Service Bureau (Liverpool) Ltd.: Employment agents for office staff copying office. Showcases their regional branch hubs at 71 Lord Street, Liverpool 2 (Telephone: Central 3684), 6 Fountain Street, Manchester 2, and 180 Corporation Street, Birmingham.