This AIB provides a brief overview of the major sources held by State Records that relate to the administration of theatres and public halls in NSW. Other records may be identified in Archives Investigator.
Researchers should consult the Register of Access Directions to confirm the public availability of records. State Records' staff can advise you on the availability of records if they are not listed on the register.
Background
In 1789 a dozen convicts presented a play in Sydney for the Governor and his officers to celebrate the King's birthday.
This play, The Recruiting Officer a comedy written by George Farquhar, was possibly the first performed in the colony. A small playhouse was built in 1796 in what is now Bligh Street, Sydney. In 1800 Robert Sidaway (who opened the Bligh Street establishment) presented Shakespeare and other contemporary English pieces.
In September 1828 An Act for Regulating Places of Public Exhibition and Entertainment allowed for copies of plays to be submitted to the Colonial Secretary for approval prior to being performed. The thirty plays that were retained by the Colonial Secretary are listed on page 293 of the interim Guide to the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence. This regulating power was extended to cover cinematographic films under the Theatres and Public Halls Act 1908.
Full-time professional theatres were gradually established in all Australian colonies between 1830-50. The discovery of gold in the 1850s, and the consequent increase in both population and wealth, proved to be the key factor in the transformation of Australian theatre from its somewhat amateurish beginnings into a mature and prosperous profession.
A select list of sources
Board of Fire Commissioners
| Title | Series | Copy |
|
Correspondence relating to inspections of Theatres and Public halls, 1928-48 [20/14892-913] | ||
|
Inspections of Theatres and Public Halls country towns and districts, 1922-58 [20/14914-87] | ||
|
Inspections of Theatre and Public Halls — Metropolitan area, 1925-53 [20/14988-15024] |
Colonial Secretary
| Title | Series | Copy |
|
Registers of licences granted, 1829-1863 [4/1710, 4/5784], Reel 2231 |
Reel 2231 | |
|
Index to registers — Theatres and Public Halls Act of 1908, 1916 [4/7779] | ||
|
Maps of Sydney and Environs showing sites and proposed sites of Theatres and Drive-in Theatres, n.d. [Maps 18878-83, 19057-66] | ||
|
Theatres and Public Halls Branch: Minutes of the Committee reviewing regulation under the Theatres and Public Halls Act, 1966-75 [11/3375-76] | ||
|
Files relating to licences for theatres and public halls, 1895-1982 | ||
|
Special Bundles | ||
|
Theatres and Public Halls Act 1908 — regulations, 1908-34 [5/5417] | ||
|
Licensing of the Palladium (later known as the Strand Picture Theatre), 1914-21 [2/8096.2] | ||
|
Review of regulations under the Theatres and Public Halls Act, 1928-67 [12/4190.1 pt] | ||
|
Licensing of the Globe Picture Theatre, 1920-25 [2/8096.5] | ||
|
Cinematographic Films Act: Theatres and Public Halls Act, 1933-70 [12/4193.1] | ||
|
Children's Matinees, 1943-74 [12/4191] | ||
|
Seating arrangements in theatres, 1953-56 [12/4190.1 pt] | ||
|
Panic lighting in theatres and public halls 1953-67 [12/4190.1 pt] | ||
|
Theatres and Film Commission files, 1968-81 [12/4144.2-4154] | ||
|
Amendment of Theatres and Public Halls (Censorship of Films) Regulations, 1971-78 [12/4196.3] | ||
Theatres and Films Commission
| Title | Series | Copy |
|
Subject card index to license applications, 1939-77 |
Further research
Researchers conducting further research into this topic should refer to Archives Investigator for records of the
Board of Fire Commissioners
Researchers should also consult the Index to Colonial Secretary's Correspondence, 1788-1825.
© State of New South Wales through the State Records Authority, 2003.
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