Guide to the Guide to programmes of concerts, musicals, theatre, vaudeville staged primarily in Sydney regarding the Sharp Theatre
Sharp
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Title
- Sharp Collection of theatre programs
- Date Range
- March 1884 - July 1911
- Collection Number
- Sharp
- Extent
- 161 collections
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Printed Collections
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The Sharp collection of programs from concerts, musicals, theatre, vaudeville staged primarily in Sydney documents the development of Australian theatre. Comprising 150 programs, the collection offers a sampling of theatre activities in Sydney, concentrating on the period 1898-1907.
Printed materials in the PROMPT collection include programs and printed ephemera such as brochures, leaflets, tickets, etc. Theatre programs are taken as the prime documentary evidence of a performance.
The list is based on imperfect holdings, and is updated as gaps in the Library's holdings are filled. Unless otherwise stated, all entries are based on published programs in the PROMPT collection.
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use this material should refer to the Ephemera PROMPT collection.
Citation of items from this collection should include references to author's/organisation's name, date, item title, Publisher and place of publication.
Example: J.C. Williamson (Firm). & Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S.A.). 1950, Gilbert & Sullivan opera season [theatre program] : The gondoliers J. C. Williamson Ltd [Adelaide]
Custodial History
These programs were colleced by Harry Sharp between 1884 and 1910. In 1884, Harry was a 22-year-old picture framer and gilder living in Leichhardt, in inner Sydney, with his wife Ada. The family later moved to Denham Court, 40 kilometres south-west of Sydney, and continued their patronage of Sydney's theatres, keeping the programs of the attractions they saw. Harry Sharp died in 1939, and the programs were re-discovered in 1992. The Sharp collection has been kept intact, providing both a document of one family's theatregoing and a snapshot of popular theatre in Sydney over a period of nearly 20 years. Sharp's theatrical tastes were eclectic, ranging from Wagner's operas to vaudeville at Rickards' Tivoli theatre, from Shakespearean tragedies to Australian melodramas such as Breaking of the Drought, and Robbery Under Arms. [Information taken from an article by Richard Stone, published in the NLA News in October 2003 - Volume XIII Number 14.]
Arrangement
Programs in the National Library' PROMPT collection are arranged chronologically, then individually listed, chronologically by performance as follows: venue, City; name of production; date (day and month); company/manager/entrepreneur.
Performances for which only the year is known are listed after those with a more precise day and or month.
Item Descriptions
Series. Theatre Programs, 12 March 1884 - 22 July 1911
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Rip van Winkle, 12 March 1884 (File)
Presented by J. C. Williamson. Includes newspaper fragment, advertisement in Evening News for third last night of Rip van Winkle.
Olympic Theatre, London; My Partner, 10 April 1884 - 2 May 1884 (File)
Presented by Balley Campbell. George Rignold as Joe Saunders.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Julius Caesar, September 1889 (File)
Presented by George Rignold. 2 copies, one very fragile and damaged.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; A Midsummer Night's Dream, December 1889 (File)
Presented by George Rignold.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Macbeth, 1890 -1891[??] (File)
George Rignold lessee and manager. George Rignold as Macbeth and Janet a church as Lady Macbeth.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Barber of Seville, 7 March 1892 - 11 March 1892 (File)
Prsented by Grand Italian Opera. By Rossini.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Trumpet Call, 29 April 1892 (File)
Presented by Bland Holt. Starring George Sims and Robert Buchanan.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; The Conservatory, 4 August 1894 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With various artists.
Design submitted by Arthur Frederics for souvenir program – complimentary benefit for Mr George Rignold on his relinquishing (after eight years) the management and lesseeship of The Conservatory, 10 September 1895 (File)
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Henry V, 1896 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson, theatre manager. George Rignold as Henry V," in his last appearances in Australia".
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; The Aesthetics, 13 February 1897 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. Various artists.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Sapphonia, 23 October 1897 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With little Alma Gray, child artist. Fragment of program only.
The Lyceum, Sydney; Work and Wages, 26 January 1898 (File)
Presented by Lyceum Dramatic Company. By W. M. Bourne.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; Othello, January 1898 - February 1898 (File)
Presented by George Rignold.
Royal Standard Theatre, Sydney; The Queens Colours, 23 March 1898 (File)
Presented by Henry's Dramatic Co. By Kipling.
Royal Standard Theatre, Sydney; The Queens Colours, 23 March 1898 (File)
Presented by Henry's Dramatic Co. By Kipling.
The Lyceum, Sydney; The Terror of Paris, March 1898 (File)
Presented by Lyceum Dramatic Company. By E. Hill Mitchellson and Chas. H. Langdon. 2 copies, one green paper, one apricot paper.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; The Silver King, February 1898 - March 1898 (File)
Presented by Wilson Barrett; The Wilson Barrett Season. By Jones & Herman.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; The Manxman, March 1898 (File)
Presented by Wilson Barrett. By Jones.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Federia, 11 June 1898 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With the "somewhat different comedian" Mr George H Wood.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; Robbery Under Arms, 1898 (File)
Presented by Alfred Dampier, Alfred. Arranged by Rolf Boldrewood. Two copies, one salmon coloured, one cream coloured.
