Titles tagged with ‘performing arts’
26 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year
1900s
Chant Vénitien music – 1904
This is an early surviving commercial recording made by international opera star Nellie Melba in her London home in 1904.
1930s
Monte Carlo Russian Ballet. Original Ballet Russe home movie – c1936
This footage shows staged sequences of the Ballets Russes’ repertoire on their 1930s tours to Australia. It includes excerpts from ballets Les Presages and Thamar.
Colleano on Tightwire, Rehearses in Arena home movie – c1939
Con Colleano was the first performance artist to perfect the toe-to-toe forward somersault on a wire.
Colleano on Tightwire Rehearsing at Home home movie – c1939
This footage offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s most accomplished circus performers from the early twentieth century.
Murray-Will, Ewan: Ballet Russes in Australia home movie – c1939
This unique and candid home movie footage of members of the Ballets Russes company was taken at Sydney’s Bungan Beach in the late 1930s.
Murray-Will, Ewan: Ballets Russes home movie – c1939
Amateur filmmaker Murray-Will’s acquaintance with Ballets Russes members allowed him to capture unique images of one of the world’s greatest dance companies.
1940s
Cinderella on Strings documentary – c1947
Cinderella is a marionette but she still gets to meet her Prince Charming.
1960s
In the Head the Fire radio – 1966
This radiophonic piece written by composer Nigel Butterley in 1966 won the prestigious Prix Italia and set a benchmark for radio in Australia.
1970s
Monster or Miracle? Sydney Opera House documentary – 1973
Made just prior to the official opening in 1973, this is a celebratory film about the construction and opening of the Sydney Opera House.
1980s
A Personal History of the Australian Surf: Being the Confessions of a Straight Poofter documentary – 1981
His father told young Sydney-born theatre director Michael Blakemore that the world was divided into three groups, 'fools, crooks and gentlemen’.
Australia Post – Intelpost advertisement – 1987
This humorous TVC shows a series of instruction diagrams being delivered by Australia Post to a group of ancient would-be soccer players.
Australia Post – Postpak Rap advertisement – 1988
This Australia Post commercial promotes the use of Postpaks for packaging parcels. With rap music still new to Australian popular culture at the time, this commercial was very successful.
Betty Pounder documentary – 1988
Being successful in theatre, says dancer Betty Pounder, requires passion, and that may have to come at the expense of family.
1990s
The Last Circus? documentary – 1993
Produced in 1993, this rousing plea for the surivival of the circus offers an argument to counter the claims of animal liberationists that circus animals are cruelly treated.
Harold documentary – 1994
A big man with a big voice. As the first Indigenous man to sing on national radio, Harold Blair carried huge responsibilities on his shoulders.
It’s Ruth: Ruth Cracknell, Actor documentary – 1994
It’s Ruth begins as a romp with Ruth as Maggie Beare through some of the zaniest scenes of Mother and Son, and ends with her as Winnie in Happy Days.
The Black Swan: Meryl Tankard Choreographer documentary – 1995
Meryl Tankard was on a high at the Australian Dance Theatre in this 1995 documentary; the controversial dispute was later.
Doesn’t Everybody Want a Golden Guitar documentary – 1995
A theme of this foot-tapping documentary, set in Tamworth, is that country music fans are also down-to-earth like country people.
The Young One: A Portrait of the Conductor Simone Young documentary – 1995
Australian-born Simone Young is a conductor who has succeeded in a highly competitive, male-dominated field.
Masterpiece Special – Judy Davis television program – 1996
My Brilliant Career may have been a successful start to a career, but for Judy Davis it is an unhappy memory of an early experience working in film.
Hephzibah documentary – 1998
Levy has painted a portrait of a woman ahead of her time – musician Hephzibah Menuhin was imperfect, passionate, talented and driven by a humanitarian instinct.
Suburban Strippers documentary – 1998
This behind-the-scenes look into the world of Adelaide strippers in the 90s explores the distinction between stripping and prostitution.
2000s
A Walk with Words: The Poetry of Romaine Moreton short film – 2000
This short biographical film showcases the life and poetry of performance artist Romaine Moreton and her struggles to gain freedom.
Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky documentary – 2001
Vaslav Nijinsky, from Russia, was widely considered the most talented male dancer of the 20th century.
Sammy Butcher, Out of the Shadows documentary – 2004
Musician Sammy Butcher played with the Warumpi Band and now invests his energy in young musicians in his community of Papunya.
The Djarn Djarns short film – 2005
The Djarn Djarns is a comedy-drama very much suited for young people. It is a dance film with a sports feel, so culture and sport are not in competition.
