Papers of Jim Sharman, c.1940s-2010 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 4579845
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Sharman, Jim, 1945-
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item. MS Acc09.028 copy
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Part available for research; part requires permission for research; part not available for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [c.1910s-2010]
- 35.75 m. (80 boxes) + 14 medium folio boxes + 10 large folio boxes + 4 phase boxes + 7 map folios + 23 binders + 5 pieces + 17 folio packets + 33 digital carriers + 42 audiovisual carriers
- Summary:
-
This collection comprises material relating to Jim Sharman's career as a director of plays, operas, musicals and films. The collection includes scripts, production notes, reviews, scrapbooks, costume designs, research notes, appointment diaries and diaries containing Jim Sharman's writings, as well as miscellaneous papers relating to productions such as The Rocky Horror Show, The Threepenny Opera, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sunrise, Blood Wedding and Death in Venice. The collection also contains personal and professional correspondence, including a small group of letters from Patrick White; posters and theatre programmes; and over 4500 photographs of theatre productions, family and friends. A small group of papers and photographs relates to Sharman's father, James Michael (Jimmy) Sharman and the Jimmy Sharman Boxing Troupe.
- Cultural sensitivity advisory notice:
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this collection may contain names, and images of deceased people and other content that may be culturally sensitive. Please also be aware that you may see certain words or descriptions within these works which reflect the author's attitude, or that of the period in which the works were created, and may now be considered inaccurate, inappropriate or offensive.
- ICIP notice:
- This material contains Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) of Australian First Nations peoples. Restrictions on access and use of this material may apply. Contact the National Library of Australia for further information.
- Biography/History:
-
Jim Sharman has had a long and distinguished career in directing plays, musicals, films and operas, both in Australia and internationally. His early introduction to theatre was via his father, Jimmy Sharman, the legendary Australian showman. Sharman attended Randwick Boys High School, after which he studied at NIDA. His first commission, at the age of twenty-two, was a production of Don Giovanni in Melbourne. His radical new approach to the staging of this opera served to establish his credentials as an innovative new talent. Sharman went on to direct many iconic productions including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror show, Chess and the opera Voss. In 1982 he was artistic director of the Adelaide Festival of Arts, and from 1982-1983 he was director of the Lighthouse Theatre Company in Adelaide.
Sharman established an enduring friendship with author Patrick White, directing a number of his plays. In 1984 he directed the production of Richard Meale and David Malouf's opera Voss, adapted from White's novel of the same name. In 1993 he wrote and directed a documentary titled The burning piano: a portrait of Patrick White. And in 2008 Sharman published his autobigraphy with the title Blood & tinsel: a memoir.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS Acc09.028, MS Acc10.103, Ms Acc17.138.
- Reading Room Access Note: for preservation reasons, we are unable to deliver digital and audiovisual carriers to the Special Collections Reading Room. Please contact Ask a Librarian to enquire about access.
- Associated materials: Records of Proscenia Theatre, 1962-1977 MS Acc07.127.
- Related Material:
- Conversation with Jim Sharman; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/969-971.
- Subject:
- Time Coverage:
- 1910-2010
- Occupation:
- Theatre producers and directors
- Terms of Use:
- Copying of Jim Sharman's copyright material permitted for research purposes.
- Exhibited:
-
- Selected items exhibited in: "The Life of Patrick White", National Library of Australia, 13 April - 8 July 2012, State Library of New South Wales, 20 August to 28 October 2012.
- Exhibited: "Treasures Gallery", National Library of Australia, 7 October 2011 - 15 December 2012.
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
If you wish to copy or order copies, contact us. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary, dramatic or musical work
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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