Guide to the Papers of Robin and Patricia Lovejoy, 1921-2012

Request this via the Catalogue
 

Summary

Collection number:
MS Acc03.095; MS Acc14.129
Extent:
(16 ms boxes + 4 cartons + 1 phase box + 1 large folio box + 7 sound/av carriers)
Language:
English and English
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Robin and Patricia Lovejoy, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Availability:
Available
Access conditions:
Available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

MS Acc03.095 comprises correspondence, personal documents, cutting books, and files on the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Old Tote Theatre Company, Victorian State Opera and National Institute of Dramatic Art. The collection also includes playscripts, opera scripts, scores, programs and magazines (7 boxes, 4 cartons).

MS Acc14.129 comprises professional correspondence and personal letters, telegrams, notes and ephemera between Robin and his wife, Patricia. Included are typescripts of interviews, biography by Norman McSwan and an autobiography by Peter Kenna. Genealogical items are dated from 1921 and later material dated 2012. Correspondence between Robin and Patricia provides insight into the private opinions and reactions of one of Australia's foremost arts administrators and into the evolving theatrical and operatic scene in Australia during Robin's Lifetime. The correspondence also highlights the role and support of which Patricia provided to Robin. (9 ms boxes + 1 phase box + 1 large folio box).

Biographical / Historical:

Theatre and opera director. Robin Casper Lovejoy was born in Fiji in 1923 and moved to Australia with his family in 1939. As an actor, designer and director Lovejoy sustained a long career directing classical and modern plays and opera in Australia. Lovejoy was director of the Metropolitan Theatre, Sydney in 1950-1951 and he directed the Arrow Theatre in Melbourne in 1952. He directed and designed operas and plays for the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust from 1956 to 1974. In 1959 he founded the Trust Players and directed most of their productions. He studied in the United States on a Harkness Fellowship, 1961-1963. Lovejoy was instrumental in the establishment of the Old Tote Theatre Company and in 1965 he became co-director with Tom Brown. He was appointed artistic director in 1969 when the Old Tote became the official state drama company of New South Wales. He was also head of design and directing courses at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, 1982-1985. Lovejoy's only screen role was in the movie "My first wife". In 1974 Lovejoy became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to theatre. Robin Lovejoy died at Sydney in 1985.

Patricia Lucy Hughes was the granddaughter of James Daniel Gilbert, British Liberal politician. She arrived in Australia from England in 1948 and married Robin Lovejoy in 1957. Patricia Lovejoy died in Sydney in 2013.

Collection Retrieval Advice:

Please note: each class 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

Subjects:
Performing arts
Arts

Access and use

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-vn852505).
Conditions Governing Use:
Conditions for copying and publishing of this collection may apply, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn852505).
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Robin and Patricia Lovejoy, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact:
Contact us