MS 8373
Papers of Geoffrey Rothwell (1930-1987)
- Papers
- 1926-87
- 6.16 metres (43 boxes) + 6 folios
- Available for reference
Geoffrey Rothwell's papers were donated to the National Library
in January 1988 after his death. The collection comprises personal
and business correspondence, diaries, notebooks, writings, personal
papers, ephemera, newsletters, financial papers, printed material,
scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, invitations, photographs and
papers relating to his parents.
This collection was acquired after the death of Geoffrey Rothwell
in 1988.
The arrangement of the collection is one devised by the Library,
although the subject headings within each series were devised
by Rothwell. The files have been kept in tact, except for some
programs which were transfered to the 'Prompt Collection'.
The arrangement into series and the order of the files within
the series were determined by the Library.
Some photographs are held in the Pictorial Section
of the Library.
1930 Born in Melbourne on 3 May, son of Leslie and Iris Rothwell
?1943-48 Attended Melbourne Church of England Grammar School
1949 Clerk in Adelaide Steamship Company, Sydney
1950 Clerk in Australian National Airways
1951-53 Travelled overseas working in various clerical and labouring positions
1953-54 Clerk in British Overseas Airway Corporation
1954 Returned to Australia
1955 Clerk in Workers Compensation Commission in Perth
1955 Clerk in Australian National Airways, Cairns
1955-60 Clerk in A.C.F. & Shirleys (North Queensland) Limited
1957-61 President of Cairns Little Theatre Company
1961-63 Tour manager of Arts Council of Australia, Sydney
1964 Treasurer, Company Manager and Assistant to General Manager of Australian
Elizabethan Theatre Trust
1965-71 Secretary and Assistant to Theatre Manager of Old Tote Theatre Company
1968 Company Manager of first Old Tote Theatre tour of King Lear and Childermas
1969 Company Manager of Old Tote Theatre tour of Pygmalion and Merchant of Venice
1970 Secretary to Old Tote Theatre board and office management
1970 Company Manager of Old Tote Theatre tours of Major Barbara and Death of a Salesman
1971 Assistant to Bursar of National Institute of Dramatic Art
1972-79 Tour Manager of Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Entrepreneurial Division
?1979-84 Mitchell Theatre Bookings, and Peter Williams Productions and Central Casting Agency
1984-87 Tour Manager of Australian Ballet
1987 Died in November 1987
- Correspondence, 1942-87
- Diaries and notebooks, 1944-70
- Writings, 1945-80
- Personal, 1943-87
- Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, 1926-60
- Cairns Little Theatre, 1957-75
- Arts Council of Australia, 1957-66
- Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, 1961-77
- Old Tote Theatre, 1968-73
- National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), 1971-78
- Onshow Productions, 1983
- Australian Ballet, 1983-87
- Receipts and Financial papers, 1949-72
- Invitations, 1943-87
- Printed Material, 1951-83
- Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings, 1945-87
- Photographs
- Miscellaneous, 1948-87
- Iris and Leslie Rothwell, 1943-71
Series 1: Correspondence, 1942-87
This series comprises personal and business correspondence, postcards
and greetings cards. The correspondence has been arranged in
chronological order.
Personal Correspondence: the major correspondents include Leslie
and Iris Rothwell (parents), Henri Sabourin, Toon Vulste and W.F.
Ellis
(Folders 1-47).
Business correspondence: the major correspondents include Kenn
Brodziak (Aztec Services, Pty. Ltd.), Nancy Giles (Arts Council
of Australia), J.T. Dunlop (Innisfail Repertory Group), Muriel
Goodall (Mareeba Repertory Group), Gordon Horsewell (Arts Council
of Australia and Old Tote Theatre), Hugh Hunt (Australian Elizabethan
Theatre Trust), Noel Pelly (Australian Ballet Foundation) and
Rex Nettleford
(Folders 48-66).
Postcards and greetings cards
(Folders 67-72)
Series 2: Diaries and notebooks, 1944-70
The diaries and notebooks contain personal and business appointments,
records of daily events, as well as names and addresses of friends
and business associates and cover the period from 1944 to 1970.
(Folders 1-5)
Series 3: Writings, 1945-80
This series contains unpublished typescripts and photocopies of
plays, essays and poems written by Rothwell. Rothwell's arrangement
has been preserved. A few of the manuscripts are untitled.
