Eric Duckworth interviewed by Bill Stephens [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 186881
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Duckworth, Eric, 1915-, interviewee
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2000
- 5 digital audio tapes (ca. 323 min.)
- Summary:
-
Eric Duckworth recalls his childhood, the family's migration to Australia from England at age 7; his education at Fort St. College which encouraged his love of theatre; his decision to train in dramatics in London; his first theatre job with the Bristol Theatre Company; how he joined the Airforce in 1941; how the RAF got him to his dying father; his service in Changi Goal; his return to theatrical life in the Reunion Theatre and ENSA; his leading role in the Ivor Novello play We Proudly Present; his first meeting with Bill Orr and Orr's early career; his return to Australia in 1950 with Orr who produced the first revue at the Metropolitan Theatre; establishment of the Phillip Street Theatre; selecting of the cast for its first revue Top of the Bill; an unsuccessful production of Hamlet; why Rod Taylor never appeared in a Phillip Street Theatre revue; two successful revues; administration of the Theatre; how Playgoers Cooperative worked and why it was abandoned; how Dot Mendoza joined the organisation and her contribution to it; how Reg Livermore became involved in Phillip Street revues; what made the Joyce Grenfell tour so successful despite a strike that season.
Duckworth speaks about the demolition of the Phillip Street Theatre; the Phillip Street Company's tour with the Phillip Street Revue; using Australia Hall as a suitable theatre to replace Phillip Street and its opening as the Phillip Theatre with Out on a Limb; his recollection of Gloria Dawn particularly her impact on an audience; Gordon Chater's famous pie sketch; Noel Coward's visit to see Jill Perryman and visits by others such as Rodin Cutler and the Catholic Archbishop; how the Doncaster Theatre Restaurant was established with productions such as What A Thing to Say starring Ronnie Fraser; the circumstances leading to his and Orr's withdrawal from the Restaurant; how the Board became disenchanted with Orr's management of the Phillip Theatre.
Duckworth discusses his recollections of Jacki Weaver as a performer; problems in the production of Boeing Boeing; difficulties in producing Is Australia Really Necessary? and the disaster with Diplomatic Baggage; the circumstances under which Orr left the Phillip Theatre and its company during the production of Hail Gloria Fitzpatrick; an offer by Eric Dare to open theatre restaurant in Manly leads to the formation of the Manly Music Loft opening with Ronnie Fraser in the Manly Christmas Ferry; the general success of the Music Loft and various shows including Pardon My Privates and the circumstances whereby the Toppano Family became involved in their productions; what lead to his company finishing at the Music Loft; the highs and lows in his relationship with Bill Orr; his views on many of the artists he had worked with such as Gloria Dawn; his achievements including establishing the Phillip Street Theatre; how television brought on the demise of the theatrical revue in Australia.
- Notes:
-
- Preservation and user cassette copies made.
- Recorded on Jan 23-24, 2000 at Manly, N.S.W.
- Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-217395652
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Uncorrected transcript (typescript, 146 leaves) and summary (16 leaves)
- Subject:
-
- Duckworth, Eric, 1915- -- Interviews
- Orr, Bill, -1999 -- Biography
- Phillip Street Theatre
- Phillip Theatre
- Doncaster Theatre Restaurant
- Theater -- Australia -- 20th century
- Actors, Australian -- Anecdotes
- Manly Music Loft
- Theatrical managers -- Australia -- Interviews
- Actors -- Australia -- Anecdotes
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Stephens, Bill, 1936-, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2070 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2000
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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