Foco Novo

 

Biographical History

 

Foco Novo was a pioneering, innovative and successful fringe theatre company throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Funded by the Arts Council, it was founded in 1972 by director Roland Rees, writer Bernard Pomerance and administrator David Ankin, who also co-founded the Joint Stock Theatre Company in 1974. Around this core, actors were cast at Equity rates, for each new production. Its objective was to encourage new writing and new work in the theatre, employing writers in residence such as Tunde Ikoli and accepting unsolicited manuscripts. The name Foco Novo, literally meaning new focus, classed itself as an alternative British theatre company, who saw a way forward as being a form of theatre that achieved a more significant integration of aesthetics and political commitment. It worked in both London and the English Regions, in traditional theatres and as well as in community centres, art centres, schools and colleges.

 

Its first play was the eponymous Foco Novo, looking at American involvement in South America.  The first performances were played in a garage and on a street in Chalk Field. This was followed by Brecht’s Drums in the Night at the 1973 Edinburgh Festival followed by Pomerance’s Someone Else is Still Someone, Fassbinder’s Cock Artist, Arthur Horner by Phil Woods and Death of a Black Man by Alfred Fagon. In 1976/7 they toured Brecht’s A Man’s A Man as well as Jon Chadwick and John Hoyland’s The Nine Days and Saltley Gates. In the summer of 1976 they commissioned Adrian Mitchell to write A Seventh Man from the book by John Berger, which toured throughout England, Wales and the Netherlands. In Spring 1977, Chadwick and Hoyland were again commissioned to create Tighten Your Belts, followed in late 1977 by Pomerance’s own Elephant Man. Withdrawal Symptoms followed in early 1978, at the ICA, and then On the Out by Tunde Ikoli at the Bush Theatre, London. From November 1978, The Free Fall by Colin Mortimer was toured and played at the ICA. This was followed by Mustapha Matura’s Independence in early 1979.  

 

Foco Novo’s policy was to encourage and nurture very new playwrights, for example C.P Taylor, Howard Brenton and Tunde Ikole, to name a few. Foco Novo thrived during the early 1970s, seeing enormous success with Pomerance’s original version of The Elephant Man, commissioned and first performed in 1977, touring the Uk before the play was produced with enormous success in New York. .

 

However, following the general election of 1979, changes to Arts Council funding policy meant that theatre companies where obliged to find half their income from non-subsidy sources. This had a devastating effect on Foco Novo, which had received  revenue funding from the Council for some time, since, as Roland Rees himself stated, it would not conform to the new priorities. As a consequence of these changes, the company was wound up in 1988.

 

For more information, see Margaret Eddershaws Performing Brecht, 1996, and D. Keith Peacocks Thatchers Theatre: British theatre and drama in the eighties, 1999.

 

 

System of arrangement

 

The collection has been arranged and divided into four main categories:

 

1.      Production: contains annotated original and photocopied production scripts, production character lists and music scores, production tour schedules, documents regarding production expenditure, black and white photographs from various productions and rehearsals, hand written and typed letters and documents concerning various productions and production slides.

 

2.      Casting: contains production casting lists, audition lists, and various CVs and documents relating to potential candidates for productions.

 

3.      Administration/Correspondence: contains various administrative papers and correspondence relating to many aspects of the Foco Novo, including funding, finances, accounts, productions, and general company paperwork.

 

4.      Advertising/Press: contains files of original and photocopied newspaper and magazine production reviews, production booklets, pamphlets, brochures and advertising material, 28 colour and black and white posters of various sizes advertising the Foco Novo productions at different theatres and venues.

 

 

 

Reference

Production

 

FN/1

Title

Description

Date

Original Box No.

FN/1/1

High In Vietnam, Bernard Pomerance, Interaction 1969/70

Full script for the production High In Vietnam and various photocopied newspaper reviews

1969-72

1

FN/1/2

Foco Novo Reviews and Play Script by Bernard Pomerance 1972

Various original and photocopied newspaper reviews for various productions, 53 page script for the production Foco Novo

1972

1

FN/1/3

Drums In The Night script and reviews, Brecht version by C P Taylor

Annotated script with cues, stage directions and lighting directions for a production titled Drums In The Night by Bertolt Brecht adapted by C P Taylor, original and photocopied newspaper reviews, various letters regarding grants and financial help for the production, various letters confirming requests for 4 copies of the production, various letters confirming breakdown of expenses for the production, letter giving a holiday address,  various letters regarding the agreement of the production and rehearsal dates

1973

3

FN/1/4

Someone Else Is Still Someone - Bernard Pomerance, Bush 1973

Character list and script

1973

3

FN/1/5

Adventure Inside Thirteen (not performed)- Alfred Fagon

Annotated script of the unperformed production, with character list and setting

July 1977

3

FN/1/6

Withdrawal Symptoms by C P Taylor

Production expenditure breakdown, poster advertisement with information about the production, cast list, annotated character list with setting and stage directions, annotated script with cues and stage directions

1978

2

FN/1/7

Ballygombeen Bequest- John Arden

Character list and 147 page script

1978

3

FN/1/8

The Guise- David Mowat

The Guise props list, annotated script with cues and lighting directions, prop setting list, more lighting directions and effects

1979

2

FN/1/9

Landscape Of Exile- David Zane Mairowitz

A third revised/adaptation of Landscape Of Exile written by David Zane Mairowitz, cast of characters list, historical notes, annotated 81 page script

1979

2

FN/1/10

Woyzeck- Georg Buchner

2 copies of scripts titled Woyzeck with inserts

1979

2

FN/1/11

Small production photos and contact sheets [productions 1982-1983]

Various black and white photographs for different productions including-

·         for Mr Puntila and his servant Matti- leaflet pamphlet advertisement for the production, 2x small photographs from a scene, 3x small and 2 large photographs from another scene, one large photograph of cast member, 2x large photographs of another cast member, 5 sets of 3x large photographs from various scenes, 24 sheets of negatives- photographer- Christopher Pearce; 2 individual photographs from scenes, 3 sets of 2x medium photographs of different scenes, 2 sets of 3x medium photographs from other scenes, 5x medium photographs from another scene, 6x medium photographs from another scene, one small sheet of negatives, photographer- John Haynes

