Papers of Varney Monk, 1907-1986 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 759625
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Monk, Varney, 1892-1967
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Available for reference. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- 1907-1986
- 5.52 m. (17 boxes) + 1 folio box
- Summary:
-
This collection comprises mainly scores of musical compositions by Monk, the bulk of which relate to her two professionally produced musical comedies of the 1930s, Collits' Inn and The cedar tree. There are also compositions based on poems of Henry Lawson and Henry Kendall and a small amount of correspondence relating to her professional career. Correspondents include Angus and Robertson, the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Howard Carr, Fred Kendall (son of Henry Kendall), Katharine Susannah Prichard and Colin Roderick. The papers of Varney Monk provide a record of the pioneering role she played in promoting the use of Australian themes and settings in the performing arts at a time when overseas shows featuring overseas artists dominated the Australian theatre circuit.
- Biography/History:
-
Varney Monk was a composer and pianist. In collaboration with T. Stuart Gurr, she wrote the first professionally produced Australian musical comedy Collits' Inn, which was staged by F.W. Thring in Melbourne in 1933. It received wide acclaim, delighting audiences with its Australian content. Monk's second musical comedy The cedar tree, also staged by Thring, followed in 1934.Monk felt strongly that Australia and its history provided a rich source of subjects for her compositions, and this is evident in the themes of her songs. During the course of her career, Monk composed over 150 songs. In addition to works with her own lyrics, she set to music the poems of several Australian poets, including Henry Lawson and Henry Kendall.
- Notes:
- Manuscript reference no. : NLA MS 2294.
- Cited In:
- Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia ; B781.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Descriptive list available (16 p.)
- Subject:
- Time Coverage:
- 1907-1986
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Monk, Varney, 1892-1967. Collits' Inn
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
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- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
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