Guide to the Papers of Jim Sharman
MS Acc09.028, MS Acc10.103, MS Acc17.138
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Sharman, Jim (James David)
- Title
- Papers of Jim Sharman
- Date Range
- 1940-2010
- Collection Number
- MS Acc09.028, MS Acc10.103, MS Acc17.138
- Extent
- 40.85 metres (67 boxes + 8 large cartons + 21 folio boxes + 67 boxes + 8 large cartons + 21 folio boxes + 5 oversize bundles + 2 small rolled boxes + 6 map folios + 2 phase boxes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The bulk of the papers in MS Acc09.028 relate to the many theatrical productions on which Sharman has worked over the course of his career. They include correspondence, including a small group of letters from Patrick White, scripts, production notes, reviews, ephemera, photographs, scrap books, costume designs and research notes. There is also correspondence with family, friends and colleagues, appointment diaries, diaries containing Sharman's writings and miscellanous papers relating to specific productions, photographs, posters and a large collection of programs. There is a small group of papers and photographs relating to Sharman's father, James Michael (Jimmy) Sharman (63 boxes, 8 large cartons, 19 fol. boxes, 13 oversize packets).
The Acc10.103 instalment comprises correspondence, photographs, family and personal papers, writings of Jim Sharman, ephemera relating to theatre productions and legal papers. The correspondence includes letters and cards relating to Sharman's career in the theatre, as well as personal greetings cards and messages of condolence on the deaths of his parents. The photographs comprise family snaps, photographs of the Jimmy Sharman Boxing Troupe, production photographs (Roll Up, Shirley Thompson and the aliens, Death in Venice) and portraits of Sharman. There is production ephemera for Hair, The threepenny opera, A midsummer night's dream, Sunrise, Blood wedding and Death in Venice. Further production records relate to Death in Venice, a Performance of songs by Lou Reed, Brecht-Weill and Randy Newman, and The three furies. Sharman's writing is represented by draft librettos and scripts for operettas and a musical (Encore, abccb, The Artist is Wilde and Achievement), and draft excerpts of his memoir Blood and tinsel. The legal papers include contracts relating to the musical, Hair (4 boxes, 1 fol. box).
The MS Acc17.138 instalment comprises a visual diary of 1970s musicals including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair (Japan), Rocky Horror Picture Show. The visual diary includes newspaper cuttings, programs, and photographs (1 fol. box).
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn4579845).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Jim Sharman, National Library of Australia, [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.
Collection Retrieval Advice
Please note: each consignment in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there are multiple Box 1's). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.
Item Descriptions
Class MS Acc09.028. Original consignment
Papers mostly relating to the many theatrical productions on which Sharman has worked over the course of his career. They include correspondence, including a small group of letters from Patrick White, scripts, production notes, reviews, ephemera, photographs, scrap books, costume designs and research notes. There is also correspondence with family, friends and colleagues, appointment diaries, diaries containing Sharman's writings and miscellanous papers relating to specific productions, photographs, posters and a large collection of programs. There is a small group of papers and photographs relating to Sharman's father, James Michael (Jimmy) Sharman).
Comprises 63 boxes, 8 large cartons, 19 folio boxes + 13 oversize packets.
Series. Productions
Early works: NIDA - First year design project, Fan mail, Sketch books, Notes and design ideas, 1960-1973 (File) - Box 7A/B
Paris. Threepenny Opera. Angel City. Big Toys. A Cheery soul. Pandora's Cross. The night the power. Jesus Christ Superstar, 1973-1979 (File) - Box 9A/B
Death in Venice 1980 (and 1988). Lulu 1981. Shock treatment, 1981-1982 (File) - Box 10A/B
Oversized item, see Box 50
Lighthouse Theatre Company, Adelaide correspondence, Programs, Reviews, 1982-1983 (File) - Box 12A/B
The Royal show, A midsummer night dream. Prince of Homburg. Restaurant. Mother Courage. Silver Lining. Sunrise Blind giant is dancing. Lighthouse. Blood wedding, 1982-1983 (File) - Box 13A/B
A lie of the mind. Blood relations. The Rake';s progress. The screens. Conquest of the South Pole, 1987-1988 (File) - Box 16A/B
Series. Audio visual material
VHS tapes, Cassette Tapes, Large DAT tape, Small Dictaphone tape (File) - Box 32A/B
'The Cairo Suite' tape 1 10/04/2000, 10/04/2000 (Item NLA.MS-DM002234) - Cassette-Box 336
1 item, Sony 60, Consumer formats - eg miniDV'The Cairo Suite' tape 2 10/04/2000, 10/04/2000 (Item NLA.MS-DM002235) - Cassette-Box 336
1 item, Sony 60, Consumer formats - eg miniDV'The Cairo Suite' screen test tape 1 (Item NLA.MS-DM002236) - Cassette-Box 336
1 item, Panasonic DVM63, Consumer formats - eg miniDV'The Cairo Suite' screen test tape 2 (Item NLA.MS-DM002237) - Cassette-Box 496