·         from Edward II- one small photograph of the producer/writer Brecht in 1920, 2 different medium photographs of the cast, one medium photograph of a cast member, 18 individual medium photographs from rehearsal and actual scenes, 2x medium photographs from a scene, 6x medium photographs from another scene, 17 sheets of negatives, photographer- John Haynes

·         from Withdrawal Symptoms- 18 sheets of negatives

·         from Citizen Ilyushin- small poster advertisement, 5x medium photographs of a small mock stage set up

·         for Edward II- 14 small poster advertisements for various theatres, 4 small paper posters for other venues, one programme for the Ashcroft Theatre, 3 booklets for another venue, 8 booklets for another venue

·         3 information booklets for the Nell Gwynne Theatre in Hereford, 2x booklets for the Round House Theatre

1982-83

11

FN/1/12

Small prod photos and sheet of contacts: Sleeping Policeman, Black Mas, Bloody Poetry, Deathwatch, Week In Week Out

Numerous black and white photographs from various productions;

·         for the production Sleeping Policeman- 2x small photographs of the cast, 3x small photographs from a scene, 3x small photographs from another scene, 2 separate medium photographs of two of the cast members, 4x medium photographs of the cast outside Queens Road Peckham train station, 2 separate sets of 2 different large photographs of a scene from the production, 6 different individual photographs of scenes from the production, 14 sheets of the negatives from the photographs taken: photographers- Andrea Nelki, Christopher Pearce (Panic Pictures)

·         for the production Week In Week Out- feedback form/questionnaire about the production, 3x small photographs of the cast/crew, 3x medium photographs of a typical East End clothing factory where the play is set, 3x medium photographs of the cast/crew in the factory, 1x medium photograph of the cast in a discussion/rehearsal, 2x medium photographs of the cast rehearsing, 2 separate sets of 4x medium photographs of another rehearsal scene, 3x large photographs of the cast (less one member), 8 sheets of negatives for the photographs taken: photographer- Juanito A. Wadhwani

·         for the production Bloody Poetry by Howard Brenton and Roland Rees - booking form booklet for the production at The Hampstead Theatre, 3x medium photographs of a scene from the production, 2 separate individual photographs of scenes from the production, 11 sheets of the negatives: photographer- John Haynes

·         for the production Black Mas- 6 production programmes for the New End Theatre, 1x small photograph of the cast, 3 sets of 2x small photographs of rehearsals, 3 individual photographs of other rehearsal scenes, 3x medium photographs of a scene from the production, 2 individual medium photographs of other scenes, 3 sets of 2x medium photographs of scenes from the production, 1 large photograph from the production Sleeping Policeman, 2x large photographs of another scene, 6x large individual photographs of other scenes, 5 sheets of negatives: Photographer- Christopher Pearce (Panic Pictures); plus various documents advertising the production Black Mas including cast list, information about the production and a BBC Radio London review

1983-84

9

FN/1/13

Week In Week Out by Tunde Ikoli

41 page script for the production Week In Week Out including character list

1984

7

FN/1/14

Lower Depths Prompt Copy Tunde Ikoli

Annotated script (prompt copy) separated act by act for the production Lower Depths by Tunde Ikoli including cast list in order of appearance, time specification for each act including the interval for each performance, Birmingham contact list, prop setting list, interval setting check, interval props check list, personal props list, the check list, costume list, show running, stage directions, prop action list, rehearsal notes, sound cues, provisional tour schedule Spring 1985, company list including personal information, Foco Novo contract for the production

1985

7

FN/1/15

Deathwatch by Jean Genet translated by Nigel Williams

Notes on the translation of the production, cast list including personal information, Spring 1985 tour schedule, 45 page annotated script

1985

3

FN/1/16

Deathwatch Photographs

Various sets of black and white photographs with duplicates depicting rehearsals and scenes from the performance of Foco Novos Deathwatch by Jean Genet, 6x small photographs of a rehearsal scene, 5x small photographs of another rehearsal scene, 1x small photograph of the cast, 1x medium photograph of the cast, 5x large photographs of the cast, 6x large photographs of a scene from the production, 6x large photographs of another scene from the production, 2x large photographs of another scene from the production, 9x large photographs from another scene, 2x large photographs from another scene, 11x large photographs from another scene: photographer- John Haynes (name and address on reverse of some of the photographs)

1985

9

FN/1/17

Banged Up by Tunde Ikoli [with  Scripts for Soulnight and Please And Thank You]

Cast list, Autumn 1986 tour schedule for productions Banged Up, Please And Thank You and Soulnight, 34 page script for production Please And Thank You and 25 page annotated script with sound directions for production Soulnight

1986

3

FN/1/18

Please and Thank You- Tunde Ikoli (top copy)

Character list and 34 page script

1986

3

FN/1/19

Needles Of Light by James Pettifer (top copy)

Character list and 104 page script

1987

3

FN/1/20

Envelope addressed to Roland Rees from Michael Abbensetts, commissioned but unapproved

A handwritten letter from Michael Abbensetts addressed to Roland Rees, 69 page script for the production Blood Weddin by Michael Abbensetts

1987

1

FN/1/21

The Cape Orchard by Michael Picardie

91 page annotated script with cast list including personal information, Autumn 1987 tour schedule, props list, sound list, character list, scene setting, textual additions and a rough piece of paper from the Hotel Dorset in New York, used to note down translations

1987

3

FN/1/22

The Cape Orchard Prompt Copy

Rehearsal list, hand written setting list, printed map of South Africa, revised props list, train timetable for Penzance to London, cast list including personal information, Autumn 1987 tour schedule, provisional production week schedule, annotated 91 page script with stage directions

1987

3

FN/1/23

Savannah Bay (Foco Novo)

