Mike, as you know I've also tried to get dates and other details for these broadcasts without more success than you.

I  did find one bit of info.  It's a poster from the Hippodrome Theatre Ipswitch listed in the catalogue of the National Fairground Archive, University of Sheffield, 178R10.6.  This lists Cortez as performing 17 May, c.1948.  The poster reads: "Leon Cortez (Shakespeare). Radio's eminent authority on the works of the immortal bard. ...Radio's Latest Comedy Sensation the School for Shakespeare presented by Leon Cortez & Coy."  These certainly suggest that Cortez's Shakespeare acts were well known on radio.  It's on my list for further research at Caversham, but for now it might be a matter of going right through all the Radio Times Programme listings, presumably concentrating on the Home or Light Service, say between 1945 and 1950, to see if Cortez is listed as a performer or in an article. If "Latest" means what it says you could start in 1947/8? But then there's the evidence that Cortez had done Shakespeare on radio in 1946 or earlier.  Maybe "Latest" refers to a new act, presumably a double act rather than a monologue. God knows who (or what??) Coy is!!

Best,

Susanne

Susanne Greenhalgh,
Principal Lecturer, Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies,
Director, Centre for Research in Renaissance Studies.

0208-392-3334

________________________________
From: Discussion list for audiovisual Shakespeare project [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike Jensen [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 July 2010 15:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Leon Cortez

Thanks, Beverly.

That facsimile letter is one of the reasons, and the only real evidence, I have seen to let me date the broadcasts in the forties. The letter is reproduced in all four of the pamphlets I have and all the publications were clearly done around the same time since they advertise each other in the back of the books. Though another ten or so pamphlets are announced, I can't find a scrap that a fifth was ever produced and I have been scouring second hand book web-sites for a few years now. I'm gearing up to write about these, and I'll be assigning one to a Shakespeare and modern culture class in the fall as part of the radio component, so I'd like to find whatever more I can for both reasons.

all the best,
Mike Jensen

author site:
www.michaelpjensen.com<http://www.michaelpjensen.com/>




> Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 10:42:21 +0100
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Leon Cortez
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Dear Mike,
> we have one of his published pamphlets (Romeo & Juliet) in the library
> of the V&A Theatre & Performance Collections. Undated, as you say, but
> on p. [3] there is a facsimile letter from The British Empire
> Shakespeare Society (Enfield Branch) to Cortez from its treasurer,
> William Latham, dated 14 October 1946 which refers to his 'having
> listened on many occasions to your BBC broadcasts' .
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Beverley Hart
>
> Dr Beverley Hart
> Librarian
> V&A Theatre & Performance
> Direct line: 020 7471 9866
>
>
> >>> Mike Jensen <[log in to unmask]> 07/07/2010 04:10 >>>
>
> I meant to add that the British Library does not seem to list the
> books, which were self-published by Cortez.
>
> all the best,
> Mike Jensen
>
> author site:
> www.michaelpjensen.com
>
>
>
>
> > Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 00:53:13 +0100
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Leon Cortez
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Can anyone lead me to broadcast dates and a list of the Shakespeare
> monologues by Leon Cortez on BBC radio? They seem to be pretty clearly
> from the forties, but the booklets that reproduce some of the stories do
> not give dates. The only evidence I have that they were broadcast are
> the statements in the four booklets I have seen and a couple of internet
> references by people who heard and valued the monologues way back when.
> They may have been part of a variety show. The BUFVC Shakespeare
> database finds nothing with a search of “Leon Cortez.” Any leads
> will be very greatly appreciated.
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars
> with Hotmail.
> http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
> For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
> - --------------------------------------------------------------
> See our 2009/2010 Annual Review – visit www.vam.ac.uk/annualreview
>
> Quilts 1700-2010
> Supported by the Friends of the V&A
> Until 4 July 2010 at V&A South Kensington
> Book now on www.vam.ac.uk
>
> Sit Down: Seating for Kids
> Until 5 September 2010 at V&A Museum of Childhood
> Admission free
>
> Keep in touch - visit www.vam.ac.uk and sign up for our regular
> e-newsletter
>
> - --------------------------------------------------------------
>
> The information contained in this message is confidential and intended only for the individual named above. If you are not the intended recipient,or responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or disclosure of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us by telephone on 020 7942 2353. This message has been scanned for viruses by MessageLabs Email Security System www.messagelabs.com/email
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
> For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
> ______________________________________________________________________

________________________________
Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. See how.<http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2>

Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

________________________________
This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee and may also be privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee, or have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do not copy, disclose or otherwise act upon any part of this email or its attachments.

Internet communications are not guaranteed to be secure or virus-free. Roehampton University does not accept responsibility for any loss arising from unauthorised access to, or interference with, any Internet communications by any third party, or from the transmission of any viruses.

Any opinion or other information in this e-mail or its attachments that does not relate to the business of Roehampton University is personal to the sender and is not given or endorsed by Roehampton University.

Roehampton University is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England under number 5161359. Registered Office: Grove House, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5PJ. An exempt charity.