1 item, Panasonic DVM63, Consumer formats - eg miniDV'The Night The Prowler' (Item NLA.MS-SAV009820) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRecorded by NSW Film and Television Office. 86 minutes
'The Burning Piano - A Portrait of Patrick White' (Item NLA.MS-SAV009821) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E-120, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRecorded by ABC TV
'The Burning Piano - A Portrait of Patrick White' Short Version (Item NLA.MS-SAV009822) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Scotch E60, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcABC TV Documentaries. 58 minutes 15 seconds
'The Tempest' segment on '&.30 Report', ABC TV, Adelaide October 1997, Oct-97 (Item NLA.MS-SAV009823) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRecorded by ABC TV
'Jimmy Sharman - Green Dedication' 8 March 1998, 8/03/1998 (Item NLA.MS-SAV009824) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E120, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRecorded by ABC TV
Tent Boxing (Item NLA.MS-SAV009825) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, BASF E240, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc'The Mirage' Rough Cut Ex AVID (Item NLA.MS-SAV009826) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Sony E180, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc'Roll Up' Reel 1 (Item NLA.MS-SAV009827) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Scotch E60, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRecorded by ABC TV. 10 minutes only
'Roll Up' Reel 2 Excerpts (Item NLA.MS-SAV009828) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Scotch E61, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRecorded by ABC TV
'If only' Adelaide Festival 2001 short video for USA, 25/10/2001 (Item NLA.MS-SAV009829) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E15, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRecorded by Rising Sun Pictures. Rough cut. 30 seconds
'Show Train' (Item NLA.MS-SAV009830) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Fuji E60, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc'Show Train' and '4 Corners' (Item NLA.MS-SAV009831) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E105, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc'The Cairo Suite' Screen Tests (Item NLA.MS-SAV009832) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E15, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcDuration 8 minutes 18 seconds. NTSC Format. Aspect Ratio: 4:3
'The Cairo Suite' Screen Tests (Item NLA.MS-SAV009833) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E15, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcDuration 8 minutes 18 seconds. NTSC Format. Aspect Ratio: 4:3
'The Cairo Suite' Screen Tests (Item NLA.MS-SAV010074) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E15, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcDuration 8 minutes 18 seconds. . Aspect Ratio: 4:3
'The Cairo Suite' Screen Tests July 2001, Jul-01 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010075) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Unbranded E10, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc'The Cairo Suite' Screen Tests July 2001 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010076) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Maxell Professional 20, Pro formats - Betacam, Betacam SP etc'The Cairo Suite' Screen Tests Tape 1 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010077) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Sony BCT-60MLAS 457metres, Pro formats - Betacam, Betacam SP etc'The Cairo Suite' Screen Tests Tape 2 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010078) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Sony BCT-60MLAS 457metres, Pro formats - Betacam, Betacam SP etc'Shirley Thompson Vs The aliens', 30/08/2006 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010079) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Sony BCT90MLAS, Pro formats - Betacam, Betacam SP etcCopy from the National Film and Sound Archive. 71 minutes 26 seconds. Mono audio
Jim Sharman Productions DAT - SP XFER (Item NLA.MS-SAV010080) - Shelf-Tall OH1-19-021
1 item, Sony BCT-60MLAS, Pro formats - Betacam, Betacam SP etc20 minutes?
Festival Forum 19 March 1982 Jim Sharman, 19/03/1982 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010081) - Cassette-Box 494
1 item, Scotch 90, Compact cassette tape
Orlando Rourke, 30/07/1985 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010083) - Cassette-Box 494
1 item, BASF LH extra I 90, Compact cassette tape
Orlando Rourke Workshop (Item NLA.MS-SAV010084) - Cassette-Box 494
1 item, Sony HF90, Compact cassette tape
Side A: Razzle Dazzle. Side B: Orlando Rourke (Item NLA.MS-SAV010085) - Cassette-Box 494
1 item, TDK AD46, Compact cassette tapeTrack listing in cassette case
Mahler Symphony No 8 in E? (Symphony of a Thousand) conducted by Jascha Horenstein, March 1959, Royal Albert Hall (Item NLA.MS-SAV010086) - Cassette-Box 494
1 item, TDK AD 90, Compact cassette tapeperformers listed in cassette case
Series. Family memorabilia
Two condolence books for Sharman';s mother and father. Childhood letters, CDs, Address books, Cassette tapes, Photo album, High school memorabilia. (File) - Box 34
