Southern Players

Date: 1957 - 1964

Reference: Eph-A-DRAMA-SCP

Description: Includes: 1957: "Charley's Aunt". Directed by Patric Carey. [1957] (2 copies) 1958: "Private lives", by Noel Coward. Produced by Patric Carey. Stage manager William Menlove. Second tour 12 February - 1 April 1958 (2 copies) 1959: "The cat and the canary", by John Williard. Directed by Grahame Clifford. With Sybil Westland, Desmond Lock, William Menlove. Summer tour 1959-1960. Programme. "Salad days", by Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade. Produced by Grahame Clifford. With Sybil Westland, Bernard Esquilant, William Menlove, Desmond Lock, Robin Stevens. Winter tour 1959. Programme (2 copies) "While the sun shines", by Terence Rattigan. Directed by Grahame Clifford. With Jon (Jonathan) Elsom, Mary Goodwin, Joy Rowlatt. Summer tour 24 Janaury to 24 March 1959. Programme. 1960: "Blithe spirit", by Noel Coward. Produced by Grahame Clifford. Eighth major tour, 3 March - 5 May 1960. Programme. "Free as air". Grand Opera House Wellington [1960?]. Directed by Grahame Clifford. Choreography by Barbara Bonnar. (2 copies) "Free as air". Directed by Grahame Clifford, choreography by Barbara Bonnar. Second full NZ tour. [1960?] (2 copies) "Free as air". Directed by Grahame Clifford, choreography by Barbara Bonnar.Theatre Royal Christchurch. 2nd full New Zealand tour [1060?] Programme 1961: "Watch it, sailor!", by Philip King and Falkland Cary. Produced by John Kim. 1961. Programme. 1962: "Johnny Belinda", by Elmer Harris. With Peggy Turvey, William Menlove, Bill Hargreaves. Directed by Frank Newman. [Dunedin, 1962]. Programme (2 copies) "Beauty and the beast", by Nicholas Stuart Gray. Produced by Bernard L Esquilant. 1962. Programme A season with Bruce Mason. "The end of the golden weather, 14-19 March; "Lat night extra", 25-27 March; "The pohutukawa tree" by Bruce Mason, directed by the author. Playhouse, 30 March - 10 April 1963. Programme 1964: "The living room", by Graham Greene. Produced by Bernard L Esquilant. The Playhouse, 11 June 1964; Civic Theatre Invercargill, 20 June 1964. Quantity: 10 theatre programmes. Physical Description: Letterpress on programmes, sizes below 250 mm.

Date: 1961

From: [Programmes and ephemera of octavo size for drama productions in New Zealand]

