Mercury Theatre
Quick Summary
The Mercury Theatre was an American theatrical company founded in 1937 by Orson Welles and John Houseman. It was known for its innovative productions, including a modern-dress version of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds. The War of the Worlds broadcast, presented as a simulated news report, famously caused widespread panic among listeners who believed a Martian invasion was actually occurring. The Mercury Theatre's success in both theater and radio brought Welles to the attention of Hollywood, leading to a film contract with RKO.12
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- George Coulouris
…original member of Orson Welles’s Mercury Theatre, Coulouris played Marc Antony in that company’s staging of Julius Caesar (1937). After appearing with Welles in the film Citizen Kane (1941), Coulouris moved easily between motion pictures and the theatre on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. His notable films include None…
Read More…original member of Orson Welles’s Mercury Theatre, Coulouris played Marc Antony in that company’s staging of Julius Caesar (1937). After appearing with Welles in the film Citizen Kane (1941), Coulouris moved easily between motion pictures and the theatre on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. His notable films include None…
Read More - John Houseman
…he and Welles formed the Mercury Theatre, which achieved success both on Broadway and on radio. Houseman served as both writer and producer for the company.
Read More…he and Welles formed the Mercury Theatre, which achieved success both on Broadway and on radio. Houseman served as both writer and producer for the company.
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Orson WellesTheater and radio in the 1930s…same year they formed the Mercury Theatre, which presented a renowned modern-dress version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. In 1938 the Mercury Theatre presented William Gillette’s comedy Too Much Johnson. Welles shot three short silent films to precede each act of the play; however, the films were never finished. (The Too…
Read More…same year they formed the Mercury Theatre, which presented a renowned modern-dress version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. In 1938 the Mercury Theatre presented William Gillette’s comedy Too Much Johnson. Welles shot three short silent films to precede each act of the play; however, the films were never finished. (The Too…
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