Scrapbook of family photos (File) - Box 34A/B
Oversized item see box 50
Jim Sharman interview by Bill Stephens 1 of 3, 8/06/2004 (Item NLA.MS-DM002238) - Digital-Carriers-Box 49
1 item, Prodisc Audio Master 74, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)NLA ORAL TRC 5161/1. Duration 62 minutes 01 seconds
Jim Sharman interview by Bill Stephens 2 of 3, 8/06/2004 (Item NLA.MS-DM002239) - Digital-Carriers-Box 49
1 item, Prodisc Audio Master 74, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)NLA ORAL TRC 5161/2. Duration 53 minutes 56 seconds
Jim Sharman interview by Bill Stephens 3 of 3, 8/06/2004 (Item NLA.MS-DM002240) - Digital-Carriers-Box 49
1 item, Prodisc Audio Master 74, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)NLA ORAL TRC 5161/3. Duration 21 minutes 37 seconds
'Funeral Service of Jimmy Sharman', Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park South Chapel 3/05/2006, 3/05/2006 (Item NLA.MS-DM002241) - Digital-Carriers-Box 49
1 item, Unbranded, Data DVD (any content of recordable DVD-R)'Funeral Service of Jimmy Sharman', Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park South Chapel 3/05/2006, 3/05/2006 (Item NLA.MS-DM002242) - Digital-Carriers-Box 49
1 item, Unbranded, Data DVD (any content of recordable DVD-R)
Jim Sharman with Anne Brake Tape 1 copy, 24/08/1992 (Item NLA.MS-SAV010094) - Cassette-Box 496
1 item, Silver TrakUDX C60, Compact cassette tape
Interview with Jimmy Sharman (Item NLA.MS-SAV010095) - Cassette-Box 496
1 item, BASF LH SM90, Compact cassette tapeClass MS Acc10.103. Consignment received 2010
Correspondence, photographs, family and personal papers, writings of Jim Sharman, ephemera relating to theatre productions and legal papers. The correspondence includes letters and cards relating to Sharman's career in the theatre, as well as personal greetings cards and messages of condolence on the deaths of his parents. The photographs comprise family snaps, photographs of the Jimmy Sharman Boxing Troupe, production photographs (Roll Up, Shirley Thompson and the aliens, Death in Venice) and portraits of Sharman. There is production ephemera for Hair, The threepenny opera, A midsummer night's dream, Sunrise, Blood wedding and Death in Venice. Further production records relate to Death in Venice, a Performance of songs by Lou Reed, Brecht-Weill and Randy Newman, and The three furies. Sharman's writing is represented by draft librettos and scripts for operettas and a musical (Encore, abccb, The Artist is Wilde and Achievement), and draft excerpts of his memoir Blood and tinsel. The legal papers include contracts relating to the musical, Hair.
Comprises 4 boxes + 1 folio box.
Series. Correspondence
Plastic file of greeting cards, 2003-2006 (File 2) - Box 1
Includes Christmas and birthday greetings, as well as cards of condolence on the death of Sharman's father and his funeral program, postcards, notes, photographs and news cuttings.
Plastic file of letters largely relating to various Sharman productions, 1965-1974 (File 5) - Box 1
Includes references to A Taste of Honey, Hair, As You Like It and Yeomen of the Guard
Plastic bag of Christmas cards, largely addressed to JM Sharman, Jim Sharman's father, 2003-2005 (File 1) - Box 2
Plastic bag of greeting cards, largely Christmas and birthday greetings, but including thank you cards from people with whom Sharman has worked and cards wishing Sharman well with opening nights and with writing his memoir, 2003-2010 (File 2) - Box 2
Includes family photographs and some of an Adelaide trip (2010).
Plastic bag of greeting cards, including Christmas and birthday greetings, cards from theatre colleagues and condolences on the death of his mother (2003), 2003-2008 (File 3) - Box 2
Includes a badge comprising a photograph of Jim Sharman with friend (1970s?)
Plastic bag of greeting cards, including Christmas and birthday greetings, some addressed to Sharman's father, JM Sharman, and cards from theatre colleagues, 1996-2007 (File 4) - Box 2
Includes photographs from the 48th Sydney Film Festival, a book of poems by Jeremy Gadd (2000) and a thank you card from Manoly Lascaris, Patrick White's partner.
Series. Legal, travel and financial papers
Series. Photographs
Series. Death in Venice (Opera Australia)
Material relating to the production by Sharman at the Sydney Opera House, 2005 (File 5) - Box 4
Includes: cards from performers Philip Langridge, Peter Coleman-Wright, choreographer Meryl Tankard and designer Brian Thomson; program; prints of production photographs; notes; reviews; stage plans; production schedules, notes and emails; and photocopies relating to the 1989 production.
Series. Amie McKenna and David Hawkings in a Performance of Songs by Lou Reed, Brecht-Weill and Randy Newman
Series. The Three Furies
Series. Miscellaneous
Plastic bag containing the text of a lecture and an oral history interview by Sharman, 1976, 1995 (File 6) - Box 1
The lecture was the first Rex Cramphorn lecture, 1995.
Class MS Acc17.138. Consignment received 2017
Comprising a visual diary of 1970s musicals including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair (Japan), Rocky Horror Picture Show. The material dates from 1969 to 1978 and includes newspaper cuttings, programs, and photographs.
Contained in 1 folio box (MS Acc17.138, Folio Box 1).