Production schedule, annotated 32 page script, contact sheet for theatre companies, stage floor plans with directions and cues, receipt from Carrs Hotel, reminders for photo calls written on the back of a photocopied £20 note, filming schedule letter

1988

11

FN/1/24

Small prod photos and contact sheets: The Ass, Lower Depths, Banged Up [and various other productions]

Numerous black and white photographs for various productions;

·         for the production Sink Or Swim-poster advertisement for the production with information, 2 individual photographs of scenes from the production, 4x photographs of the cast members (each photo with slight difference), 2 sheets of negatives

·         for the production Conversations in Exile- 2 sets of 2x medium photographs of scenes from the production, 2 individual/different photographs of other scenes, 3 sheets of negatives: photographer- Andra Nelki

·         for the production Snap- 1x portrait of Muybridge, 3 variations of the same photograph of a scene (with cropping and duplicate), 2 variations of the another photograph of a scene, 3 variations of another photograph of a scene with script and programme on the reverse, 2x photographs of a character in the production, a photograph from a scene, 7 sheets of duplicates: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production A Man’s a Man-  2 sheets of negatives with order details, small photograph of a scene from the production

·         from the production Independence- poster advertisement for the production, 4 separate/individual photographs of cast members from scenes from the production , 5 sheets of negatives

·         from the production A Seventh Man- one large photograph from a scene, 2 sets of 2x large photographs of other scenes from the production: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production Nine Days and Saltley Gates- one medium photograph from a scene from the production: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production Tighten Your Belt- poster advertisement for the production with details, 2x medium photographs of a scene from the production, 4x medium photographs of another scene, 2x medium photographs of another scene, 2 separate individual medium photographs of another scene and of the cast having a photograph taken, 6 sheets of negatives: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production Elephant Man- 2x separate medium photographs of 2 different scenes from the production, 4 sheets of negatives, 1 sheets of negatives of photographs of the stage props and setting, 1x large photograph of the stage setting from above

·         from the production The Ass- a booklet containing information and songs from the production, 2x medium photographs from a scene (same pose but slightly different), 2x medium photographs from another scene, 2x medium photographs from another scene, 2x medium photographs from another scene, 4x medium photographs from another scene, 3 separate individual medium photographs from 3 different scenes, 1x photograph of a cast member, 4x medium photographs of an orchestra scene (one differing slightly, 4 sheets of negatives): photographer Allan Titmuss

·         from the production Lower Depths- 14 sheets of negatives from unknown photographer, 3 sheets of negatives from Robert Aberman, 2 sheets of negatives from Alan Wood, 3 sheets of negatives from S. Burnett, 2x small photographs from 2 separate scenes, 1x small and 6x medium photographs of a scene, 1x large photograph of the cast members: photographer- Alan Wood

·         from the production Banged Up- 1x small and 1x medium photograph from a scene, 2x medium photographs from another scene, 2 separate medium photographs of 2 different scenes, 4 sheets of negatives: photographer- Sarah Ainslie; 4 different sets of 2x medium photographs from another scene, 2 separate individual photographs from other scenes, 6 sheets of negatives: photographer- John Haynes

Also included, a compliment slip from Berrows Newspapers Limited

1975-86

9

FN/1/25

Photos up to Woyzeck, small prod photos and contact sheets

Numerous black and white photographs from various productions:

·         from the production Woyzeck- tour schedule, 5 sheets of negatives, 9 medium sized rehearsal photographs (all different), 4 different sets of 2x medium photographs of rehearsals, 3x rehearsal photographs: photographer- Andra Nelki; 2x different medium photographs from a scene, 3 sets of 2x medium photographs from different scenes, 3x medium photographs from another scene, 6x medium photographs from another scene, 6 sheets of negatives: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production Please Shine Down On Me- 7 sheets of negatives, 7 different medium photographs from scenes from the production: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production The Guise- 4 different medium photographs from different scenes from the production, 3x medium photographs from another scene, 7 sheets of negatives: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production On The Out- 5 sheets of negatives, 10 different medium photographs of different scenes from the production and rehearsals, 4x medium photographs from a scene: photographer- John Haynes

·         from the production The Free Fall- 5x different medium photographs from rehearsals, 2x medium rehearsal photograph, 3 different sets of 2x photographs of rehearsal scenes, 9 sheets of negatives: photographer- Mark Pusher

·         from the production Sink Or Swim- 5 different medium photographs of rehearsal scenes, 2x medium photograph of the cast: unknown photographer; also leaflet advertising productions at the Institute Of Contemporary Arts

·         from the production Withdrawal Symptoms- 13 medium photographs of different rehearsal scenes and production scenes: photographer- John Haynes

1978-82

10

FN/1/26

On The Out by Tunde Ikoli

75 page script titled On The Out by Tunde Ikoli

1978

2

FN/1/27

The Arthur Horner Show - Phil Woods - Lighting Script

Stage illustration, introductory text, copies of reviews, programme, original newspaper review, annotated scripts with cues and stage directions

1975

2

FN/1/28

The Seventh Man - Adrian Mitchell

Original newspaper reviews, poster advertisement with information about the production, rehearsal script, annotated script

1976

2

FN/1/29

Free Fall- Colin Mortimer

Cast list for Free Fall by Colin Mortimer, poster advertisement with information about the production, photocopied reviews, 75 page script

1978

2

FN/1/30

The Nine Days and Saltley Gates- John Hoyland and Jon Chadwick

Character list, list of date and location of each scene, opening song, 56 page annotated script, Saltley Gates song

1976

2

FN/1/31

Please Shine Down On Me by Olwen Wymark

Revised draft of Please Shine Down On Me by Olwen Wymark, annotated script with cues and stage directions

1980

2

FN/1/32

A Man’s A Man - Bertolt Brecht

Manuscript (not for sale) for Man Is Man, character list, annotated manuscript, the Man Is Man song

1975

2

FN/1/33

A Man’s A Man, Bertolt Brecht, Bernard Pomerance version

Cast list and summary of play

1975

3

FN/1/34

A Man’s A Man, Bertolt Brecht

Annotated script with cues

1975

3

FN/1/35

Muggins by C.A.S.T (Cartoon Archetypical Slogan Theatre) and John Arden

Annotated script

Note: this is not a Foco Novo Script: Rees joined CAST for a production of this play in 1968, before going on to create Foco Novo. For more information, see the Hackney Empire Archives at the University of East London.

