Guide to the Phillip Street Theatre : programs and related material collected by the National Library of Australia, 1954-1985

Summary

Collection number:

Ephemera (PROMPT).Phillip Street Theatre

Language:

English and English

Preferred citation:

Acknowledgement of use this material should refer to the Ephemera PROMPT collection.

Citation of items from this collection should include references to author's/organisation's name, date, item title, Publisher and place of publication.

Example: J.C. Williamson (Firm). Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S.A.). 1950, Gilbert Sullivan opera season [theatre program] : The gondoliers J. C. Williamson Ltd [Adelaide]

Availability:

Available

Background

Content Summary:

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.

Biographical / Historical:

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.

Arrangement:

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: name of production; year, day/s and month; Venue/Theatre and city; Director/Producer, featured actors

Access and use