Guide to the Papers of Ron Blair [MSS 128]

Manuscript Name	Papers of Ron Blair
Manuscript Number	MSS 128
Last Updated	May 2021
Extent	2 boxes + 2 oversize + 4 AV boxes
Location	Special Collections, UNSW Canberra
Abstract	Drafts, theatre programmes, reviews, a scrapbook, posters, and audiovisual material relating to playwright Ron Blair

Collection Subject Type

Literary

Scope and Content

The papers of Ron Blair contain an extensive sequence of audiovisual material, including audio recordings of plays and interviews, and two captioned photograph albums (1972-1984) containing images of performances, cast members, and sets of Blair’s productions. Other material relates to plays such as Flash Jim Vaux (1971), Kabul (1973), Christian Brothers (1975), Perfect Strangers (1976), and Last day in Wooloomooloo (1979), and includes scripts, a musical arrangement, a scrapbook, programmes, cuttings, and reviews

Date Range of Content

1961-1985

Biographical Note

Playwright, director and actor Ron Blair was born in Sydney in 1942 and educated at Christian Brother’s College, Lewisham. After graduating Sydney University with a Bachelor of Arts, Blair worked for several years as an advertising copywriter before joining the ABC in 1967 as a play reader. Having become involved with theatre whilst at university, Blair was a key player in the early development of the Nimrod Theatre which staged a number of his early works. In 1975 he wrote The Christian Brothers, which toured Australia and New Zealand and played at London’s Riverside Studios.

Blair’s other career highlights include being awarded a one year fellowship by the Australian Council of the Arts in 1974, being appointed Assistant Artistic Director of the South Australian Theatre Company in 1977, and editing the Currency Press publication Popular Short Plays for the Australian Stage in 1985. He was an Executive Producer of ABC Radio Drama, and for seven years he was Head of the Scriptwriting Department at the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

References:
Austlit : Ron Blair https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A31100 retrieved 11 August 2020

HLA Management Australia : Ron Blair https://www.hlamgt.com.au/client/ron-blair/ retrieved 11 August 2020

Administrative Information

Access and Copying Conditions

Access: Check with Curator

This collection contains a variety of copyright material. Copyright is held by the creator of each item. Specific conditions for this collection are listed below. If no conditions are stipulated then the standard terms of the Copyright Act apply for published and unpublished items. Digitised material from manuscript collections is provided to clients by UNSW Canberra in good faith for private study and research only, and may not be published or re-purposed without the express and written permission of the individual legal holder of that copyright. Refer also to the UNSW copyright, disclaimer and takedown policy.

Copying: Check with Curator

Preferred Citation

Papers of Ron Blair, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, MSS 082, Box [Number], Folder [Number].

Provenance

Check with Curator

Related Material

The State Library of NSW holds a collection of letters received from Ron Blair from 1961-1977 at MLMSS 3537

Subject Keywords

Subjects

Ron Blair, 1942- — Archives

Australian drama — 20^th century

Authors, Australian — 20^th century

Personal Names

Ron Blair, 1942-

Corporate Names

Nimrod Theatre

Occupations

Dramatists

Authors

Container List

Box 1

Folder 1

Programmes and reviews

Folder 2

Script ‘Kabul’

Folders 3-4

Programmes

Folder 5

Blair cuttings, programmes and photograph listing

Folder 6

Scripts ‘Objects in a Mirror’, ‘Political Bordello’; reviews of ‘Christian Brothers’

Listing of photographs housed in Album 1

‘Bull Thrip’

Box 2

Folder 7

‘Le Reverend Frere Des Ecoles Chretiennes’ and ‘Getting Real’

Folder 8

‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ and ‘Perfect Stranger’

Folder 9

Programmes and listing of photographs housed in Album 2

Folder 10

Scrapbook

Folder 11

‘Flash Jim Vaux’ - Stage Manager’s script and arrangement (music) of songs, plus songbook, for the Melbourne Theatre Company Production 1971 (?)

Audiovisual material

Box 3

11 audiocassette tapes:

‘The Christian Brothers’;

‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’ Act 1;

‘Kabul’ Act 2;

‘Kabul’ Act 1;

‘Flash Jim Vaux’ Tape 2;

‘Flash Jim Vaux’ Nimrod 71’;

‘President Wilson in Paris’Act 2;

‘Marx’ No. 2;

‘Marx’ No. 1;

‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’ Act 2;

Reel to reel tapes:

‘President Wilson in Paris’ Act 2;

Tape 1 ‘Flash Jim Vaux’ –Nimrod;

Tape 2 ‘Flash Jim Vaux’ - Nimrod;

‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’ Act 2;

‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’ Act 1;

‘Kabul’ Act 2;

‘Kabul’ Act 1;

‘The Christian Brothers’ Nimrod Theatre 29 August 1975

(9 tapes)

Box 4

Audiocassette tape - Julie Anne Ford talks to Peter Kenna and Ron Blair about ‘Mates and Brothers’

Audiocassette tapes (3) - ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’

Audiocassette tapes (2) - ‘Flash Jack Vaux’

