Unfinished Histories

 
Welcome

Thank you for visiting the Unfinished Histories web site. This web site has been constructed to give information on our interviews and their content, advising as to where they can be viewed in full, and informatioin on the alternative theatre movement in general – its companies, venues, individuals, organisations and events. The web site is in its early stages. What you see here is the starting point from which it will grow over the next two to three years. When refering to people, companies, venues and their work, we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible with accreditations. We apologize for any inaccuracies and encourage you to contact us so that we can make corrections and additions where necessary. 

If you are interested in the work we are doing and would like to assist in speeding up its progress through practical or financial help please refer to Contributing to the Site, Donations or Volunteering for further information.

We send a big thank you to those who have most generously contributed their memories, material and time to Unfinished Histories and the creation of the website thus far.

Enjoy the rest of your viewing!

Susan Croft and Jessica Higgs
Directors, Unfinished Histories

News updates

John Bull Puncture Repair Kit
We have recently be sent over a hundred photographs of the work of John Bull Puncture Repair Kit company dating from the early 1970s. They were kindly rescued (from a dustpin) and scanned for us by Doug Firth. Below are just four photos from the collection. We would like to hear from anyone connected with John Bull Puncture Repair Kit who can help us identify the company, their shows and photographer. If you can help please contact us.

Re-creating the Fun Art Bus
ED Berman, Professor, MBE and founder of the legendary Inter-Action is proposing recreating a new Fun Art Bus 40 years on to coincide with a new Olympic year, - the original bus was launched in 1972. The project is being developed in conjunction with Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance and with an Unfinished Histories component. Click here for further details.

The Palatine Project
Unfinished Histories in conjunction with University of Sheffield received funding from Palatine to begin to create a learning resource on alternative theatre: n online index, with selected full text versions, of articles, books, chapters, reviews etc on the alternative theatre movement in the 1960s to 80s. This project is currently in progress. For more information or if you would like to contribute go to: Palatine project.

Peter Shorey (1949 – 2011)
We are very sorry to let you know of the death of actor and writer Peter Shorey on December 7th, 2011. Peter was very active in alternative theatre in the 1970s and early 1980s working with Cleveland Theatre Company, Avon Touring and Gay Sweatshop amongst others. He had an extensive and varied acting career working in Rep up and down the country, and more recently, seasons with the RSC, and Shakespeare's Globe in London and on tour in the States. Peter was much loved for his appearances as Pantomime Dame, writing scripts for the pantos he appeared in at Cochester and Northampton.

Sheila Allen (1932-2011)
Sheila Allen died on 11th October, 2011. Sheila was one of our first interviewees and we greatly treasure the memories she shared with us of her life and career, in particular those relating to her work on Jane Arden's groundbreaking play Vagina Rex and the Gas Oven, first produced in 1969 at the Drury Lane Arts Lab alongside Victor Spinetti, directed by Jack Bond. In 2009 Unfinished Histories arranged a reading of the play, directed by Jessica Higgs, which was attended by Sheila, Victor and Jack. The second half of the event was a live interview with them chaired by Susan Croft. A recording of this was made by the British Library Sound Archive and is available for viewing. Please click here to link to Sheila's Unfinished Histories web page, and look at Past Events for further information on Jane Arden and Vagina Rex and the Gas Oven. For obituary by Michael Billington in The Guardian click here.

Sheila Allen and Victor Spinetti at the 40th anniversary reading of Vagina Rex and the Gas Oven
Photo: Susan Croft

Obituaries
During 2009 and 2011 we have heard of the deaths of the following pioneers of alternative theatre. Please click on their names for obituaries and further information.

Bruce Birchall (? – 2011)
Bruce Birchall, Artistic Director of West London Theatre and Itinerant Theatre

Ken Campbell (1941-2008)
Ken Campbell, actor, writer, director extraordinaire
Please go to Ken Campbell's page to read Carole Woodis's review of Michael Coveney's authorised biography
Ken Campbell: The Great Caper, published Nick Hern Books: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/?isbn=9781848420762

Ian Hinchliffe (1942-2011)
Ian Hinchcliffe, absurdist, artist and musician

Boris Howarth (1949-2009)
Boris Howarth, co-founder of Lancaster Street Theatre and later of Welfare State International

Malcolm Griffiths (1943-2010)  
Malcolm Griffiths, Portable Theatre Workshop and Paradise Foundry

Catherine Itzin (1944 – 2010)
Catherine Itzin, editor Alternative Theatre Directories and author of the groundbreaking Stages of the Revolution (1980)

Ellen Stewart (1919-2011)
Ellen Stewart, founder and Directrice of New York’s La MaMa

Frank Whitten (1942-2011)
Frank Whitten, co-founder with playwright Chattie Salaman of influential West London-based community theatre company Common Stock