Orson Welles theatre credits

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Orson Welles at the Mercury Theatre (1938)

This is a comprehensive listing of the theatre work of Orson Welles. In 1972 he was in the first set of members elected to the American Theater Hall of Fame.[1][a]

There isn't one person, I suppose, in a million, who knows that I was ever in the theatre.

— Orson Welles to friend and mentor Roger Hill, July 21, 1983[2]: 143 

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
July 10 Madame Butterfly Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, libretto
Giacomo Puccini, score		 Trouble Chicago Opera Ravinia Opera House Cleofonte Campanini [b] [2]: 58 [4]: 326 
1918 Samson and Delilah Ferdinand Lemaire, libretto
Camille Saint-Saëns, score		 walk-on Chicago Opera [c] [4]: 326 

1925

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1925 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Robert Louis Stevenson, novella)
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde Camp Indianola Governor Nelson State Park Orson Welles [d] [4]: 326 
1925 A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens, novella
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Scrooge Washington School, Madison, Wisconsin Orson Welles [4]: 326 [6]

1926

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1926 Nativity play Mary Todd Seminary for Boys Todd Seminary for Boys Roger Hill [e] [3]: 12 [4]: 326 
1926 The Servant in the House Charles Rann Kennedy Jesus Todd Seminary for Boys Todd Seminary for Boys Roger Hill [3]: 12 
1926 Dust of the Road Judas Iscariot Todd Seminary for Boys Todd Seminary for Boys Roger Hill [3]: 12 

1927

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May 27 It Won't Be Long Now Roger Hill, libretto
Carl Hendrickson, music		 Jim Bailey Todd Troupers Durand Art Institute Roger Hill [f] [2]: 135, 275–276 

1928

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May 5 Finesse the Queen Roger Hill, libretto
Carl Hendrickson, music		 William J. Spurns Todd Seminary for Boys Lindo Theatre, Freeport, Illinois Roger Hill [g] [2]: 135 [8][9]: 49–50 [10]

1929

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1929 Julius Caesar William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Mark Antony
Cassius		 Todd Troupers Todd Seminary for Boys Orson Welles [h] [4]: 327 

1930

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1930 Androcles and the Lion George Bernard Shaw, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Ferovious Todd Troupers Todd Seminary for Boys Orson Welles [i] [4]: 327 

1931

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
1931 Winter of Our Discontent William Shakespeare, plays
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Richard III Todd Troupers Todd School for Boys Orson Welles [j] [k] [l] [4]: 327 [11]
October 13–31 Jew Süss Lion Feuchtwanger, novel
Ashley Dukes, adaptation		 Duke Karl Alexander of Württemberg Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [m] [n] [o] [p] [4]: 327 
November 3–14 The Dead Ride Fast David Sears Ralph Bentley Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [q] [4]: 328 
November 20–
December 5		 The Archdupe Percy Robinson Marshal François Bazaine
Mexican Colonel		 Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [r] [4]: 328 [18]: 105 
December 6 The Circle W. Somerset Maugham Lord Porteous Abbey Theatre, Dublin [s] [4]: 329 [18]: 105 
December 26–
January 9, 1932		 Mogu of the Desert Padraic Colum Chosroes, King of Persia Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [t] [u] [4]: 328 [20]
December 27 Alice in Wonderland USA Lewis Carroll, novel
William Sherwood, adaptation		 Peacock Players Peacock Theatre, Dublin [v] [w] [x] [y] [4]: 329 [18]: 102 [23]: 75 
1931 The Lady from the Sea Henrik Ibsen Dublin Orson Welles [4]: 329 [23]: 75 
1931 Three Sisters Anton Chekhov Dublin [z] [23]: 75 
1931–32 Hay Fever Noël Coward Dublin Orson Welles [4]: 329 
1931–32 Mr. Wu Harry M. Vernon and Harold Owen Mr. Wu Dublin Orson Welles [4]: 329 
1931–32 The Only Way Frederick Longbridge and Freeman Wills Dublin Orson Welles [4]: 329 
1931–32 Peer Gynt Henrik Ibsen Peer Gynt Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 The Father August Strindberg Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 The Rivals Richard Brinsley Sheridan Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 The Emperor Jones Eugene O'Neill Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 La locandiera Carlo Goldoni Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 The Play's the Thing P. G. Wodehouse and Ferenc Molnár Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 Man and Superman George Bernard Shaw Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 Grumpy Horace Hodges and T. Wrigley Percival Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 The Makropulos Affair Karel Čapek Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 The Dover Road A. A. Milne Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 Volpone Ben Jonson Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 Rope Patrick Hamilton Ronald Kentley Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 Richard III William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 Macbeth William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 Timon of Athens William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 
1931–32 King John William Shakespeare Acting role Dublin [4]: 329 

