Muriel Cole Collection of Theatre Reviews

This material is held atV&A Theatre and Performance Collections

  • Reference
    • GB 71 THM/431
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1967-1978
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 2 boxes

Scope and Content

West End play reports (25 files, 1968-1978); Regional and Non West End play reports (13 files, 1968-1978); Television cast lists (11 files, 1967-1978); Film reports (1 file, 1969-1977); Actor addresses (1 file, 1975-1978, and closed until 2093)

Administrative / Biographical History

Muriel Cole (1914 - 2012) was the first Head of Casting for Yorkshire Television, a position she maintained from 1968 to her retirement in 1978.

Members of Yorkshire Television's Casting Department attended various theatre performances around the country, including performances by theatre clubs and drama schools, as well as performances at major city theatres. Reports were then submitted evaluating the performance of each actor, with a view to recommending actors to appear in Yorkshire Television productions.

During the period covered by the collection, the Casting Department assessed many actors who would go on to prominent careers. These include Helen Mirren, Simon Callow, Julie Walters, Bob Hoskins, Anthony Sher, Art Malik, Alison Steadman, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce.

Arrangement

The original order of this archive has been largely maintained - play reviews divided into West End, and Regional and Non West End, and sub-divided by year. Similarly the original arrangement of television cast lists has been maintained - divided into Yorkshire Television productions and productions by other television companies. Separate files for film reviews and for actor's addresses have been artificially created for clarity.

Access Information

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Blythe House Archive and Library Study Room by appointment only. Full details of access arrangements may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Access to some of the material may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

Acquisition Information

The collection was given to the museum by the god-daughter of Muriel Cole

Archivist's Note

02/05/2013

Conditions Governing Use

Information on copying and commercial reproduction may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Accruals

No Further accruals expected.