Publications
THA regularly publishes original research into Australian theatre history, both in print and online via the On Stage Magazine.
SHOWCASE
Digitisation
DIGITAL COLLECTION
The Falk Album
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
SHOWCASE
Digitisation
DIGITAL COLLECTION
Les Thorpe 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.
SHOWCASE
Digitisation
DIGITAL COLLECTION
The J.C.W. Scene Books
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
SHOWCASE
Digitisation
DIGITAL COLLECTION
The Riley/Hailes Scrapbook
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
SHOWCASE
Publishing
BOOK
The Falk Studios: the theatrical portrait photography of H. Walter Barnett
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.
SHOWCASE
Research
AUDIO COLLECTION
Oral History
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
Between 1999-2012 THA produced the quarterly 'On Stage’ magazine, a leading performing arts publication featuring research into Australian theatre history along with current industry news and interviews.
On Stage continues to this day in digital form with new articles added regularly. Click the links below to read the latest articles online, or view digitised copies of the original magazine in the On Stage archive.
Frank Van Straten Tribute
Greg Dempsey OAM (Part 1)
James Foran: The Australian–Irish Tenor
Charles Pollard & Nellie Chester—Theatrical Entrepreneurs through plagues, wars, and family disputes (Part 1)
Amateur Entertainment 1875–1895 in Western Australia: Sex & Drugs & Gilbert & Sullivan
Hitching a Ride with the Ashton Circus Family
Gabriel Joffe’s Steamer Trunk
A Royal Divorce; or, Definitely not Tonight, Josephine!
Charles Lyall: The outstanding character tenor in the heyday of English Opera
The Melba-Williamson Grand Opera Company of 1924: 100 years on (Part 3)
Aggie Thorn: A Bright Particular Star (Part 2)
A Child Among You (Interlude 1)
Donate to THA
By making a tax deductible donation you can help to preserve our theatre history for generations to come.
Theatre Heritage Australia is a registered charity (CAV Association No. A0052375A). All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
