Transcript: Athenaeum building celebrates 170 years Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 11/11/2009 Reporter: Lisa Whitehead Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth. Transcript KERRY O’BRIEN, PRESENTER: Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne's Athenaeum building has, in one form or another, provided education and entertainment. For the Victorian colonies it became a city and along the way documented its growth. The building's original library and theatre still draw devotees and as Lisa Whitehead reports, a loyal band of volunteers. KEVIN QUIGLEY, ATHENAEUM PRESIDENT: There's nothing like us that has been here from day one, four years after the boat pushed ashore, here we are. It's a thread that runs through the life of Melbourne. LISA WHITEHEAD, REPORTER: In the heart of Melbourne's CBD, the Athenaeum is a celebrity in disguise, the oldest cultural icon in the city, but barely noticed. MARJORIE DALVEAN, VOLUNTEER HISTORIAN: People of Melbourne walk past this area and they have no idea what it is. RAY LAWLER, PLAYWRIGHT: It seemed to me to be a place that absolutely, or breathes Melbourne, I suppose, culture. LISA WHITEHEAD: Just four years after Melbourne was founded, the colony built a Mechanic's Institution, one of the first in the world, a place where the working class could meet and learn. KEVIN QUIGLEY: People think of it as Wild West sort of place where these hearty types drank and rushed about, but Melbourne was freely settled. It was a city of people who wanted to better themselves - entrepreneurs. And the Mechanic's Institution was that innovative idea that had grown up in Edinburgh and London about providing an opportunity for education for the working people. LISA WHITEHEAD: Mark Twain lectured there. Later, other buildings were added and a theatre to host classic plays. And it adopted its more bourgeois friendly title of the Athenaeum. Crucially from the start there was the library, the first to offer affordable lending to the working man. And it still attracts devotees. Former University lecturer Margaret Bowman, 89, comes in every Wednesday, along with her dog to join an enthusiastic band of volunteers sorting through the archives. MARGARET BOWMAN, FORMER UNIVERSITY LECTURER: Doing research is something that I find actually I enjoy more than anything. Every old lady needs to have a project and now I've got a project. MARJORIE DALVEAN: Margaret, Christine has just found out that Alfred Deakin was a member here from 1874 to 1877. This place is not flashy, we've never been flashy. But book lovers walk in here and they know this is the place for them. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: Old times and old names. The Athenaeum theatre in Melbourne for more than 40 years has been one of the city's best known cinemas. LISA WHITEHEAD: In the 20th century, the theatre surrendered to the new craze of talking pictures, and one particular fan was famous Australian playwright Ray Lawler. At 13, he dropped out of school to work in a Footscray factory and two years later his first trip to the glamorous Athenaeum cinema hinted at the education he was missing. RAY LAWLER: It just had a style about it which I responded to, I think. I was looking for something and this seemed to be part of it. Ray Lawler went on to write "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" and found literary fame overseas. About a century after it had started as an educational place for the working man, Ray Lawler had, in effect, become an Athenaeum graduate. RAL LAWLER: If they had been looking for the sort of person that they were hoping to encourage along the way, I suppose I would have been somebody that might have fitted the mould, you know. LISA WHITEHEAD: In time, the cinema was returned to its theatrical roots. FRANK THRING, 1977: It has a great resemblance to the Theatre Royal in Hobart which Larry Olivier has called the best theatre he's ever worked in. And it's almost identical. It is the true Victorian playhouse. The horseshoe shaped thing: stalls, dress circle and gallery. And you're close to the audience and they're close to you. Marvellous feeling. LISA WHITEHEAD: Today, it's still a theatre. But time has brought compromises. The once vaunted art gallery has now covered its windows and become a comedy club and performance space. TV and suburban life have eaten away at the library membership. It offers an online service now, and a recent federal government grant will pay for the upkeep of its gracious interior, including the 1930s elevator Ray Lawler used to ride. For him, it's money well spent on history quietly made and discreetly observed. RAY LAWLER: It's the lack of awareness, I think, that people don't know what they've got here. They've really got the whole history of Melbourne almost. KEVIN QUIGLEY: It was a similar organisation in Sydney but we are the only one that's got a continual lineage on the same spot. We started here and we're still here and we'll be here for another 100 years. KERRY O'BRIEN: Lisa Whitehead on a great Melbourne landmark. © 2010 ABC | Privacy Policy Beginning as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution in 1839, the Melbourne Athenaeum has a long history that reflects the cultural and social development of Melbourne. It continues to be managed as a not-for-profit organisation by a volunteer board, with a subscription library (maintained since 1839) and a leased theatre.Video broadcast ABC 7:30 Report for 11/11/2009. "Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth."athenaeum, australian broadcasting corporation, kerry o’brien, kevin quigley, lisa whitehead, marjorie dalvean, ray lawler, margaret bowman, frank thring.

