Australian Ephemera Collection Finding Aid
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AUSTRALIAN EPHEMERA COLLECTION FINDING AID PHILLIP STREET THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS AND EPHEMERA (PROMPT) PRINTED AUSTRALIANA JANUARY 2015 The Phillip Street Theatre (succeeded by the Phillip Theatre) was a popular and influential commercial Sydney theatre and theatrical company of the 1950s and 1960s that became well known for its intimate satirical revue productions. William Orr was the company’s founding Director of Productions, and Eric Duckworth was General Manager. After taking over the Mercury Theatre in Phillip Street, William Orr re-opened it as the Phillip Street Theatre in 1954, presenting a series of “Phillip Street Revues” and children's musicals, including Top of the Bill and Hit and Run (both 1954), Willow Pattern Plate (1957), Cross Section (1957-58), Ride on a Broomstick (1959), Mistress Money (1960). These featured many noted Australian performers, many who later went on to become well known film, theatre and television personalities, including Gordon Chater, Margot Lee, Barry Creyton, Jill Perryman, Noeline Brown, Robina Beard, Judi Farr, Kevin Miles, Charles "Bud" Tingwell, Ray Barrett, Ruth Cracknell, June Salter, John Meillon, Barry Humphries, Reg Livermore, Peter Phelps, and Gloria Dawn. The Phillip Street Theatre was demolished at the time of Out on a Limb with Bobby Limb and Dawn Lake in 1961, and the Company moved to the Australian Hall at 150 Elizabeth Street, near Liverpool Street. The company's name was then shortened to the Phillip Theatre in recognition of this move. From 1981 the programs show the theatre as Phillip Street Theatre once again. Printed materials in the PROMPT collection include programs and printed ephemera such as brochures, leaflets, tickets, etc. Theatre programs are taken as the prime documentary evidence of a performance. In a few cases however, the only evidence of a performance is a piece of printed ephemera. In these cases the type of piece is identified, e.g. brochure. The list is based on imperfect holdings, and is updated as gaps in the Library’s holdings are filled. Unless otherwise stated, all entries are based on published programs in the PROMPT collection. The Phillip Street Theatre PROMPT files may be accessed through the Library’s Special Collections Reading Room by eCallslip request: http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3530359 This Finding Aid is chronological by year and then by month, week or day. All dating is based on evidence in the programs or other ephemera. Entries for each program are arranged as follows: Year, day/s and month (Venue/Theatre and city) Director/Producer, featured actors Name of production An Index is also provided listing production name, city and year. The National Library’s collection also includes other material relating to the Phillip Street Theatre available through the Library’s catalogue See also Phillip Street Theatre in the TROVE discovery service which includes performance reviews and advertisements in Australian newspaper and magazines as well as other archival and pictorial material. Phillip Street Theatre 2 1954/55 Commencing 7 May Top of the Bill Starring: Ken Hannam, Charles Tingwell, Gordon Chater, John Mellion, Peter Collins, Lyle O’Hara, Lola Brooks, John Fleming, Margo Lee 3 programs Several printings. 2 from first production in new theatre. 1 from later production, probably 1955. 1954 Commencing 9 October Hit and Run Starring: Bettina Welch, Lola Brooks, Susanne Musitz, June Salter, Lyle O’Hara, Ray Barrett, Charles Tingwell, Gordon Chater, John Ewart 3 programs 1955 Commencing 20 January Hat Trick Starring: Max Oldaker, Aileen Britton, Sheila Helpmann, Shirley Sunners, Lyle O’Hara, June Salter, Paula Langlands, Diana Davidson 3 programs 1955 Commencing 12 May Happy Returns Starring: Lyle O’Hara, Margo Lee, Gordon Chater, Ray Barrett, John Meillon 1 program 1955 Commencing 22 June The Duenna Starring: Ruth Cracknell, Gordon Chater 4 programs 1955 Commencing 5 November Two to One Starring: Max Oldaker, Barbara Wyndon, Diana Field, Wendy Blacklock, Joyce Quealy, Gina Curtis 3 programs 3 programmes, 1 for first 100 productions, 2 for post 100th production, with new songs, sketches and actors. Phillip Street Theatre 3 1955 Celebrating Our First Year... Souvenir booklet (3 copies) 1956 Commencing 11 May Mr & Mrs Starring: Nola Lester, Johnny O’Connor, Barry Humphries, Brenda Humphries 3 programs 3 programmes. 2 of an early production with program inserts, 1 for a later production. 1956/57 Commencing 1 August Around the Loop Starring: Max Oldaker, June Salter, Gordon Chater, Barry Humphries et al. 5 programs 2 programs for original production 1/8/1956, 1 programme from 12st anniversary production 1/8/1957 and 2 programmes from 400th producgion ( with (different layout) probably 1957. 