Marlowe Society
Encyclopedia
The Marlowe Society is a Cambridge University theatre club for Cambridge students. It is dedicated to achieving a high standard of student drama in Cambridge. The society celebrated its centenary over three years (2007–2009) and in 2008 there was a production by the society of a version of Comus written by Australia
n poet and playwright John Kinsella.
, the Society's namesake, was himself a lesser-known contemporary of Shakespeare's. Brooke and his fellow students were reacting against Victorian theatre and decided to revive the presentation of Shakespeare in Cambridge, not performed there since 1886. The Society came to specialise in Elizabethan and Jacobean revivals in uncut texts performed with their original economy and rapidity, and (in the early years) with the female roles played by men. The first successful modern production of The White Devil
, for example, was that of the Marlowe Society (ADC Theatre, Cambridge, March 1920), directed by J. T. Sheppard, with music by C. Armstrong Gibbs and with Eric Maschwitz
as Vittoria. “Anybody who enjoys hearing beautiful poetry beautifully spoken,” wrote the editor of the Cambridge Review, “and tragic passion ‘with dignity put on’ should not miss this wonderful opportunity. What a magnificent play!”
In 1964, to celebrate the Centennial of 1964 as commissioned by the British Council
, the Society decided to stage a production of the complete, uncut canon of Shakespeare poems and plays, under the direction of George Rylands.
The Marlowe Society and Footlights
used to work closely together: frequently the annual Footlights pantomime was a parody of the Marlowe society's serious dramatic performance earlier in the year. This performance is the one 'hosted' by the Cambridge Arts Theatre
in Cambridge.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n poet and playwright John Kinsella.
History
The Marlowe Society was founded in 1907 by Justin Brooke and other students, with the intention of performing historical plays that were relatively unknown, as Christopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. As the foremost Elizabethan tragedian, next to William Shakespeare, he is known for his blank verse, his overreaching protagonists, and his mysterious death.A warrant was issued for Marlowe's arrest on 18 May...
, the Society's namesake, was himself a lesser-known contemporary of Shakespeare's. Brooke and his fellow students were reacting against Victorian theatre and decided to revive the presentation of Shakespeare in Cambridge, not performed there since 1886. The Society came to specialise in Elizabethan and Jacobean revivals in uncut texts performed with their original economy and rapidity, and (in the early years) with the female roles played by men. The first successful modern production of The White Devil
The White Devil
The White Devil is a revenge tragedy from 1612 by English playwright John Webster . A notorious failure when it premiered, Webster complained the play was acted in the dead of winter before an unreceptive audience. The play's complexity, sophistication and satire made it a poor fit with the...
, for example, was that of the Marlowe Society (ADC Theatre, Cambridge, March 1920), directed by J. T. Sheppard, with music by C. Armstrong Gibbs and with Eric Maschwitz
Eric Maschwitz
Albert Eric Maschwitz OBE , known as Eric Maschwitz and sometimes credited as Holt Marvell, was an English entertainer, writer, broadcaster and broadcasting executive.-Life and work:...
as Vittoria. “Anybody who enjoys hearing beautiful poetry beautifully spoken,” wrote the editor of the Cambridge Review, “and tragic passion ‘with dignity put on’ should not miss this wonderful opportunity. What a magnificent play!”
In 1964, to celebrate the Centennial of 1964 as commissioned by the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
, the Society decided to stage a production of the complete, uncut canon of Shakespeare poems and plays, under the direction of George Rylands.
The Marlowe Society and Footlights
Footlights
Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club, commonly referred to simply as the Footlights, is an amateur theatrical club in Cambridge, England, founded in 1883 and run by the students of Cambridge University....
used to work closely together: frequently the annual Footlights pantomime was a parody of the Marlowe society's serious dramatic performance earlier in the year. This performance is the one 'hosted' by the Cambridge Arts Theatre
Cambridge Arts Theatre
Cambridge Arts Theatre is a 666-seat theatre on Peas Hill in central Cambridge, England. The theatre presents a varied mix of drama, dance, opera and pantomime. It attracts some of the highest-quality touring productions in the country, as well as many shows direct from, or prior to, seasons in the...
in Cambridge.
Notable figures
There are many famous alumni of this society, including:- John BartonJohn Barton (director)John Bernard Adie Barton CBE is a theatrical director. He is the son of Sir Harold Montagu and Lady Joyce Barton. He married Anne Righter, a university lecturer, in 1968....
- Sir Peter Hall
- Trevor NunnTrevor NunnSir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
- Tim SuppleTim SuppleTimothy Supple is an English theatre and opera director.Tim Supple began working as an assistant director at the York Theatre Royal. Between 1988 and 1991 he directed at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, Leicester Haymarket and Chichester Festival Theatre Timothy (Tim) Supple (b. 1962) is an...
- Sam MendesSam MendesSamuel Alexander "Sam" Mendes, CBE is an English stage and film director. He is best known for his Academy Award-winning work on his debut film American Beauty and his dark re-inventions of the stage musicals Cabaret , Oliver! , Company and Gypsy . He's currently working on the 23rd James Bond...
- Ian McKellenIan McKellenSir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, and five Emmy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction...
- Derek JacobiDerek JacobiSir Derek George Jacobi, CBE is an English actor and film director.A "forceful, commanding stage presence", Jacobi has enjoyed a highly successful stage career, appearing in such stage productions as Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and Oedipus the King. He received a Tony Award for his performance in...
- Tom HollanderTom HollanderThomas Anthony "Tom" Hollander is a British actor who has appeared in productions such as Enigma, Gosford Park, Cambridge Spies, Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean, In the Loop, Valkyrie and Hanna.-Early life:Tom Hollander was born in Bristol and raised in Oxford, Oxfordshire, the son...
- Griff Rhys JonesGriff Rhys JonesGriffith "Griff" Rhys Jones is a Welsh comedian, writer, actor, television presenter and personality. Jones came to national attention in the early 1980s for his work in the BBC television comedy sketch shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Mel Smith...
- Clive SwiftClive SwiftClive Walter Swift is an English character comedy actor and songwriter. He is best known for his role as character Richard Bucket in the British television series Keeping Up Appearances. He is less known for his role as character Roy in the British television series The Old Guys...
- George 'Dadie' Rylands