Chronology

Full chronology version
John Barrymore in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 1920

1920

John Barrymore stars in the dual-leading role in the film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

1921

Sothern and Marlowe perform together in a production of The Merchant of Venice in New York.

John Barrymore's prompt book from Hamlet

1922

Hamlet is performed at the Sam Harris in New York, with John Barrymore in the title role. His seminal performance is highly praised.

Programme cover - Manhattan Opera House. Arthur Hopkins presents John Barrymore in Shakespeare's Tragedy of Hamlet

1923

John Barrymore appears as Hamlet at the Manhattan Opera House.

1923

Groucho Marx interrupts his own performance at the Walnut Street Theatre to announce to the audience that President Harding had died.

1925

Ellen Terry is awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.

1928

Actress Ellen Terry dies.

A stage set from the 1930 production of Othello at the Savoy

1930

Othello is performed at the Savoy in London on 19th May, with Paul Robeson taking the title role. He is the first black actor to perform on a London stage since Ira Aldridge in the mid-1800s.

1933

Edward Sothern dies from pneumonia.

1935

Laurence Olivier stars in a production of Romeo and Juliet, in which he appears as both Romeo and Mercutio, alternating the roles with fellow actor John Gielgud.

1936

Laurence Olivier starts an affair with actress Vivien Leigh.

1939 - 1945

World War II.

Photo of Sir Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon from the 1939 film Wuthering Heights.

1939

Laurence Olivier stars in the film Wuthering Heights.

Sir Laurence Olivier and Lady Olivier (Vivien Leigh) on a short holiday at the Gold Coast after touring with the Old Vic Company in Hobart. Sir Laurence is elegantly dressed in a jacket, flannels and a open-necked shirt with a cravat. Lady Olivier is wear

1940

Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh marry.

1942

American actor John Barrymore dies after collapsing while recording a line for a radio production of Romeo and Juliet.

Paul Robeson as Othello, the Moor of Venice

1943

Paul Robeson plays Othello in a Margaret Webster production presented by the Theatre Guild. Robeson was the first African American actor to portray Othello in a major production since 1860.

Programme cover - Laurence Olivier presents Hamlet by William Shakespeare

1948

Laurence Olivier stars in and directs a British film adaptation of Hamlet.

1948

Actress Viola Allen dies in New York.

1950

Julia Marlowe dies in New York, aged 85.

1952

The Mousetrap opens at the Ambassadors Theatre on the 25 November 1952.

1955

Laurence Olivier stars in and directs a film adaptation of Richard III.

1960

Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh get divorced.

1960

Oliver! the musical version of Charles Dickens famous novel Oliver Twist opens at the New Theatre on 30 June 1960.

1961

The Royal Shakespeare Company is formed.

1961

The Sound of Music opens at the Palace Theatre on the 18 May 1861.

1963

Laurence Olivier becomes the first director of the new National Theatre. The theatre's first production is Hamlet, starring Peter O'Toole and directed by Olivier.

1964

The Walnut Street Theatre is designated a National Historic Landmark.

1965

Laurence Olivier stars in and directs a film adaptation of Othello, alongside Maggie Smith who plays Desdemona.