| Main Performers | John Gielgud (Michael Strogoff),
Philip Hewland (Ogareff),
Edward Sorley (Emir Pheophar Khan),
Irene Rooke (Strogoff's Mother),
Judith Evans (Nadia Fedoroff) |
| Orchestra or Band | Special Symphony Orchestra (75 piece):
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (this was not the RPO founded in 1946),
London Symphony Orchestra |
| Choirs | Russian Chorus of artistes form the late Russian Imperial Opera |
| Conductors | M Heurteur (orchestra),
G Makaroff (chorus) |
| Set List | Overture,
'God Save the King' (The National Anthem),
Prologue of 'Michael Strogoff' - (Orchestra, chorus, actors, dancing girls)
'Michael Strogoff' Film Screening,
Personal Appearance of Mons. Ivan Mosjoukine |
| Performance Notes | A trade show film screening of 'Michael Strogoff' with prologue featuring a Special Symphony Orchestra and 150 actors and dancers. The prologue was produced by Monsieur Thedore Komisarjevsky, staged by John Bull, directed by W Keith Moss and Lighted by the Strand Electric Company. Costumes were courtesy of Monsieur Noe Block, 'Cine France'.
The silent film with Technicolor sequences, was based upon the novel written by Jules Verne in 1876. Distributed by European Motion Picture Co. Ltd.
Film:
Viktor Tourjansky - director,
Michael Strogoff (Ivan Mozzhukhin),
Nadia Fedor (Nathalie Kovanko),
Ivan Ogareff (Acho Chakatouny),
Maria Strogoff (Jeanne Brindeau),
Zaugara (Tina de Yzarduy),
Enur Feifar (M Debas),
Tzar Alexandre of Russia (Eugène Gaidaroff)
General Kissoff (as N Nougoucheff), (Micolas Kougoucheff),
Harry Blount (Henri Debain),
Féofar-Khan (Boris de Fast),
Alcide Jolivet (Gabriel de Gravone),
Wassili Feodoroff - Nadia's father (Vladimir Kvanin) - roles (actors)
"Universal has decided to officially release the Universal Film de France special production, 'Michael Strogoff', on February 8, 1927 as a gesture in honor of Jules Verne, author of the story, who was born here on the date. The picture was produced by the French Societe des Cineromans in France and Latvia with French, Russian and Latvian actors. It tells the story of the Czar's courier on a perilous mission to Irkutsk through a country overrun by Tartar invaders.
While it has been previewed in several of the principal cities of Europe and Indianapolis in this country it's general release is being witheld until the authors birthday. Thus far the film has been shown in London at the Albert Hall followed by trade showings in the distribution centers of Great Britain, Paris and Berlin.
One of the most elaborate presentations ever given a picture featured the showing of 'Michael Strogoff' at Albert Hall says Universal. An audience of 6,000 people including ambassadors from 15 countries and a large number of titled Englishmen were present. Komisarjevsky, one of the best known figures in continental theatrical circles, and former director of stage management of the Moscow Art Theatre, directed the prologue. A scene from the film was enacted in the prologue with prominent British stage players taking the principal roles and scores of dancing girls and others making up the colourful Tartar atmosphere. In all 150 persons participated in the prologue. A special symphony orchestra of 75 comprised of members of the Royal Philharmonic and London Symphony orchestras supplied the music under the direction of M Heurteur of the Paris Opera House."
(Motion Picture News, 13 November 1926)
At this event actor Ivan Mosjoukine made a personal appearance at the end of the film screening. The programme states that he was proceeding to University City to fulfil his long contract with Universal Films.
Notes from the Manager's Reception Register states that the Scenary was by Bull, Projection by Walkerdaw Ross Machines, Screen by Kinematogaph Equipment Company but owing to creases showing in the screen, the film was shown on Mr Noakes sheet.
Invitation-only event attended by the French Ambassador (Daily Telegraph, 4 October 1926) |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1926/98 Photocopy) |