RECORDS OF THE OCTAGON THEATRE CLUB / RONDO THEATRE COMPANY
Reference Number
0533
Alternative Reference Number
0533
Level of Description
Collection
Title
RECORDS OF THE OCTAGON THEATRE CLUB / RONDO THEATRE COMPANY
Creator(s) & Administrative History
Octagon Theatre Club; Rondo Theatre Company
Date
1953 - 2004
Extent
Extent: 6 boxes
Description
Minutes, correspondence, financial papers, and production material of the Octagon Theatre Club from 1953-1991, and the Rondo Theatre Company from 1991-2004
Custodial History
The Club was founded in January 1953 as the 'Everyman Theatre Club' meeting at the Octagon, putting on its first production 'Antigone' in May 1953 for the Bath Assembly. In April 1954 it was decided to rename the club to 'The Octagon Theatre Club'. Members met once a month on a Thursday for a talk, play reading (rehearsed), and prose and poety readings. The club stored all its scenery, props and costumes in the cellers of the Octagon. In April 1978 the club had to move from the Octagon because of the Council's decision to to let the Photographic Society have the premises, the Club found a new home in the Central Club. In early 1982 they were once again forced to vacate, setting up in 'The Church of The Holy Trinity', Monmouth Place. However the limitations of the hall soon led to other options being explored. In 1982 the Rondo Theatre was established as the venue for all productions of the Club, from 1984 meetings and rehearsals were all at Edenhall, the home of Don and Iris Leonard members of the Club. In 1991 the Club passed its assets to the Rondo Trust and reformed as the 'Rondo Theatre Company'.