1968

3

FN/1/36

The Death Of A Black Man- Alfred Fagon

Cast list and script

1975

3

FN/1/37

Soul Night - Tunde Ikoli

Annotated script with cues and lighting/ stage directions for production.

1985

3

FN/1/37a

Please And Thank You- Tunde Ikoli

Provisional tour schedule, Autumn tour schedule 1986 for Soul Night and Please and Thank You, annotated script with cues and lighting/ stage directions

1986

3

FN/1/38

The Lower Depths - Maxim Gorky, an adaption by Tunde Ikoli

Cast list and 115 page script

1986

3

FN/1/39

Black Mas - John Constable, Prompt Copy

Annotated script with character list, cues, stage directions and sound and lighting directions

1984

3

FN/1/40

Blood Weddin - Michael Abbensetts

71 page script for the production Blood Weddin

 

3

FN/1/41

Untitled folder B

71 page script for the production Blood Weddin

 

3

FN/1/42

Savannah Bay by Marguerite Duras, translated from the French by Barbara Bray

32 page script for the production Savannah Bay

1988

3

FN/1/43

Bloody Poetry -  Howard Bretton

Full annotated 94 page first draft for the production Bloody Poetry a play by Howard Bretton with cues, stage directions, cast list, month and date specification for each scene, provisional props list, amended props list, list of addresses for the cast from Leicester, company list with personal information, hand written plan of events in the forthcoming month, illustrations of stage directions scene by scene, setting list, show running list, a copy of this first draft separated into acts and scenes- prompt copy, a hand written list of directions including props, lighting and movement during the start, middle and end of the scenes

1984

7

FN/1/44

Music- The Ass

Music score and music cues for the overture for the production The Ass

1985

7

FN/1/45

Banged Up - Tunde Ikoli

Annotated script with stage directions for each page for the production Soulnight by Tunde Ikoli

1986

7

FN/1/46

Needles Of Light -  James Pettifer

104 page annotated script for the production Needles Of Light by James Pettifer, including character list and page by page cues and stage directions

1987

7

FN/1/47

Colour slides Needles Of Light

17 annotated colour slides from the production Needles Of Light

 

8

FN/1/48

Kate Westbrook Painting The Ass F/N Prod

30 colour slides of paintings

 

8

FN/1/49

Foco Novo slides of “Landscape Of Exile”

Slides for the production Landscape Of Exile

 

8

FN/1/50

For Special Attention Of Chris Sheppard! From RR and SK

2 books- The Elephant Man a play by Bernard Pomerance, and Pioneers Of Fringe Theatre on Record by Roland Rees

 

8

FN/1/51

Wild Strawberries Part 1

Cassette tape titled Wild Strawberries Part 1

 

8

FN/1/52

Elephant Man slides Actual (John Merrick)

Slides for the production Elephant Man, letters regarding the production and the slides, confirmation of the supply and hire of slides

 

8

FN/1/53

Press Photos: The Cape Orchard, Savannah Bay, Needles Of Light

Numerous black and white photographs for various productions:

·         from the production The Cape Orchard- 8 sheets of negatives, 7x medium separate, individual photographs of scenes from rehearsals and the production, 2 separate sets of 2x medium photographs from scenes from the production, 2 separate sets of 3x medium photographs from another scene, 4x medium photographs from a scene: photographer- John Haynes; 2 sheets of negatives, 1x medium photograph of a rehearsal scene, 4x medium photographs of the cast members: photographer- Paul Thompson; also small pamphlet with information about the production, 5x medium photographs of orchard workers in South Africa, photo credit- International Defence and Aid Fund

·         from the production Savannah Bay- 1x medium photograph of the director in rehearsals, 4x separate medium photographs from different scenes, 2x medium photographs from a scene, 3 separate sets of 3x medium photographs from different scenes, 7 sheets of negatives, with compliments slip from The Cheltenham Newspaper Co Ltd: photographer- Lesley Howling

·         from the production Needles Of Light- 1x medium rehearsal photograph, 2 separate sets of 2x medium rehearsal photographs, 2 sets of 4x medium rehearsal photographs, 5x medium rehearsal photographs, 6x medium rehearsal photographs, 7x medium rehearsal photographs, 12 sheets of negatives, 7 separate medium photographs from different scenes from the production, 5 sets of 2x medium photographs from different scenes, 2 photographs with attached with compliments slip from Look Alive, various photocopies from the photographs: photographer- Sarah Ainslie

 

 

9

FN/1/54

Untitled folder D

46 page script for the production Sleeping Policeman

 

10

FN/1/55

Unperformed version of Richard Holmes own version of Shelley biographer of Shelley

36 page outline scenario for the Richard Holmes version of the production Shelley by Sheelagh Killeen

 

10

FN/1/56

Original of Sleeping Policemen

Original annotated script for the production Sleeping Policemen, first half of production

 

10

FN/1/57

Puntilla

101 page annotated script with cues and directions for the production Squire Puntila and his servant Matti by Bertolt Brecht, covering letter with information about the production addressed to the company showing the production

 

10

FN/1/58

Black Mas by John Constable

59 page script for the production Black Mas by John Constable

 

10

FN/1/59

Deathwatch

Annotated script for the production Deathwatch by Jean Genet translated by Nigel Williams, adapted into a notebook, pages of the script stuck into the notebook

 

10

FN/1/60

Original of Sink Or Swim, Tunde Ikoli

74 page script for the production Sink Or Swim by Tunde Ikoli

 

1

FN/1/61

Conversations In Exile and £400

Small leaflet advertisement for the productions Conversations In Exile and 400 Pounds, props list for the production 400 Pounds, 50 page annotated script with stage directions and cues for the production 400 Pounds, 28 page annotated script with stage directions and cues for the production Conversations In Exile

 

1

FN/1/62

Citizen Ilyushin Prompt Copy

Letter in a foreign language, 94 page script with props, stage directions and cues for the production Citizen Ilyushin, running times for the production

 

1

FN/1/63

Snap

A4 page of information about the production Snap by Nigel Gearing, props list, 64 page annotated script with cues and stage directions, various photocopied sample photographs for the production from the famous Victorian photographer  Eadweard Muybridge

 

1

FN/1/64

The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance

Prompt copy

1977

 

FN/1/65

Quantrill in Lawrence

Includes prompt copy, amended script and flyer, 3 black and white photographs, contact sheets.

