Guide to the Papers of David Williamson
MS 7378
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: Last updated January 2025
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Williamson, David (1942)
- Title
- Papers of David Williamson
- Date Range
- 1958 - 2023
- Collection Number
- MS 7378
- Extent
- 18.35 metres (111 ms boxes + 1 large folio box + 1 map folio + 9 digital carriers)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
- Sponsor
- This finding aid was revised with the assistance of the Ray Mathew and Eva Kollsman Trust.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
This is a comprehensive collection comprising papers relating to David Williamson's professional and personal life. His writings are richly documented, with the kernel of the collection consisting of drafts of Williamson's plays, as well as scripts for film and television work, and other writings. This material is supported by related correspondence, notes, diaries, photographs, fan mail, financial documents, juvenilia and memorabilia. There are also theatre programmes, talks, articles by and about Williamson, theses on Williamson and unsolicited scripts by others.
Correspondents include Janet Albrechtsen, Ray Barrett, Peter Beattie, John Bell, Bruce Beresford, Michael Blakemore, Graeme Blundell, Bryan Brown, Peter Carey, Tim Curnow, Peter Collins, Hector Crawford, Don Dunstan, Bob Ellis, Richard Franklin, Derek Freeman, Gerard Henderson, Israel Horovitz, Judy and Tom Keneally, Christopher Koch, Kathy Lette, Michael Leunig, Judy Lovell, Pat Lovell, Robyn Nevin, Kerry O'Brien, Carol Oliver, Vincent Serventy, Bruce Spence, Alison Summers, Ross Terrill, Don Watson, Jackie Weaver, Peter Weir, Peter Wherrett, Michael Wilding, Kristin Williamson, Tina Williamson and Lord Willis.
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-vn1080034).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 David Williamson, National Library of Australia, MS 7378, [box and file number]'.
Provenance
The first consignment of papers was donated to the Library in 1987 under the Australian Government's Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme, which later became the Cultural Gifts Program. Additions to the collection were made in 1989, 1990, 1995, 2003, 2015, 2020 and 2021 under the Cultural Gifts Program, and in 2022 and 2023 via gratis donation.
Arrangement
The papers, received in ten consignments between 1987 and 2023, have been sequentially arranged and described using a simple box/folder approach with continuous folder numbering. Within each consignment similar papers have been grouped together.
The first part of this guide (to Box 50) is a revised version of one provided with the collection when it was received in 1987. Some of the items originally listed were not received and, conversely, the collection was found to contain items not mentioned on the original list.
Regarding the 2003 consignment of papers, Williamson stated in an email that he 'simply periodically cleared material from [his] filing cabinet.' Draft play scripts in this consignment have been arranged by play title in rough chronological order by the Library. The correspondence, which was loosely piled inside several boxes by Williamson, has been placed into archival folders in the order in which it was removed from the boxes in an attempt to retain any relationships existing between adjacent papers. In some cases this has resulted in a disruption to the chronological order of the correspondence.
Reading Room Access Note
For preservation reasons, we are unable to deliver digital or audio/visual carriers to the Special Collections Reading Room. Please contact Ask a Librarian to enquire about access.
Biographical Note
David Keith Williamson was born in Melbourne on 24 February 1942 and was educated at Bairnsdale and University High Schools, Melbourne University and Monash University (where he graduated in mechanical engineering in 1964). Williamson worked as a Design Engineer for General Motors Holden in 1965 and as a lecturer in engineering and psychology at Swinburne Technical College in 1966-1972, before becoming a fulltime writer.
Williamson was a writer and actor with La Mama Company and the Australian Performing Group in 1970-1972, a member of the Australia Council for the Arts, 1972-1975, Commissioner of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1978-1979 and President of the Australian Writers' Guild between 1979-1993.
Williamson was awarded an Order of Australia in 1983 and has received Honorary Doctors of Literature from the University of Sydney and Monash University. He won the George Devine award for The removalists in 1972. He won the AFI award for best screenplay four times and the Australian Writers' Guild award for best script in any media 11 times between 1968 and 2005. Williamson was voted an Australian National Living Treasure in 1997.
Williamson married Carol Cranby in 1965 and Kristin Lofven in 1974. He has two sons and a daughter.
Austlit: the Australian Literature Resource, entry for David Williamson, http://www.austlit.edu.au/, 28 May 2008.