Drafts of writings submitted to Sydney Morning Herald, Australian
Women's Weekly, and Australian Broadcasting Commission are
included. The titles include 'The truant isn't necessarily a delinquent'
and 'Don't malign Hitch-Hikers'.
(Folder 2)
Copies of a play 'Mirror of Judgement' and correspondence. Correspondents
include: Charles Howlett, V. Marriott, Maraget Dobson (Playwrights
Advisory Board), Hugh Hunt (Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust),
Peter Randall (The Melbourne Little Theatre), Lloyd O'Neil (Jacaranda
Press), Greta Douglas and Florence Orford ('57 Club Theatre).
(Folders 3-6)
Drafts of miscellaneous writings, possibly written by Rothwell,
include the following titles: 'A Royal Encounter on the Moors';
'The Other Side'; 'Afterthought'; 'A Day in the Visit'; 'An Ode
to a Longshoreman'; 'Rest in Peace'; 'Your Little Lad's Report'
(1945); 'Goodbye, Goodbye' (1968); 'Some Thoughts on the Establishing
of a Queensland Branch of the British Drama League'; 'Spare a
Thought for the Amateur Theatre'; 'Rhyme about History'; 'Girl
Guides'; 'Gags for Girl Guides' and 'Brethren in God'.
(Folders 1-13)
Series 4: Personal Documents, 1943-87
This small series contains papers relating to Rothwell's personal
life. They include references, passports and Justice of the Peace
certificate.
(Folder 1)
Series 5: Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, 1926-60
Rothwell attended the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School
where he obtained his leaving certificate and matriculation.
This series contains athletic sports programs, newspaper clippings,
Old Melburnian circulars, minutes of general meetings,
handbooks, Bibles and prayer books, and school writings and exams
papers. There was no discernible order so an artificial order
has been devised.
(Folders 1-10)
Series 6: Cairns Little Theatre, 1955-75
Rothwell was the founder and president of the Cairns Little Theatre
from 1957 until 1961.
This series contains newsletters, reports, annual general meeting
agendas, minutes, correspondence, scrapbooks, photographs, newspaper
clippings, and financial papers. Rothwell's files have been retained
in their original order. The correspondents include: George Holland,
M. Eustance and L. Mabel.
(Folders 1-12)
Series 7: Arts Council of Australia, 1957-66
Rothwell joined the Arts Council of Australia as Tour Manager
in 1961. He organised opera, ballet and drama tours in New South
Wales and Queensland. He resigned in 1963.
Papers such as posters, circulars, news releases, tour agendas,
programs and correspondence are included in this series. Correspondents
include: Gordon Horswell, John Cooper, C. McKinnon and Paul Neville.
Rothwell's original order has been preserved.
(Folders 1-3)
Series 8: Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, 1961-78
Rothwell joined the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1964,
for a period of 11 months, as Manager for 'Henry V' for the Adelaide
Festival and Sydney seasons. He rejoined the Trust in 1972, managing
productions and companies such as 'And the Big Men Fly', Zorba
Dance Company, Stratford National Theatre of Canada, Merce Cunningham
and Dance Company, National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica and
Washu Martial Arts Delegation of China. He remained with the
Trust until 1979.
This series contains press clippings, programs, photographs, production
schedules, notes, brochures, memoranda, drawings, maps and newsletters.
Rothwell's original order has been preserved. Correspondents
include: A.G. Kingmiller, Louise van Eysser, John Sumner, John
Bradman, Carol Long and J.A. Massie.
(Folders 1-35)
Series 9: Old Tote Theatre, 1964-73
Rothwell worked for the Old Tote Theatre from 1964 to 1971. During
that time he was employed as Secretary, Assistant Manager, House
Manager, Company Manager and Secretary to the Board.
This series contains form letters, programs, circulars, press
clippings, notes, correspondence, plans and tour schedules. Rothwell's
original order has been maintained. Correspondents include: John
Morris, J.L. Coop, Betty B., R. Quentin, W.G. Blair, R.B. Duncan
and Noni Farwell. Productions include 'Childermas', 'King Lear',
'Pygmalion', 'A Day in the Death of Joe Egg', 'Merchant of Venice',
'Death of a Salesman' and 'Butley'.
