Contents [ printable ]
THM/373 - Brian Rix Archive-
THM/373/1 - Scrapbooks and Press Cuttings
- THM/373/1/1 - Scrapbook relating to the Donald Wolfit Theatre Company and The White Rose Players
- THM/373/1/2 - Rix Theatrical Productions presents The Viking Theatre Company, King's Hall Theatre, Ilkley, March 29th-October 16th, 1948
- THM/373/1/3 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/4 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/5 - Scrapbook relating to Reluctant Heroes
- THM/373/1/6 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/7 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/8 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/9 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/10 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/11 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/12 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/13 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/14 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/15 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/16 - Scrapbook relating to She was Only an Admiral's Daughter
- THM/373/1/17 - Scrapbook
- THM/373/1/18 - Framed Press Cuttings
- THM/373/1/19 - Press cuttings
- THM/373/1/20 - Press cuttings
- THM/373/2 - Photographs
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THM/373/3 - Scripts and Transcripts
- THM/373/3/1 - Tour de Farce
- THM/373/3/2 - Gala Evening: Life in the Farce Lane
- THM/373/3/3 - Transcript
- THM/373/3/4 - A Peer Round Whitehall
- THM/373/3/5 - You'll Do for Me! by Brian Rix.
- THM/373/3/6 - Tour de Farce: A Tale of Actors on the Road and Theatres in the Sticks, in Five Acts (with a curtain-raiser, Four Interludes and an After-Piece) by Brian Rix.
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THM/373/4 - Audio Recordings
- THM/373/4/1 - Reluctant Heroes, BBC The Star Show / Dry Rot excerpts
- THM/373/4/2 - Simple Spymen by John Chapman
- THM/373/4/3 - Full end of Simple Spymen / Desert Island Discs, May 1960
- THM/373/4/4 - She's Done it Again
- THM/373/4/5 - Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
- THM/373/4/6 - Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
- THM/373/4/7 - A Bit Between The Teeth
- THM/373/4/8 - Fringe Benefits
- THM/373/4/9 - Dry Rot
- THM/373/4/10 - 'Private Passions'/'In the Psychiatrist's Chair'
- THM/373/4/11 - 'Desert Island Discs'
- THM/373/4/12 - A Bit Between The Teeth
- THM/373/4/13 - Farce About Face
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THM/373/5 - Video Recordings
- THM/373/5/1 - Reluctant Heroes
- THM/373/5/2 - Dry Rot
- THM/373/5/3 - The Night We Got the Bird
- THM/373/5/4 - The Night We Dropped a Clanger
- THM/373/5/5 - Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
- THM/373/5/6 - Television Programmes
- THM/373/5/10 - Lord Rix / Life in the Farce Lane
- THM/373/5/7 - All About Us!: The Story of People with a learning Disability and Mencap.
- THM/373/5/8 - A Celebration of Ira Gershwin: Who Could Ask for Anything More?
- THM/373/5/9 - A Peer Round Whitehall
- THM/373/5/11 - Lifelong Learning in the Farce Lane
- THM/373/5/12 - Life in the Farce Lane - Part 1
- THM/373/5/13 - Life in the Farce Lane - Part 2
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THM/373/6 - Papers Relating to Productions
- THM/373/6/1 - Memorandums and Audience Research Reports
- THM/373/6/2 - Items relating to productions of Dry Rot by John Chapman
- THM/373/6/3 - Bound volume of entries for Brian Rix from the BBC INFAX programme catalogue, detailing his appearances on BBC broadcasts.
- THM/373/6/4 - Programme for Chase Me Comrade!: A New Farce by Ray Cooney
- THM/373/6/5 - Programme for Fringe Benefits by Peter Yeldham and Donald Churchill.
- THM/373/6/6 - The Brian Rix Theatre of Laughter Souvenir
- THM/373/6/7 - Programme for Close the Coalhouse Door by Alan Plater.