1932

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 12–26 Death Takes a Holiday Alberto Casella, play
Walter Ferris, adaptation		 Baron Lamberto Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [aa] [4]: 328 
February 2–13 Hamlet William Shakespeare The Ghost
Fortinbras		 Dublin Gate Theatre Company Gate Theatre, Dublin Hilton Edwards [ab] [ac] [4]: 328 
1932 Doctor Knock Jules Romains Peacock Players Peacock Theatre, Dublin [ad] [4]: 329 [18]: 106 
1932 The Chinese Bungalow Marion Osmond and James Corbet acting role Dublin Orson Welles [ae] [9]: 337 
February 16 - 27 The All Alone Henry B O'Hanlon The Dublin Repertory Theatre Peacock Theatre, Dublin William Sherwood [af] [ag] [ah] [18]: 106 [25][26][27]

1933

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May Twelfth Night William Shakespeare Todd Troupers Todd School for Boys Roger Hill and Orson Welles [ai] [aj] [ak] [4]: 330 
July Twelfth Night William Shakespeare Todd Troupers Chicago Drama Festival, A Century of Progress Exposition, English Village Roger Hill and Orson Welles [al] [am] [an] [4]: 330 [29]
November 29–
June 20, 1934		 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Mercutio
Chorus		 Katharine Cornell repertory company National tour beginning at the Erlanger Theatre in Buffalo, New York, Cornell's hometown Guthrie McClintic [ao] [ap] [aq] [ar] [30]
December 2–
June 20, 1934		 The Barretts of Wimpole Street Rudolf Besier Octavius Moulton-Barrett Katharine Cornell repertory company National tour beginning at the Erlanger Theatre in Buffalo, New York Guthrie McClintic [as] [at] [4]: 330 [30]
December–
June 20, 1934		 Candida George Bernard Shaw Eugene Marchbanks Katharine Cornell repertory company National tour Guthrie McClintic [au] [4]: 331 

1934

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
July 12–22 Trilby George du Maurier Svengali Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Orson Welles [av] [aw] [ax] [2]: 165 [3]: 58 [33]: 76 
July 26–
August 5		 Hamlet William Shakespeare Claudius
Ghost of Hamlet's Father		 Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Hilton Edwards [ay] [az] [2]: 165 [3]: 62 [33]: 74 [35]
August 9–19 Tsar Paul Dmitry Merezhkovsky Count Pahlen Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Hilton Edwards [ba] [2]: 165 [3]: 62 [4]: 331 
August 22–25 The Drunkard William H. Smith Cameo appearance Todd School for Boys Woodstock Opera House Charles O'Neal [bb] [bc] [4]: 331 [21]: 49 
December 3–9 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus		 Katharine Cornell repertory company Cass Theatre, Detroit, Michigan Guthrie McClintic [bd] [be] [bf] [bg] [38]: 7 
December 10–11 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus		 Katharine Cornell repertory company Hanna Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio Guthrie McClintic [bh] [40][41]
December 14–15 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus		 Katharine Cornell repertory company Nixon Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Guthrie McClintic [bi] [42][43]
December 20–
February 23, 1935		 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare Tybalt
Chorus		 Katharine Cornell repertory company Martin Beck Theatre, New York City Guthrie McClintic [bj] [bk] [bl] [bm] [44]: 144–151 [46][47]