Sydney; Combined shows, February 1898 - March 1898 (File)
Presented by the Fitzgerald Brothers. Includes Carl Hagenbeck's Famous Zoological Circus and Menagerie.
The Lyceum, Sydney; Nancy and her Sailor, 1905-03-12T00:00:00+00:00/1905-03-12T00:00:00+00:00 (File)
Presented by the Lyceum Dramatic Company. By R.H. Merivale.
The Lyceum, Sydney; A Yorkshire Lass, 2 April 1898 (File)
Presented by the Lyceum Dramatic Company. By Wilton Jones.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Work Girl, January 1899 - February 1899 (File)
Presented by Charles Holloway. By George Conques & Arthur Shirley.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Arcadia, 25 March 1899 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With little Fanny Powers, child artiste. 2 copies, one damaged.
Criterion, Sydney; Souvenir of Othello and the Merry Wives of Windsor, 1899 (File)
Presented by George Rignold. By Shakespeare.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Liars, 1899 (File)
Presented by Brough Comedy Company. By Henry Arthur Jones.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Madame Sans-Gene, 1899 (File)
Presented by Brough Comedy Company. By H Irving & M Sardou.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; Othello, 1899 (File)
Presented by George Rignold. By Shakespeare. Not Found.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; The Geisha, January 1899 - June 1899 (File)
Presented by Williamson and Musgrove. Broadsheet program and souvenir program.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Only Way (a tale of two cities), 23 December 1899 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson. Adapted by Freeman Wills from the novel by Charles Dickens. Broadsheet program and souvenir program.
Lyceum Theatre, Sydney; Our Guardian Angel, 1899 (File)
Presented by Charles Holloway. By Clarence Burnette.
Lyceum Theatre, Sydney; The Power and the Glory, 1899 (File)
Presented by Charles Holloway. By Charles Darrell.
Lyceum Theatre, Sydney; The White Squadron, 1899 (File)
Presented by Messers McMahon's Complete Lyceum Company. By J.H. Harkins.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Caddam Woods and Variety Show, 26 January 1900 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With Little Fanny Powers and Miss Noni Rickards.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Caddam Woods, Variety Show, 17 March 1900 (File)
Harry Rickards presents at Criterion Theatre. Includes Little Fanny Powers.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Caddam Woods, Variety Show, 24 March 1900 (File)
Harry Rickards presents at Criterion Theatre. Includes Little Fanny Powers.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Caddam Woods, Variety Show, 7 April 1900 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. Includes Little Fanny Powers.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Caddam Woods and Little Alma Gray, child artiste, 14 April 1900 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; The Man From Mexico, April 1900 - May 1900 (File)
Presented by Willoughby and Ward.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Caddam Woods and Little Baby Parkes, 1 September 1900 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. Little Baby Parkes described as "child with the ability of a trained woman".
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Happy Life, March 1900 - April 1900 (File)
Presented by Brough Comedy Company. By Louis N Parker.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; Man to Man, 1900 (File)
Presented by George Rignold. By W. Bourne. 2 copies.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Lady Huntworth's Experiment, 1900 (File)
Presented by Brough Comedy Company. By R.C. Carton.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Second in Command, 1900 (File)
Presented by Brough Comedy Company. By Robert Marshall.
Lyceum Theatre, Sydney; The Ladder of Life, January 1901 - February 1901 (File)
Presented by The Dramatic Organisation. By William Anderson.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; Tom, Dick and Harry, 23 February 1901 (File)
Presented by Hawtrey Comedy Co. By Mrs Pachero. 2 copies, one for last six nights.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; A Royal Divorce, February 1901 - March 1901 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Gay Paris, 30 March 1901 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With Little Baby Parkes, child artiste and introducing Little Popsy Wopsy.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Les Theires and Gay Paris, 20 April 1901 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With the Clarence Sisters, acrobats and contortionistes.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Gay Paris, 6 April 1901 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. Part of programme missing through damage.
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; Carnival, 21 September 1901 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. Assorted acts.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; The Carnival, 14 December 1901 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With tickets for 3 seats.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; Hans the Boatman, December 1901 - January 1902 (File)
Presented by Charles Arnold. By Clay M Greene.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Alice in Wonderland, December 1901 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson. By L. Carroll.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Selections from Otello, La Boheme, Lucia di Lamermoor, La Giaconda, 1901 (File)
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; Carnival, 1901 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. Assorted acts.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; The Carnival, 4 January 1902 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. With Fanny Powers, Child Artiste.