1980

 

FN/1/66

Four Hundred Pounds and Conversations in Exile

3 black and white photographs

1988

 

FN/1/67

Independence

Tour schedule

1979

 

 

 

 

Reference

Casting

FN/2

Title

Description

Date

Box

FN/2/1

Ilyushin Casting

Character by character casting lists for the production Citizen Ilyushin, CVs from potential candidates for the acting vacancies, various letter regarding the production and the candidates

1981

1

FN/2/2

Peckham Project Contacts

Numerous hand written contact lists, including Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish, letters from potential actors

1982

1

FN/2/3

Shelley casting

Character by character casting lists for the production Shelley, company list, cast list, auditionees and budget for the production Bloody Poetry

1984

1

FN/2/4

The Ass musical actors

Character by character casting list for the production The Ass, CVs with photographs from potential actors/candidates, list of dates and times for the auditions for the production

1985

1

FN/2/5

Lower Depths Auditions/Casting

Audition and casting lists for the production Lower Depths, names of actors/times/venues for auditions, hand written shortlists of actors and personal information for each character in the production, list of actors who declined the job offer or were out of the country/working, cast list, suggested actor from an agency, provisional Spring 1985 tour schedule, various CVs and Resumes with photographs of the possible actors for the production, hand written venue list, production list, character description list, letters from applying actors,

1985

4

FN/2/6

Looking For The World, Dic Edwards, Sherman Cardiff 1986

Various character by character casting lists for the production Looking For The World, lists of dates and times of auditions, CVs from potential actors for the production

1986

1

FN/2/7

Tunde Ikoli Double Bill

CVs, letters of interest and enquiries from potential candidates for an advertised Stage Management vacancy, lists of the Stage Management Association, lists of potential candidates for the vacancy

1986

1

FN/2/8

Casting The Cape Orchard

Character by character casting lists for the production The Cape Orchard, CVs with photographs from potential actors/candidates

1986-87

1

FN/2/9

Sleeping Policeman Sue Darke

Letter to Roland Rees from The Young Vic company in reply to his concerns about their box office, casting lists for the production The Sleeping Policeman, letters and CVs from potential actors for the production, documents concerning the agency Stagehands, casting lists for stage management and lighting, lists of dates and times for interviews, CVs and letters of interest for the stage management and lighting vacancies.

1987-88

1

FN/2/10

Black Actors Casting

Various documents regarding black actors including; a covering letter, CV and review for one candidate, a production programme for Romeo and Juliet in which the candidate was performing, photograph of the candidate, a CV for another candidate, personal and contact details for the cast of On The Out, handwritten potential candidates for various character roles for various productions including As Time Goes By and Independence, small flyer advertisement for the production The Nine Night, address list for Four Hundred Pounds/Conversations in Exile

1988

1

FN/2/11

Deathwatch

Various documents of character by character auditioners and dates of auditions, CV from a potential actor for the production

 

1

FN/2/12

Sink Or Swim Peckham Project Actors

Lists and contact details of actors including older, black, and Greek/Turkish, lists of dates and times for auditions

 

1

FN/2/13

Edward- Casting

Character by character casting lists of potential actors, lists of dates and times of auditions for the production Edward

 

1

FN/2/14

Sleeping Pol See

Various character by character casting lists of potential actors for the production The Sleeping Policeman, various CVs with photographs from actors, list of auditions for 17th June

 

1

FN/2/15

Puntila casting

Character by character casting lists for the production Mr Puntila And His Man Matti, address list for the cast members of the production, lists of dates and times for auditions, tour schedule for the productions Four Hundred Pounds/Conversations In Exile

 

1

FN/2/16

Needles Of Light Casting/Musicians

Audition and casting lists for the production Needles Of Light(actors and musicians), hand written shortlists of actors and personal details for each character in the production, various CVs and resumés with attached photographs, character description list, musician specified, names of actors/times/venues for auditions, printed template of the “unsuccessful applicant” letter,

 

4

FN/2/17

Consequences Casting File

Audition and casting lists for the production Consequences, hand written shortlists of actors and personal details for each character in the production, various CVs and Resumes with attached photographs, available and unavailable actors

 

4

FN/2/18

Black Mas Casting

Hand written shortlists of actors and personal details for each character in the production, Spring tour schedule, various CVs and resumés with attached photographs

 

4

 

 

 

Reference

Administration

FN/3

Title

Description

Date

Box

FN/3/1

Esslin Evening ICA 1970 Torches, Holders, Microphone

A script from some sort of presentation given by various people, probably to Martin Esslin

1970

11

FN/3/2

 

MISSING

Drums In The Night script and reviews, Brecht version by C P Taylor

Annotated script with cues, stage directions and lighting directions for a production titled Drums In The Night by Bertolt Brecht adapted by C P Taylor, original and photocopied newspaper reviews, various letters regarding grants and financial help for the production, various letters confirming requests for 4 copies of the production, various letters confirming breakdown of expenses for the production, letter giving a holiday address,  various letters regarding the agreement of the production and rehearsal dates