1956 Commencing 14 December Alice in Wonderland (pantomime) Starring: Shirley Regan, Max Oldaker, June Salter, Gordon Chater, Barry Humphries, John Fleming, Kathleen Gorham.. 1 program 1957 Commencing 29 June Willow Pattern Plate Starring: John Parker, Maree Austin, Rhonny Gabriel, Owen Weingott, Reginald Livermore, Leon Thau l. 3 programs 3 copies, 1 from early printing and 2 from later printing. 1957/58 Commencing 12 September Cross Section Starring: June Salter, Ruth Cracknell, Yolanda Rodrigues, Antonio Rodrigues, John Parker, Rhonny Gabriel 6 programs 6 programmes, 3 of initial printing, 1 with additional numbers as part of program, 1 of 1958 with new numbers and addition to cast of John Mellion, 1 towards end of production run. 1958 Country tour of New South Wales and Queensland throughout 1958 Production by William Orr. Financed by Arts Council of Australia NSW Divsion Phillip Street Theatre 4 The Willow Pattern Plate – Musical Phantasy Starring: Janice Goldman, Ian Field, John Beach, Joyce Simmons, Peter Kenna, Tony Bazell, Robina Beard, Beryl Marshall, Russ Burton 2 programmes 1958 Commencing 1 October Bats Starring: Lyle O’Hara, Jill Perryman, Alton Harvey, John Bluthal, Ronald Frazer 2 programs 1958 Commencing 26 Decembe – 24 January 1959r; Alice in Wonderland (pantomime) Starring: Dawne McFarlane, Max Meldrum, Ian Burgis, Alton Harvey, John Unicomb, Robina Beard, Peter Kenna 1 program 1959 Commencing 5 May The Birthday Show Starring: Lyle O’Hara, Jill Perryman, Alton Harvey, John Bluthal, Ronald Frazer 3 programs 1959 Commencing 15 July Meet Joyce Grenfell Starring Joyce Grenfell 2 programs 1959 Commencing 21 October Hey Diddle Diddle Starring: Gordon Chater, Lyle O’Hara, Jill Perryman, Kevan Johnston 3 programs 3 different print runs with last in early 1960. 1959 Commencing 26 December A Ride on a Broomstick (pantomime) Starring: Gordon Chater, Barbara Wyndon. 1 program 1960 Commencing 27 April Phillip Street Revue Starring: Max Oldaker, Lyle O’Hara, Jill Perryman, Kevan Johnston Phillip Street Theatre 5 4 programs 2 from initial printing and production, 1 from later printing/production with additional numbers and different advertisements, 1 later again with different cast. 1960 Commencing 27 May Mistress Money Starring: Gordon Chater, Sheila Bradley,Wendy Blacklock, John Unicomb 3 programs Newspaper review clippings inside one program. 1961 Commencing 8 March Out on a Limb Starring: Bobby Limb, Dawn Lake, Bettina Welch, Helen Lorain et al. 1 program 1961 Commencing 17 May Stop Press Starring: Stewart Ginn, Barbara Wyndon, Brigid Lenihan, Dibbs Mather, Jud Farr et al. 3 programs 2 printings, 1 from ist printing and 2 from 2nd printing. 1961 Commencing 7 October Yes Please Starring: Gordon Chater, Jill Perryman, Jim Hannan, Judi Farr, Mary Hardy 5 programs 2 programs are the same and 3 have variations in layout of advertisements and cast photographs. 1962 Commencing 30 March At It Again Starring: Gordon Chater, Jill Perryman, Kevan Johnston, Ray Taylor, Judi Farr 4 programs Programs show 3 print runs with varying advertisements for upcoming Phillip Street shows. 1962 Commencing 6 July What’s New? Starring: Janet Brown, Noeline Brown, Barry Creyton, Earle Cross, Margaret Dence 2 programs in 2 print runs Phillip Street Theatre 6 1962 Commencing 8 September Beyond the Fringe Starring: Barry Brown, Alastair Duncan, John Ewart, Brian Tapply 3 programs; 2 in 1st print run and 2 in 2nd print run. 1962 Commencing 26 December A Wish is a Dream (pantomime) Starring: Valda Bagnall, Bryan Davies, Jackie Weaver, Neva Carr Glyn, Dolore Whiteman, Terry Mitchell 1 program, 1 flyer 1963 Commencing 1 February Flaming Youth Starring: George Foster, Jill Perryman, Shirley Sunners, Robina Beard, Dolore Whiteman, Alton Harvey et al. 2 programs, including tickets for performance on Saturday 25 May. 1963 Commencing 10 May Do You Mind! Starring: Gordon Chater, Jill Perryman, Diana Perryman 2 programs 1963 Commencing 13 November The Private Ear – the Public Eye Starring: Judith Stott, Gordon Chater, Max Osbiston 3 programs 1 program includes ticket for performance on Friday 10 January 1964. Programs show 2 print runs and change of cast for 2nd print run. (Bell out and McManus in.) 1964 Commencing 23 March The Importance of Being Oscar Starring: Micheal MacLiammoir 2 programs 1964 Commencing 4 May I Must Be Talking To My Friends Starring: Micheal MacLiammoir 1 program 1964 Commencing 16 May Rattle of a Simple Man Phillip Street Theatre 7 Starring: John Meillon, June Salter, Kerry Francis 2 programs 1964 Commencing 27 July Breakfast with Julia Starring: James Condon, Marie Redshaw, Glenna Brydon, James Mellen 1 program, 1 flyer 1964 Commencing 3 October Is Australia Really Necessary? Starring: Miriam Karlin, Red Moore, Barbara Wyndon et al. 3 programs