A project is starting early next year at Kingston University archives to be based on the Cary Ellison Theatre Programme Collection.

Cary Ellison was a talent spotter who worked for the casting directory Spotlight and as part of his work he went on twice yearly tours of repertory performances around the country in order to find up and coming actors, directors and plays. The programmes of these productions, heavily annotated by Ellison, are now at Kingston University. They cover theatre performances from around the UK and also the London West End from the Fifities to Eighties when Ellison was touring the country.

Actors he spotted early on their careers include Derek Jacobi, Richard Briars and Judi Dench. He also made notes on established actors as Lawrence Olivier, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson and Vivien Leigh at the peak of their fame.

His engrossing and entertaining programmes with their detailed notes are being conserved at Kingston University archives. U3A has been asked to work on a project to research aspects of the history of the programmes and the British theatre during the Fifties to early Eighties relating to Cary Ellison’s work.

This project will interest anyone with a love of the theatre in this country. A small number of members have already registered that they would like to be involved and we would like to extend involvement to other members of the U3A. If you wish to know more about these programmes and the archives at Kingston University contact Dayna Miller, the archivist at D.Miller@kingston.ac.uk

If you would like to register an interest in working on this project please email Sue Leigh (Wandsworth U3A) at smleigh@hotmail.co.uk and further details on the arrangements for the project and an application form will be sent to you.

Accompanied by mulled wine and mince pies, these concerts are guarantee to get you into the Christmas spirit with a wide range of festive music, seasonal readings and opportunities to join in with a few traditional and well-known carols. The Brandenburg Singers, directed by Bob Porter, will be performing.

There’ll be an interval presentation on the history and architecture of the two churches where the concerts will be held.

Friday, 6 December 2pm   St Bartholomew the Great, 6 Kinghorn Street, London, EC1A 7HW

Saturday, 7 December 2pm  St Stephen Walbrook, 39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN

Tickets: £19.50 See the TicketSource website [https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=Brandenburg%20traditional%20christmas%20concert]

For group bookings, please email bob@brandenburg.org.uk.

Prior booking is essential and forms are available at the Monthly Meetings or from the Surrey Network internet site, www.u3asites.org.uk/surreyu3anetwork

Attendees should bring a packed lunch as there is nowhere very close by to provide food on the day.

Surrey Network study days are open to members of all U3As in Surrey and the surrounding area. They are held in the Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon and normally start at 9.30 a.m. with registration, and finish at 4 p.m. The fee, including coffee / tea and biscuits, is £10, though a visitor who is not a member of a U3A will be charged £12.00

Prior booking is essential and forms are available at the Monthly Meetings or from the Surrey Network internet site, www.u3asites.org.uk/surreyu3anetwork

Attendees should bring a packed lunch as there is nowhere very close by to provide food on the day.