Travelling theatre

Date: [ca 1883-1884]

By: Hill, E E (Mrs), active 1974

Reference: PAColl-0376

Description: Two photographs of a group of men and women standing outside the windows of a large house with others leaning out of the windows. One has the majority of the people named on the photograph itself and the other has that information written on the back. It is possibly the Patchwork Company which was run by the family of Charles Hill, as the photograph is from the Hill family papers. There is also a photograph of a large military camp at Island Bay with rows of tents and men and armaments in formation. In the foreground is a horse-drawn omnibus. Photographer(s) unidentified. Quantity: 3 b&w original photographic print(s) mounted. Physical Description: Mounted photographic prints Provenance: A note with the photographs states that these were originally in a Hill family scrapbook.

Date: 1953

From: Ashton, Beatrice Ramsay, 1920-1999 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6963-04

Description: Correspondence, notes, reports and press releases relating to the promotion of the New Zealand Players Foundation mostly by Ashton. Her work involved making contact and negotiating with groups and residents interested in theatre throughout the country prior to a national tour by the New Zealand Players. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 27 Jul, 3 Aug 1993 - 27 Jul 1993 - 03 Aug 1993

From: New Zealand Puppet Theatre Oral History

By: Thompson, Barbara, 1915-1996

Reference: OHInt-0725/1

Description: Barbara Thompson (nee Goodwin) born Auckland 1915. Gives some family background - father was a foundation member of the Auckland Little Theatre. Recalls early memories of Milford and reasons for going to Belmont School, referring to Rupert Harrison (Headmaster). Mentions the steam train. Recalls getting job as a dress designer for Flamingo Frocks. Relates how father began building a model theatre at home. Recounts how marionettes were made. Talks about the beginnings of the Tempest and the popularity of the shows. Refers to the Reluctant Dragon, the Juggler and the Skeleton (shows). Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Beryl George Accompanying material - History of New Zealand Puppet Theatre and History of the Goodwin Marionette Theatre Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011603, OHC-011604 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4002.

Date: 3 Aug 1993 - 03 Aug 1993

From: New Zealand Puppet Theatre Oral History

By: Chalmers, Joan, 1917-2008

Reference: OHInt-0725/2

Description: Joan Chalmers (nee Goodwin) recalls early family memories and interest in theatre and stage, part in Peter Pan and father's involvement in producing for the stage. Talks about school days, being apprenticed to Violet Gibson (dressmaker), starting own business and going to Fiji to be married. Recalls involvement in starting Fiji Arts Club. Relates experience of doing camp shows during the war. [World War II]. Talks about feelings for marionettes, with reference to Dear Doe, her favourite. Mentions show at Kircaldie and Staines and recalls story about Aunt Daisy. Describes the mixture of practical and creative skill required. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Beryl George Accompanying material - History of New Zealand Puppet Theatre and History of the Goodwin Marionette Theatre Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011602 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4001.

Date: 19 Jun 1995

From: Downstage Theatre Oral History Project

By: Campion, Richard Meckiff, 1923-2013

Reference: OHInt-0606-09

Description: Richard Campion talks about involvement, with wife Edith, in New Zealand Players. Talks about his experience on the road, touring conditions, what was required to make a living and how it affected family life. Shows mentioned include `Young Elizabeth', `Ring Around the Moon' and `Saint Joan'. Mentions how Broadcasting Service paid for the music. Recalls the Arts Council starting and providing a means of creating professional theatre in New Zealand. Refers to `Comedy of Errors' and `What a Lovely War'. Recalls setting up the `Star Boating Club' and memories of the opening night of `Zoo Story'. Talks about Maori Theatre Centre and how well the New Zealand / Maori content was received. People mentioned include: Tony Groser, Tim Elliot, Martyn Sanderson, Peter Bland, Harry Seresin and Bruce Mason. Other theatres mentioned include: Memorial Theatre at Victoria University, New Zealand Theatre Centre, Paramount theatre, Mercury Theatre, Circa and Unity Theatre. Mentions `Exit the King', `Hamlet', `The Golden Love' and `End of the Golden Weather'. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Colin McColl Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011132; OHLC-006911 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3888. Search dates: 1923 - 1995

