Description :

Gertrude Lawrence in Noël Coward’s “Tonight at 8:30” – Curran Set

This rare and authentic auction set includes two original Playbills from the Curran Theatre’s December 29, 1947 engagement of Tonight at 8:30, a celebrated cycle of one-act plays by Noël Coward, performed in repertory and headlined by the legendary Gertrude Lawrence. These Playbills document a historically specific performance featuring three of Coward’s most iconic works: Shadow Play, Hands Across the Sea, and Fumed Oak.

The cast for this engagement included Gertrude Lawrence in multiple leading roles, with Graham Payn, Philip Tonge, Valerie Cossart, Norah Howard, Sarah Burton, Booth Colman, William Roerick, and Rhoderick Walker in supporting and ensemble roles. Each actor is credited in order of appearance, reflecting the original formatting of the Playbill.

The production was written, directed, and musically composed by Noël Coward, with musical direction by Frank Tours, musical staging by Richard Barstow, and scenic design by George Jenkins. Lighting and decor were also overseen by Jenkins, whose services were arranged through Samuel Goldwyn. Costumes for Gertrude Lawrence were designed by Hattie Carnegie, adding couture elegance to the theatrical presentation.

The production was produced by Homer Curran, in association with Russell Lewis and Howard Young, and managed by the Curran Theatre’s in-house team. These Playbills are not generalized Broadway revivals but document a verifiable, date-specific performance in San Francisco, making them invaluable to collectors of theatrical ephemera and historians of mid-century stagecraft.

Each Playbill is printed in monochrome ink, saddle-stitched, and features a stylized cover illustration—one with a hand-drawn portrait of Gertrude Lawrence framed by a laurel wreath, and the other listing musical numbers, shadow play details, and full cast credits. These are genuine production-issued artifacts from the original run, ideal for auction presentation and preservation.

Playbill Program: 12" x 9" 

Playbill Insert: 14" x 4 1/2" 

Shipping Available: See “Learn About Shipping Terms and Conditions”