2 reel to reel tapes : ‘Perfect Strangers’; Julie Anne Ford talks to Peter Kenna and Ron Blair about ‘Mates and Brothers’
1 large reel to reel tape: ‘Marx’ 12 June 1978

Photo Album 1

Photographs :

John Bell as Byron, Adelaide Festival 1976, ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’

Boddy, Bell and Blair, Nimrod, 1970, ‘Biggles’ set

Old Nimrod Street Theatre, 1970: Ron Blair, Ken Horden, Richard Wherrett

Old Nimrod Street Theatre, 1970

Old Nimrod Street Theatre, 1970: Jacqui Garner, Ken Horden, Ron Blair, Lillian Horden, and Richard Wherrett

Old Nimrod Street Theatre, 1970

John Allen as Mitch and Benita Harvey as Blanche du Bois in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Sydney University Players, c.1964

Stefan Gryff and Benita Harvey in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Sydney University Players, c.1964

John Allen as Mitch in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Sydney University Players, Union Theatre, c.1964

Vivian (Vivienne) Lincoln and Stefan Gryff as Stella and Stanley in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Sydney University Players, c.1964

Benita Harvey as Blanche in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Sydney University Players, c.1964

Vivienne (Vivian) Lincoln (Stella) and Benita Harvey (Blanche) in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Sydney University Players, c.1964

Ted Hodgeman in ‘A Place in the Present’ South Australia Theatre Company at the Playhouse, Adelaide, June/July 1977

Craig Ashley, Rebel Russell, Kit Taylor and Ted Hodgeman in ‘A Place in the Present’ South Australian Theatre Company at the Playhouse, Adelaide, June 1977

Rebel Russell, Craig Ashley, Ted Hodgeman and Patricia Kennedy in ‘A Place in the Present’, South Australia Theatre Company at the Playhouse, Adelaide, June 1977

Directing ‘The Doll’ December 1979, State Theatre Co. of S.A., Adelaide

‘The Christian Brothers’: Melbourne Theatre Co. Class of 1984 - Peter Cummins (Actor), Judith Cobb (Designer), Trevely Gilmour (Stage Manager), Ron Blair (Writer/Director)

Blair directs Peter Cummins in ‘The Christian Brothers’, MTC 1984

Peter Cummins in ‘The Christian Brothers’, Melbourne Theatre Co, December 1984

Ron as Dr. Owl, John Bell as Marmaduke the Possum, Pantomime, Conservatorium, Christmas 1961. Story -Pixie O’Harris.

Brian Donovan, John Menzel, and Ron Blair (an owl) in ‘Marmaduke the Possum’ by Pixie O’Harris, Conservatorium, Sydney, 1961

‘Marmaduke the Possum’ by Pixie O’Harris, Conservatorium, 1961. L to R: Danne Emerson (Woman), Brian Tappley (Mrs Goanna), unknown, Richard Walshe (Gnome), unknown, Brian Donovan, John Menzel and unknown

Peter Cummins in ‘The Christian Brothers’, Dec. 1984, Melbourne Theatre Co.

John Bell, ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’, Adelaide Festival Arts Theatre, 1976

Studio 210, 1973: producing ‘Blue Hills’

Bob Hornery and Sheila Kenneally in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’, written by Ron Blair, Music - Terry Clarke, Charles Colman, Nimrod

‘Flash Jim Vaux’ - original production, Nimrod Street Theatre: John Wood, Bob Hornery, Jane Horden, John Gaden, Sheila Kenneally and Terence Clarke

John Noble in ‘The Christian Brothers’.

‘.... Freedom Breathed’

‘You Gloated!’

6 coloured photographs: ‘President Wilson’, Sterley Players

2 coloured photographs: ‘President Wilson in Paris’, Nexus Theatre, Camden, February 1985

Ron Blair, Playwright, ‘President Wilson in Paris’

John Krummel as President Wilson in the original production

Anna Volska as Edith Wilson in the original production

Max Cullen as Colonel Hase in the original production

Anna Volska as Edith Wilson, Nimrod Theatre 1973

Peter Carroll in ‘The Christian Brothers’, Nimrod Theatre, 1975

3 photos

Photo Album 2

Photographs:

Neil Fitzpatrick (Marx), ‘Marx’, June 1978, South Australia Theatre Company

Ronald Falk (Wietling), Neil Fitzpatrick (Marx), ‘Marx’, June 1978

Neil Fitzpatrick (Marx) and Ronald Falk (Uncle) in ‘Marx’, June 1978, Act 2

Robin Bowering as Bodfish, ‘Marx’, South Australia Theatre Company, June 1978

Peter Schwartz (Liebnecht), Michael Siberry (Schramm), Neil Fitzpatrick ‘Marx’, 1978

Daphne Grey as Frau Marx in ‘Marx’, June 1978

Set model for Act I of ‘Marx’ by Ron Blair, designed by Axel Bartz, directed by Colin George. Christine Mahoney as Lenchen, ‘Marx’, 1978, Adelaide, Act II

Ronald Falk (Uncle) and Robin Bowering (Bodfish) in ‘Marx’, June 1978, Act III

Daphne Grey in ‘Marx’, June 1978, Adelaide, Act III

‘Marx’ Act III set designed by Axel Bartz for the South Australia Theatre Company, Adelaide