1935

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
March 14–16 Panic Archibald MacLeish McGafferty Phoenix Theatre Imperial Theatre, New York City James Light [bn] [bo] [bp] [bq] [44]: 159 

1936

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
April 12 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Lafayette Theatre, Harlem, New York City Orson Welles [br] [44]: 198 
April 14 –
June 20		 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Lafayette Theatre, Harlem, New York City Orson Welles [bs] [bt] [4]: 333 
July 6–18 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Adelphi Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [bu] [bv] [bw] [4]: 333 [50]
July 21–25 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Park Theatre, Bridgeport, Connecticut[52] Orson Welles [bx] [50]
July 28 –
August 1		 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Hartford, Connecticut Orson Welles [by] [50]
August 6 – ? Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Exhibit Theatre, Dallas, Texas Orson Welles [bz] [50][53]
August 13–23 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Amphitheater, Texas Centennial Exposition, Dallas, Texas Orson Welles [ca] [cb] [cc] [57]
August 25–29 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Keith's Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana Orson Welles [cd] [ce] [59]
September 1–13 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Great Northern Theater, Chicago, Illinois Orson Welles [cf] [4]: 333 [60]
September 1936 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Detroit, Michigan Orson Welles [cg]
September 1936 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Cleveland, Ohio Orson Welles [ch]
September 23–25 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Civic University, Syracuse, New York Orson Welles [ci] [61]
September 26 –
December 5		 Horse Eats Hat Eugène Labiche and Marc-Michel, play
Orson Welles and Edwin Denby, adaptation		 Mugglethorp Federal Theatre Project Maxine Elliott's Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cj] [ck]
October 6–17 Macbeth William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Federal Theatre Project Majestic Theatre, Brooklyn, New York Orson Welles [cl] [56]: 393 [63]
October 23 –
November 1		 Ten Million Ghosts Sidney Kingsley André Pequot St. James Theatre, New York City Sidney Kingsley [cm] [64]

1937

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 8 –
May 29		 The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus Christopher Marlowe Faustus Federal Theatre Project Maxine Elliott Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cn] [65]
April 21–23 The Second Hurricane Edwin Denby, libretto
Aaron Copland, score		 Henry Street Settlement Music School Henry Street Settlement Playhouse, New York City Orson Welles [co] [cp]
June 16 – July 1 The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Federal Theatre Project Venice Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cq] [cr]
Summer The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Federal Theatre Project Tour of steel districts of Pennsylvania and Ohio Orson Welles [cs] [4]: 338 
November 11 – May 28, 1938 Caesar William Shakespeare, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Marcus Brutus Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [ct] [cu] [cv] [44]: 324 [66]
December 5–19 The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cw] [cx] [44]: 325 [67]
December 25 The Shoemaker's Holiday Thomas Dekker Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [cy] [cz] [68]: 50–51 

1938

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 1 –
April 28		 The Shoemaker's Holiday Thomas Dekker Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [da] [4]: 341 
January 3 –
April 2		 The Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein Mercury Theatre Windsor Theatre and Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [db] [dc]
April 29 –
June 11		 Heartbreak House George Bernard Shaw Captain Shotover Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [dd]
August 16–29 Too Much Johnson William Gillette, play
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Mercury Theatre Stony Creek Theatre, Stony Creek, Connecticut Orson Welles [de] [df] [dg] [dh] [23]: 50–51, 152–153 
November 2–19 Danton's Death Georg Büchner Louis Antoine de Saint-Just Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [di] [dj] [73]

1939

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
February 27 – March Five Kings (Part One) William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Sir John Falstaff Mercury Theatre Colonial Theatre, Boston Orson Welles [dk] [dl] [dm] [dn] [do] [4]: 350 
March 13 – ? Five Kings (Part One) William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Sir John Falstaff Mercury Theatre National Theatre, Washington, D.C. Orson Welles [dp] [dq] [4]: 351 
March 20–25 Five Kings (Part One) William Shakespeare, dialogue
Orson Welles, adaptation		 Sir John Falstaff Mercury Theatre Chestnut Street Opera House, Philadelphia Orson Welles [dr] [ds] [44]: 428 
July–August The Green Goddess William Archer Rajah Mercury Theatre RKO Vaudeville Theatre circuit (tour) Orson Welles [dt]

