Theatre Heritage Australia - On Stage Magazine

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The online magazine of Theatre Heritage Australia

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Re-discovering Syria Lamonte: Pioneering Recording Artist

Roger Neill

Syria Lamonte was one of the first professional musicians to be recorded in London—in August 1898. Possibly the first. But who was she? Roger Neill takes a look at the life and achievents of this almost-forgotten Australian diva. First…

Bert Bailey Started In Melodrama And Made A Fortune From A Beard

Robert Morrison

BERT BAILEY, who died on Monday, 30 March 1953, aged 84, made a fortune out of his beard. To millions who knew him as the “Dad” of “Dad and Dave” comedies he seemed to have been born with it. Here are the stories by two writers who knew…

Said J.C. Williamson (Part 2)

J.C. Williamson, with picture research by Rob Morrison

The Australian Stage. What it Demands of the Actor, the Author, and the Manager An Interview with J. C. WILLIAMSON Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, 1903 IN what I have said of Australian actors I allow for exceptions, of course. But I’m…

Frank Neil—‘He Lived Show Business’ (Part 2)

Frank Van Straten

FRANK VAN STRATEN continues his exploration of the life and tumultuous times of Frank Neil, one of Australia’s near-forgotten entrepreneurs. Part 2: ‘Everyone I knew told me I was all kinds of a variegated fool.’ Frank Neil in Charley’s…

The Comedy Theatre: Melbourne's most intimate playhouse (Part 4)

Ralph Marsden

In Part 4 of the Comedy Theatre story, RALPH MARSDEN takes a look at the plays and performers that graced the stage of the Melbourne playhouse during the period 1960 to 1986. Celebrated French entertainer, Maurice Chevalier, interrupting a…

Encounters with Stars of the Theatrical Kind (Part 4)

Raymond Stanley

In Part 4 of his ‘Encounters’, theatre and film critic RAYMOND STANLEY tells of his 1963 meeting with Noël Coward, who was in Melbourne for the Australian premiere of his musical Sail Away, which he was directing. This 1957 portrait of…

Little Wunder: The story of the Palace Theatre, Sydney (Part 9)

Elisabeth Kumm

ELISABETH KUMM continues her forensic look at the history of Sydney’s Palace Theatre. Part 9 focusses on the year 1908, which sees a ‘mixed bag’ of entertainment occupying the theatre’s stage, from boxing matches to magicians, as well as…

Look At Me When I'm Talking to You: Facing Up to Barry Humphries

Simon Plant

SIMON PLANT got to know Barry Humphries as a working journalist. In this personal reminiscence, he looks back on four of their memorable face to face encounters. Of course I was excited. As a striving young journalist, tasked with writing…

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February 01, 2023

Kissing Time Overview

Author: Elisabeth Kumm, with additional research by Rob Morrison

When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) was in America. For the next five years he remained there, keeping a healthy distance between himself and the hostilities. Though accused by some critics for displaying unpatriotic behaviour, poor eyesight made him ineligible… Read more

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FEATURE ARTICLES

Madge Elliot

Thus Far: The story of my life (Part 8)

Following their successful ‘come-back’ tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1932–33, Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard returned to London via America (where they spent time seeing the sights of…

Thus Far: The story of my life (Part 6)

Thus Far: The story of my life (Part 5)

Thus Far: The story of my life (Part 4)

Thus Far: The story of my life (Part 3)

Thus Far: The story of my life (Part 2)

Thus Far: The story of my life (Part 1)

C.H. Workman

C.H. Workman in Australia (Part 6)

Monte Luke’s promotional photos included scenic artist, Leslie Board and the show’s 28 year-old stage manager, Rege Carey. Punch (Melbourne), 8 April 1915, p.18 Following the conclusion of the Sydney…

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FEATURE ARTICLES

Madge Elliot

C.H. Workman

J. Alan Kenyon

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