[Theatre programmes for variety, comedy, and music-hall shows and performances toured throughout New Zealand. 1950-1959. Donated by Charles Cabot].

Includes programmes and fliers for the following:

1950s?:

Cuba Street Carnival. Spotting misplaced article competition. 1000 pounds in prizes. Shop and save in Cuba Street. How to enter [1955, 1960, 1966?]

Personality sensation, Harry 'Woo-Woo' Stevens. Night club, TV and radio star. [non New Zealand promotional brochure . 1950s?]

Wellington Dry Cleaning Co Ltd and Hygienic Laundry Ltd present in association with George Tollerton, 10 guineas funny story competition held at the Wellington Provincial 250 [pound] talent quest each Tuesday - Town Hall Lower Hutt; each Thursday - Paramount, Wellington. Pink entry form.

1950:

J C Williamson's Theatres Ltd present The Kiwis Revue Company, the New Zealand Division's soldier show. Four phenomenally successful years in Australia. Municipal Theatre Hastings, Friday & Saturday, 11th & 12th August [1950?]. Small poster

J C Williamson Theatres Ltd. Souvenir of the New Zealand Kiwis Revue, originally the N.Z. entertainment unit formed within the 2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force, Middle East. [ca 1950].

Michael Todd's "Peep show". (New York, 1950). Programme.

1951:

Trevor King presents Presentation concert. Centennial 100 [pound] stage "Quest for talent" 1951, 'the year of the stars'. Civic Theatre [Christchurch?], 1 June [1951]. Promotional pamphlet with photographs of Mollie Haines (Canadian bird impersonations), Gary and Wally Wakefield, Norma Hancock (contortionist). Also lists performers: Stanley C Ivey, Robin K Heaps, Violet Downing, Noel Tweedie, Jim Hodder, Bruce Johnston, Tom Hodder, Ray Kamo's Hawaiian Entertainers, Miss Bessie McDonald's Hula Dancers, Pat Dugan, John Columbus Burlesque Ballet, William Gray, Adagio Trio (Laurel Watts, Don Williamson, Morris MacDougall), Gary Fraser, Aroha Paahi, George Robinson's Star Rangers, and Lester Gibson.

1952:

Presentation concerts under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor (Mr R M McFarlane). Canterbury amateur talent entertains! Civic Theatre, Thurs May 22 [1952]. Promotional pamphlet with photographs of Trevor King, Ernie Jones, John Columbus Men's Burlesque Ballet, Ken Boniface, Mollie Haines and the Wakefield Brothers. Lists other performers: Compere Lester Gibson, Keith Tonks, Peggy Guy, Jill Ormady, Watson Raines, Stanley Ivey, Charles Barrett (Maori baritone), John Brundall, Beverley Cornelius, Rino Tirikataene, Norma Hancock, Eileen Campbell, John Ritchards, Rex Williams, Ray O'Connor, Cliff Storer, Stan Newton's Flying Scotsmen.

Trevor King's 150 [pound] talent quest for new stars for the stage. Civic Theatre, Thursday 6 March and every Thursday night throughout the talent quest contest. Entry form [1952?]

Trevor King proudly presents the grand finals, 150 [pound] stage quest for talent. Civic Theatre, [pound] stage quest for talent. Civic Theatre, Saturday May 17, [1952]. Brochure

World entertainers, headed by Hollywood star Cliff Edwards. Joe Taylor presents his Sydney Celebrity Club Variety. Wellington season, 1952-1953. Programme.

1953:

Geo Tollerton presents the winners of the Air-Race Council's All Canterbury "Search for Stars". 250 [pounds] biggest ever held in New Zealand. Town Hall Darfield, Monday 7 September [1953]. Promotional flier with photographs of the Adagio Dancers, Janice Eder and Harry Pletzers, and other performers listed: Desmond Duo, Stanley Ivey, Robin Moore, Carlyle Brown (tenor), Cliff Storer, Jennifer Levy, Colleen Hills, Don Killner's Radio Rhythm Rascals, Joe Thomson, Colleen Morgan, Graeme Aldridge, Pauline Toohey & Robin Hamburgher, Rosemary Hewstone, Andrews Liver Salt Sisters, Jeff Bishop, Val Miles, also "Chuckles with Jerry". F W Larcombe, Christchurch, (printer)

1955:

Sir Harold Scott, 1887- ."Scott" of Scotland Yard. Lecture tour, [1955]. Illustrated programme.

Folies of 1955. 10 star acts, vaudeville, variety, revue. International attractions. Souvenir programme.

1955/1956:

Promotional and biographical notes for Harlem Blackbirds" show, with photographs of Sunshine Body [Dolores Cooper], Larry Steele and Maurice Rocco [Australian publication. ca 1955/1956]

1956:

Australian Returned Servicemen's Association presents "Show time"; annual Anzac night variety show. Guest artist Rusty Greaves, yodelling cowboy star who won Western Springs Talent Quest (With Valrey Charnly - "the voice of 1956", Cliff Shirley, Watson Raines, Martha Malcolm, Bill Ramsay). [Christchurch, ca 1956]. Illustrated pamphlet

Harry Watson presents "Talent Highlights"; the all New Zealand talent show. Promotional flier with photographs of Watson Raines, Rusty Greaves, Jill Brooker, Vantini, Joe Thompson, and The Russals. Town Hall Bluff, 25 October [1956]

Geo Tollerton in association with Kerridge-Odeon presents the Auckland Provincial 250 [pound] talent seaerch centred on Hamilton at the Embassy Theatre, commencing Wednesday June 13, 1956 and each subsequent Wednesday. The winner will receive 100 [pounds]. Flier (2 copies) with photo of finalists of the Canterbury "Search for stars" standing in front of a New Zealand Raiwlays Road Services bus.

The Gympie Times. Thursday May 17, 1956. The Olympia Theatre. The Follies of 1956. [Newsclipping].

1957:

Amalgamated Theatres (N.Z.) Ltd present their 300 [pound] "talent search", produced by Trevor King, at the Crystal Palace, commencing Thursday 11th April [1957]. Flier (2 copies).

Sam Snyder's internationally famous Water Follies. Aztec Services Pty Ltd proudly present World's greatest water & stage show. Australasian tour 1957. Official souvenir program.

1958:

Les E Rohmer presents the Laugh till you cry show, Celebrity Variety Revue; the Frivolous frolics of 1958. Ninth annual tour. Cavendish Memorial Hall, Monday, 22nd Sept. [1958]. (Flier)

Radio and stage show coming to your town!! New Zealand tour on stage "Variety Round Up". Johnny Cooper in person [ca 1958]. Flier with photographs of Johnny Cooper, Vantini, the Skyliners, the Wakefield Brothers, Ken Boniface, Watson Raines, the Wildcats, Isola Bennett and a crowded theatre audience in Wellington. Larcombe Print.

Joe Brown's dominion-wide "Search for Stars" contest [1958-1959. Brochure. late 1958]. (2 copies)

1959:

Joe Brown's "Search for Stars". Grand New Zealand final. [1959]. Souvenir programme (2 copies)

Joe Brown's dominion-wide 2000 [pound] "Search for stars". Brochure. 1959. (2 copies)

Joe Brown's dominion-wide Search for stars [letterhead paper. 1959?] (2 copies)

Entry form. Johnny Cooper 60 [pounds] cash! talent quest. Gaiety Theatre Wairoa, commencing 19 February 1959 (2 copies)

Quantity: 16 programmes and fliers.

Physical Description: Printed programmes, under 300 mm.