- THM/373/6/8 - Programme for One For the Pot at the Whitehall Theatre
- THM/373/6/9 - 'Reluctant Heroes' Souvenirs
- THM/373/6/10 - Programme for Simple Spymen by John Chapman
- THM/373/6/11 - Leaflets
- THM/373/6/12 - Posters
- THM/373/7 - Arts Council Papers
- THM/373/8 - Papers relating to Normansfield Theatre
- THM/373/9 - Personal Objects
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THM/373/10 - Publications and Periodicals
- THM/373/10/1 - Rix, Brian., Farce about Face. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1989)
- THM/373/10/2 - Rix, Brian., Tour De Farce: A Tale of Touring Theatres and Strolling Players. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1992)
- THM/373/10/3 - The Theatrical Management Association: The First Hundred Years, 1894-1994. ed. Vivyan Ellacott
- THM/373/10/4 - Rix, Brian., Life in the Farce Lane, or Tragedy with its Trousers Down: The A to C (Aristophones to Cooney) of Farce. (London: Andre Deursch, 1995)
- THM/373/10/5 - Gullible's Travails, ed. Brian Rix (London: Andre Deutsch, 1996)
- THM/373/10/6 - Rix, Brian., All About Us!: The Story of People with a Learning Disability and Mencap. (Chatham: Mackays of Chatham, 2006)
- THM/373/10/7 - In Touch: The Magazine for Honorary Award Holders, University of East London. Issue 4; December, 2009
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THM/373/11 - Papers relating to Publishing
- THM/373/11/1 - Research material for Life in the Farce Lane
- THM/373/11/2 - Original proof of Life in the Farce Lane, or Tragedy with its Trousers Down: The A to C (Aristophones to Cooney) of Farce by Brian Rix. With additional scenes by Jonathan Rix and décor by David Drummond. Andre Deutsch publishing
- THM/373/11/3 - Original proofs of Tour de Farce by Brian Rix. Hodder and Stoughton publishing
- THM/373/11/4 - Book Cover
- THM/373/11/5 - Poster
Brian Rix Archive
-
See the:
Brief Description
of this material
![[?]](http://archiveshub.ac.uk/img/structure/form_tip.png)
- How to: Access These Materials
- See the: Contact details for the Repository
- See the: Location details for the Repository
| This material is held at | V & A Department of Theatre and Performance |
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373 |
| Dates of Creation | Aug 1942-Dec 2009 |
| Name of Creator | Brian Rix |
| Language of Material | English |
| Physical Description | 61 files |
Scope and Content
This archive consists of a collection of cuttings, papers and recordings relating to the life and work of Brian Rix in theatre, television and publications.
Administrative / Biographical History
Brian Rix (full title: Baron Rix of Whitehall in the City of Westminster & Hornsea in Yorkshire) was born on 27th January 1924 in Cottingham, Yorkshire. He became a professional actor at the age of 18. He toured with Donald Wolfit and his Famous Company and The White Rose Players before his wartime service in the RAf and down the mines as a Bevin Boy. In 1947 he formed his own theatre company, and from 1950 he was actor-manager of the Whitehall and Garrick Theatres for thirty years. He acted in many productions for television and presented the first BBC series for people with learning disabilities Let's Go. He also produced and appeared in 12 film farces.
Brian Rix became Secretary General of MENCAP in 1980. He later became Chairman of MENCAP in 1988 and then President in 1998, as well as being involved with several other groups for people with learning disabilities. In recognition for this he has received eight honorary degrees and five fellowships. He has received the C.B.E., a knighthood and was made a life peer on 27th January 1992. He is an active member of the House of Lords regarding disabled people, and the Arts. He was Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater London from 1988-1998. In 1997 Lord Rix became Chancellor of the University of East London where the Rix Centre does work for the learning disabled community. He is now the Univerisity's Chancellor Emeritus.
Brian Rix married actress Elspet Gray in 1949, with whom he had four children. He has written several volumes of autobiography and memoir.
Arrangement
This archive has been arranged into the following series:
- THM/373/1 Scrapbooks and Press Cuttings
- THM/373/2 Photographs
- THM/373/3 Scripts and Transcripts
- THM/373/4 Audio Recordings
- THM/373/5 Video Recordings
- THM/373/6 Papers relating to productions
- THM/373/7 Papers relating to the Arts Council
- THM/373/8 Papers relating to Normansfield Theatre
- THM/373/9 Personal Objects
- THM/373/10 Publications and Periodicals
- THM/373/11 Papers relating to Publishing
Conditions Governing Access
This archive is available for consultation in the V&A Department of Theatre & Perfomance's reading room, which is located at Blythe House, 23 Blythe Rd, Olympia, London, W14 0QX. The reading room is open Tuesday to Friday's between 10.15 am and 4.30 pm, access to it is by appointment only. To request an appointment please email tmenquiries@vam.ac.uk or telephone 020 7942 2698.