Item Descriptions
Class 1. Consignment received 1987, 1958 - 1986
Series 2. School and university, 1960-1986
Series 5. The removalists, 1971-1973
(i) Manuscript entitled 'Play'; (ii) Original typescript (slight fire damage); (iii) Photocopy with revisions, prompt copy; (iv) Two pages (pink) of manuscript notes for changes; (v) Revised version, original typescript; (vi) Carbon of same, marked 'Second draft, November 1971' (for Currency Press?); (vii) Incomplete photocopy of same (File 61 to 63) - Box 9
(viii) Original typescript for screenplay, marked 'commenced 1 November 1973', also a three page typed letter (thoughts on first draft) and one page carbon of version of opening sequence; (ix) Four copies of screen version representing three stages of revision (one duplicated); (x) Copies of agreement for film and cast list (File 64 to 68) - Box 10
Series 6. Don's Party, 1971-1976
(i) One page manuscript of opening (original beginning?); (ii) Manuscript of play on clipboard (clipboard not retained); (iii) Photocopy of original typescript as submitted to the Australian Performing Group (APG); (iv) Same, dated 3 February 1971 and marked as first draft; (v) Carbon with handwritten revisions with three pages of typed alterations and odd sheets of typescript; (vi) Complete photocopy with MS revisions of revised typed draft, another prompt copy of same; (vii) Photocopy of typed NIDA version; (viii) Royal Court (February 1975) version and copy of agreement (File 69 to 76) - Box 11
Series 7. Jugglers three, c. 1972
Series 8. Certain women (TV episode), c. 1972
Series 9. Eliza Fraser (film), 1972-1975
(i) Typescript marked 'rough first draft' and dated January 1972; (ii) Photocopy of same with heavy MS revisions (File 90 to 91) - Box 13
Series 13. The department, 1973-1974
(i) Manuscript of first draft of play with handwritten notes, dated, December 1973 (File 106) - Box 16
(ii) Same, carbon, revised in handwriting. (iii) Odd typescript pages (first and second typing?) with some revisions. (iv) Handwritten pages of notes on structure of first draft (File 107) - Box 16
(v) Folder containing revised first draft dated 6 March 1974, typescript with heavy handwritten revisions, carbon of same with some handwritten revisions. Also handwritten notes (File 108) - Box 16
Series 14. The toy man, c. 1974-1981
Series 17. A handful of friends, 1975-1976
(i) Blue notebook containing notes for new play commenced 2 September 1975; (ii) Exercise book, first manuscript draft in biro (File 127) - Box 19
(iv) Two lecture pads containing rough handwritten second draft with sheets from (iii), revised in handwriting, included (File 129) - Box 19
Series 18. The club, 1976-1980 - Box 20
(i) Lecture pad headed 'new play' started 25 May 1976, rough draft completed 5 June 1976, manuscript first draft, 1976 (File 136) - Box 20
(ii) Typed carbon of first draft with revisions and letters to Curnow dated 22 and 23 June 1976 discussing these (File 137) - Box 20
(iii) Second amended draft with some handwritten pages. Note on cover refers to a third draft(?) (File 138) - Box 20
(iv) Red folder marked 'Second last draft corrected and used as a basis for typing up final draft' (typescript) (File 139) - Box 20
(vi) Final typescript as distributed by Curtis Brown marked by Williamson as 'not final draft' (File 146) - Box 21
Series 19. Travelling north, 1978
(i) Typed draft of untitled play started October 1978 with Williamson's handwritten note 'No biro draft' as with preceding plays. Also handwritten notes at end (File 154) - Box 22
(ii) Second typed draft entitled 'Travelling north', with heavy handwritten revisions (File 155) - Box 22
(iii) Typescript dated 22 December, 1978 with note that approximately ten pages have been corrected and replaced in next typed copy (File 156) - Box 22
(viii) Freshly typed version (carbon), with some handwritten revisions; for Currency Press edition(?) (File 161) - Box 23
[NOT HELD: (ix) Broken run of typescript (top and carbon), heavily revised in handwriting, with two handwritten pages of dialogue at start, 1978].
[NOT HELD: (x) Director's (unidentified) notes on play.]
Series 23. Gallipoli, 1977-1980
(ii) Handwritten notes in (thin) lecture pad, some early dialogue and notes at back (File 177) - Box 25
(iii) Research notes, mainly Williamson's, but also copies of articles on Gallipoli by Gammage et al and letter identifying Kristin as Williamson's researcher (File 178 to 180) - Box 25
Series 24. The perfectionist, 1981-1983
(iv) Two typed carbons titled 'first draft', with handwritten notes and revisions, 1981 (File 200 to 201) - Box 28
(v) Original typescript of second draft with title page and carbon, November-December 1981 (File 202) - Box 28
(vi) Heavily revised carbons (three sets). Revisions change focus of play from Stuart and Jack to Barbara (File 203 to 205) - Box 29
Series 25. The year of living dangerously, 1981
Series 26. Phar Lap, 1980-1983
(i) Preliminary research material compiled by Helen Townsend on 6, 16 and 30 July and 10 August, 1982 (File 223) - Box 32
(ii) Notebook with storyline drafted in handwriting; (iii) Exercise book with handwritten notes for researcher, from back outline of 'structure' (File 224) - Box 32
(iv) First draft of screenplay, typed, with 'Phar Lap' as working title and handwritten revisions (File 225) - Box 32
(v) Retyped, revised 1981-1982 version, bound, with loose handwritten notes inserted (File 226) - Box 32
(vi) Another copy, with long letter to Sexton inserted [LETTER NOT HELD]. Also loose carbon copy (File 227 to 228) - Box 32
(viii) Typed pages 'Williamson's notes on Second Draft', with typed 'Questions for Williamson' preceding (File 229) - Box 32
Series 28. The last bastion, 1970, 1983-1984
(i) Three sets of handwritten notes, two pages, four pages and eight pages respectively; (ii) Typed preliminary treatment for a six hour television mini-series written by Williamson and Enis Whitburn, 2 March 1983 (File 241) - Box 34
(vii) One set of copies of Parts 1, 2 and 3. Two spiral bound and one loose, May 1983 (File 249 to 251) - Box 35
(viii) Working draft: (a) Part 1, two copies (one with handwritten notes), January 1984 (File 252 to 253) - Box 36
(ix) Shooting script: (a) Part 1, scenes 1-107 with handwritten notes, February 1984 (File 257) - Box 36
(i) Typewritten copy of article 'The Phoney War of Robert Gordon Menzies', by David Day (?) accompanied by letter from him, 12 September 1983; (ii) Three letters from members of the public expressing interest in the project; (iii) Letter from John Buckley enclosing copy of his article on General Sturdee (File 259) - Box 36
(iv) Letter from Peter Ryan (MUP),(v) Clipping of review of Peter Charlton, The unnecessary war, in Sydney Morning Herald, 3 September 1983 (File 259) - Box 36
(vi) Octavo notebook relating to research; and brochures relating to: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum, New York; US Army Centre of Military History, Washington, DC; Public Record Office, London; and Parliament House, Canberra (File 260) - Box 36
[NOT HELD: (ix) Two typed pages related to financing.]
