Dame Doris Fitton : collection of personal photographs, ca. 1900-1980

fonds

ca. 1900-1977

Graphic Materials, Photographs, Watercolours

423883

Photographs - 279 photoprints
Photographs - 2 photonegatives
Paintings - 1 watercolour (stage design)

Doris Fitton, 1897-1985 was an actress with the J.C. Williamson theatre company in Melbourne, Victoria, before her marriage to Norbert Keck ("Tug") Mason in 1922. She continued her career in Sydney and in 1929-1930 appeared at the Turret Theatre, North Sydney, where she was also the Secretary. After it closed in 1930 she formed another company which as the Independent Theatre (first patron Nellie Stewart!) presented its first production, Siegfried Geyer's "By candlelight", in the Greenway St. James' Church Hall, Sydney. From 1931-Feb 1937, performances were given at the Savoy Theatre. From June 1937-Aug 1939, performances were given at the Conservatorium or the club rooms, first at 112 King Street, then at 175 Pitt Street. A permanent home was found for the company in 1939 in Miller Street, North Sydney. The production of international and Australian plays, including the premiere in 1948 of Sumner Locke Elliott's significant work "Rusty bugles", continued until the Independent Theatre closed in 1977. J.C. Williamson Ltd. had also engaged the Independent Theatre Co. to tour professionally to Melbourne in the 1940's. Doris Fitton was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1982. She died in 1985.
Reference: Not without dust and heat : my life in the theatre / Doris Fitton. Sydney : Harper & Row, c1981

This collection comprises two record series. You may navigate to a more detailed description of each series from this collection record.¶The collection of photoprints is divided into two parts. The first part was presented by Doris Fitton in 1958 and 1965. Actors and performance photographs are arranged chronologically where possible. The second part was an acquisition in 1987.

Part I is from "Dame Doris Alice Fitton papers, 1929-1970". Part II is from "Dame Doris Alice Fitton further papers, 1930-1973" (MLMSS 1279)