The Importance of Being Earnest 1939

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

In 1939 the world trembled on the brink of war. Life had to go on.

John Gielgud directed and starred in a revival of "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the Globe Theatre in London.

Cast: Edith Evans, Angela Baddeley, Joyce Carey, Margaret Rutherford, Felix Irwin, John Gielgud, Leon Quartermaine, David Horne, Ronald Ward and John Justin. ^[1]

They gave eight matinee performances in aid of Theatrical charities in January and February.

On the 16th of August the play opened for a six week run at The Globe with Jack Hawkins, Peggy Ashcroft, Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies, Edith Evans, John Gielgud, Margaret Rutherford and George Howe. ^[2] On the 1st of September Germany invaded Poland and on the 3rd Britain and France declared war on Germany. ^[3]If the play ran for the full 6 weeks it should have closed on the 26th of September.

The Government introduced a National Registration Bill into the House of Commons the same day that war was declared ^[4] and a National Register of the entire population was established coming into force on the 29th of September. ^[5] It is from this register that we can see how quickly Earnest was on tour in Blackpool.

Margaret Rutherford was with Lucy Griffith in digs at 112 Caunce St. ^[6]

Gielgud, Ashcroft, Hawkins and Howe were lodged together in Park Rd. ^[7]

Evans and Ffrangcon-Davies were staying at Buchannan St. ^[8]

John Gielgud volunteered, but was told they were not, at that time, taking men over 35. Later the government decided that most actors were better employed entertaining the troops and workers than fighting. ^[9] Jack Hawkins joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1941 as a lieutenant and served with ENSA in India and the Far East. ^[10] George Howe also joined ENSA. ^[11] Her talent having finally been recognised by the critics for Miss Prism Margaret Rutherford created the part for which she is best remembered, that of Madame Arcati in Noel Coward's "Blythe Spirit", in 1941. ^[12] Edith Evans joined ENSA serving in Gibraltar and India and touring in Britain and Europe. ^[13] Peggy Ashcroft got married and spent much of the war raising her daughter. ^[14] Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies continued to work on the stage and spent most of 1942 playing Lady Macbeth opposite John Gielgud as Macbeth. ^[15]

Sources

1. ↑ V&A Globe Theatre 1939
2. ↑ flickr
3. ↑ Wikipedia: World War II
4. ↑ Hansard HC Deb 03 September 1939 vol 351 c288
5. ↑ Wikipedia: National Registration Act 1939
6. ↑ 1939 England and Wales Register
   112 Caunce St, Blackpool, Lancashire, England

   First Name	Last Name	Gender	M/S	Date of Birth	Occupation
   Edwin	Pick	Male	M	20 May 1901	Window cleaner heavy work
   Bertha	Pick	Female	M	26 Mar 1898	Unpaid Domestic Duties
   Flora	Williams	Female	M	18 Mar 1918	Bleach dyer
   one	person	redacted	-	-	-
   Marjorie	Thomson (Payne)	Female	S	5 Jun 1928	School
   Lucy A	Griffiths	Female	S	24? Apr 1909	Actress
   Margaret	Rutherford	Female	S	11 May 1892	Actress

7. ↑ 1939 England and Wales Register
   Park Rd, Blackpool, Lancashire, England

   First Name	Last Name	Gender	M/S	Date of Birth	Occupation
   Olive	McKenzie	Female	S	29 Jan 1890	?
   Jane	McKenzie	Female	M	26 Nov 1851	?
   May	Hiles	Female	M	29 Mar 1893	Unpaid domestic duties
   Arthur J	Gielgud	Male	S	-	? manager
   Peggy	Ashcroft (Edith M Hutchinson)	Female	D	-	Actress
   John E	Hawkins	Male	S	-	Actor
   George W	Howe	Male	S	19 Apr 1900	Actor
   Roger	Howard	Male	S	8 Jan 1883	?

8. ↑ 1939 England and Wales Register
   45 Buchanan St, Blackpool, Lancashire, England

   First Name	Last Name	Gender	M/S	Date of Birth	Occupation
   William	Rafferty	Male	M	9 Sep 1886	Light general labourer
   Ellen	Rafferty	Female	M	6 May 1890	Unpaid domestic duties
   Mary	Rafferty (Moss)	Female	S	7 May 1921	Shop assistant
   Gwen	Ffrangcon-Davies	Female	S	25 Jan 1991	Actress
   Edith M	Booth	Female	W	8 Feb 1888	Actress

9. ↑ Wikipedia: John Gielgud
10. ↑ WWII Gravestones.com: Jack Hawkins
11. ↑ Wikipedia: George Howe (actor)
12. ↑ Wikipedia: Margaret Rutherford
13. ↑ Wikipedia: Edith Evans
14. ↑ Wikipedia: Peggy Ashcroft
15. ↑ Wikipedia: Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies