Guide to the Guide to programs and related material regarding Leo McKern
EPH PROMPT.Leo McKern
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2025
Collection Summary
- Title
- McKern, Leo (actor) : programs and related material collected by the National Library of Australia
- Date Range
- 1945 - 1996
- Collection Number
- EPH PROMPT.Leo McKern
- Extent
- 1 collection
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Printed Collections
Introduction
Scope and Contents
This finding aid lists programs and ephemera which document all aspects of Leo McKern's stage acting and theatre directing careers in Australia and overseas. Material on McKern's film and television screen career is not generally collected by the Library.
The list is based on imperfect holdings and is updated as gaps in the Library's holdings for this artist are filled.
Printed materials in the PROMPT collection include programs and printed ephemera such as brochures, leaflets, tickets, etc. Theatre programs are taken as the prime documentary evidence of a performance.
The list is based on imperfect holdings, and is updated as gaps in the Library's holdings are filled. Unless otherwise stated, all entries are based on published programs in the PROMPT collection.
Related Materials
The National Library's collection also includes a Biographical cuttings file [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1967504] and related manuscripts, pictures and posters, and broadsides can be accessed via the catalogue [https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/]. Other material relating to McKern can be accessed via Trove [https://trove.nla.gov.au/].
Biographical / Historical
Reginald "Leo" McKern, AO (16 March 1920 – 23 July 2002) was an Australian actor who appeared in numerous British and Australian television programmes and films, and in more than 200 stage roles. Notable roles he portrayed include Clang in Help! (1965), Thomas Cromwell in A Man for All Seasons (1966), Tom Ryan in Ryan's Daughter (1970), Paddy Button in The Blue Lagoon (1980), Father Imperius in Ladyhawke (1985) and, in the role that made him a household name as an actor, Horace Rumpole, whom he played in Rumpole of the Bailey.
Item Descriptions
Class. [McKern, Leo (actor) : programs and related material collected by the National Library of Australia]
Australian Stage Career (File)
Kuringai Theatre Guild, 26-28 March and 9, 13 and 16 April 1945 (Item AUS/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Killara Hall, Sydney; St John's Hall, Wahroonga, Sydney. Housemaster. Leo McKern as 'Philip de Pourville' in Housemaster, also featuring Alfred Race and Marguerite Cullen-Ward.
Henry IV (Part 1.), 15 - 20 June 1953 (Item AUS/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney (NSW). The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company, Australian tour. Leo McKern played the role of 'Owen Glendower'.
Othello, 21 April - 6 June 1953 (Item AUS/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney (NSW). The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company, Australian tour. Leo McKern played the role of 'Iago'.
As You Like It, 27 April - 13 June 1953 (Item AUS/4) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program, 1 cast list
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney (NSW). The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company, Australian tour. Leo McKern played the role of 'Touchstone'.
Ned Kelly, 3 October 1956 (Item AUS/5) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Elizabethan Theatre, Newtown, Sydney (NSW). By Douglas Stewart. Leo McKern as 'Ned Kelly.'
The Rainmaker, 20 November 1956 (Item AUS/6) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Elizabethan Theatre, Newtown, Sydney (NSW). A new romantic comedy by N. Richard Nash. Leo McKern as H.C. Curry. Produced by 'Leo McKern.
Leo McKern as Boswell for the Defence, 24 February - 25 March 1989 (Item AUS/7) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs, 2 leaflets
Playhouse Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne.
Leo McKern as Boswell for the Defence, 22 January - 5 February 1989 (Item AUS/8) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 leaflet
Her Majesty's Theatre, Adeliade.
UK 1949 (File)
The Apple Cart, 2 May 1949 (Item 1949/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Nottingham Playhouse. Leo McKern as 'Boanerges'.
A Month in the Country, 1949 (Item 1949/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as a Matvey, manservant.
Caste, 16 May 1949 (Item 1949/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Nottingham Playhouse. Leo McKern as 'Dixon'.
Hamlet, 1949 (Item 1949/4) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as Guildenstern. Advertising differs.
The Light of Heart, 12 July 1949 (Item 1949/5) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
Nottingham Playhouse. Leo McKern as 'Maddoc Thomas'.
The Miser, 17 January - 11 March 1949 (Item 1949/6) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program, 1 letter
The Arts Council of Great Britain presents. Miles Malleson's Version of. Leo McKern as 'Old Master Simon', Alexander Archdale as 'Harpagon'. Includes correspondence from Mr McKern regarding the production.
The Merchant of Venice, 13 June 1949 (Item 1949/7) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Nottingham Playhouse. Leo McKern as 'Tubal'.
The Miser, 19 March - 9 April 1949 (Item 1949/8) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
The Arts Coucil of Great Britain presents. Miles Malleson's Version of. Leo McKern as 'Old Master Simon', Alexander Archdale as 'Harpagon'.
The Miser, 17-18 March 1949 (Item 1949/9) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
The Spa Theatre, Whitby. The Arts Council of Great Britain presents. Miles Malleson's Version of. Leo McKern as 'Old Master Simon', Alexander Archdale as 'Harpagon'.
Bournmouth Pavilion / Programme, 27 September 1949 (Item 1949/10) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
The Old Vic Theatre Company in Love Labour's Lost. Leo McKern as 'A forrester'.
The Windslow Boy, 30 May 1949 (Item 1949/11) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Nottingham Playhouse. Leo McKern as 'Arthur Winslow'.
UK 1950 (File)
She Stoops to Conquer, 2 February 1950 (Item 1950/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Little Aminadad' and 'Jeremy'.
Bartholomew Fair, 18 December 1950 (Item 1950/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Nightingale'.
The Miser, 2 February 1950 (Item 1950/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Old Master Simon',
Twelfth Night, 14 November 1950 (Item 1950/4) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Feste'.
New Theatre Oxford, 16 October 1950 (Item 1950/5) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Twelfth Night. Leo McKern as 'Feste'.
Programme / The Opera House Manchester, 30 October 1950 (Item 1950/6) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Twelfth Night. Leo McKern as 'Feste'.
UK 1951 (File)
The Clandestine Marriage, 5 December 1951 (Item 1951/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Brush'.
Tamburlaine the Great, 24 September 1951 (Item 1951/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Almeda', John Blatchley.
Electra / The Wedding, 13 March 1951 (Item 1951/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'An Old Man', and 'Haralampy'.
King Henry V, 30 January 1951 (Item 1951/4) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs, 2 clippings
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Sir Thomas Erpingham'. John Blatchley. Includes clipping of a review and photo of the production.
The Old Vic 1951-1952 Season / Plays and Players, 1951 (Item 1951/5) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
2nd Edition. Advertising the season.
Twelfth Night, 15 January 1951 (Item 1951/6) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Theatre Royal, Brighton. Leo McKern as 'Feste'.
Programme / Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, 23 July 1951 (Item 1951/7) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
King Henry V. Leo McKern as 'Sir Thomas Erpingham', 'Nym'. John Blatchley.
UK 1952 (File)
King Lear, 3 March 1952 (Item 1952/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
New Theatre (London, England). Presented by Old Vic Theatre Company. Leo McKern as 'Fool'. Coral Browne, John Blatchley. Music by Charles Mackerras.
UK 1954 (File)
Toad of Toad Hall, 23 December 1954 (Item 1954/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
4 programs
At Princess Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue. Leo McKern as 'Toad'.
UK 1955 (File)
The Burnt Flower Bed, [1955] (Item 1955/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
3 programs
The Arts Theatre Club. Leo McKern as 'Thomas'.
Programme / The Opera House Manchester, 28 March 1955 (Item 1955/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
The Lark. Leo McKern as 'The Promotor'.
The Lark, 2 May 1955 (Item 1955/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Theatre Royal, Brighton. Leo McKern as 'The Promotor'.
The Lark, 11 May 1955 (Item 1955/4) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. Leo McKern as 'The Promotor'.
Programme / Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, 4 April 1955 (Item 1955/5) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
The Lark. Leo McKern as 'The Promotor'.
Programme / Kings Theatre Glasgow, 18 April 1955 (Item 1955/6) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
The Lark. Leo McKern as 'The Promotor'.
UK 1958 (File)
Brouhaha, 27 August 1958 (Item 1958/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
3 programs
Aldwych Theatre. Leo McKern as 'O. Tyepkin'.
UK 1959 (File)
The Duke of York's Theatre / Programme, 14 September 1959 (Item 1959/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
The Shifting Heart featuring Madge Ryan, Kennth J. Warren, David Nettheim, Alex Scott. Directed by Leo McKern. Designed by Frank Hinder.
My Friend Rollo, 5 October 1959 (Item 1959/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Oxford Playhouse Company, Meadow Players Limited. Leo McKern as 'Léon Rollo'.
Theatre Royal / Brighton / My friend Rollo, 19 October 1959 (Item 1959/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Leo McKern as 'Léon Rollo'.
Strand Theatre / Rollo, 27 October 1959 (Item 1959/4) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Leo McKern as 'Léon Rollo'.
UK 1960 (File)
A Man For All Seasons / by Robert Bolt, 1 July 1960 (Item 1960/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
Globe Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue. Leo McKern as 'The Common Man'.
A Man For All Seasons / by Robert Bolt, 1 July 1960 (Item 1960/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
Globe Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue. Leo McKern as 'The Common Man'. Larger program with additional photos of cast in costume, some biographical info.
The Duchess Theatre / Programme, February 1960 (Item 1960/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs, 1 flyer
By arrangement with Theatre Managers Ltd., Henry Sherek presents Rollo by Marcel Archard. Leo McKern as 'Léon Rollo'.
UK 1961 (File)
The Golders Green Hippodrome / Queen After Death, 6 March [1961] (Item 1961/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
Leo McKern as 'Ferrante', Trader Faulkner, Diane Cilento.
UK 1962 (File)
UK 1966 (File)
Sunderland Empire Theatre, 31 October 1966 (Item 1966/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Volpone. Leo McKern as 'Volpone', Robert Hornery.
UK 1973 (File)
The Merchant of Venice / Art Theatre Cambridge, 9-14 July 1973 (Item 1973/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Leo McKern as 'Shylock.'
Oxford Playhouse Company Summer Festival Season / The Merchant of Venice, 17 July 1973 (Item 1973/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Leo McKern as 'Shylock.'
Oxford Playhouse Company Summer Festival Season / The Wolf, 4 September 1973 (Item 1973/3) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Leo McKern as 'Keleman.'
Queen's Theatre / The Wolf, 3 December 1973 (Item 1973/4) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
Leo McKern as 'Keleman'. London Theatre Guide.
UK 1978 (File)
UK 1982 (File)
Theatre Royal / Brighton, 26 January 1982 (Item 1982/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
The Housekeeper featuring Leo McKern as 'Matt Quinlan.'
UK 1984 (File)
Number One' / a new comedy by Jean Anouilh adapted by Michael Frayn, April 1984 (Item 1984/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program, 1 flyer
Theatreprint 103 June 1984. The Queens Theatre. Leo McKern as 'Leon Saint-Pé'.
Number One' / a new comedy by Jean Anouilh adapted by Michael Frayn, April 1984 (Item 1984/2) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
Theatreprint 105 June 1984. The Queens Theatre. Leo McKern as 'Leon Saint-Pé'.
UK 1995 (File)
Hobson's Choice, 3 May - 20 July 1992 (Item 1995/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
2 programs
Chichester Festival Theatre. Featuring Leo McKern as Henry Horatio Hobson.
UK 1996 (File)
Savoy Theatre, 2 October 1996 (Item 1996/1) - Box [unnumbered]
Physical Description Note
1 program
When we are married. Featuring Leo McKern as 'Henry Ormonroyd'.