[NOT HELD: (x) Typed sheets of scene breakdowns, locations etc.]
[NOT HELD: (xi) Set of photocopies of press articles on film and television industry.]
(xiv) Additional set of May 1983 spiral bound Parts 1-3. Some used for cutting and pasting, some minor handwritten notes on a few pages (File 262 to 265) - Box 37
Series 33. Miscellaneous items, 1963-1986
Household papers, including mortgage papers, house plans, bills, c. 1963-1984 (File 295 to 297) - Box 42
Miscellaneous papers, 1973-1984 (File 299) - Box 42
Includes medical papers, notes and correspondence.
Series 34. Theatre programs, c. 1972-1986
Series 36. Rough draft notebooks of plays not completed or produced, and financial papers, c. 1969-1984
Manila folder containing eight examination booklets, manuscript of untitled play identified as being written before The coming of stork, c. 1969 (File 343) - Box 48
Hang Ten brand A4 lecture pad with motor bike on cover. Rough draft of 'Barnaby Scott'. Abandoned (File 344) - Box 48
Hang Ten lecture pad with surfboard illustration. Contains 'Tin Legs' treatment for a filmscript. Also has a three page typed synopsis loosely inserted (File 345) - Box 48
Stripe lecture pad with 'Play Outline' on p.2. According to Williamson this is c. 1981 and has no direct relationship to The perfectionist, c. 1981 (File 346) - Box 48
Stripe lecture pad with play involving Tony and Marion, precursor of The perfectionist according to Williamson, completed 1 March 1981 (File 347) - Box 48
Ancol exercise book, green, with heading 'Play' on p.1. Another light green Ancol exercise book, on p.1, heading 'Play outline', c. 1982-1983 (File 348) - Box 48
Ancol Botany book, orange, headed on p.1 "Very rough draft 'The basic nature of man' ", dated towards end of December 1983. (File 349) - Box 48
Red Newscol exercise book with p.1 heading 'Possible play', dated after, and relating to, Banff Conference according to Williamson, therefore c. 1984. Dialogue with draft of speech or article at back, c. 1984 (File 350) - Box 48
Stripe lecture pad, green, 'Four minute mile' notes and outlines for possible mini series on John Landy (1984). Red octavo notebook listing plays seen in London in 1980. Kept by Kristin Williamson (File 351) - Box 48
Class 3. Consignment received 1990, 1979 - 1990
Series. General correspondence, draft speeches and theatre programs, 1979, 1983-1990
Letters and cards received by Williamson arranged into chronological order. Correspondents include Ray Barrett, Peter Collins, Hector Crawford, Don Dunstan, Israel Horovitz, Tom and Judy Keneally, Judy Lovell, Pat Lovell, Bruce Spence, Ross Terrill, Jackie Weaver, Peter Weir, Tina Williamson and Lord Willis. There are also copies of a small number of letters written by Williamson.
Correspondence from various publishers, production, theatre and movie companies, publicists and others, 1983-1990 (File 370) - Box 53
Anthony A. Williams Management Pty Ltd. Correspondence with or about Williamson, 1986-1990 (File 371) - Box 53
Australian Writers Guild Ltd. Presidents reports, minutes and press releases, 1985-1989 (File 372) - Box 53
Draft speeches, notes, lectures and draft correction reports; transcript of interview between Williamson and Franz Stampfl; and a copy of 'Jak of the bloody hand', 1988-1989 (File 377) - Box 54
Class 4. Consignment received 1995, 1985 - 1995
Series. General correspondence, notebooks and theatre programs, c. 1985-1995
These folders contain letters, post cards, fan mail, family correspondence and photographs. Also included are rough drafts of four plays in David Williamson's handwriting, 1990-1995.
Class 5. Consignment received 2003, 1995 - 2002
Series. General Correspondence, 1995-2002
Letters, post cards, faxes and emails received by Williamson. Correspondents include friends and colleagues, fans, family, agents, theatres and film companies. Correspondents' names are highlighted in the folder descriptions below, the most substantial amounts coming from Derek Freeman, Robyn Nevin, Peter Carey and Alison Summers. David Williamson's own handwritten and typed correspondence is present largely in the form of faxes and emails.
The correspondence received in the 2003 consignment was loosely piled inside several boxes by Williamson. In an attempt to retain possible relationships between adjacent papers, the correspondence has been placed into archival folders in the order in which it was removed from the boxes. In some cases this has resulted in a disruption to the chronological order of the correspondence.
Correspondence with Derek Freeman, c. 1995-1996 (File 401 to 402) - Box 61
Includes papers sent to Williamson by Freeman and used by Williamson in the development of his play, Heretic, including notes documenting Freeman's meeting with Margaret Mead in 1964.