‘Marx’ Act II, South Australia Theatre Company, June 1978: L to R: Neil Fitzpatrick, Daphne Grey, Christine Mahoney

Michael Sibbery, Neil Fitzpatrick, Peter Schwartz ‘Marx’, Adelaide, 1978

Christine Mahoney (Lienchen) in ‘Marx’, June 1978, Adelaide

Ronald Falk (Uncle) ‘Marx’, 1978, Adelaide

Ronald Falk as Weitling in ‘Marx’, South Australia Theatre Company, June 1978, Adelaide

Daphne Grey (Frau Marx), ‘Marx’, South Australia Theatre Company, June 1978, Adelaide

‘Kabul’ 1973 (Blair). Ray du Parc and Colin Croft, Old Tote Theatre, Anzac Parade, Kensington, June/July

‘Kabul’: A scene from ‘Kabul’ by Ron Blair in the Old Tote Theatre Company’s 10th Anniversary season, 1 June - 7 July (1973?)

‘Kabul’ June/July 1973 - Old Tote Company

Peter Cummins in ‘The Christian Brothers’, Melbourne Theatre Co, December 1984: “I’ve had you up to here. Now get outside.” (Ron Blair)

Le Reverend Frere des Ecoles Chretennes, Pont-Chateau Theatre, Montreal, Canada, 1980, Actor: Yvan Canuel

“Mrs Enfants, N’Oubliez Jamais la Sainte Vierge ...” (‘The Christian Brothers’)

Yvan Canuel in ‘The Christian Brothers’, Montreal, 1980

Yvan Canuel in ‘The Christian Brothers’ (as Le Reverend Frere), Montreal, 1980

Max Cullen - ‘President Wilson in Paris’, Nimrod Theatre, 1973

Max Cullen and John Krummel (with glasses) ‘President Wilson in Paris’, Nimrod Theatre, 1973

Max Cullen, Anna Volska and John Krummel ‘President Wilson in Paris’, 1977, Nimrod Theatre

Max Cullen in ‘President Wilson in Paris, Nimrod Theatre, 1973

Anna Volska ‘President Wilson in Paris’, Nimrod Theatre, 1973

‘President Wilson in Paris’ (coloured photo)

‘President Wilson in Paris’ set (coloured photo)

‘President Wilson in Paris’ (coloured photo)

‘President Wilson in Paris’ (coloured photo).

Ron Blair - leading Australian playwright. Photograph by Graham McCarter, 1972 (Proofs)

Ron Blair - leading Australian playwright. Photograph by Graham McCarter, 1972

6 coloured photographs of ‘Flash Jim Vaux’ by Ron Blair, Geelong Repertory Society, December 1984. Photographs by Dita Jevous (?)

John Gaden, Jane Harders in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’, Nimrod Street Theatre, 1972

Bob Hornery and Sheila Kenneally in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’, Nimrod Street Theatre, 1972

‘Flash Jim Vaux’ (group)

John Gayden (Gaden) and Sheila Kenneally in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’

John Gayden (Gaden) (and 2 others) in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’

Jane Harders and John Gaden (Gayden) in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’

John Gaden (Gayden) and Jane Harders in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’

Jane Harders (Francie) and John Gaden (Flash Jim) in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’ by Ron Blair, Directed by John Bell, Nimrod Theatre, 1971

Jane Harders and John Gaden ‘Flash Jim Vaux’, Nimrod Street Theatre, 1972

John Wood, John Gaden and Bob Hornery in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’

‘Flash Jim Vaux’ revival, Nimrod Theatre

Babs McMillan in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’ (revival), Nimrod Street Theatre

Jonathan Harvey and other in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’ revival

Jonathan Harvey and Babs McMillan in ‘Flash Jim Vaux’ (revival) Nimrod Street Theatre

Jonathan Harvey in ‘Flash Jim Vaux (revival), Nimrod Street Theatre

‘Oedipus the King’, Adelaide Festival 1978 (coloured photo)

Edwin Hodgeman in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photograph by David Wilson

Edwin Hodgeman and Robin Bowering in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair. Photograph by David Wilson

Edwin Hodgeman in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair. Photograph by David Wilson. State Theatre Company (SA) 1979

June Bronhill, Robert Grubb, Les Dayman and Edwin Hodgeman in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photograph by David Wilson

Les Dayman and Edwin Hodgeman in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photograph by David Wilson

Les Dayman and Robert Grubb in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photograph by David Wilson

June Bronhill and Edwin Hodgeman in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photography by David Wilson

Kevin Miles in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair. Photography by David Wilson

Kevin Miles and June Bronhill in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979

Les Dayman and Edwin Hodgeman in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photography by David Wilson

Kevin Miles and Les Dayman in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photography by David Wilson

Nick Enright and Robin Bowering in ‘Last Day in Woolloomooloo’ by Ron Blair, State Theatre Company (SA) 1979. Photography by David Wilson

Oversize material

Folio 1

Scrapbook

Folio 2

Posters