MS 309
Papers of the Tait Family
Scope and Content
- Papers
- 1908-66
- 1.12m (8 boxes)
- Available for reference
This collection comprises photocopies of original material in
the possession of Lady Tait. Further material belonging to Lady
Tait was photocopied and has been included in the Library's J.C.
Williamson Collection (MS 5783), as it relates to the early years
of operation of J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd.
The papers consist predominantly of correspondence between the
Tait brothers, John, Nevin, Ted and Frank relating to their activites
as theatrical entrepreneurs and, in particular, their work as
directors of J.C. Williamson Ltd. There is also some personal
correspondence of Sir Frank and Lady Tait. Scattered throughout
the correspondence are typed extracts from letters that presumably
were prepared by Lady Tait when writing her book on the Tait brothers,
A Family of Brothers (Heinemann, 1971). Lady Tait's
manuscript of the book is also included. In addition, there are
some financial documents relating to the Tait Family and newspaper
clipping about J.C. Williamson theatre productions and the Tait
family. Other miscellaneous items relate to J.C. Williamson productions
and include two cue cards and a table cloth embroidered with signatures
from the production of The Runaway Girl.
Biographical Note
The Tait brothers, Charles (b.1868), John (b.1871),
James Nevin (b. 1876), Edward (b.1878)and Frank
(b.1883), were born in Castlemaine, Victoria, the sons
of John T. Tait, a Scot who migrated to Australia in the 1860s.
As directors of J.C. Williamson Ltd, they dominated and influenced
the Australian theatrical and entertainment world for many years.
1884 Charles employed by Allan's Music Warehouse.
1900 Ted commenced work for J.C. Williamson, then managed by
George Tallis.
1902 John and Nevin formed J. & N. Tait, to be later joined by
the youngest brother Frank. The firm promoted concerts with
artists whom Charles met through his job at the music shop.
1905 J. & N. Tait made the film "The Kelly Gang" and, along with
Millard Johnson and William Gibson, formed Amalgamated
Pictures Ltd. Their success caused some dissension between
Ted and J.C. Williamson's Board.
1915 After failing to secure an associate directorship, Ted
resigned from J.C.W. and joined his brothers.
1919 Nevin travelled to London to direct the new London office.
1920 Financial difficulties prompted a merger of J. & N. Tait,
Electric Theatres and J.C. Williamson Film Company.
1928 Tallis persuaded the Board that they should establish an
office in London.
1930 Nevin became sole managing director of London office.
Late 1920s The Firm started to have financial difficulties.
1931 Sir George Tallis retired as Chairman.
1933 Charles Tait died.
1937 Tallis and Allen sold their 200000 shares to Sir John
McKenzie who became chairman of J.C. Williamson. McKenzie
owned a chain of stores in New Zealand.
Ernest C. Rolls was appointed to the board and made managing
director and principal producer as a stipulation of the sale
of shares by Tallis and Allen to John McKenzie.
1938 Australian and New Zealand Theatres was formed to run the
theatre side of the business. Frank Tait was appointed to
the Board.
J.C. Williamson Ltd was made solely a property and
investment company.
John, Ted and Frank Tait continued as managing directors of
J.C. Williamson Ltd while Nevin Tait continued as the London
representative of both companies. Frank had suggested that
he, Ted and John should manage Australia and New Zealand
Theatres until it was established, but his suggestion was
rejected.
1939 Viola Wilson approached by Nevin Tait to sing as principal
soprano in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Australia and
New Zealand for 1940.
Rolls travelled overseas to choose shows and artists.
Australian and New Zealand Theatres suffered considerable
losses.
1941 Frank married Viola Wilson.
1943 Australian and New Zealand Theatres Limited was re-registered
as J.C Williamson Theatres Limited and became a subsidiary
of J.C. Williamson Limited.
It was decided that John, Ted and Frank should continue
controlling J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd, with one of them
to be appointed annually as chairman. Nevin was to remain
managing director in London.
1947 Ted's health deteriorated and he became ill after a trip
overseas to buy new productions. He died on 12 July 1947,
aged 69.
After Ted's death the Tait brothers thought it necessay to
look for younger men to take on the greater burdens of the
business. The problem of succession was to continue for
some time, without resolution.
1948 EDMAS was formed (Education in Music and Dramatic Arts
Society) to assist in promotion of ballet and opera. J.C.