Correspondence, 1995-1997 (File 404) - Box 61
Correspondents include Derek Freeman, Robyn Nevin, Keith Windschuttle and Ken Tribe. Subjects include plays, Heretic, After the ball and Dead white males, and screenplay 'Mata Hari'.
Correspondence, 1995-1997, 1999 (File 405) - Box 61
Correspondents include Paul and Annita Keating, Peter Carey and Alison Summers. Subjects include Heretic, 'Mata Hari' and Brilliant lies.
Correspondence, 1995-1997 (File 406) - Box 61
Correspondents include John McCallum, Robyn Nevin, Carl Vine, Richard Franklin, Harry M. Miller and Kathy Lette. Subjects include Heretic, Dead white males, After the ball, Brilliant lies and Third world blues.
Correspondence, 1995-1996 (File 407) - Box 61
Correspondents include Derek Freeman. Topics include Dead white males, 'Mata Hari', Sirens, 'Warriors of the rainbow' and Heretic.
Correspondence, 1995-1997 (File 408) - Box 62
Correspondents include Derek Freeman and Richard Franklin. Topics include Brilliant lies and 'Warriors of the rainbow'.
Correspondence, 1995-1996 (File 409) - Box 62
Correspondents include Derek Freeman, Martin Wesley-Smith, Peter Corris and Aubrey Mellor. Topics include Dead white males, Heretic and 'Warriors of the rainbow'.
Correspondence, 1996-1997 (File 410 to 413) - Box 62
Correspondents include Derek Freeman, Robert Dessaix, John Bell, Robyn Nevin, Max Cullen, Alan Hall, Richard Franklin, Angela Browne, Henri Szeps, Barrie Unsworth, Dr Suzanne Kiernan, Dr Lynette Finch, Jack Hibberd, Alison Summers, Peter Carey, Kathy Lette and Nick Enright. Topics include Heretic, After the ball, Sanctuary, the 1998 Australia Day address, Mabo and Aboriginal land rights, and Don's Party.
Correspondence, 1997-2000 (File 414) - Box 62
Correspondents include Richard Franklin, Robyn Nevin, David Bradbury and Derek Freeman. Topics include Corporate vibes, Heretic and Sanctuary.
Correspondence, 1998 (File 415) - Box 63
Correspondents include David Bradbury and Derek Freeman. Topics include Third world blues, After the ball and Sanctuary.
Correspondence, 1996-2000 (File 416) - Box 63
Correspondents include Derek Freeman. Topics include Money and friends and Heretic.
Correspondence, 1997-1999 (File 417) - Box 63
Correspondents include Tim Reid, Brian Kiernan, Peter Carey, Paul Griffiths and Keith Windschuttle. Topics include 'Pick ups', the film of Carey's book, Oscar and Lucinda, and 'Dogs Head Bay'.
Correspondence, 1996-1998 (File 418) - Box 63
Correspondents include McKenzie Wark and Robyn Nevin. Topics include 'Dogs Head Bay' and Dead white males.
Correspondence, 1998 (File 419) - Box 63
Correspondents include Robyn Nevin, Wayne Harrison and Derek Freeman. Topics include Sanctuary(book of reviews).
Correspondence, 1999 (File 421) - Box 64
Correspondents include Michael Pearce, Robyn Nevin, Peter Carey, Bruce Beresford and Michael Rymer. Topics include Travelling north, Carey's book Ned Kelly, The great man and Face to face.
Correspondence, 1998-1999 (File 422 to 423) - Box 64
Correspondents include Leo Schofield, Michael Rymer, Alison Summers, Peter Carey, Paul Griffiths, Derek Freeman and Geoff Portman. Topics include Corporate vibes, Face to face, The great man and 'Dogs Head Bay'.
Correspondence, 1998-2000 (File 424) - Box 64
Correspondents include Bill Kerby, Hal McElroy, Peter Carey and Derek Freeman. Topics include A conversation, On the beach and 'Dogs Head Bay'.
Correspondence, 1999 (File 425 to 426) - Box 64
Correspondents include Derek Freeman, David Bradbury, Vincent Serventy, Alison Summers and Michael Pearce. Topics include 'Dogs Head Bay' and Travelling north.
Correspondence, 1999-2000 (File 427) - Box 64
Correspondents include Robyn Nevin, Peter Carey and James Waites. Topics include The great man and Carey's Ned Kelly.
Correspondence, 1997-2000 (largely 2000) (File 428) - Box 64
Correspondents include Vincent Serventy, Robyn Nevin, Michael Peretzian, Bryan Brown, Michael Blakemore and Peter Carey. Topics include A conversation, Up for grabs and On the beach.
Correspondence, 1998, 2000-2001 (File 429) - Box 64
Correspondents include John Bell, Peter Carey, Alison Summer and Arthur Cohn. Topics include After the ball, A conversation and 'The ruined map'.
Correspondence, 2000 (File 430 to 431) - Box 65
Correspondents include Derek Freeman, Peter Carey, Alison Summers, Bryan Brown, Michael Peretzian and Debbie Bisno. Topics include Up for grabs, The great man, A conversation, Face to face and 'Henry and Susannah'.
Correspondence, c. 2000 (File 432) - Box 65
Correspondents include Peter Carey, Alison Summers and Jeffrey Smart.
