Publications
THA regularly publishes original research into Australian theatre history, both in print and online via the On Stage Magazine.
THA regularly publishes original research into Australian theatre history, both in print and online via the On Stage Magazine.
THA maintains an ever increasing collection of digitised assets including rare books, theatre programs, archival images, audio and film.
IMAGE: Is Zat So? Act 3. Book 1, J.C.W Scene Books. Digitised by Theatre Heritage Australia, 2016
THA holds regular events throughout the year including industry talks and theatre and backstage tours. Events are generally free but booking is required. Click here to see what's coming up.
DIGITAL COLLECTION
Comprising some 1600 portraits of theatrical and other celebrities, The Falk Album was probably compiled in the late 1890s. The Falk Album was digitised by Theatre Heritage Australia in 2019.
Image: Sarah Bernhardt, 1891. Falk 010/7, Falk Album, Nick Henderson Collection, Digitised by Theatre Heritage Australia, 2019
DIGITAL COLLECTION
Working as a senior stagehand for J.C. Williamson Ltd during the 1940s and 50s, Les Thorp captured footage of the stars and the shows with his 8mm film camera. This rare footage has been made available to THA by his grandson Paul Worsnop.
Image: Let's Face It. Les Thorp Collection.
DIGITAL COLLECTION
Between 2014–2016, THA undertook a program of digitisation of Scene Books from the J.C. Williamson collection held by Scenic Studios, Preston. The books provide a rare account of theatrical productions staged in Australia between the 1890s and 1930s.
Image: The New Moon. Act 1, Sc. 2. Book 1, J.C.W Scene Books. Digitised by Theatre Heritage Australia, 2016
DIGITAL COLLECTION
The John Riley/Fred Hailes Scrapbook was compiled between the 1830s and 1917 by at least two people, circus performer John Riley (c.1819-1911), and journalist Fred Hailes (c.1852-1917). Digitised by THA in 2016.
Image: The Riley/Hailes Scrapbook, Digitised by Theatre Heritage Australia, 2016
BOOK
In 2019, Theatre Heritage Australia undertook a major digitisation project of The Falk Album. In 2020 we produced a limited edition book to highlight this extraordinary collection.
AUDIO COLLECTION
In 2022, Theatre Heritage Australia will begin a new Oral History program, with a view to creating a specialist resource for performing arts researchers, including theatre historians, arts journalists, educators and students.
The online magazine of Theatre Heritage Australia
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Theatre Heritage Australia is a registered charity (CAV Association No. A0052375A). All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
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Background image: JCW Scene Book, Book 01, The Desert Song. His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne (1928–9). Digitised by Theatre Heritage Australia 2016
Lady Tait AM began working on her memoirs in the late 1960s, but life got in the way—and a very busy and exciting life it was too. The manuscript was filed away in her theatre basket along with photographs, memorabilia and numerous notes on other aspects of the theatre. In 2001, following the launch of her second book, Dames, Principal Boys … and All That: a history of pantomime in Australia, the manuscript was revived. Unfortunately Viola died before the work could be completed, leaving her editor Elisabeth Kumm and daughter Sally Bell to finish the task, including the preparation of an epilogue and the preliminary selection of images.
The effort of getting the book published remained out of reach at the time, however, and it was not until some fifteen years later that Elisabeth, through her involvement with Theatre Heritage Australia, suggested that Viola’s memoirs should finally be published.
With the assistance of Viola’s daughters and the Tait Memorial Trust, a small team from THA was assembled to complete the task: Elisabeth Kumm, Judy Leech and Simon Piening, with assistance from Mimi Colligan, Frank Van Straten and Peter Johnson.
During the intervening years, much of Lady Tait’s vast photo archive had been donated to either the Australian Performing Arts Collection in Melbourne or the National Library of Australia in Canberra. Accessing this archive involved many months of research, including numerous emails between the editorial committee and the Tait sisters. Meanwhile, the text was re-proofed, and preliminary cover designs were undertaken by Belinda Hayball, a graphic designer and friend of the Tait family.