Reference: Eph-A-DRAMA-1961

Description: Includes: Auckland Gallery Associates. "A time for sowing", by Frank Sargeson. Produced by Chris Cathcart. Auckland City Art Gallery, May-June 1961. Programme. Auckland University Drama Society. "Othello" by William Shakespeare. [1961?] Programme. CAS Theatre. Michael Redgrave's "The Aspern papers", based on the book by Henry James. Directed by Ronald Barker. Decor by Peter Smith. Saint Andrews Hall (Auckland). 6-11 November 1961. Flyer (2 copies) CAS Theatre. Shakespeare's "Love's labours lost". Music by Ian McLean, decoration by John Coulson; directed by Ronald Barker. Auckland Festival play 1961. Programme Hamilton Playbox Repertory Society. "Hotel Paradiso", by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres. Produced by David Reid. Little Theatre. 2-9 September 1961. Programme. Kaikoura Drama Club. "The happiest days of your life", by John Dighton. Produced by Sidney Drury. [ca 1961]. Programme Kaikoura Drama Club. "Something in the attic" (producers I Vaughan and N Stove); "The bishop's candlesticks" (Producer M E Perry); "Her husband's harem" (producer V Johnston). [ca 1961]. Programme Kaikoura Drama Club. "Wake up and woo!", by Dudley Harcourt. produced by M E Perry. Kaikoura Memorial Centre, 18-19 October [1961?]. Programme Masterton Little Theatre Society. Harlequin; "The Happy journey", by Thornton Wilder; "Pyramus and Thisbe" by William Shakespeare. Official opening [of Harlequin Theatre for the Society]. 29 April 1961. Programme [New Zealand Theatre Company]. Bullfitt Family Players present "East Lynne", produced by Bruce Mason. [ca 1961?], Programme. (2 copies) New Zealand Theatre Company. "Romeo and Juliet". First national tour, June 1961. Produced by Richard Campion. Music by David Farquhar, decor by Raymond Boyce, dances arr by Walter Trevor, duelling scenes arranged by John Kardoss. Programme (2 copies), and promotional pamphlet (2 copies). New Zealand Theatre Company. "Romeo and Juliet". Grand premiere performance [of] first national tour. Opera House Wellington. 16 June 1961. Programme (2 copies) Shoestring Players. "Here we come gathering ... ", by Philip King and Anthony Armstrong. Produced by Alison Hall and directed by Kemp Eriksen. [1961?] Programme. (2 copies) Shoestring Players. "A lady mislaid" by Kenneth Horne. Produced by Norman Haines. South Wellington Intermediate School Theatrette. 27-28 June 1961. Programme. (2 copies) plus card / ticket. Southern Comedy Players. "Watch it, sailor!", by Philip King and Falkland Cary. Produced by John Kim. (With individual cast photos). 1961. Programme. Southern Comedy Players present "Watch it, sailor!"His Majesty's Theatre Auckland. 14 October 1961. Programme. Taumarumui Repertory Society Inc presents "Bonaventure", by Charlotte Hastings. Produced by Joan Holmes. Taumarunui War Memorial Hall. 3-6 May 1961. Programme. Taumarunui Repertory Society Inc presents "Castle in the air", by Alan Melville. Produced by Armorel Rennie. Taumarunui War Memorial Hall. 9-12 Auguat 1961. Programme. Tawa-Linden Drama Group presents "Blithe spirit", by Noel Coward. Producer Jean Easson. Linden Community Centre, 30 October - 1 November [1961]. Programme Victoria University Department of English presents two new plays: "Free" by Joseph Musaphia; "Three women and the sea" by James K Baxter. Memorial Theatre, performed by Theatre Workshop of the New Zealand Theatre Company. 25-29 November 1961. Programmes (2 different, 2 copies of one, 3 of the other- differing colours) Wellington Teachers' College. Maori Club. "The legend of Wiremu". Produced by George Webby. College Hall, 2-4 November 1961. Programme (2 copies) Quantity: 23 theatre programmes and flyers.. Physical Description: Letterpress on programmes, sizes below 250 mm.

Date: 21 Oct 2003

From: New Zealand Theatre Archive Puranga Whakaari o Aotearoa oral history project: The emergence of professional theatre in post World War II New Zealand

By: Esquilant, Bernard Leslie, 1926-; Menlove, William, 1937-

Reference: OHInt-0741-02

Description: Bernard Esquilant and William Menlove talk about setting up the Southern Comedy Players and touring with the company throughout New Zealand in the 1960s Interviewer(s) - Sarah Gaitanos Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4401.

Date: [1950-1970]

From: de Lautour, Geoffrey, 1922-2000 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-7082-17

Description: Programmes and clippings relating to various productions de Lautour was in or went to in New Zealand and London; also photocopy of group photograph transferred to PA and invitations to the de Lautours Quantity: 1 folder(s). Transfers: To Photographic Archive - Group photograph.

Date: 1957 - 1959

From: Cabot, Charles Henry, 1890-1978: [Collection of ephemera, posters and programmes. 1900-1976]