Williamson placed all their resources at the diposal of the
Society. Nevin was responsible for forming the opera
company and spent six months in Italy in search of talent.
Nevin engaged 25 artists for the J.C. Williamson Italian
Grand Opera season.
Nevin returned to Australia for the first time in 20 years.
c. 1950 Sir John Mc Kenzie formed an investment company Rangatira
Pty Ltd as a staff provident fund of 48000 shares. Half of
the shares of J.C. Williamson Ltd were owned by Tarag Pty
Ltd, which was owned by Rangatira Pty Ltd.
1949 John Tait went overseas to buy new shows.
1952 John was still active writing to the New Zealand Directors
about the threat of television.
Nevin undertook to assemble another Italian Grand Opera
company.
The Firm lost heavily on the production of 'Coppelia' and
Frank became concerned that the Borovansky Australian Ballet
Company could not survive unless subsidised. He met and
discussed with Dr Coombs, then Chairman of the Elizabethan
Theatre Trust, the possiblity of establishing a ballet
foundation trust.
1955 Nevin returned to London after the Italian opera season
finished.
1955 John Tait died on 23 September after a short illness.
1958 John McCallum accepted a position as assistant managing
director to Frank.
1961 The Australian Ballet Foundation was formed and Frank was
appointed chairman.
Nevin died on 7 March.
1965 Frank died on 23 August.
For further information please see:
Tait, Lady (Viola) A Family of Brothers: the Taits and J. C.
Williamson a theatre history Melbourne, Heinemann, 1971.
Correspondence
Box 1
Folders
1 Business and general correspondence, 1908,
1911-17
2 Business and general correspondence, 1920,
1924, 1926, 1927-29
3 Business and general correspondence, 1931-33
4 Business and general correspondence, 1934-36
5 Business and general correspondence, 1937-39
6 Correspondence and press clippings regarding
Ernest Charles Rolls, 1920, 1926, 1931-38
7 Business and general correspondence, 1940-41
8 Business and general correspondence, 1942
9 Business and general correspondence, 1943
Box 2
Folders
10-12 Business and general correspondence, 1944
13 Business and correspondence regarding Service
Contract February to August, 1944
14 Business and general correspondence, 1945,
1949
15 Business and general correspondence, 1951-54
16 Business and general correspondence, 1955
17 Business and general correspondence, 1956-58
Box 3
18 Personal letters of J. Nevin Tait, 1945-50
19 Personal letters to J. Nevin Tait, 1946-50
Box 4 -
20 Letters to Rangatira Pty Ltd (Wellington), 1949-50
21 Letters from Director's, Melbourne to Directors,
Rangatira, Wellington, 1954
Box 5
22 Letters to Rangatira Directors, New Zealand,
1951-53
Business Documents
Box 6
Folders
23 Weekly summary J& N Tait's Attractions, 1918
24-29 Performance contracts, 1910-54
Sir Frank Tait Family Papers
Box 7
Folder
30 Balance sheet and profit and loss account for year
ended 30th June 1954, J.C.Williamson Limited
31 Income and Balance Sheets, Frank S. Tait, Iris O.
Tait, Peggy E. Tait, Joan I. Tait
32 List of Shares and debentures, F. S Tait and
family, 1950's
33 Deed between Lady Tait and Sir Frank Tait, G. E
Barker, C.G Hooper (Trustees) re: Sally Wilson
Tait dated 30th June 1967, Balance Sheet
Kurrajong Assets Pty Ltd 1967 and Profit and Loss
Account Fransom Investments Proprietary Limited,
1966
34 Inventory and Probate Valuation of furnishings of
Sir Frank Tait, 1967
Box 8
Folders
35 Personal correspondence of Sir Frank Tait, 1960-63,
1965
36 Correspondence with Yehundi Menuhin and family and
newspaper clippings, 1935-69
37 Personal correspondence of Lady Tait, 1963-70,
1989, 1990
38 Correspondence of Lady Tait regarding the Royal
Academy of Dancing 1957-63. Includes
correspondence with Dame Margot Fonteyn.
39 Correspondence relating to death of Sir Frank Tait.
40 Draft manuscript of A Family of Brothers
Miscellaneous
41 Press clippings re Theatre productions and Tait
family
42 Cue cards for production of 'You're in Love',
tablecloth with embroidered signatures relating to
the production 'The Runaway Girl'
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