The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Spring 1985, Volume 31, Number 2
Thomas L. Scharf, Editor

Back to the Article ~ Images from the Article

Page 103

The Old Globe’s “Queen Elizabeth” and her court, 1935.

Page 104

The first production of the San Diego Community Theatre opened at the Old Globe on December 1, 1937 with “The Distaff Side” starring Richard Wilson, Craig Noel and Georgiana Powers.

Page 104

Internationally famed Shakespearean director, scholar and teacher B. Iden Payne (left) with members of the 1949 acting company of the first Old Globe Shakespeare Festival — a joint venture with San Diego State University.

Page 105

The first permanent seats were installed in the Old Globe Theatre in 1947 — theatre president Lowell Davies is seated foreground right.

Caught in the Act

Page 106

Seven editions of the popular original musical revue “Caught in the Act” were staged by the Old Globe Theatre beginning in 1949.

Page 107

Forest J. Sterling, Bruce Torbet, Ken Ferguston and Henry Zieba in sold-out success of the landmark production “Mr. Roberts” (1953) which replaced the Shakespeare Festival for one summer.

Page 107

Andy Anderson as Willy and Irma Macpherson as Linda in the 1953 production of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize winning American tragedy “Death of a Salesman” directed by Craig Noel.

Caught in the Act

Page 108

Bottom to top, Lillie Mae Barr, Luce Ennis and Margo Miller in the 1956 version of the popular “Caught in the Act” series of original topical revues. Directed by Craig Noel.

Romeo and Juliet

Page 108

Joyce Ebert, David Hooks and Stephen Joyce in William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” directed by Allen Fletcher, the first professional equity production at the Old Globe, 1959.

A Raisin in the Sun

Page 109

Minnie Cea Chambers (right) in the Old Globe Theatre production of “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry (1962), directed by Craig Noel and repeated the following season due to its popularity.

Henry IV

Page 109

Victor Buono (center) as Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part II” directed by William Bell for the Old Globe’s Shakespeare Festival (1962).

Ground-breaking

Page 110

Ground-breaking for the $350,000 administration and production wing in 1965. Left to right, James Mulvaney, Lowell Davies, Deborah Szekely and Les Earnest.

Romeo and Juliet

Page 110

Rehearsal scene from the 1966 production of “Romeo and Juliet” directed by Mel Shapiro. In the background, holding script, is actor Jon Voigt

Long Day's ]ourney Into Night

Page 111

Veteran actor John Ellsworth (left) and John Schak in the Globe’s  production of Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s ]ourney Into Night” (1967).

The Unknown Soldier and His Wife

Page 111

Duke Daybert and Lyman Saville in the premier production at the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, adjacent to the Old Globe Theatre, in 1969, Peter Ustinov’s anti-war satire “The Unknown Soldier and His Wife.”

Charley's Aunt

Page 112

Popular actor for several decades C. Wayland Capwell with David Dukes in “Charley’s Aunt” performed at the Cassius Carter Centre Stage in 1970.

A Comedy of Errors

Page 113

Laurence Guittard, Jonathan McMurtry and Tom Toner in “A Comedy of Errors” (1969), the first production directed  by Jack O’Brien.

Merry Wives of Windsor

Page 113

Marilee Sennett, Elizabeth Huddle, Mary Doyle and Christopher Reeve in “The Merry Wives of Windsor” (1972).

Taming of the Shrew

Page 114

In 1974 the Old Globe presented a Globe Educational Tour with an hour long version of the Shakespeare comedy of “Taming of the Shrew.” The production was seen by 30,000 students from elementary through junior college in San Diego City and County and Imperial County.

Valeda Turner

Page 114

Valeda Turner was a perennial Queen Elizabeth I escorted by Frank Adams at the popular pre-performance entertainment at the annual Shakespeare Festival

Winter Patriot

Page 115

The Bi-Centennial season, 1975-76 included the world premiere of “A Winter Patriot” by Frances L. Bardacke starring Gareth Broom and William Quiett.

Old Globe Theatre was destroyed by arson

Page 116

The Old Globe Theatre was destroyed by arson on March 8, 1978 — thereby temporarily ending its 43 year life as a popular performance space in Balboa Park.

King Henry V

Page 116

“King Henry V” produced for the 29th San Diego National Shakespeare Festival, 1978. Directed by Craig Noel and Eric Christmas.

King Lear

Page 117

G. Wood and David Ogden Stiers in the 1981 production of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” performed on the Festival Stage of the Simon Edison Centre for the Performing Arts.

Peggy Kellner

Page 118

Longtime scenery and costume designer Peggy Kellner fits a costume on Lissa Skiles for an Old Globe Theatre production.

Interior of the Old Globe Theatre

Page 118

Interior of the Old Globe Theatre on January 18, 1983 when Thornton Wilder’s “The Skin of Our Teeth” was the first live telecast of a stage play on the Public Broadcasting System.

Lowell Davies is greeted by Queen Elizabeth II

Page 119

Lowell Davies, above (seated), is greeted by Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her visit to the Old Globe, February 26, 1983.

Craig Noel and major benefactor Mrs. Simon Edison

Page 119

Executive Producer Craig Noel and major benefactor Mrs. Simon Edison.

 

PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS:

The title page drawing is from Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue A Book of Architectural and Decorative Drawings. New York: The Architectural Book Publishing Co., 1914. Photographs on the following pages are by Bill Reid: 95, 97, 98, 108 (bottom), 109 (top and bottom), 110 (top and bottom), 111 (top and bottom), 112, 113 (top and bottom), 114 (bottom), 116 (bottom), 118 (top). The view of the new Old Globe under construction on page 101 is by Cliff Baker. “Mr. Roberts” and “Death of a Salesman” on page 107 are by Charles Waterman. David Ogden Stiers in “King Lear” is by Sealy. Queen Elizabeth II and Lowell Davies on page 119 is courtesy of Robert Burroughs. All other photographs were provided by the Old Globe Theatre, Simon Edison Centre For The Performing Arts.