Fairy Tales of New York Productions

Photo courtesy, The J.P. Donleavy Archives.

"Theatre is a minority but it's a big minority."

- J.P. Donleavy from an article/interview, Irish Connections, 2000

"Pink Shoes" scene from the Theatre Under the Influence production of Fairy Tales of New York, 2000, Seattle.

Listed in chronological order. Any additional information for these and other productions would be most appreciated and credited.

Pembroke Theatre-in-the-Round, Croydon, Surrey, England, December 6, 1960 - Presented by Spur Productions, the first production of the play, which was a success, won Donleavy the Evening Standard Drama Critics' Award. Produced by William Donaldson. Directed by Philip Wiseman. Setting by Assheton Gorton.

CAST:

Barry Foster

Robert Ayres

Harry Towb

Susan Hampshire

Cornelius Christian

1st Stevedore; Customs Man
Norman Vine; Stephen Mott
Admiral; Fritz; Charlie (Act I)

2nd Stevedore; 3rd Stevedore
Howard How; Mike O'Rourke
Charlie (Act IV)

Elaine Musk; Miss Kelly;
Gertrude Gentle;
Charlotte Graves

Reviews

Comedy Theatre, London, January 24, 1961 - The entire first production was moved to this location for the above opening date, again presented by Spur Productions and directed by Philip Wiseman.

CAST:

To purchase books by J.P. Donleavy, go to the Buyers' Guide.

Barry Foster

Robert Ayres

Harry Towb

Susan Hampshire

First page of program | Scenes & credits page | Bios of JPD & Wiseman | Reviews

"Fairy Tales of New York" - ITV Play of the Week - aired Tuesday, June 6, 1961 9:35 pm - 90 min. Season 6, Episode 40. Granada Productions. Series directed by Peter Graham Scott. Production directed by Graham Evans - designed by William Brodie.

Starring: Robert Stephens as Cornelius Christian, with: Alan Gifford, Lionel Murton, Harry Towb, James Caincross, Milo O'Shea, Judith Conrow.

"Fairy Tales of New York" Granada Television, Great Britain - air date & time?
Director: Graham Evans - Script: J.P. Donleavy - Designer: William Brodie.

CAST:

Cornelius Christian

First Stevedore

Second Stevedore

Third Stevedore

Customs Man

Robert Stephens

Ted Carson

Irvin Allen

Michael Forrest

Francis Napier

And others...

State University of New York at Albany, Pettit, Page Arena Theatre, Summer 1962 - Details on this production being researched.

Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Australia, 1962 - Details on this production being researched.

Library Theatre, Manchester, Great Britain, 1962 - Details on this production being researched.

Victoria Theatre in the Round, Hartshill, Nov. 17, 1964 - Details on this production being researched.

The Institute Theatre, Hampstead Garden Suburb (London), Wed. April 22, 1964 - Details on this production being researched.

Sagor från New York 1965. Swedish Television production of Fairy Tales of New York, starring Per Olof Eriksson as Cornelius Christian. Details being researched.

The Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society (B.M.D.S.) Theatre Workshop, Cavendish Hall, Devonshire, Feb. 17, 1966 - According to the program, several plays were included in this presentation, one act from each. Act III of Fairy Tales of New York was presented. Director: Alec D. Foster

CAST:

Cornelius Christian

Mike O'Rourke

Gertrude Gentle

The Admiral

Tony Dawson

John Lough

Paula Montgomery

John Profit

Bradford Civic Playhouse (The Civic) , Main Theatre, Little Germany Bradford West Yorkshire, June 13-18, 1966 - (The theatre has now become The Priestley ) - Special thanks to Roger Beaumont (part of the production crew) for passing along the details of this production. Director: Sydney Irving; set design: Hazel Irving; stage manager: Betty Woodrow; assistant stage manager: Margaret Clough; lighting Tom Whitwham; wardrobe: Stella Birkett; effects: David Guest, Margaret Read; properties: Susan Bonny, Peter Corrigan, Stephen Hodson, Stephen Pearson, John Lambert; controlled by: Ian Graham, Derek Lister

CAST:

Tony Falkingham

Leonard Sheldon

Ian Wilson

Jacqueline Wilson

First Actor

Second Actor

Third Actor

Actress

Questors Theatre, Ealing, London, September, 1966 - directed by David Gower; settings by Mary Anderson; Lighting by Malcolm Ferguson; sound by David Edwards. Special thanks to theatre archivist John Dobson for graciously providing production information, including stills.

