The Open Space Theatre was created by Charles Marowitz and Thelma Holt in 1968.[1] It began in a basement on Tottenham Court Road in London, then transferred to an art deco post office on the Euston Road in 1976. Thelma attracted a team of volunteer architects and workers to build the theatre (including David Schofield). And its first production was Charles Marowitz' adaptation of the Merchant of Venice ('The Merchant') starring Vladek Sheybal. Natasha Pyne played Ophelia in a Charles Marowitz's adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' at the Open Space Theatre at Tottenham Court Road in July 1969.[2] The company operated until around 1980.[3]
Jinnie Schiele's book (University of Hertfordshire Press, 2006) relates the history of the Open Space with that of Holt's later venue, the Roundhouse.[4]
- ^ "Round House and Open Space, theatre companies : records, 1962-1983". www.vam.ac.uk. Victoria and Albert Museum, Digital Media. Archived from the original on 8 September 2009.
- ^ "Natasha Pyne as Ophelia in Charles Marowitz's 'Hamlet' at the Open Space Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, London, 3rd July 1969". gettyimages.co.uk. 3 July 1969.
- ^ "Charles Marowitz - obituary". 8 May 2014 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ Schiele, Jinnie (2005). "Off-centre stages : fringe theatre at the Open Space and the Round House 1968-1983". Internet Archive. Hertfordshire : University of Hertfordshire Press; London : Society for Theatre Research.