Correspondence, 2000-2001 (File 433) - Box 65
Correspondents include Bryan Brown. Topics include 'Henry and Susannah', A conversation, The great man, 'Trail of whales', Third world blues and Up for grabs.
Correspondence, 2001 (File 434 to 435) - Box 65
Correspondents include Debbie Bisno, Bryan Brown, Alison Summers, Kathy Lette and Oz Scott. Topics include the death of Derek Freeman, Up for grabs, Soulmates, 'Zero point seven', Face to face, The great man, 'Henry and Susannah' and A conversation.
Correspondence, 1999, 2001 (File 436) - Box 65
Correspondents include Mark Rosenblatt, Arthur Cohn, Peter Carey and Oz Scott. Topics include Soulmates, Up for grabs, 'Trail of the whale', Charitable intent, A conversation and 'Ruined map'.
Correspondence, 2000-2002 (largely 2002) (File 437) - Box 65
Correspondents include Kathy Lette, Peter Carey, Neil Russell and Laurence Boswell. Topics largely relate to Madonna's starring role in Up for grabs and various adjustments to the script, but also include Soulmatesand 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
Correspondence, 2002 (File 438 to 439) - Box 66
Correspondents include Laurence Boswell, Mark Rosenblatt, Kathy Lette, Neil Russell, Peter Carey, Nicholas Hammond, Bryan Brown and James Waites. Topics largely relate to Up for grabs, but also include A conversation, 'Lawrence of Arabia', 'Trail of whales', On the beach, 'Henry and Susannah', Dead white males and The great man.
Series. Corporate vibes, 1998-1999
Series. The great man, 1999-2000
Series. A conversation, 2000-2002
Post New York and Baltimore draft (versions 1 and 2), October 2000 (File 462) - Box 69
Includes an email from Beth Blickers providing feedback (November 2000).
Series. Up for grabs, 2000-2002
Seventh draft, December 2000 (File 467) - Box 70
Includes a list of actors with Williamson's comments.
Ninth draft, spiral bound, February 2001 (File 469) - Box 70
Includes a fax from Sydney Theatre Company containing suggested changes.
Series. Charitable intent, 2001
Series. Soulmates, 2001-2002
Series. Birthrights, 2002-2003
Notebooks containing handwritten notes on theme, storyline, characters and timeline, c. 2002 (File 486) - Box 72
Draft, 16 September 2002 (File 493) - Box 73
Includes copies of emails between Williamson and Catherine Anderson discussing characters.
Class 6. Consignment received 2015, 1993 - 2015
This consignment comprises both personal and professional correspondence dating from 1993 to 2015.
Class 7. Consignment received 2020, 1994 - 2020
This consignment comprises printed work and personal correspondence, drafts of speeches, drafts of 10 of Williamson's plays (limited an early draft and a final performed draft of each), and a first draft of his memoir.
First draft of David Williamson's memoir, 2020 (File 532) - Box 87
First draft completed 28 May 2020, with handwritten annotations by Williamson's wife, Kristen.
Draft two of Rupert by David Williamson, 2013 (File 543) - Box 90
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Draft 45 of Rupert by David Williamson, 2013 (File 544) - Box 90
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Early draft of Nothing Personal by David Williamson, 2009 (File 545) - Box 91
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft of When Dad Married Fury by David Williamson, 2010 (File 547) - Box 91
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft of "Isaac" by David Williamson, 2015 (File 549a) - Box 91
This is the first draft of what became David Williamson's play "Nearer the Gods".
Performance draft of Nearer The Gods by David Williamson, 2018 (File 549b) - Box 91
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft of Managing Carmen by David Williamson, 2010 (File 550a) - Box 92
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Performance draft of Managing Carmen by David Williamson, 2012 (File 550b) - Box 92
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Performance draft of Odd Man Out by David Williamson, 2017 (File 551b) - Box 92
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft of Jack of Hearts - Part One: Dumped by David Williamson, 2014 (File 552a) - Box 92
Dumped and Moving on were initially two separate plays, with one being a continuation of the other, set six months later. David Williamson eventually collapsed these into one play titled "Jack of Hearts".
Performance draft of Jack of Hearts by David Williamson, 2016 (File 552c) - Box 92
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Third draft of Cruise Control by David Williamson, 2013 (File 553a) - Box 92
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Movie treatment of Mata Hari by David Williamson, 1994 (File 554) - Box 93
This movie was never made but was to be directed by Robert Altman.
Draft screenplay for Warriors of the Rainbow by John Briley and David Williamson, 1992 (File 555) - Box 93
This movie was never made but was to be directed by Renny Harlen. This draft is entirely David Williamson's work.
Script for Emerald City 11, 2010 (File 556) - Box 93
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Fifth draft of Plunder by David Williamson, 2013 (File 557) - Box 93
With handwritten annotations on the title page. This play was never performed.
Draft 18 of The Tyrannicide Brief by David Williamson, 2012 (File 558) - Box 93
Adapted from the book by Geoffrey Robertson. Handwritten annotations on the cover.
May 2019 version of Celluloid Heroes, 2019 (File 559) - Box 93
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft and performance draft of Family Values by David Williamson, 2018 (File 560) - Box 94
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft and performance draft of Crunch Time by David Williamson, 2018 - 2020 (File 561) - Box 94
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft of The Big Time by David Williamson, 2017 - 2018 (File 562) - Box 94
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft of The Trouble With Granddad by David Williamson, 2017 (File 563a) - Box 94
This play became Sorting Out Rachel.
