R.A.D.A. GRADUATES' KEEPSAKE & COUNSELLOR (Rare 1948 Second Edition)
Official Presentation Copy to Actor Ian Gane (1954) |
Signed by Principal Kenneth R. Barnes
Includes Rare Unused Original RADA Casting/Graduate Questionnaire Insert
The R.A.D.A. Graduates' Keepsake & Counsellor was never made available for sale to the public. It was printed strictly for private circulation by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art as an exclusive graduation gift and professional guide for its alumni.
This specific copy features:
1. Presentation Page: Inscribed to actor Ian Gane on 6th April 1954.
2. Hand-signed by Kenneth R. Barnes (later Sir Kenneth Barnes, the legendary and longest-serving Principal of RADA (who ran the academy from 1909 to 1955).
3. Includes rare, completely blank and unused original RADA "Parts Played Since Leaving" graduate registry form. These forms were meant to be filled out and returned to the academy by working actors to update their casting files.
Who was Ian Gane?
RADA Training: Official archives verify that Ian Gane graduated from RADA with a Diploma in Acting in 1954. This book was presented to him on April 6, 1954, right as he finished his conservatory training.
Professional Stage Career: Immediately following graduation, he transitioned into professional British repertory theater. Notable roles in the late 1950s included: Playing Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1957) at the Salisbury Playhouse.Starring as Ralph Paton in the Agatha Christie Poirot adaptation Alibi (1957), alongside a young Timothy West.
Performing in classic mid-century plays like Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and The Teahouse of the August Moon (1958).
Later Life: After his early theatrical run, he pursued a career in the Army and later worked as the Bursar at the Worcester College for the Blind. Upon retiring, he returned heavily to his roots in the theatre, acting in and directing regional productions (such as A.R. Gurney's Love Letters) well into the 2000s.
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Condition: Good-VGC.
Exterior: In good - VGC. Some light/very minor surface marks on board, minor rubbing of corner (bottom right)
Binding tight, firm, and secure.
Interior: Very clean throughout free of additional annotations besides the inscription and signature. Natural age-toning present. Very few signs of foxing/age spots/surface marks.
Insert: The original RADA graduate questionnaire paper insert shows natural age-toning and original fold lines but remains entirely clean and unwritten.
Measures 17 cm tall and 11cm wide.
Please see photos as they form part of the description.
Please note: any glare or reflections visible in the photographs are caused by lighting during photography and are not present on the item itself. Props not included
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