Additionally access to some of these files may be restricted. These are identified at file level.
Conditions Governing Use
Archive material may not be photocopied. Arrangements can be made to photograph material in the search room using non-flash photography.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Brian Rix, January 2010.
Related Material
See also the core collections of the V&A Theatre and Performance Department. Material relating to Brian Rix may be found in several collections, including the biographical, productions, company and photographs files. Relevant files include the Brian Rix Biographical file as well as production files of the Garrick and Whitehall Theatres.
Please ask the Department of Theatre & Performance enquiry team for further details.
Bibliography
Stenning, Jeanne The 30 Week Life of Rix Theatrical Productions Ilkley, 1948
Subjects | |
| Theater--Great Britain--History--20th century | |
| Acting--Great Britain | |
Personal Names | |
| Rix, Brian | |
Cataloguing Info
| Title | Brian Rix Archive |
| Sub-title | Catalogue of records in the Victoria & Albert Museum: Department of Theatre and Performance |
| Author | Catalogued by Ewan Evans. |
| Revisions |
Scrapbooks and Press Cuttings
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1 |
| Dates of Creation | Jan 1948-Feb 1975 |
| Physical Description | 20 Files |
Scope and Content
This series consists of scrapbooks and press cuttings relating to the performing career of Brian Rix.
Scrapbook relating to the Donald Wolfit Theatre Company and The White Rose Players
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/1 |
| Dates of Creation | Aug 1942-Apr 1944 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains cuttings, telegrams, programmes, and production photographs.
Rix Theatrical Productions presents The Viking Theatre Company, King's Hall Theatre, Ilkley, March 29th-October 16th, 1948
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/2 |
| Dates of Creation | Jan 1948-Apr 1949 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains cuttings, telegrams, programmes, greetings cards and production photographs.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/3 |
| Dates of Creation | Jan 1949-June 1949 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains cuttings, posters, programmes and production photographs. Covering performances at the Grand Pavilion, Bridlington; The Spa Theatre, Bridlington and The Hippodrome, Margate.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/4 |
| Dates of Creation | Apr 1949-Feb 1951 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains cuttings and production photographs. Covering performances at the Spa Theatre, Bridlington, Whitehall Theatre and the 'Reluctant Heroes' tour.
Scrapbook relating to Reluctant Heroes
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/5 |
| Dates of Creation | Mar 1950-Feb 1952 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/6 |
| Dates of Creation | Mar 1952-Oct 1956 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/7 |
| Dates of Creation | Oct 1956-Oct 1958 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings, loose programmes, posters, greetings cards, caricature and a press cutting from the Daily Telegraph reporting on the assasination of President Kennedy, 23rd November 1963.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/8 |
| Dates of Creation | Dec 1958-Mar 1960 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/9 |
| Dates of Creation | Feb 1960-Jan 1962 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/10 |
| Dates of Creation | Apr 1962-Aug 1964 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/11 |
| Dates of Creation | July 1962-Jan 1965 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings, copy of Parliamentary Debates vol.613, No.20 and cuttings from 1959 concerning Garratt v. Eastmond case.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/12 |
| Dates of Creation | Oct 1964-May 1970 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/13 |
| Dates of Creation | July 1969-June 1970 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/14 |
| Dates of Creation | May 1970-Mar 1972 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/15 |
| Dates of Creation | Mar 1972-Dec 1974 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook relating to She was Only an Admiral's Daughter
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/16 |
| Dates of Creation | July 1972-Oct 1972 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Scrapbook
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/17 |
| Dates of Creation | Dec 1974-Feb 1975 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Contains press cuttings.
Framed Press Cuttings
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/18 |
| Dates of Creation | 13 Apr 1969-19 Oct 1969 |
| Physical Description | 3 cuttings in 1 frame. |
Scope and Content
2 positive reviews and 1 interview from The Sunday Times.
Press cuttings
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/19 |
| Dates of Creation | undated |
| Physical Description | 11 items |
Scope and Content
Includes reviews of Tour de Farce from various newspapers.
Press cuttings
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/1/20 |
| Dates of Creation | undated |
| Physical Description | 1 page |
Scope and Content
Includes newspaper cuttings about Brian Rix's BBC contract .
