The Carl Rosa conmpany continued to tour the country throughout the war, generally drawing packed houses and building up tremendous goodwill. At a time when air raids were a nightly occurrence, theatre programmes did make reference to the events. 'Special Attention is drawn to ARP recommendation on Page 3' - This left it up to audience members whether, in the event of a warning, they left the theatre to seek shelter.
Management put in its own encouraging notice: 'You are much safer in the theatre than in the streets. Keep calm! Keep smiling. The worst rarely happens.'
Cast details for the performance on Wednesday 13 March are from a programme in the Gardiner Collection (Mitchell Library) that also contains the following evening's details for Trovatore.
The tour consisted of one week at the King's Theatre, Edinburgh then two at the King's Theatre, Glasgow.
Mon 4 Mar Traviata; Tue Fledermaus; Wed Cav and Pag; Thu Barber of Seville; Fri Rigoletto; Sat mat Faust; Sat evg Trovatore.
Mon 11 Mar Traviata; Tue Cav and Pag; Wed Barber of Seville; Thu Trovatore; Fri Rigoletto; Sat m Fledermaus; Sat e Faust.
Mon 18 Mar Fledermaus; Tue Traviata; Wed Cav and Pag Thu Rigoletto; Fri Faust; Sat m Barber of Seville; Sat e Trovatore.
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