Guide to the Papers of Cletus Ball
MS 10720
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: May 2023
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Ball, Cletus
- Title
- Papers of Cletus Ball
- Date Range
- 1943 - 2000
- Collection Number
- MS 10720
- Extent
- 5.1 metres (9 MS boxes + 1 medium folio box + 3 map folios)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Content Description
Cletus Ball was a performer who helped to develop what is recognised internationally as Australia's prowess for acrobatic comedy, known as "Australian Knockabout". He was a leading proponent of this style of performance, as well as other dance-like partner acrobatics. This collection comprises Cletus Ball's notebooks, correspondence, photographs, programs, circus and performance routines and other papers relating to The Flying Fruit Fly Circus and the various acts he performed with during his career.
Conditions Governing Access
Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn8813396).
Conditions Governing Use
Conditions for copying and publishing of this collection may apply, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn8813396).
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Cletus Ball, National Library of Australia, MS 10720, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Please note: This finding aid contains descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.
Item Descriptions
Class 1. Consignment received April 2023, 1943 - 2000
This consignment comprises the papers of Cletus Ball. Cletus Ball was a performer who helped to develop what is recognised internationally as Australia's prowess for acrobatic comedy, known as "Australian Knockabout". He was a leading proponent of this style of performance, as well as other dance-like partner acrobatics. This collection comprises Cletus Ball's notebooks, correspondence, photographs, programs, circus and performance routines and other papers relating to The Flying Fruit Fly Circus and the various acts he performed with during his career.
Articles about Cletus Ball's life and Service Order for his funeral, 1990's to 2022 (File 1) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Service Order includes eulogy. Note: this item contains racially sensitive content that may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
Certificates and photos from attendance at Marist Brothers' School, 1943 to 1945 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Certificates of secondary study, photos of premiership rugby team and cricket averages.
Royal Performance Program, 3 November 1958 (Item 3) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Performance for Her Majesty the Queen, The Coliseum, London.
Royal Performance Program, 14 November 1966 (Item 4) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Performance for Her Majesty the Queen Mother, The Palladium, London.
The Three Warrens, 1950s (File 5) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Collection of photographs and newspaper clippings.
Dior Dancers, 1950s (File 6) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Includes newspaper clippings, list of performances and other artists, photographs and routines.
Australian Contemporary Dance Company – Beth and Victor Dean, 1959 to 1961 (File 7) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Includes programs, newspaper clippings and program for Princess Alexandra's visit.
Beth Dean Ballet, 1959 to 1961 (File 8) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Includes photographs, newspaper clippings, programs and notes.
Bal Caron Trio (Cletus Ball, Ian and Heather Maclaren), 1963 to 1965 (File 9) - Box 1 (MS 10720)
Collection of photographs and programs from Latin Quarter, New York.
Bal Caron Trio (Cletus Ball, Ian and Heather Maclaren), 1960 to 1966 (File 10) - Box 2 (MS 10720)
Includes programs, notes, photographs and newspaper clippings.
Bal Caron Trio (Cletus Ball, Ian and Heather Maclaren), 1962 to 1966 (File 11) - Box 2 (MS 10720)
Includes programs, notes, photographs and newspaper clippings.
Bal Caron Trio (Cletus Ball, Ian and Heather Maclaren), 1963 to 1968 (File 12) - Box 2 (MS 10720)
Includes programs, notes, photographs and newspaper clippings.
Bal Caron Trio (Cletus Ball, Ian and Heather Maclaren), 1963 to 1968 (File 13) - Box 2 (MS 10720)
Includes programs, notes, photographs and newspaper clippings.
Bal Caron Trio Routines, 1963 to 1968 (File 14) - Box 2 (MS 10720)
Collection of photos and programs.
Reflections on early days written by Cletus Ball, 1930s-1960s (File 24) - Box 4 (MS 10720)
Handwritten notes.
Reflections on time in show business written by Cletus Ball, 1950s-1970s (File 25) - Box 4 (MS 10720)
Handwritten notes.
Bal Caron Trio (Cletus Ball, Wayne Price and Leanne Miller), 1980s (File 27) - Box 4 (MS 10720)
Collection of photographs and routine outlines.
Performing acts trained by Cletus Ball, 1980s-1990s (File 29) - Box 5 (MS 10720)
Includes photographs, pamphlets and notes.
Price and McCoy (Terry Price and Tim Freeman, in later years Henning Pedersen), 1980s-2000s (File 30) - Box 5 (MS 10720)
Includes photos, letters and newspaper clippings.
The Leaping Loonies (Norman Anderson, Daniel Thew, Tim Freeman and later Gwendoline Trimboli), 1980s-1990s (File 31) - Box 5 (MS 10720)
Includes notes, programs and photographs. Recipients in Mo Award for variety act. Note: this item contains racially sensitive content that may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
The Two Dags (Cletus Ball and Tim Freeman), 1990-1994 (File 32) - Box 5 (MS 10720)
Includes programs, newspaper clippings, schedules and photographs.
Cletus Ball's collection of notes on the circus, 1970s-2000s (File 33) - Box 6 (MS 10720)
Includes Lessons for Clowns booklet and newspaper clippings.
Flying Fruit Fly Circus - Albury, NSW, 1990s-2010s (File 34) - Box 6 (MS 10720)
Includes routines, notes and newspaper clippings.
Fruit Bats (part of Flying Fruit Fly Circus for over 50s), 1980s (File 35) - Box 6 (MS 10720)
Includes routines and photographs.
Photos of Cletus Ball clowning, 1980s (File 36) - Box 6 (MS 10720)
Includes newspaper clippings and notes.
Knockabout slapstick and comedy routines, 1950s-1980s (File 40) - Box 7 (MS 10720)
Handwritten notes.
Notes of interest copied by Cletus Ball, 1950s-2000s (File 46) - Box 8 (MS 10720)
Hand written notes.
Magazines and programs, 1950s-1990s (File 48) - Box 8 (MS 10720)
Pages of interest have been bookmarked by Cletus Ball. Note: this item contains racially sensitive content that may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
Photographs, 1950s-1980s (File 49) - Box 8 (MS 10720)
Including wedding photographs to Heather Maclaren.
Magazines, 1950s-1980s (File 51a) - Box 9 (MS 10720)
Pages of interest have been bookmarked by Cletus Ball.
Magazines, 1950s-1980s (File 51b) - Box 9 (MS 10720)
Pages of interest have been bookmarked by Cletus Ball.
Documents relating to performance group, c. 1960s (File 52) - Box 9 (MS 10720)
Note: this item contains racially sensitive content that may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.