News And Events

The British Invasion of Broadway

During the twentieth century many theatrical adventures from Great Britain made their mark on Broadway. In this fascinating talk about her new book, The British Invasion of Broadway Continues, Elizabeth Sharland follows on from her best-selling book on historic theatrical London with a similar approach to the theatrical heritage of New York. Her new book features chapters written by Richard Eyre, former Head of the National Theatre of Great Britain, and John Miller, biographer of Dame Judi Dench, as well as chapters on Glenda Jackson, Mark Rylance and some of the earliest British actors to come here. She discusses the places where the British legends, such as the Oliviers, Sir Noel Coward and the great impresarios were wined and dined when staying in New York, including the famous Algonquin Hotel, which British actors still call home. Elizabeth Sharland endeavors to keep those great memories alive, recording the early days when the first British actors went to New York, and when a transfer of a play to Broadway was something special.

Elizabeth trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and joined the Old Vic Company to tour Australia. She has had plays produced in London and New York, formed an English-speaking theatre company in Paris, worked for Yul Brynner on Broadway, and also lectures regularly on the Queen Mary 2 between London and New York. She has lectured at the Harvard Club in New York, as well as the University Club, the National Arts Club, the Players Club and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In London, she has lectured at the National Portrait Gallery and the Concert Artistes Association. Elizabeth is now the Food and Entertainment Editor of the Palm Beach Society Magazine, reviewing restaurants and theatres in Palm Beach, Florida. She has one son, and travels frequently between Europe and America.

Thursday, May 30, 2019
6:30 p.m.
The English-Speaking Union
144 East 39th Street, New York City

$20 for ESU National Patrons
$25 for ESU Members
$30 for Non-members
ESU National Patrons are invited to enjoy a private reception with Ms. Sharland in the Executive Director's office at 6 p.m.

Click here to register online

Click here to download the registration form. 

 

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