Performance draft of Sorting Out Rachel by David Williamson, 2017 (File 563b) - Box 94
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First and final drafts of Lotte's Gift by David Williamson, 2005 (File 564) - Box 94
Based on the memoirs and recollections of Lotte Reinke and the recollections of Isolde and Karin Schaupp and Trudy von Stein. The first draft was titled "Strings Under My Fingers".
First and final drafts of At Any Cost? by David Williamson and Mohamed Khadra, 2010 - 2011 (File 565) - Box 94
With handwritten annotations on the title page of the first draft.
First, sixth and final drafts of Credentials by David Williamson, 2014 - 2016 (File 566) - Box 94
With handwritten annotations on the cover of the first draft.
Opening night draft of Birthrights by David Williamson, 2003 (File 567) - Box 94
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Opening night draft of Don Parties On by David Williamson, 2011 (File 568) - Box 95
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First draft of the screen play for Balibo by David Williamson, 2004 (File 569a) - Box 95
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Final draft of the screen play for Balibo by David Williamson, n.d. (File 569b) - Box 95
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First and final drafts of Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica by David Williamson, 2009 - 2012 (File 570) - Box 95
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Drafts four and thirteen of Dream Home by David Williamson, 2014 - 2015 (File 571) - Box 95
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
First and performance drafts of Happiness by David Williamson, 2012 - 2013 (File 572) - Box 96
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Don's Party - Sydney Theatre Company, 2007 (File 573) - Box 96
Spiral-bound volume of press clippings relating to the 2007 Sydney Theatre Company production of Don't Party
Theatre programs for productions of David Williamson's plays, 1990s (File 574) - Box 96
Includes After the Ball, The Great Man, the Club and Corporate Vibes.
Theatre programs for productions of David Williamson's plays, 2001 - 2010 (File 575a) - Box 96
Also includes theatre company annual season brochures that mention upcoming plays by David Williamson.
Theatre programs for productions of David Williamson's plays, 2001 - 2010 (File 575b) - Box 97
Also includes theatre company annual season brochures that mention upcoming plays by David Williamson.
Theatre programs for productions of David Williamson's plays, 2001 - 2010 (File 575c) - Box 97
Also includes theatre company annual season brochures that mention upcoming plays by David Williamson.
Theatre programs for productions of David Williamson's plays, 2011 - 2020 (File 576a) - Box 97
Also includes theatre company annual season brochures that mention upcoming plays by David Williamson.
Theatre programs for productions of David Williamson's plays, 2011 - 2020 (File 576b) - Box 98
Also includes theatre company annual season brochures that mention upcoming plays by David Williamson.
Theatre programs for productions of David Williamson's plays, 2011 - 2020 (File 576c) - Box 98
Also includes theatre company annual season brochures that mention upcoming plays by David Williamson.
Nothing Personal, December 2011 - January 2012 (Item NLA.DMA000746) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 13
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Photos by Natalie Boog.
The Big Time, 2018 (Item NLA.DMA000747) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 13
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Articles, rehearsal and production photos, media release.
Dream Home, 2014 (Item NLA.DMA000748) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 13
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Images and articles. Photos by Clare Hawley.
The Big Time, 2018 (Item NLA.DMA000749) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 13
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Articles, rehearsal and production photos, media release.
Managing Carmen, 2010 (Item NLA.DMA000750) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 13
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Articles, reviews, production photos by Natalie Boog.
Jack of Hearts, 2014 (Item NLA.DMA000752) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 13
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Articles, photos and press release. Photographs by Clare Hawley.
Odd Man Out, 2015 (Item NLA.DMA000753) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 13
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Articles.
Odd Man Out, 2015 (Item NLA.DMA000754) - Digital-Carriers-Box DMA 14
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)Images, media release and program.
Corrected first draft of the screenplay for Balibo by David Williamson, 2004 (File 579) - Box 99
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Draft eighteen of the screenplay for Balibo by David Williamson, 2009 (File 580) - Box 99
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Draft three of Isaac by David Williamson, 2015 (File 581) - Box 100
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Draft three of Zebras by David Williamson, 2009 (File 582) - Box 100
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Draft seven of Henry and Susannah by David Williamson, 2001 (File 583) - Box 100
With handwritten annotations on the title page.
Draft screenplay for Playing God by David Williamson, 1991 (File 584) - Box 100
With handwritten annotations on the title page. This film was never made.
Draft screenplay for Brandvik by David Williamson, 1991 (File 585) - Box 100
With handwritten annotations on the title page. This film was never made.
Class 8. Consignment received 2021, 1967
Script of The Indecent Exposure of Anthony East, 1967 (File 588) - Box 101
Possibly the only known copy of the script of David Williamson very first full length play ever staged, originally the property of a cast member (Miss Keeble- character name) and later passed on to Williamson. The play THE INDECENT EXPOSURE OF ANTHONY EAST was performed by the Tin Alley Players, the Melbourne University graduate drama society in 1967 when Williamson was 25 and it predates Williamson's first La Mama short plays by three years.
Class 9. Consignment received 2022, 1988 - 2019
This consignment comprises correspondence (including letters, texts, faxes and emails) that date back to the start of David Williamson's career.
