#40 Facts – Jim Dale and Keith Moon had an altercation at the Young Vic!

As you’ll know from Fact #16 - in 1971 The Who played at the Young Vic and recorded their album ‘Young Vic Blues’. Wow. But things continued for The Who’s presence at the Young Vic…

In 1974, we had a production of The Taming of the Shrew with a young Richard Gere in his theatrical debut (cool) and Jim Dale (Grammy Award winner and of Carry On fame) played Petruchio.

Jim Dale

 

Keith Moon, The Who drummer, was in the audience that night.

Keith Moon

During the curtain call – a ‘somewhat chemically excited’ (The Guardian) Keith Moon stood up and started to bow next to the actors. Jim Dale, infuriated by this, chased Keith off the stage and out of the theatre – yelling “I’LL MURDER HIM”.

Wow – dramatic!

#40Facts – Fact #28

Did you know why The Clare is called The Clare?

We have two studio spaces – The Clare and The Maria. Here’s the story of the Clare…

The Clare was named after the director and producer Clare Venables. Clare was an inspirational presence in the theatre. One of the first women to run a theatre, she became the artistic director of the Sheffield Crucible in 1981 and was well-known for her work and encouragement for young directors. Some of which included Michael Boyd (artistic director of the RSC, until this year) and Stephen Daldry (award-winning film and theatre director).

Clare’s pioneering work and campaigning for young directors and designers won her the very first Young Vic Award – an award created for talented theatre people but in particular those who also go out of their way to help other, younger people become who they want to be.

As well as this award, our studio space, which has recently been home to Mad About the Boy, Going Dark, One for the Road/Victoria Station and Disco Pigs, was named in Clare Venables’ honour.

Young Vic #40Facts – Fact #27

When our building was rebuilt in 2004, we decided to leave the original graffiti on the side of the building.

(This is not the Young Vic…. Obviously.)

This part of the building ended up being on the inside and the graffiti can now be seen peeking out at each level of the get round.

I wonder what it used to look like…

You might be able to see the graffiti next time you visit us in the Main House…

#40Facts: Our office is custom-made!

All of the furniture – the desks, the cupboards and the shelves –  in our office were built by our production team.

Nothing is fixed permanently and everything is completely unique and adaptable. Another thing we love about our Young Vic building!

40 Facts: Fact #25

Did you know? The Maria is named after a real woman… The theatre designer Maria Björnson.

Maria Björnson was an acclaimed designer working in theatre and opera across the world. She was a Tony and Drama Desk award-winning designer and one of her most notable designs was The Phantom of the Opera in 1986.

Maria Björnson, as painted by her friend Yolanda Sonnabend

One of Maria’s sketches for Touissant L’Overture

Maria Björnson sadly passed away unexpectedly on 13 December 2002.

In 2006, after we refurbished the Young Vic – we decided to name our new space after Maria. Past shows in the Maria include The Changeling, In the Penal Colony, Kafka’s Monkey and The Brothers Size. 

Our current show in the Maria is After Miss Julie. 

Young Vic Fact #24

Photo by Richard Bryant

Did you know that the insulation around the main auditorium is made from recycled paper?

The Young Vic is working towards becoming more eco-friendly with our Classics for a New Climate production of After Miss Julie. You can learn more about environmentally sustainable arts practices from Julie’s Bicycle.

#40 Facts: The Young Vic is haunted….

Some of the ushers think that the Young Vic is haunted!

Next time you’re visiting, maybe ask one of the ushers the story? That’s if you’re  brave enough! Ahhh… Spooky!

40 Facts: Main House doors are toilet doors!

Did you know…. The doors to the Main House started their life as the doors to our public toilets in the old building!

What a life those doors have had! 

 

 

#40 Facts: Bask under the stage lights of The Cut Bar

Did you ever notice that our restaurant/bar The Cut Bar is lit by theatre lights?

If you haven’t been to our bar before, you must come for a visit. It’s open from 9am till late and the menu often includes production-themed drinks and food, so there is always something different offered.

Plus Fiona Shaw calls it ‘the sexiest bar in London’!

#40 Facts: We were only meant to be here for 5 years!

The Young Vic building was actually intended to be a temporary venue. It wasn’t thought it would last longer than 5 years…

This photo shows the opening of our original  building back in 1970… little did they know it would last so long!