Guide to the Papers of Jim Sharman, 1940-2010

Summary

Collection number:

MS Acc09.028, MS Acc10.103, MS Acc17.138

Creator:

Sharman, Jim (James David)

Extent:

40.85 metres and (67 boxes + 8 large cartons + 21 folio boxes + 67 boxes + 8 large cartons + 21 folio boxes + 5 oversize bundles + 2 small rolled boxes + 6 map folios + 2 phase boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

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

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Part available for research; part requires permission for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

The bulk of the papers in MS Acc09.028 relate to the many theatrical productions on which Sharman has worked over the course of his career. They include correspondence, including a small group of letters from Patrick White, scripts, production notes, reviews, ephemera, photographs, scrap books, costume designs and research notes. There is also correspondence with family, friends and colleagues, appointment diaries, diaries containing Sharman's writings and miscellanous papers relating to specific productions, photographs, posters and a large collection of programs. There is a small group of papers and photographs relating to Sharman's father, James Michael (Jimmy) Sharman (63 boxes, 8 large cartons, 19 fol. boxes, 13 oversize packets).

The Acc10.103 instalment comprises correspondence, photographs, family and personal papers, writings of Jim Sharman, ephemera relating to theatre productions and legal papers. The correspondence includes letters and cards relating to Sharman's career in the theatre, as well as personal greetings cards and messages of condolence on the deaths of his parents. The photographs comprise family snaps, photographs of the Jimmy Sharman Boxing Troupe, production photographs (Roll Up, Shirley Thompson and the aliens, Death in Venice) and portraits of Sharman. There is production ephemera for Hair, The threepenny opera, A midsummer night's dream, Sunrise, Blood wedding and Death in Venice. Further production records relate to Death in Venice, a Performance of songs by Lou Reed, Brecht-Weill and Randy Newman, and The three furies. Sharman's writing is represented by draft librettos and scripts for operettas and a musical (Encore, abccb, The Artist is Wilde and Achievement), and draft excerpts of his memoir Blood and tinsel. The legal papers include contracts relating to the musical, Hair (4 boxes, 1 fol. box).

The MS Acc17.138 instalment comprises a visual diary of 1970s musicals including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair (Japan), Rocky Horror Picture Show. The visual diary includes newspaper cuttings, programs, and photographs (1 fol. box).

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

Subjects:

Performing arts

Conditions Governing Access:

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn4579845).

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 Jim Sharman, 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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