Film option and publishing contracts, 2003 - 2019 (File 589) - Box 101
Contains film optioning contracts for several of David Williamson's plays, as well as publishing contracts with Currency Press for scripts of Williamson's plays. This file also contains a small amount of documentation relating to David Williamson's screenplay for the film, Balibo.
Siren - telemovie, 1996 - 1997 (File 590) - Box 101
Contracts and correspondence relating to a telemovie adaptation of Siren by David Williamson.
Stork 2, 2001 - 2002 (File 591) - Box 101
Correspondence and contracts relating to a sequel to the film Stork, written by David Williamson.
Film contracts, 1980 - 2017 (File 592) - Box 101
Contracts relating to various screenplays David Williamson wrote, including Odd Man Out and On The Beach, as well as stageplay contracts and film options for Williamson's play, Emerald City.
Performance and film contracts, 1988 - 2000 (File 593) - Box 101
Contracts relating to productions of Williamson's plays, Face to Face, Year of Living Dangerously and Mrs Fraser. Also includes a contract for a screenplay adaptation of Year of Living Dangerously, Toy Man and Phar Lap, and a film option agreement for Brilliant Lies.
Screenwrting and performance contracts, 2004 - 2012 (File 594) - Box 102
Writer agreements for the screenplay of Pure Gold: the Eric Liddell Story and Face to Face, and a performance licence for the play Happiness.
Face to Face, 1999 - 2013 (File 595) - Box 102
Licence agreements, option agreements and other documentation relating to the play Face to Face.
Don Parties On - agreements, 2010 (File 599) - Box 102
Licence agreements and publication contract with Currency Press.
Licence and optioning agreements, 1994 - 2015 (File 600) - Box 102
Licence agreements for Don's Party and Dream Home and film option agreements for Dead White Males and Brilliant Lies.
Licence agreements, 1998 - 2014 (File 601) - Box 102
Licence agreements for several of David Williamson's plays. Also includes a 1998 revised draft script of the play Face to Face.
Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica and When Dad Married Fury, 2012 - 2014 (File 602) - Box 102
Licence agreements for the plays Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica nad When Dad Married Fury.
The Removalists, 1990 - 2010 (File 605) - Box 103
Royalty statements and other documentation relating to productions of Williamson's play The Removalists.
Operator, 2004 - 2007 (File 606) - Box 103
Royalty statements and other documentation relating to productions of Williamson's play Operator.
Third World Blues, 1997 - 2005 (File 607) - Box 103
Press clippings and correspondence relating to Williamson's play Third World Blues.
Money and Friends - film adaptation, 1994 - 1998 (File 608) - Box 103
Correspondence related to a film adaptation of Williamson's play Money and Friends.
Money and Friends - Australia and New Zealand, 1993 - 2001 (File 609) - Box 103
Correspondence relating to productions of Williamson's play Money and Friends.
Travelling North, 2003 - 2007 (File 610) - Box 103
Correspondence relating to productions of Williamson's play Travelling North.
Dead White Males - film adaptation, 1995 - 1996 (File 611) - Box 103
Correspondence related to a film adaptation of Williamson's play Dead White Males.
Dead White Males - UK premiere, 1995 - 1998 (File 612) - Box 104
Correspondence related to the first UK production of Williamson's play Dead White Males.
Dead White Males - Australian productions and script publication, 1995 - 2009 (File 613) - Box 104
Correspondence related to Australian productions of Williamson's play Dead White Males, and the publication of script, including by publisher Currency Press. Also includes correspondence relating to an excerpt from Dead White Males being included on a CD-ROM as part of NIDA's Australia on CD Project, and five photographs from the Sydney Theatre Company production.
Sons of Cain - program, 1985 (File 614) - Box 104
Theatre program for David Williamson's play Sons of Cain. Also includes two black and white headshots and a colour headshot of David Williamson.
Henry and Susannah, 1998 - 2000 (File 615) - Box 104
Correspondence relating to the David Williamson's screenplay, Henry and Susannah. Also includes correspondence relating to Botany Bay and Children of the First Fleet.
Up For Grabs - correspondence, 2000 - 2002 (File 616) - Box 104
Correspondence relating to productions of David Williamson's play, Up For Grabs in Australia, the USA and the UK.
The Tyrannicide Brief - correspondence, 2005 - 2006 (File 617) - Box 104
Correspondence relating to David Williamson's play The Tyrannicide Brief, based on the book by Geoffrey Robinson QC.
Lawrence of Arabia - mini-series, 2000 - 2002 (File 618) - Box 104
Correspondence and contracts relating to a mini-series of Lawrence of Arabia, which David Williamson was to write.
Sanctuary, 1995 - 2008 (File 619) - Box 105
Correspondence, contracts and other documentation relating to David Williamson's play, Sanctuary.
Lottie's Gift, 2006 - 2007 (File 620) - Box 105
Licence agreements for David Williamson's play Lottie's Gift, also known as Strings Under My Fingers. File also includes a one-page biography of Karin Shaupp.
Scarlett O'Hara at the Crimson Parrot, 2007 - 2008 (File 621) - Box 105
Licence agreements and correspondence relating to David Williamson's play Scarlett O'Hara at the Crimson Parrot.
Jack and of Hearts and Odd Man Out - contracts, 2015 - 2016 (File 622) - Box 105
Contracts relating to David Williamson's plays, Jack and of Hearts and Odd Man Out.
Let The Sunshine, 2009 - 2011 (File 623) - Box 105
Licence agreements relating to David Williamson's play Let The Sunshine.
Follow Your Dreams Pty Ltd - liquidation, 2012 (File 624) - Box 105
Documentation related to the liquidation of the company "Follow Your Dreams".
Money and Friends - licencing, 1990 - 1995 (File 625) - Box 105
Correspondence with various Australian theatre companies setting out conditions for productions of David Williamson's play, Money and Friends.
Managing Carmen, 2011 - 2014 (File 626) - Box 105
Licence agreemnts and publication contracts for David Williamson's play Managing Carmen.
Strings Under My Fingers, 2006 - 2007 (File 627) - Box 105
Licence agreements and correspondence regarding a 2007 production of David Williamson's play Strings Under My Fingers , later known as Lottie's Gift.
A Conversation, 2001 - 2004 (File 628a) - Box 105
Correspondence, royalty information and other documentation relating to David Williamson's play, A Conversation.
A Conversation, 2000 - 2001 (File 628b) - Box 106
Correspondence, royalty information and other documentation relating to David Williamson's play, A Conversation.
The Club, 2002 - 2007 (File 629) - Box 106
Correspondence, royalty information and other documentation relating to productions of David Williamson's play, The Club.
Cruise Control - program, 2014 (Item 630) - Box 106
Program for Ensemble Theatre's production of David Williamson's play Cruise Control.
Don's Party, 2006 - 2007 (File 631) - Box 106
Correspondence, royalty information and other documentation relating to the Sydney Theatre Company's 2007 production of David Williamson's play, Don's Party.
Rupert, 2013 - 2014 (File 632) - Box 106
Legal advice from Harbottle & Lewis LLP relating to David Williamson's play, Rupert, inspired by the life of Rupert Murdoch. Also includes a theatre program for the 2014 production.
Influence, 2004 - 2005 (File 633) - Box 106
Correspondence and royalty information relating to the Melbourne Theatre Company's 2005 production of David Williamson's play, Influence.
The Great Man, 2000 - 2007 (File 634) - Box 106
Correspondence and publicity material relating to David Williamson's play, The Great Man.
Face to Face - film, 1999 - 2002 (File 635) - Box 106
Correspondence relating to a film adaptation of David Williamson's play Face to Face.
Amigos, 2001 - 2005 (File 636) - Box 106
Correspondence, royalty information and other documentation relating to productions of David Williamson's play, Amigos. The file also contains a small number of documents relating to the play "Charitable Intent".
Charitable Intent, 2001 - 2006 (File 637) - Box 107
Correspondence, licencing applications and royalty statements for productions of David Williamson's play, Charitable Intent.
Face to Face, 1998 - 2002 (File 638a) - Box 107
Correspondence, licencing applications and royalty statements relating to productions of David Williamson's play, Face to Face.
Face to Face, 1998 - 2000 (File 638b) - Box 107
Correspondence relating productions to David Williamson's play, Face to Face.
Films, 1999 - 2008 (File 639) - Box 107
Includes correspondence relating to a film based on the events of the Battle of Long Tan, with which David Williamson was to be involved, and a writer's agreement for a screenplay entitled "Zebra".
Emerald City - radio adaptation, 1988 - 1990 (File 640) - Box 107
Correspondence relating to BBC and ABC broadcasts of a radio adaptation of David Williamson's play, Emerald City.
Emerald City, 1994 - 2014 (File 641) - Box 107
Correspondence relating licencing of David Williamson's play, Emerald City.
Class 10. Consignment received 2023, 2017 - 2023
This consignment contains correspondence (including letters, texts, faxes and emails) that date to the start of David Williamson's career. David Williamson has annotated the back of each folder in this consignment with information relating to its contents.
The Great Divide - research materials, 2022 (File 644) - Box 109
Copies of articles and other research materials relating to David Williamson's 2024 play The Great Divide.
The Great Divide - fifth draft and further research materials, 2022 (File 649) - Box 109
The title page of the script contains David Williamson's annotations, as do some of the printed articles in this file.
The Great Divide - version two, 2023 (File 650) - Box 110
The first draft of a substantial rewrite of David Williamson's play The Great Divide.
The Great Divide - version two, 2023 (File 651) - Box 110
A significant revision of version two of The Great Divide, drafted after a Queensland Thetare Company reading in May 2023.
The Great Divide - version three, 2023 (File 652) - Box 110
The third version of The Great Divide and second rewrite after the May 2023 reading.
The Great Divide - polished script, 2023 (File 653) - Box 110
Version of the script for The Great Dividepolished prior to a reading with the cast in September 2023.
Aria - second draft, 2023 (File 656) - Box 111
A corrected first draft of Ariawith alterations and rewrites.
Correspondence, 2021 - 2023 (File 661) - Box 112
Primarily copies of email and text message correspondence between Williamson family members, as well as theatre industry professionals.
Correspondence - pending projects, 2022 - 2023 (File 662) - Box 112
Correspondence with theatre industry professionals regarding David Williamson's pending projects.
Correspondence with Anthony Blair, 2020 - 2023 (File 663) - Box 112
Anthony Blair of Cameron's Management acts as David Williamson's agent. Topics of correspondence include upcoming productions and publications of Williamson's plays.
Correspondence - Nearer the Gods film adaptation, 2022 - 2023 (File 664) - Box 112
Copies of email correspondence primarily relating to a potential film adaptation of David Williamson's play Nearer the Gods