Papers, photographs and sound recording relating to The Viennese Theatre (Kleines Wiener Theater) Sydney, 1950s-1980s / compiled by Kurt and Liesl Horn

MLMSS 9784
MLOH 834/1
PXA 2140

fonds

1950s-1980s

Graphic Materials, Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Musical Sound Recordings, Textual Records, Photographs

1000481

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder)
Approximately 90 photographs
1 sound tape reel

The Viennese Theatre (Kleines Wiener Theater) was founded in Sydney by Else and Alfred Baring, and Erna and Gerhard Felser, in 1941. The theatre group was made up of Austrian immigrants who were refugees from the Nazi Regime.

All the actors were amateurs. The bilingual scripts were usually written by Alfred Baring and Karl Bittman. The Theatre's reputation was built largely on their so-called `Bunte Abende'. These were cabaret style performances which included a mixture of cabaret scenes, jokes, and songs predicated on linguistic misunderstandings and cultural clashes. Later scripts were linked by a minor plot or theme.

Little Viennese Theatre productions were always well attended and eagerly anticipated. Many people worked with the Viennese Theatre including Henri Szeps, Professor Max Feuerring, Stan Rapotec, Quentin Hole, Stefan Haag, Owen Grant, Dr Alphons Silbermann, and John Bluthal. Music was written by Werner Baer and Steps Weintraub. Overseas guests included Freddi Durra, Gerhard Bronner and Peter Wehle.

Reference:
Collection 23: Karl Bittman - records of the Viennese Theatre (Kleines Wiener Theater) in Sydney, 1927-1990s. Includes some personal and family papers, 1911-1995. MLMSS 6693

Material passed onto donor by Kurt and Liesl Horn. Reference: Library correspondence file

MLMSS 9784
Theatre programs, publicity material, notes, scripts, ca. 1960s-1970s including script for "The Day the Pope Was Kidnapped" (Act 2 Scene 1); program for "Rosen fuer Marina" at Anzac House, Sydney in May-June 1964; Freddi Durra programs c.a. 1975-1983.

PXA 2140
1. Portrait photographs, chiefly of David Raphael ; proofsheets of production photographs, 1950s-1980s. Inscribed on verso of some portraits
"David Raphael member : the Hebrew National Opera Hagesher Theatre, Tel-Aviv" and "Freddi Durra"

2. Photographic album, chiefly production photographs, relating to The Viennese Theatre, ca. 1950s-1980s

MLOH 834/1
Sound tape reel recording of performance of Rosen Fur Marina, 6 June 1964
Inscribed on inside of box cover "S'T.C. 'Rosen Fur Marina'. recorded during actual performance 6.6.1964 track one 1st act. track two 2nd and 3rd act.
speed 3 3/34 i.p.s.
cast:
inc. Albert Werner...Frank Hauser
Mariner Warner,...Edith Weiner
Thomas Niemau...Harry Weiss
Rosa [surname not given]...Paula Beck
[First name not given] Regie...Else Baring
Musik : Werner Baer, Steps Weintraub

Musikalische komedie nach H. de. Benedetti von Gerhard Bronner and Peter Wehle"

Box edge reads "Rosen fur Marina [indecipherable handwriting]".

German, English

Master only. For access to this oral history collection please submit your request through Ask a Librarian - Applies to MLOH 834/1

Rights and Restrictions Information:: This collection has multiple rights owners
Out of copyright: Created before 1955 - Applies only to photographs or published material created before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales