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NLA News - homeMay 2004 Volume XIV Number 8
Theatrical Friends
A colour slide of [Geraldine Turner in performance c. 1980s] by Don McMurdo
Don McMurdo (1930–2001)
[Geraldine Turner in performance c.1980s]
col. slide; 35 mm
Pictures Collection nla.pic-an24861378
A black and white photograph of a Publicity still for the J.C. Williamson production Deep Blue Sea starring Googie Withers and John McCallum [c. 1955]  by Allan Studios
Allan Studios
Publicity still for the J.C. Williamson
production Deep Blue Sea starring Googie
Withers and John McCallum [c. 1955]
b&w photograph; 22.7 x 19.2 cm
J.C. Williamson Collection
Pictures Collection nla.pic-vn3067840
A black and white photograph of [Todd McKenney being interviewed for the National Library’s Oral History Collection] 2000 by Greg Pook

Greg Pook (b. 1974)
[Todd McKenney being interviewed
for the National Library’s Oral
History Collection] 2000
b&w neg; 3.5 x 2.5 cm
Pictures Collection nla.pic-an22278521

 

Named by the Canberra Times in 2001 as one of 75 people who have shaped the National Capital, Bill Stephens is one of the region’s best-known theatrical personalities. Until December 2000, Bill was the proprietor of the School of Arts Café in Queanbeyan.

For 15 years, the School of Arts Café presented the cream of Australia’s cabaret performers, and became Australia’s best-known cabaret venue, a veritable Mecca for showbiz connoisseurs from all over Australia and indeed overseas. The café was the winner of many tourism and industry awards, and the ABC and Artsound FM regularly broadcast programs recorded there. Between 1994 and 2000 Bill produced an important cabaret CD series, Legends of Australian Showbiz at The School of Arts Café, which was nominated for an ARIA Award in 1995. The series features performances by various luminaries of Australian cabaret, all recorded live in performance at the café.

Since 1985 Bill has been an interviewer for the National Library of Australia’s Oral History Project. Specialising in the performing arts, Bill has recorded interviews with many of Australia’s leading singers, actors, dancers, designers, directors and entrepreneurs, including Geraldine Turner, Todd McKenney, Noel Ferrier and Googie Withers. Their recollections and reminiscences provide a rich source of material for writers, researchers and others interested in Australia’ theatrical heritage. Bill will share some of his experiences in gathering these interviews at his lunchtime talk on Tuesday 25 May at 12.30 pm.

JAMES HALLIGAN
Executive Officer

CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
April 2004

Cabaret connoisseur Bill Stephens shares his experiences in gathering interviews with many of Australia’s leading singers, actors, dancers, designers, directors and entrepreneurs.
Date: Tuesday 25 May
Time: 12.30 pm
Venue: Friends Lounge
Admission: By donation
For bookings, details of membership and subscriptions, contact:
Friends of the NLA
National Library of Australia
Parkes Place, CANBERRA  ACT  2600
Tel: (02) 6262 1698
Fax: (02) 6273 4493
Email: friends@nla.gov.au
Website: www.nla.gov.au/friends
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