Photographs of Reg Wilson to be Exhibited at Playhouse Theatre

The photographs of celebrated theatre photographer Reg Wilson are to be exhibited at the Playhouse Theatre by the Victoria & Albert Museum Theatre Collection as part of the Society of London Theatre’s centenary celebrations.
 
Reg Wilson took his vast collection of over 800,000 theatre photographs during the second half of the last century. One of London’s most prolific photographers of the performing arts,  he gained access to many of the great stage actors and performers of the day,  taking iconic images that are still in use today.
 
Forming part of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Theatre Collection, this exhibition entitled Capturing the Moment comprises of over forty of Reg’s theatre photographs. It will be open to the general public at a series of open days at the Playhouse Theatre and to the audience of La Cage aux Folles which transfers to the theatre from the Menier Chocolate Factory in late October.
 
The subjects of the exhibition include amongst others; Barry Humphries, Michael Crawford, Ray Cooney, Peter O’Toole, Janet Suzman, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Cyd Charisse, Ginger Rogers, Diana Rigg, and Simon Russell Beale. Also on display will be Wilson’s most famous image; that of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Wayne Sleep dancing on the stage of the Royal Opera House in 1985.
 
Wilson’s work, in addition to being a fitting celebration of the Society of London Theatre’s centenary, and a roll call of acting greats from the last fifty years, is also an important record of the development of the art of photography. He was renowned for both his brilliant camera technique and his outstanding printing skills in the dark room. He was one of the pioneers in the use of colour and regularly shot in colour from 1961 over a decade before it was standard practice.

“The Society of London Theatre is thrilled to welcome the V&A Theatre Collection back to Theatreland with this exhibition of the visionary Reg Wilson’s photographs. Seeing the collection has certainly reminded me of some of the wonderful performances that I have seen on the London stage and I hope that the public will enjoy the display for the same reason. The exhibit is a fitting addition to the Centenary celebrations and a valuable archive of London’s rich theatrical history, " said Nica Burns, President, Society of London Theatre
 
The Society of London Theatre (SOLT), the representative body for London’s major theatre owners and producers, was formed in 1908 and with it the concept of Theatreland. SOLT has been running events throughout the year celebrating aspects of theatre.
 
Capturing the Moment Open Days
Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London WC2
 
Tuesday 11 November PRIVATE VIEW
Wednesday 12 November 11am – 4pm
Monday 17 November 11am – 4pm
Wednesday 26 November 11am – 4pm
Tuesday 2 December 11am – 4pm
Friday 12 December 11am – 4pm
January dates will be announced soon 
 
Or by special appointment.
For further information please call 0207 925 7740 or visit www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk

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