One Man: Joseph Papp

Synopsis: Documentary on Joseph Papp, producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theatre. He discusses the mission of his theatre, his role in the development of new productions, his trepidation over his own success, his ongoing struggle to raise funds, deciding to do a play, cultivating artistic talent, a theatre’s need for a single artistic vision, the Public Theatre building, including current plans for renovation and theatre construction in the South Hall, and his audience. Includes footage and still images of a rehearsal at the Public Theatre, Papp in his apartment with his family, meeting with architects in South Hall, the audience queue at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and performance clips of the current musical production The Two Gentlemen of Verona, including the numbers ‘Night letter’ and ‘I love my father’. Papp narrates.[With acknowledgment to the New York Public Library catalogue for the detailed synopsis].
Language: English
Country: United States
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Recording date: 1971
Duration: 17 mins

Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); New York Shakespeare Festival; Papp, Joseph (1921-1991)

Notes: The recording date is approximate but the footage is likely to have been filmed at various locations in New York in 1971.

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