1941

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
March 24 – June 28 Native Son Paul Green and Richard Wright Mercury Theatre St. James Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [du] [dv] [dw] [76]

1942

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
October 23 –
January 2, 1943		 Native Son Paul Green and Richard Wright Mercury Theatre Majestic Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [dx] [77]

1943

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
August 3 –
September 9		 The Mercury Wonder Show Orson Welles and others "Orson the Magnificent" Mercury Theatre Cahuenga Tent, Cahuenga Boulevard, Hollywood Orson Welles [dy] [dz] [ea]
September 1943 – 1944 The Mercury Wonder Show Orson Welles and others "Orson the Magnificent" Mercury Theatre Nationwide tour of army bases Orson Welles [eb]

1946

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
April 1–2 The Airborne Symphony Marc Blitzstein Speaker New York City Symphony Orchestra New York City Center, New York Leonard Bernstein [ec] [ed] [ee] [ef] [80]
April 28–May 4 Around the World Jules Verne, novel
Orson Welles, adaptation
Cole Porter, music		 Inspector Dick Fix
Japanese magician		 Mercury Theatre Boston Opera House, Boston Orson Welles [eg] [eh]
May 7–11 Around the World Jules Verne, novel
Orson Welles, adaptation
Cole Porter, music		 Inspector Dick Fix
Japanese magician		 Mercury Theatre Shubert Theatre, New Haven Orson Welles [ei]
May 31 –
August 1		 Around the World Jules Verne, novel
Orson Welles, adaptation
Cole Porter, music		 Inspector Dick Fix
Japanese magician		 Mercury Theatre Adelphi Theatre, New York City Orson Welles [ej] [81]

1947

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
May 28–31 Macbeth William Shakespeare Macbeth Mercury Production, Utah Centennial Festival Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, Salt Lake City Orson Welles [ek] [el] [em] [en] [4]: 401 

1950

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
June 15 – July The Blessed and the Damned Orson Welles Various (Lobster)
Faustus (Time Runs…)		 Théâtre Édouard VII, Paris Orson Welles [eo]
August 7 – August An Evening With Orson Welles Orson Welles
Oscar Wilde		 Faustus (Time Runs…)
Algernon (Earnest)		 Altjakobstheater am Zoo, Frankfurt Hilton Edwards [ep]
August 15 – August An Evening With Orson Welles Orson Welles
Oscar Wilde		 Faustus (Time Runs…)
Algernon (Earnest)		 Hamburg Hilton Edwards [eq]
August 21 – August An Evening With Orson Welles Orson Welles
Oscar Wilde		 Faustus (Time Runs…)
Algernon (Earnest)		 Munich Hilton Edwards [er]

1951

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
October 1–7 Othello William Shakespeare Othello Theatre Royal, Newcastle Orson Welles [es] [et]
October 18 –
December 15		 Othello William Shakespeare Othello St James's Theatre, London Orson Welles [eu]
November Midnight Matinee Orson Welles Himself Coliseum Theatre, London Orson Welles [ev]

1953

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
September 7 –
October		 The Lady in the Ice Orson Welles, libretto
Jean-Michel Damase, score		 Ballet de Paris Stoll Theatre, London Orson Welles [ew]
October Une femme dans la glace Orson Welles, libretto
Jean-Michel Damase, score		 Ballet de Paris Paris Orson Welles [ex]

1955

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
June 16 – July 9 Moby Dick—Rehearsed Herman Melville, novel
Orson Welles, play		 An Actor-Manager
Father Mapple
Captain Ahab		 Duke of York's Theatre, London Orson Welles [ey] [ez]

1956

Date Title Author Role Company Theatre Director Notes References
January 12–29 King Lear William Shakespeare King Lear New York City Center Theater Company Lincoln Center Theater, New York City Orson Welles [fa] [fb]
February 22 –
March 13		 Variety act Orson Welles Himself Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas Orson Welles [fc] [fd] [86]

1960

Notes

References

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