Guide to the Papers of the Tait Family, 1908-1990

Summary

Collection number:

MS 309, Acc10.006

Creator:

Tait Family

Extent:

3.55 metres and 19 boxes + 1 folio box

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of the Tait Family, National Library of Australia, [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

This collection comprises photocopies of original material in the possession of Lady Tait. Further material belonging to Lady Tait was photocopied and has been included in the Library's J.C. Williamson (MS 5783), as it relates to the early years of operation of J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd.

The papers consist predominantly of correspondence between the Tait brothers, John, Nevin, Ted and Frank relating to their activities as theatrical entrepreneurs and, in particular, their work as directors of J.C. Williamson Ltd. There is also some personal correspondence of Sir Frank and Lady Tait. Scattered throughout the correspondence are typed extracts from letters that presumably were prepared by Lady Tait when writing her book on the Tait brothers, A Family of Brothers (Heinemann, 1971). Lady Tait's manuscript of the book is also included. In addition, there are some financial documents relating to the Tait Family and newspaper clipping about J.C. Williamson theatre productions and the Tait family. Other miscellaneous items relate to J.C. Williamson productions and include two cue cards and a table cloth embroidered with signatures from the production of The Runaway Girl.

Biographical Note:

The Tait brothers, Charles (b.1868), John (b.1871), James Nevin (b. 1876), Edward (b.1878) and Frank (b.1883), were born in Castlemaine, Victoria, the sons of John T. Tait, a Scot who migrated to Australia in the 1860s. As directors of J.C. Williamson Ltd, they dominated and influenced the Australian theatrical and entertainment world for many years.

Date	Event
1884	Charles employed by Allan's Music Warehouse.
1900	Ted commenced work for J.C. Williamson, then managed by George Tallis.
1902	John and Nevin formed J. N. Tait, to be later joined by the youngest brother Frank. The firm promoted concerts with artists whom Charles met through his job at the music shop.
1905	J. N. Tait made the film 'The Kelly Gang' and, along with Millard Johnson and William Gibson, formed Amalgamated Pictures Ltd. Their success caused some dissension between Ted and J.C. Williamson's Board.
1915	After failing to secure an associate directorship, Ted resigned from J.C.W. and joined his brothers.
1919	Nevin travelled to London to direct the new London office.
1920	Financial difficulties prompted a merger of J. N. Tait, Electric Theatres and J.C. Williamson Film Company.
1928	Tallis persuaded the Board that they should establish an office in London.
Late 1920s	The Firm started to have financial difficulties.
1930	Nevin became sole managing director of London office.
1931	Sir George Tallis retired as Chairman.
1933	Charles Tait died.
1937	Tallis and Allen sold their 200000 shares to Sir John McKenzie who became chairman of J.C. Williamson. McKenzie owned a chain of stores in New Zealand.
	Ernest C. Rolls was appointed to the board and made managing director and principal producer as a stipulation of the sale of shares by Tallis and Allen to John McKenzie.
1938	Australian and New Zealand Theatres was formed to run the theatre side of the business. Frank Tait was appointed to the Board.
	J.C. Williamson Ltd was made solely a property and investment company. John, Ted and Frank Tait continued as managing directors of J.C. Williamson Ltd while Nevin Tait continued as the London representative of both companies. Frank had suggested that he, Ted and John should manage Australia and New Zealand Theatres until it was established, but his suggestion was rejected.
1939	Viola Wilson approached by Nevin Tait to sing as principal soprano in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Australia and New Zealand for 1940.
	Rolls travelled overseas to choose shows and artists.
	Australian and New Zealand Theatres suffered considerable losses.
1941	Frank married Viola Wilson.
1943	Australian and New Zealand Theatres Limited was re-registered as J.C Williamson Theatres Limited and became a subsidiary of J.C. Williamson Limited.
	It was decided that John, Ted and Frank should continue controlling J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd, with one of them to be appointed annually as chairman. Nevin was to remain managing director in London.
1947	Ted's health deteriorated and he became ill after a trip overseas to buy new productions. He died on 12 July 1947, aged 69. After Ted's death the Tait brothers thought it necessary to look for younger men to take on the greater burdens of the business. The problem of succession was to continue for some time, without resolution.
1948	EDMAS was formed (Education in Music and Dramatic Arts Society) to assist in promotion of ballet and opera. J.C. Williamson placed all their resources at the disposal of the Society. Nevin was responsible for forming the opera company and spent six months in Italy in search of talent.
	Nevin engaged 25 artists for the J.C. Williamson Italian Grand Opera season.
	Nevin returned to Australia for the first time in 20 years.
c. 1950	Sir John McKenzie formed an investment company Rangatira Pty Ltd as a staff provident fund of 48000 shares. Half of the shares of J.C. Williamson Ltd were owned by Tarag Pty Ltd, which was owned by Rangatira Pty Ltd.
1949	John Tait went overseas to buy new shows.
1952	John was still actively writing to the New Zealand Directors about the threat of television.
	Nevin undertook assembly of another Italian Grand Opera company.
	The Firm lost heavily on the production of 'Coppelia' and Frank became concerned that the Borovansky Australian Ballet Company could not survive unless subsidised. He met and discussed with Dr Coombs, then Chairman of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust, the possibility of establishing a ballet foundation trust.
1955	Nevin returned to London after the Italian opera season finished.
1955	John Tait died on 23 September after a short illness.
1958	John McCallum accepted a position as assistant managing director to Frank.
1961	The Australian Ballet Foundation was formed and Frank was appointed chairman.
	Nevin died on 7 March.
1965	Frank died on 23 August.

Collection Retrieval Advice:

Please note: each consignment in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there are multiple Box 1's). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.

Indexed terms

Names:

Tait Family

Conditions Governing Access:

Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2079768).

Conditions Governing Use:

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of the Tait Family, National Library of Australia, [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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