1973

3

FN/3/3

Death Of A Black Man- Script Top Copy Letters by Alfred Fagon

2 booklet programmes for the production The Death Of A Black Man, statement of account for the production, various newspaper reviews of the production, letters regarding the financing and direction of the production and commissioning by Alfred Fagon,

1975

1

FN/3/4

ACGB 1976-81

Folder of financial records and various administration paperwork including meetings with Foco Novo and the Arts Council, deadlines for productions, funding and grants, financial estimates for 1981/82, budget outlines, production breakdowns, analysis of expenditure, paperwork from the Contract Writers Awards, letters of commission, list of Drama Panel Membership 1976

1976-1981

5

FN/3/5

New York Prod: Elephant Man

Newspaper review of the success of the production in New York, various documents allowing the licence to show the production in New York, author royalties list, documents regarding slides for the production, list of books and their estimated values, various financial documents regarding the production, a letter from Japan enclosing £50 for the production to be made in Japan, more financial documents

1978-80

11

FN/3/6

Board Minutes 1984→

Document outlining Foco Novos financial records for 1988/89 (provisional estimate and 2 final copies), various letters regarding a proposal, minutes and notes of numerous meetings of Foco Novo, letters from solicitors addressed to Roland Rees, report of the Arts Council Appraisal Team June 1987, document regarding The Arts and Ethnic Minorities Action Plan February 1986, Foco Novo balance sheet as at 31st March 1984,

1984→

6

FN/3/7

Board Information 1986/87

Financial estimates for Foco Novo 1987/88, letter from Foco Novo to unknown addressee about a deficit, Arts Council evaluation January 1987, minutes of board meetings

1986/87

7

FN/3/8

Arts Council Correspondence December 1987 →

Report of the Arts Council Appraisal Team June 1987, list of creditors as at 15th September 1988, folder of masters for the production Needles Of Light, various letters regarding the funding and discussions in Board meetings, projected cash flow for 1988, various paperwork regarding funding/grants/appraisals, notes/minutes for Board meetings, information about the Arts Council decision to withdraw from the funding of Foco Novo as of April 1989, documents regarding the financial status of Foco Novo 1989

1987 →

6

FN/3/9

Master Copies Foco Novo General Matters

Various documents of information about Foco Novo including personal information of writers of the productions, list of drama panel members, list of women writers, report of the Arts Council appraisal team, 3 year plan for Foco Novo 1989-1992, document including various information about Foco Novo- a National Touring Theatre Company 1972-1986, document describing the making of a production The Storm, documents outlining a co-production between a National Touring Company and a Repertory Theatre 1984, information on other co-productions, document containing information titled Ten years of Foco Novo, various copies of information about who Foco Novo are, documents containing information about the Alfred Fagon memorial evening, letters for sponsorship request, productions and employment levels 1979-1985, list of small scale touring companies 1981/82, details of weeks toured with annual revenue subsidy 1975-1982, Foco Novo revenue budget 1986-88, directors report 1988, second draft budget for The Cape Orchard co-production 1987, costing for Savannah Bay, financial year report for Foco Novo 1988/89, outline information for Foco Novo budgets 1988/89

1972-1982

5

FN/3/10

Board Minutes 1975-84

Various minutes from numerous board meetings, documents outlining submission to the Arts Council Review Panel 1980, numerous financial documents and letters regarding productions, grants, loans, redundancies due to insufficient funds, budgets for various productions

1975-84

7

FN/3/11

Letters Of Support On Closure

Various letters from various theatre companies expressing opinions on the closure of trading/producing of the company Foco Novo, letters of protest, unhappiness, disappointment at the lack of funding to keep Foco Novo alive, various documents relating to the winding up of Foco Novo including applications for more funding, article with information about Foco Novo, hand written letter to Roland Rees from a friend at a theatre company apologising for an omission in a production, various letters addressed to Roland Rees from playwrights, friends and theatre companies, letter to Roland Rees regarding the programme outlining the days events for a visit to give a discussion at the Trinity Hall Cambridge

Various

5

FN/3/12

Untitled folder C

Tobias F Holts 52 page dissertation presented for the Bachelor of Arts combined studies degree of the University Of Exeter, titled Foco Novo: A New Starting Point or A Conventional Touring Company: an exploration of the theatre work and artistic policy of the fringe theatre company, Foco Novo, hand written letter addressed to Roland Rees from Tobias F Holt

 

7

FN/3/13

History Of Interaction

Various documents about Inter-Action, a community arts trust fund, including: Arts laboratory tour schedule, poster advertisement for a production titled Sagittarius and Virgo by Ed Berman, 447 page document about Inter-Action

 

10

FN/3/14

Correspondence

Correspondence, DATA PROTECTION

1975-1978

 

FN/3/15

General matters.  Master copies and duplicates

 

1987-1989

 

FN/3/16

Correspondence and administrative papers relating to Consequences

 

1988

 

FN/3/17

General correspondence

Includes letters from Richard Eyre, John Berger, Peter Hall, David Ankin and Michael Rudman and some financial papers

1967-1997

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Advertising/Press

FN/4

Title

Description

Date

Box

FN/4/1 See FN/1/2

Foco Novo Reviews and Play Script by Bernard Pomerance 1972

Various original and photocopied newspaper reviews for various productions, 53 page script for the production Foco Novo

1972

1

FN/4/2

[Untitled folder A1]

One edition of the Time Out magazine number 243, October 25th- 31st 1974

1974

1

FN/4/3

See FN/3/3

Death Of A Black Man- Script Top Copy Letters by Alfred Fagon

2 booklet programmes for the production The Death Of A Black Man, statement of account for the production, various newspaper reviews of the production, letters regarding the financing and direction of the production and commissioning Alfred Fagon,

1975

1

FN/4/4

 

Envelope addressed to Dave Weekes at Foco Novo

Small newspaper cut out review of the production The Elephant Man

20th May 1982

1

FN/4/5

Press Cuttings 1986/7 Banged Up, Needles Of Light, The Cape Orchard, Savannah Bay, Consequences, Funding-Lack Of-

