Theater Antiques
October 4th, 2006
By Archived Story
A new exhibit on the West Bank features photographs, set models, costume sketches and other items from the Guthrie collections that have been part of the Guthrie history since 1965. These items have been on display in the Elmer L. Andersen Library since August 7. The display allows for guests to get an idea of the early history of the theater and its creators as well as a feeling for all that goes into a show and how this has changed over the years.
Sir Tyrone Guthrie announced his plan for a theater outside of New York City in 1959 and chose Minneapolis over several other cities because of the strong arts community. Early documents and sketches of Guthrie’s original Hennepin Avenue location, where it sat for about four decades, are also featured and show the history of the theater. Many original sketches of different building ideas are on display and allow for a viewer to see all of the various ideas that were explored for the building. These sketches were done by Ralph Rapson, the Guthrie’s architect and head of the School of Architecture at the U of M at the time the theater was built.
Most notably are the two grandiose costumes displayed under stage lighting. A gown from Amadeus, which played in 2001, and a fairy costume from 1996’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream are beautiful examples of the work on display. Costume “bibles” show original costume sketches and are displayed with cloth piece samples that give an idea of the consistency of the costume. Sketches come to life with notes by the original designers that say things such as “NOT quick change,” describing the use of the costume in production.
Antique photographs show Sir Guthrie on the building site with floor plans as well as at different stages of putting the shows together throughout the production. Show programs from the early plays also add to the mystique feel of the exhibit. Also in the “Beginnings” display there are early telegraphs announcing the theater as well as the announcement of the theater being named after Guthrie.
The exhibit is on display until Oct. 27 and is free and open to the public on the first floor gallery of the library, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit andersen.lib.umn.edu for more information.