Tivoli Theatre, Sydney; Various artists, 18 January 1902 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards. Various artists. Includes tickets for 2 seats.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; The Professor's Love Story, 20 January 1902 (File)
Presented by Charles Arnold. By J M Barrie. Ticket for 24/1/1902.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; The World Entertainers, 22 February 1902 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson.
Lyceum Theatre, Sydney; On Active Service, February 1902 (File)
Presented by William Anderson. By Herbert Leonard. 2 copies, differing advertisements.
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; Various artists, 12 July 1902 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; An Empty Stocking, What Happened to Jones, 17 July 1902 (File)
Presented by Charles Arnold. An Empty Stocking by Fred Wright; What Happened to Jones by George Broadhurst. Includes theatre tickets.
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; Various artists, 13 September 1902 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Stabat Mater, 1902 (File)
Presented by Musgroves Grand Opera Company. By Rossini.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Tannhauser, 1902 (File)
Presented by Musgroves Grand Opera Company. By Wagner.
Theatre Royal; Sydney; Lohengrin, 1902 (File)
Presented by Musgroves Grand Opera Company. By Wagner.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; Cousin Kate, followed by Cousin Joe, 1903 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson. By H.H. Davies.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; The Lady Slavey, 1903 (File)
Presented by John F. Sheridan Season. By George Dance.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; Sherlock Holmes, 1903 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson. By A. Conan Doyle & W Gillette.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; Lady of Ostend, January 1904 - February 1904 (File)
Presented by Hawtrey Comedy Co. By Burnands.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; Tom, Dick and Harry, 23 February 1904 (File)
Presented by Hawtrey Comedy Co. Mrs Pachero.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Sign of the Cross, April 1904 (File)
Presented by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. By W. Barrett. 2 copies.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Resurrection, March 1904 (File)
Presented by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. By Leo Tolstoi.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Great Millionaire, 18 April 1904 (File)
Presented by Bland Holt. By Raleigh.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; The Grey Parrot, April 1904 - May 1904 (File)
Presented by George Willoughby.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; The Prodigal Daughter, 6 August 1904 (File)
Presented by Bland Holt. By Pettit & Harris.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; The Whirl-I-Gig (Guess No 1), Pousse café (Guess no 2), September 1904 (File)
Presented by Harry James. The Whirl-I-Gig (Guess No 1) by Edgar Smith, Pousse café ( Guess no 2) by Edward Smith.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; Carter, The Mysterious (The world's inimitable magician), 1904 (File)
Presented by Richard Lesleigh.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; The Skirt Dancer, 15 April 1905 (File)
Presented by George Stephenson. By G. Ridgwell & E. Mansell.
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; Golden Cornfields, 15 July 1905 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Trilby, 16 September 1905 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson. By D. Du Maurier.
Queens Hall, Sydney; The Great Britt-Nelson Lightweight Championship of the World, October 1905 (File)
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; The Two Mr Wetherby's, 1905 (File)
Presented by Hawtrey Comedy Co. By Hankin.
Theatre Royal, Sydney; In Sight of St Paul's, June 1906 (File)
Presented by Bland Holt. By Sutton Vane.
Town Hall, Sydney; West's pictures (part I), The Brescians (part II), West's pictures (part III), 6 October 1906 (File)
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; The Bathers (Part 1), 5 January 1907 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Parsifal, January 1907 (File)
Presented by J.C. Williamson. By Rev T, Hilhouse-Taylor. Miss Tittell Brune as Kundry.
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; The Bathers (Part 1), 26 January 1907 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards.
Rickards New Opera House, Melbourne; The Bathers (Part1), 18 May 1907 (File)
Presented by Harry Rickards.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; A Message From Mars, 27 May 1907 (File)
Presented by Hawtrey Comedy Co. By Ganthony.
Criterion Theatre, Sydney; Human Hearts, 7 September 1907 (File)
Presented by Edwin Geach. By Hal Reid.
Theatre Royal; Her Love Against The World, 1907 (File)
Presented by Clyde Meynell and John Gunn. By Walter Howard.
Palace Theatre, Sydney; The Private Secretary, 12 September 1908 (File)
Presented by Frank Thornton. By Charles Hawtrey.
Alhambra, George Street, Haymarket, Sydney; Pathé Freres' Great Cinemato (Our Great Moving Picture Show), 1908 (File)
Program printed 25/4/1908. Second copy printed 14/3/1908. Third copy with no printing date. Fourth copy printed 29/5/1909.
Masonic Hall, Castlereagh Street, Sydney; The New South Wales State Military Band: Fifth Annual Meeting, 29 January 1909 (File)
The Lyceum, Sydney; Spencer's Theatrescope Coy Sixth season, 20 February 1909 (File)
Animated Photography Program.
The Lyceum, Sydney; Spencer's Theatrescope Coy Sixth season, 21 July 1910 (File)
Animated Photography Program.