Original and photocopied newspaper and press cuttings/articles/reviews for the productions Banged Up, Needles Of Light, The Cape Orchard, Savannah Bay and Consequences, other general articles and reviews, and information about the cut in funding

1986/87

4

FN/4/6

Reviews

Numerous original newspaper articles of various productions

1967-74

1

FN/4/7 See FN/1/1

High In Vietnam, Bernard Pomerance, Interaction 1969/70

Various photocopied newspaper reviews and full script for the production High In Vietnam

1969-72

1

FN/4/8

Publicity material and programmes

Review of Deathwatch in the magazine Plays and players March 1985, large poster advertisement for the production The Arthur Horner Show by Phil Woods for the Marlowe Theatre company Canterbury 1975, copy of Time Out April 1985 and November 1983, copy of Drama magazine Autumn 1983, programme for the production Mr Puntila and his servant Matti at the Ashcroft Theatre, 8 small pamphlets for the same production for the Spring tour 1983, 2 small leaflets advertising the production Sink Or Swim with information about the production, 2x pamphlets for the Spring season at the Tricycle Theatre 1983, 4x booklets for the production The Ass with Foco Novo front cover, 3x booklets for The Ass with different front cover, 2x small leaflets advertising Week In Week Out, a small leaflet advertising Bloody Poetry, 2 small leaflets advertising Landscape of Exile, small leaflet advertising Summer Playreadings for the Soho Poly Theatre, programme for Landscape of Exile, programme for A Mans a Man, 3 small leaflets advertising The Cape Orchard, a leaflet advertisement and a programme for The Lower Depths, 3 leaflet advertisements for Banged Up, 2 small leaflet/programmes for The Ass, leaflet about the actress Maggie Shevlin and her experience titled Maggie Shevlin an introduction, 6x leaflet advertisements for Savannah Bay, programme for the Gardner Centre Theatre, 2 poster advertisements for Snap, 2 small poster advertisements for 400 Pounds and Conversations in Exile, 2 small leaflets showing The Lower Depths tour schedule, 2 leaflets advertising Needles Of Light, 4 leaflets/booklets with data related to the Arts Council, leaflet titled The Arts Council and Education Policy Statement, leaflet titled Whats on in Walsall, 2 small leaflets advertising Deathwatch, pamphlet for Bloody Poetry, 2 pamphlets for Sleeping Policemen, small pamphlet for Black Mas, programme for the Black Theatre Season 2 1988, various documents from productions, theatre companies and costing outlines, Foco Novo programme for Spring Tour 1977, booklet in Greek, Polaroid photographs from A Seventh Man

1975-88

11

FN/4/9

[Untitled folder A2]

Small pamphlet programme of Foco Novo productions 1979-80, small leaflet advertisement for a production titled The Guise, another small leaflet advertisement for another production titled Please Shine Down On Me, The Arts Council of Great Britain vacancy list, numerous original newspaper articles

1978-94

1

FN/4/10  MISSING

Press Cuttings

Various original and photocopied newspaper reviews/articles, letters of opinions and reviews of productions, an interview script with Roland Rees, poster advertisement of a book signing by Roland Rees (former Artistic Director of Foco Novo at this time), document containing information on the new direction for Foco Novo, poster advertisement for productions at the Ambiance Theatre Club (including productions directed by Roland Rees), a suggested story given by an actor, information on the last play produced by Foco Novo (unperformed), booklet of information about Christmas productions at the Cockpit Theatre

 

5

FN/4/11

Early Reviews

Original and photocopied newspaper and press reviews/articles/cuttings for various productions

 

6

FN/4/12

Brochures Foco Novo Info Part 1

3 small pamphlets with company and production information 1979/80, 3 poster pamphlets with company and production information 1977/78, 4 small poster advertisements for a production directed by Roland Rees titled Wittgensteins Daughter, 3 documents titled Ten Years Of Foco Novo, various press related documents to be put together into display folders including: numerous photo posters/sheets with annotations of various productions, press sheets containing information about the company and productions, 1 fully completed exemplar brochure, numerous brochure folders for the other documents, receipt for an order for folders and photo sheets

 

8

FN/4/13 Same as above

Brochures Foco Novo Info Part 2

Continuation of brochure folders for other documents

 

8

 

 

 

Posters

FN/4/14

13. Poster for The Ass

Medium colour poster measurements 59.5cm x 42cm for the production The Ass by Kate and Mike Westbrook based on the poem by D.H. Lawrence, directed by Roland Rees for the D.H. Lawrence Centenary Festival, Eastwood, Nottingham, 7th-28th September 1985

1985

FN/4/15

14. Poster for Banged Up

Medium colour poster measurements 59.5cm x 42cm for the production Banged Up by Tunde Ikoli, directed by Roland Rees for the production at The Young Vic Studio, 20th October- 1st November 1986, poster by Jeremy Leslie

1986

FN/4/16

15. Poster for festival of Tunde Ikolis work at Riverside

Medium colour poster measurements 59.5cm x 42cm advertising a festival weekend of the writing of Tunde Ikoli, at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London, 10-13th April 1986

1986

FN/4/17  See FN/4/39

28. Poster for The Cape Orchard

Small colour poster measurements 42cm x 29.5cm for the production The Cape Orchard by Michael Picardie, directed by Roland Rees, for the South West theatre Consortium/ Midlands Art Centre Birmingham, for 24th and 25th November 1987

1987

FN/4/18

4. Poster for The Guise

Large colour poster measurements 62cm x 41.5cm for the production The Guise by David Mowat, directed by Roland Rees

 

FN/4/19

5. Poster for The Lower Depths London

Large colour poster measurements 59.5cm x 42cm for the production The Lower Depths by Tunde Ikoli, directed by Roland Rees

 

FN/4/20

6. Poster for Independence

Large colour poster measurements 60cm x 39.5cm for the production Independence by Mustapha Matura directed by Roland Rees, for the production at the Bush Theatre, London, Tuesday 13th Feb- Saturday 10th March