Photographs
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/2 |
| Dates of Creation | 1948 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder containing six items |
Scope and Content
This series consists of theatrical and portrait photographs.
Photographs
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/2/1 |
| Dates of Creation | 1948 |
| Physical Description | 3 photographs |
Scope and Content
Mounted photographs of sets designed by Jenny Webster for Brian Rix's first repertory company at The King's Hall, Ilkley.
Portrait photographs
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/2/2 |
| Dates of Creation | undated |
| Physical Description | 2 photographs |
Scope and Content
Portrait photographs of Brian Rix. One is by George Wilkes.
Reproduction portrait photograph
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/2/3 |
| Dates of Creation | undated |
| Physical Description | 1 double sided sheet |
Scope and Content
Printed portrait of John Slater with biography on verso.
Scripts and Transcripts
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/3 |
| Dates of Creation | 1993- 1 June 2009 |
| Physical Description | 6 Files |
Scope and Content
This series consists of scripts written and used by Brian Rix, and transcripts of interviews involving Brian Rix.
Tour de Farce
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/3/1 |
| Dates of Creation | 1993-1994 |
| Physical Description | 1 prompt script |
Gala Evening: Life in the Farce Lane
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/3/2 |
| Dates of Creation | 1 May 1996 |
| Physical Description | 1 script |
Scope and Content
Presented by Brian Rix. Queen Margaret College, Gateway Theatre, Edinburgh.
Transcript
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/3/3 |
| Dates of Creation | 16 Apr 2007 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
Interview with Kate Harris [PhD Student at the University of Sheffield] for the Theatre Archive Project (inc. correspondence). Includes further letter to Brian Rix from Kate Harris, which includes a chapter on the Whitehall Theatre from Theatre Archive Project monograph.
A Peer Round Whitehall
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/3/4 |
| Dates of Creation | June 2009 |
| Physical Description | 1 script and 1 DVD |
Scope and Content
Includes the accompanying DVD from 1st June 2009.
You'll Do for Me! by Brian Rix.
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/3/5 |
| Dates of Creation | c.1989 |
| Physical Description | 1 volume, including loose papers. |
Scope and Content
Includes letters from Michael Pertwee to Brian Rix regarding amendments to the script, notes on auditions; Letter from James Barber, General Manager of Yvonne Arnaud Theatre including cast lists and production schedules, 14/03/1989; two newspaper reviews of You'll Do for Me! From 27/04/1989 and 30/05/1989.
Tour de Farce: A Tale of Actors on the Road and Theatres in the Sticks, in Five Acts (with a curtain-raiser, Four Interludes and an After-Piece) by Brian Rix.
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/3/6 |
| Dates of Creation | undated |
| Physical Description | 1 volume |
Scope and Content
Original draft script. With additional scenes by Joanthan Rix and decor by David Drummond.
Audio Recordings
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/4 |
| Dates of Creation | 15 Oct 1969-2009 |
| Physical Description | 12 items |
Scope and Content
This series contains nine farces recorded In Situ (BBC), three BBC Radio 4 appearences and an audiobook.
Reluctant Heroes, BBC The Star Show / Dry Rot excerpts
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/4/1 |
| Dates of Creation | 03 Jan 1953-04 Dec 1955 |
| Physical Description | 1 cassette |
Scope and Content
Side A - Reluctant Heroes, BBC The Star Show 03/01/1953. John Slater as Sgt. Bell, Peter Hammond as Tone, BBC Variety Playhouse 19/09/1953. Wally Patch as Sgt. Bell, Darcy Conyers as Tone and Brian Rix, Larry Noble - Colin Morris. Side B - Dry Rot excerpts, BBC Harry Hall's Guest Night, 31/08/1955 and on 04/12/1955, BBC Variety Playhouse, with John Slater, Brian Rix, Basil Lord, Charles Cameron, Cecily Dadget-Bowman.
Simple Spymen by John Chapman
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/373/4/2 |
| Dates of Creation | June 1958 |
| Physical Description | 1 cassette |
Scope and Content
'Live' from the Whitehall Theatre 1958-1961 (recording June 1958) with Brian Rix, Leo Franklyn, Larry Noble, Joan Sanderson, Andrew Sachs, Gerald Anderson, Charles Cameron, Toby Perkins, Peter Allenby, Peter Mercier, Merylin Roberts, directed by Wallace Douglas. (end missing) [recording continues on casette numbered THM/373/4/3]