Reference: Eph-A-CABOT-Opera-1957/1959

Description: Includes programmes or fliers for the following: 1957: Garnet H Carroll presents in association with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Rodgers & Hammersteins, "smash hit" record-breaking musical play "The sound of music"/ Directed by Charles Hickman. His Majesty's Theatre [1957. Programme cover only] The New Zealand Opera Company. Wellington Branch. Pamphlet [ca 1957] J C Williamson's Comic Opera Company with Gladys Moncrieff in "Viktoria and her hussar", "The merry widow" and "Rio Rita". With Herbert Browne, Fred Murray, Miriam Lester, Len Gotting, Bobby Mack, Ormonde Douglas, Betty Sparks. Opera produced by Alan Chapman; musical director Leo Packer; ballet mistress Gwen Bazeley. Opera House Wellington, commencing Saturday April 6 [1957]. Promotional pamphlet J C Williamson Theatres Ltd presents the 1957 Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Season. "Yeomen of the guard". Grand Opera House Wellington, commencing 14 June 1957. Programme (2 copies) J C Williamson Theatres Ltd presents the 1957 Gilbert and Sullivan Opera season. "The gondoliers". Grand Opera House Wellington, commencing 19 June 1957. Programme (2 copies) J C Williamson Theatres Ltd presents the 1957 Gilbert and Sullivan Opera season. Grand Opera House Wellington, season commencing 24 May 1957. Programme J C Williamson Theatres Ltd presents the 1957 Gilbert and Sullivan Opera season. His Majesty's Theatre [Auckland], season commencing 15 April 1957. Programme Wellington Repertory Theatre presents "The pied piper". Book, lyrics and music by Peter Harcourt. Grand Opera House, 30 November - 14 December 1957. Programme 1958: J C Williamson's present "The pajama game", a new musical comedy. Book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell; music and lyrics by Richard and Jerry Ross. Produced by Fred Hebert; musical director Clive Jay. Grand Opera House Wellington, commencing 12 March 1958. Programme (autographed) J C Williamson's present "The pajama game", a new musical comedy. Book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell; music and lyrics by Richard and Jerry Ross. Produced by Fred Hebert; musical director Clive Jay. His Majesty's Theatre Auckland, commencing 10 February 1958. Programme (autographed) Grand Opera Associates (Sponsored by the Light Opera Club) present "La boheme" (Puccini). Conductor Frank Poore. Grand Opera House Wellington, 9 August 1958. Programme Grand Opera Associates (Sponsored by the Light Opera Club) present "La traviata" (Verdi). Conductor Frank Poore. Grand Opera House Wellington, 9 August 1958. Programme (2 copies) Wellington Operatic and Theatrical Society (Inc) presents "Love from Judy". Grand Opera House Wellington, 29 March - 12 April 1958. Programme (2 copies) 1959: J C Williamson Theatres Ltd. presents Britain's greatest musical "Grab me a gondola", produced by Johnny Ladd. Grand Opera House Wellington, commencing 21 July 1959. Programme (2 copies, autographed) and promotional pamphlet J C Williamson Theatres Ltd. "My fair lady". Her Majesty's Theatre Melbourne, commencing 24 January 1959. programme (slightly damaged, some pages cut or loose) The Southern Comedy Players present "Salad days", book and lyrics by Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade; music by Julian Slade. Winter tour 1959. Programme The New Zealand Opera Company presents "Madam Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini. Grand Opera House Wellington, spring season, September 1959. Programme Wellington Operatic Society Inc proudly present "The vagabond king". Music by Rudolf Friml; book and lyrics by W H Post and Brian Hooker. Scenery designed and construced by Will Conroy and Son. Wigs by Isobel Johnson of Napier. Grand Opera House, 7-21 November 1959. Programme Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed programmes or fliers, under 250 mm.

Date: 1953-1966

From: Campion, Richard Meckiff, 1923- :Photographs relating to the New Zealand Players

Reference: PAColl-9660-06

Description: The New Zealand Players, actors and scenes from plays. Included are - Members of the New Zealand Players and the Kiwi Review Company socialising outside a theatre in Palmerston North. Photographs of a "colonial days" movie being made with which Richard Campion was involved, ca 1960s. Portraits of Richard Campion. Actors and scenes from unidentified plays. Portrait of Paddy Frost, the St Trinian's girl. Woman actor, Mary Buster. Women actors Helen Brew, Raeburn Hirsch, and Irene Esam. Scene from `Escapade' performed by the New Zealand Players in 1955. British actors, Barbara Jefford and Keith Mitchell disembarking from a Tasman Empire Airlines plane, and two scenes from `The Lady's not for Burning' by Christopher Fry, in which they played the lead roles, 1954. British actor Anthony Quayle with members of the New Zealand Players. New Zealand Players cast for Bernard Shaw's play `St Joan' assembled outside an unidentified building, 1955. New Zealand Players designer, Raymond Boyce and Richard Campion with model stage set for the play `Ring Around the Moon' by Jean Anouilh, 1953. Brigid Lenihan as Eliza Doolittle in Bernard Shaw's play `Pygmalion,' 1959. Scenes from the play `The Love of Four Colonels' by Peter Ustinov, 1954. Portraits of actors John Hunter and Ngaire Dawn Porter. Photographs of a new playhouse in Dunedin for the Southern Players, ca 1966. Scenes from William Shakespear's play, `Midsummer Night's Dream,' 1954. Portraits of woman actor, Eleanor Elliot. Quantity: 69 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1965-1967

From: Campion, Richard Merkiff, 1923-2013:Theatrical papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-9560-069

Description: Director's reports, memos, information sheets, correspondence, financial papers. Includes papers relating to Children's Art Theatre Inc (1967); Southern Players (1966) Quantity: 1 folder(s).