Date: 1945-1948, 1980-1987

By: Johnson, Ralph, 1950-

Reference: MS-Group-2344

Description: Ralph Johnson's papers cover chiefly records relating to the Town and Country Players' activities, and letters between Ralph's parents while his father, Neil Johnson, was with the Friends Ambulance Unit. Neil gives detailed descriptions of life in China in the aftermath of World War II and the emerging Civil war, and of life in Calcutta during the Partition crisis. Joan Oldman's letters are informative about nursing life in New Zealand during the closing days of World War II. Source of title - Supplied by Library Relationship complexity - For further material on the activities of the Friends' Ambulance Unit in China see the Oral History collection at OHColl-0050 Arrangement: Divided into three series. The first series relates to Town and Country Players' material, and the second to the letters of Wreford Neil Johnson and Joan Oldham. The third holds the few papers relating to neither of these topics, which are chiefly to do with Ralph Johnson's acting career and theatre in Wellington. Ralph Johnson acted with the Town and Country Players, a theatre company formed in 1980 to "bring live theatre, dance and music to rural areas". His father, Wreford Neil Johnson, served with the Friends Ambulance Unit, both in China 1945-1947, and in Calcutta in 1947 during the Partition disturbances. His mother, Joan Oldham, was a nurse at Hanmer and then at St Helen's Hospital in Christchurch during this time. Quantity: 27 folder(s). 0.50 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts, printed matter, photos Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Ralph Johnson, Porirua, Aug 2014 Transfers: Photographs relating to the Town and Country Players, and a smaller collection taken by Neil Johnson while in China are under appraisal at the Photographic Archive, Jan 2015. Several copies of theatrical posters and fliers have been transferred to the Ephemera collection where they are held at PR-14-0566. Copies of the periodical 'Act' have been transferred to the Serials collection for appraisal, Jan 2015. The collection as a whole was received in the Manuscripts and Archives Section, with transfers from there as stated. - To Photographic Archive - See PA-Group-00978: Johnson, Ralph, 1950-: Photographs mainly relating to theatre company Town and Country Players - To Ephemera Collection - Posters and programmes relating to Town and Country Players (Reference PR-14-0566) - To Serials Collection - Copies of the periodical 'Act' for appraisal.

Date: 1947-1948

From: Simpson, Adrienne Marie, 1943-2010: Papers and recordings

Reference: MS-Papers-10782-073

Description: Information about the tour of New Zealand by the Old Vic Theatre Company Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed matter, typescript (some photocopies)

Date: 1954

By: Richardson, Ralph David (Sir), 1902-1983

Reference: MS-Papers-10040

Description: Documents relating to proposed theatrical tour of two plays by Terence Rattigan of Australia and New Zealand by Sir Ralph Richardson Source of title - Supplied by Library Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: MSS, typescripts Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Purchase, Mullock's Auctioneers, United Kingdom

Date: 1933-ca 1969

From: Gray, John, 1918-2004 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-9250-56

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed matter

Date: 1965-2002

From: Gray, John, 1918-2004 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-9250-57

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Printed matter

Date: [1900-1950]

From: Mills, Thomas Lewis, 1865-1955 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-7291-03

Description: Various articles etc by Mills; `A Pioneer's bookplate' produced by Jessie S Jackson; scene breakdown for `The Sultan's adventure; an Arabian night' by V Pantin and Mills; Li and the Chinese peril, the career of an English officer in the colonies', about Lionel Terry; `Unique idea in collecting, the library of Minnie Thomas'; `Bland Holt, a notable of the New Zealand and Australian stage'; extract from report of Labour Bills Committee (1896); typescript of Employers' Leave to Inspect Their Own Premises Bill (1900); obituary, Frank W Reed; poem or song, `On seeking courage to face the inevitable'; `Minor poets, New Zealand's legion' Three New Zealand women who succeeded in journalism; `Rescued out of the Bay of Biscay'; Dugald Ferguson; Henry Lawson; and `Rangi's squeeze box' by T Nga Kara Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [ca 1912]

From: Original photographic prints and postcards from file print collection, Box 11

By: Schmidt, Herman John, 1872-1959

Reference: PAColl-6304-02

Description: Sandow the strong man, circa 1912. Photograph taken by Herman John Schmidt. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 5 Dec 1994 to 6 Feb 1995 - 05 Dec 1994 - 06 Feb 1995

By: Cameron, Ian Raymond, 1915-2004

Reference: OHColl-0449/1

Description: Talks about growing up, working briefly for the Farmers Co-op and beginning work as an assistant projectionist at the Plaza Theatre in New Plymouth. Describes silent movies but notes that they were decreasing in number. Talks about training to be a projectionist and the advertising and distribution of movies. Describes working for Kings Theatre and then as projectionist for the New Plymouth Opera House. Talks in detail about the Opera House with an emphasis on the backstage work involved in setting up live shows. Describes the fly floors, lighting, screens, special effects and alterations to the Opera House. Recalls the Kiwi Concert Party touring after World War II, Webster Booth, Ann Zeigler and the Rambert Ballet. Describes properties owned by New Plymouth Pictures and recalls theatre managers. Talks about making equipment parts, maintaining projectors, building theatre equipment and a visit to the Foxton Motion Picture Museum. Interviewer(s) - Ian Robertson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007127 - OHC-007129 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1744.