 

FN/4/21

7. Poster for 1926 Gen Strike for 9 Days

Large informative poster measurements 75.5cm x 51cm, with black and red writing about joining the OMS (Organisation for Maintenance of Supplies)

 

FN/4/22

8. Poster for Puntila

Small colour poster measurements 42.5cm x 26.5cm for the production Mr Puntila and his servant Matti by Bertolt Brecht, directed by Roland Rees, for the production at Theatre Clwyd, 8th- 12th February

 

FN/4/23

9. Poster for A Seventh Man

Large colour poster measurements 60.5cm x 42cm for the production A Seventh Man by Adrian Mitchell, based on John Bergers story of migrant workers

 

FN/4/24

10. Poster for Deathwatch

Small colour poster measurements 42cm x 30cm for the production Deathwatch by Jean Genet, translated by Nigel Williams, directed by Roland Rees, for the production at Birmingham Rep Studio Theatre

(duplicate- number 19)

 

FN/4/25

11. Poster for The Elephant Man

Large colour poster measurements 76cm x 51cm for the production The Elephant Man the story of John Merrick 1863 to 1890 by Bernard Pomerance, directed by Roland Rees, poster by Richard Bird, printed by J&P Atchinson

 

FN/4/26

12. Poster for 400 Pounds and Conversations In Exile

Small colour poster measurements 42cm x 29.5cm for the productions 400 Pounds by Alfred Fagon and Conversations In Exile by Bertold Brecht adapted by Howard Brenton, both directed by Roland Rees, for the production at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, from the 15th November

 

FN/4/27

16. Poster for Withdrawal Symptoms

Small colour poster measurements 51cm x 32cm for the production Withdrawal Symptoms by C.P Taylor, directed by Roland Rees, for the production at the ICA Theatre, London, 14th March- 2nd April

 

FN/4/28

17. Poster for Sink Or Swim

Small black and white poster measurements 51.5cm x 32cm for the production Sink Or Swim by Tunde Ikoli and the Company, directed by Roland Rees

 

FN/4/29

18. Poster for Please Shine Down On Me

Small colour poster measurements 51cm x 32cm for the production Please Shine Down On Me by Olwen Wymark, directed by Roland Rees, for the production at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, from 18th November

 

FN/4/30

19. Poster for Deathwatch

Duplicate of number 10

 

FN/4/31

20. Poster for Lower Depths in Bham

Small colour poster measurements 42cm x 30cm for the production The Lower Depths by Tunde Ikoli based on the play by Maxim Gorky, directed by Roland Rees for the Birmingham Repertory Studio Theatre

 

FN/4/32

21. Poster for Citizen Ilyushin

Small colour poster measurements 51cm x 32cm for the production Citizen Ilyushin by Kevin Mandry, directed by Roland Rees for the Tricycle Theatre, London, 10-28th November

 

FN/4/33

22. Poster for Bloody Poetry

Small colour poster measurements 50.5cm x 32cm for the production Bloody Poetry by Howard Brenton, directed by Roland Rees for the Hampstead Theatre and the Leicester Haymarket Theatre, from 31st October

 

FN/4/34

23. Poster for Black Mas

Small colour poster measurements 44.5cm x 31cm for the production Black Mas by John Constable, directed by Roland Rees for the New End Theatre London, from 13th March- 1st April

 

FN/4/35

24. Poster for Lower Depths

Small colour poster measurements 42cm x 29.5cm for the production The Lower Depths by Tunde Ikoli, based on the play by Maxim Gorky, directed by Roland Rees, for the Birmingham Repertory Studio Theatre

 

FN/4/36

25. Poster for Snap

Medium black and white poster measurements 50.5cm x 32cm for the production Snap. The story of Eadweard Muybridge 1830-1904 The father of the motion picture by Nigel Gearing, directed by Roland Rees for the theatre at New End, from 3rd March- 22nd March

 

FN/4/37

26. Poster for Quantril in Lawrence

Medium colour poster measurements 51cm x 32cm for the production Quantrill in Lawrence by Bernard Pomerance, directed by Roland Rees, for the ICA London, from 21st May- 14th June

 

FN/4/38

27. Poster for Sleeping Policeman

Small colour poster measurements 44.5cm x 29.5cm for the production Sleeping Policeman by Howard Brenton and Tunde Ikoli, directed by Roland Rees, for the Old Town Hall Arts Centre Hemel Hempstead, from 3rd October

 

FN/4/39

Poster for the Cape Orchard

Coloured poster by Michael Picardie, Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham, Nov 1987

 

FN/4/40

3 posters for Woyzeck

59.5 cm x 41.5 cm

 

FN/4/41

Poster for Edward II

Roundhouse Theatre, 76 cm x 51 cm

 

FN/4/42

Poster for Puntila

Second, coloured poster, 76 cm x 51 cm

 

FN/4/43

Poster for Nine Days and Saltley Gates

Coloured.  To mark 50th anniversary of the General Strike, 76 cm x 51 cm

 

FN/4/44

Posters for set of Nine Days and Saltley Gates

Coloured.  76 cm x 51 cm.  1976.

 

FN/4/45

Press cuttings for Black Mas, Mr Puntila and his servant Matti, Sleeping Policemen

 

1983-1984

FN/4/46

Press cuttings for Bloody Poetry, Deathwatch, The Ass, Week in Week Out, Lower Depths

 

1984-1986

FN/4/47

Press cuttings for The Elephant Man, Woyzeck, On the Out, Please Shine Down on Me, Swap, Citizen Ilyushin, Edward II and other plays

 

1982-1986

FN/4/48

Various press reviews of Foco Novo productions

Includes letter from Michael Rudman and interview with Roland Rees

1970-1979

FN/4/49

Publicity leaflets and flyers for various Foco Novo productions

Includes copies of Time Out with reviews of Foco Novo productions

1975-1985

FN/4/50

Foco Novo theatre company brochures

 

1980