Please read Understanding catalogue records for help interpreting this information and Using footage for more information about accessing this film.

Title: PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE

Reference number: 0479

Date: 1946c

Director: d. Gordon Begg

Production company: Thames and Clyde

Sound: sound

Original format: 35mm

Colour: bw

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 24.00 mins

Description: The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow. A young actor is shown around behind the scenes after a successful audition.

The Archives of the Citizens Theatre are deposited at the Scottish Theatre Archive, Glasgow University. See http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/STA/index.html for further details [last accessed 15/2/2007]

See also ref. 4682

Credits: ph. F. MacLachlan, R. Anderson
ed. M. Cardin
John Williams played by Daniel Thorndike
also taking part Mr Matthew Forsyth and members of the company and staff of the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
p. Stanley L. Russell
w. Gordon Begg

Shotlist: REEL I

Credits (.35); Map of Central London showing the distribution of theatres. Shots of numerous theatres (2.24); We meet John Williams, an out-of-work actor, on his way to his lodgings in London. He receives an offer of work at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow (5.00); Shots outside the Citizens Theatre. John buys a ticket and finds his seat. He decides to have a cup of tea before the show. (7.00); He goes backstage afterwards and meets Mr. Forsyth (8.20)

REEL II

No credits. John is shown around the theatre. Scenery designer in his workshop. Scenery store and props room. Up into the flies. The dressing rooms and wardrobe. (3.20); Actors arrive for rehearsal the following morning. John arrives and watches the rehearsal from the front (6.40); John helps to check the props. Shots of orchestra. John provides sound effects from the wings (8.50)

REEL III

No credits. John makes up in his dressing room. Poster showing Citizens Theatre Productions, September 1945 - August 1946. John waits in the wings and then goes on stage (2.30); Back in dressing room. Putting the props away (3.20); Mr. MacLeod, a writer, arrives in the theatre and shows Mr. Forsyth his most recent play. He meets John and the two men go back to MacLeod's flat for a drink, where each of them has his own private dreams of the future (6.40); ecs (7.00)