SBW FOUNDATION COLLECTION

Since 1986 the Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation, housed at NIDA, has been custodian of a large collection of archives, manuscripts and personal papers of performing arts organisations and prominent theatrical figures, together with an extensive collection of theatre programmes, which are of considerable historical significance for the study of the performing arts in Australia. Some of this material was previously housed in the Denis Wolanski Library at the Sydney Opera House and much has been collected by Dr Rodney Seaborn AO OBE. It includes:

• The John West Archives - a unique accumulation of correspondence, research manuscripts, theatre programmes, newspaper reviews and articles and long-play gramophone disks used in the production of his weekly ABC radio broadcasts of The Showman and Sentimental Journey, 1949 to 1994, and for the publication of his book Theatre in Australia (1978);

• Collections of annotated theatre programmes and press reviews assembled and written by critics Fred Blanks and Norman Kessell, the latter founder and "Chief Glug" of an informal group of theatre lovers known as "The Glugs" dedicated to the promotion and recognition of Australian theatre;

• Archives of the J.C. Williamson Theatre Company, presented by Sidney G. Irving, Director and Theatre Manager, including scrapbooks for the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, 1921 to 1935; Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, 1927 to 1933; and Theatre Royal, Sydney, 1921 to 1948; and Salary Book for casts and crew of J.C.W. productions, 1955 to 1972;

• Personal manuscript diary of J.C. Williamson recorded on an overseas visit to England, Europe and North America in 1909 to preview theatrical productions suitable for Australia, including original programmes of performances he attended.

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