CAST:

Cornelius Christian (First Actor)

Second Actor

Third Actor

Actress

John Turner

David Lippiett

David Pearson

Stella Page

Scene from production: Helen

Scene from production: Peach Shoes

Peacock Theatre (in the Dublin Theatre Festival of 1973) - Irish Premiere.
Details being sought.

Performing Arts Centre Ballard School - New Forest Players 1975/6 - Producer Gillian Pitt. Further details being sought.

Abbey Theatre (Peacock Stage), Ireland
October 5, to November 6, 1979
Director - Joe Dowling; Design - Bronwen Casson & Gerald Crosson; Lighting - Tony Wakefield; Sound - Nuala Golden; Stage Director - Bill Hay; Assistant Stage Director - Fionnuala Kenny

CAST:

Cornelius Christian

1st. Stevedore; Customs Officer; Norman Vine; Steve Mott,
The Admiral; Fritz

2nd Stevedore; 3rd Stevedore;
Howard How; O'Rourke, Charles

Elaine Musk; Miss Kelly;
Gertrude Gentle; Charlotte Graves

John Kavanagh

Desmond Cave

Byran Murray

Nuala Hayes

Tower Theatre, Canonbury, London, Oct. 22 - Nov. 1, 1980 - The Tower Theatre's website has by far the best archives of any theatre I've come across in my research. Production Team: Director: Paul Rutledge - Set Design: Denis Turner - Lighting Design: Laurence Tuerk, Kevin Sleep - Repertory Stage Manager: Alan Nesbitt - Stage Manager: Chris Whatmore - DSM: Sarah Ambrose - ASMs: Patricia Colson, Russell Dexter - Sound Tape & Operator: Stephen Ley - Lighting Operator: Tony Hulse - Wardrobe: Marjorie Hogg - Set Construction: Alan Nesbitt, Denis Turner, Jane Asshley, Chris Whatmore, Helen Smith, Juliet Morrison, Sarah Ambrose, Anne Tuckwell, Karen Killaspy, Alan Williams, David Dale-Skey

CAST:

Cornelius Christian

Stevedore; Norman Vine; Stephen Mott; Admiral Fuller

2nd Stevedore; Customs Man;
O'Rourke; Fritz, the Head Waiter

Elaine Musk; Miss Kelly;
Gertrude Gentle; Charlotte Graves

3rd Stevedore; Howard How; Charlie the Waiter

Wesley Ashwell

Michael Mountain

Bob Hutt

Ettie Tarrant

Max Fisher

Scene from production

Soho Repertory Theatre, New York, 1981 - US Premiere, aprox. 5-week run. Special thanks to Jerry Engelbach for passing along details of this production. Artistic directors: Jerry Engelbach and Marlene Swartz. Directed by Jerry Engelbach.

CAST:

Cornelius Christian

1st Stevedore; Customs Man;
Norman Vine; Stephen Mott; Admiral

2nd Stevedore; 3rd; Stevedore;
Howard Howe; Mike O'Rourke; Charlie

Elaine Musk; Miss Kelly;
Gertrude Gentle;Charlotte Graves

Jerry Engelbach

Pat Freni

Peter Waldron

Karen Jones

Larger view of program cover

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland - Feb., 1988

Details being researched.

Bob Hope Theatre, Stockton, California - 1995

Details being researched.

Bob Hope Theatre, London - 1995

Details being researched.

Virginia Stage Company, Norfolk, Virginia April, 1990 - Directed by Charles Towers. Cast details being researched.

Warehouse Theatre, East Croydon, England, May, 1991 - 30th Anniversary Production. Details being researched.

Cornelius Christian

Patrick Ryecart

Theatre Under The Influence, Union Garage, Seattle, Feb., 2000 - Very well attended and reviewed production which was a decade-long obsession for director Craig Bradshaw to bring to the stage. Special thanks to Mr. Bradshaw for the production stills.

CAST:

Cornelius Christian

Norman Vine & Others

Howard Howe & Others

Charlotte Graves & Others

Brandon Whitehead

Charles Leggett

Andy McCone

Jacqueline Wilson

Cornelius Christian | The Admiral | Peach Shoes | Reviews

Reviews of this play | Back to JPD Play Performances History Index