(Folders 1-10)
Series 10: National Institute of Dramatic Art, 1971-78
Rothwell joined the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1971
and remained as Assistant to the Bursar until January 1972.
This small series contains notes, financial papers, newsletters,
reports and brochures.
(Folders 1-2)
Series 11: Onshow Productions, 1983
Rothwell worked for Onshow Productions Pty. Ltd. in 1983 for the
production of 'West Side Story'.
This series contains notes, theatre plans, correspondence, press
clippings, financial papers and form letters. Correspondents
include: Roger Myers, Malcolm Leech and Dennis Lineham.
(Folders 1-4)
Series 12: Australian Ballet, 1983-87
Rothwell was employed by the Australian Ballet from 1984 to 1987
as Tour Manager.
Papers such as schedules, memoranda, correspondence, financial
papers and staff directory are to be found in this series. Some
poetry is included, written by Rothwell for the Australian Ballet.
Rothwell's original filing system has been maintained. Correspondents
include: Ian McRae, D.L. McCann, M.J. Tippett and Noel Pelly.
(Folders 1-7)
Series 13: Receipts and Financial Papers, 1949-72
This series contains receipts for travel expenses, car repairs,
Old Melburnians contributions, office expenses, income tax advice
slips, banking advice slips, union fees book store receipts and
medical expenses. Wages sheets of the Arts Council of Australia
are also included.
(Folders 1-3)
Series 14: Invitations, 1943-87
This small series contains various social engagement invitations
from theatre companies, as well as friends and relatives.
(Folder 1)
Series 15: Printed Material, 1951-83
The books in this series contain either inscriptions, personal
messages or newspaper clippings. The subjects include Belle Poitrine,
Moss Hart, Jamaica's National Dance Theatre, Sydney Opera House
and Merce Cunningham.
(Items 1-12)
Series 16: Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings, 1945-87
The scrapbooks contain photographs, newspaper clippings, programs,
theatre tickets and invitations. The newspaper clippings are
on various subjects relating to music and performing arts and
have been arranged chronologically. Scrapbooks on Young Elizabethan
Players, La Traviata, 'Madam Butterfly', 'King Lear', 'Childremas',
Australian Ballet are included.
(Folders 1-18)
Series 17: Photographs
Photographs, albums, negatives and slides of family, friends and
theatre performances are included in this series.
(Folders 1-12)
Series 18: Miscellaneous, 1948-87
This series contains business cards, reminder notes, personal
mementos, cards, airline tickets, press clippings, minutes, notes,
and brochures that had been scattered through the collection.
(Folders 1-21)
Series 19: Iris and Leslie Rothwell, 1943-71
Leslie (born 1890)and Iris Rothwell were the parents of Geoffrey
Rothwell. The papers in this series include correspondence of
Iris and Leslie, discharge papers and personal effects of Leslie
Rothwell, and records of his career with the Adelaide Steamship
Company. The majority of the letters were written by Geoffrey
while travelling around Australia or overseas.
(Folders 1-17)
Box Series Folders
1 1 1-7
2 1 8-14
3 1 15-21
4 1 22-28
5 1 29-35
6 1 36-42
7 1 43-47
8 1 48-54
9 1 55-61
10 1 62-66
11 1 67-68
12 1 69-72 (see also map cabinet 51)
13 2 1-4
14 2 5
15 3 1-8
16 3 9-14 (see also folio 1)
17 4 1
17 5 1-6
18 5 7-9
19 5 10
19 6 1-4
20 6 5-12
21 7 1-3 (see also map cabinet 51)
21 8 1-3
22 8 4-10
23 8 11-17
24 8 18-24
25 8 25-31
26 8 32-35 (see also map cabinet 51)
26 9 1-3 (see also map cabinet 51)
27 9 4-10 (see also folio 5)
28 10 1-2
28 11 1-4
29 12 1-7
30 13 1-4
30 14 1
30 15 1
31 15 2-12
32 16 1-7
33 16 8-13
34 16 14-18 (see also folio 1)
35 17 1-6
36 17 7-12
37 17 13-15 (see also folios 2-5)
37 18 1-4
38 18 5-9
39 18 10-17
40 18 18-21 (see also map cabinet 51)
40 19 1-4
41 19 5-10
42 19 11-17
43 19 18-21 (see also folio 6)
Guide prepared October 1994. Last updated 21 August 1996
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