Copy of broadside held by the National Library of AustraliaMany music concerts were performed at the Melbourne Athenaeum. This one featured the pupils of Mr W.R Furlong, assisted by other artists.Copy of paper program for a concert performed at the Athenaeum Hall Thursday October 19 1876.athenaeum theatre, program, programme, furlong, f.l. king, madame v pett, miss nellie pett, miss bessie gledhill, chilperic, 1876

An Hawaiian music and dance ensemble who toured Australia at different periods 1911 - 1930Paper program for an entertainment from Hawaii the Land of Flowers and Song performed at the Athenaeum Theatre commencing Boxing Day December 26 1924; coloured cover - yellow; 16 p. includes articles about the film, the actors and advertisementsathenaeum theatre, program, programme, music theatre, a night in honolulu, frank talbot, carroll, kaai's hawaiian troubadours

The play was produced by EJ Carroll at the Athenaeum Theatre, the Australian premiere. The play enjoyed a long and successful run with Frank Bradley setting a record by performing as leading man for forty weeks. Frank Talbot had leased the Athenaeum Hall for several years before negotiating with the Melbourne Athenaeum board members to renovate the hall into a modern theatre. The work was completed in 1923. The theatre became a well-known venue for plays but later, as movies became popular a biograph box was constructed to house movie projectors. The theatre manager, Frank Talbot, who leased the theatre from the Melbourne Athenaeum, signed an agreement with British Dominion Films in 1932, to show only British movies. Hoyts Theatres took over the lease in 1955 and later the Melbourne Theatre Company performed in the theatre, bringing live performances back to the theatre for several years. Programs of the early performances of plays are a reminder of the original purpose of the theatre. The theatre management continues to feature live performances.Photocopy of a program held at the Museum of Performing Arts athenaeum theatre, program, the sport of kings, racing comedy, frank talbot pty ltd, e j carroll, ian hay, frank bradley

The two films screened were produced by the British company Gaumont-British Dominions. Frank Talbot, who leased the Athenaeum Theatre, made an agreement in 1932 with the British company to show British movies exclusively at the Athenaeum Theatre, the first agreement of this kind to be made in the world. Paper program for two films shown at the Athenaeum Theatre commencing Friday 3rd December 1937athenaeum theatre, program, programme, the interrupted honeymoon, doctor syn, frank talbot pty ltd, british dominions films ltd, cecil parkes' strad trio, australian movietone news reel, gaumont british news reel, athenaeum theatre, program, programme, the interrupted honeymoon, doctor syn, frank talbot pty ltd, british dominions films ltd, cecil parkes' strad trio, australian movietone news reel, gaumont british news reel

Paper program for a film screened at the Athenaeum Theatre 1948; coloured illustration; 4 p. includes articles about the film and the actors. The first Australian screening of Hamlet was screened on 11 June 1948 with the Oliviers in attendance.athenaeum theatre, program, programme, laurence olivier, hamlet, william shakespeare, j arthur rank enterprise, a two cities film, the great soliloquy

Obtained by Secretary of Melbourne Athenaeum in 1972 (Mr Leslie Stephens) to see the advertisement for library membership that was included in the program. Includes a loose page documenting advertising rates in the Theatre program. Melbourne Theatre Company programs often included advertising for the library. MTC later leased the Athenaeum Theatre.Paper program for a play performed at the Russell St Theatre 24 October until 18 November 1972; coloured cover; 20 p. includes articles about the play, the actors and advertisementsmelbourne theatre company, russell st theatre, program, a touch of the poet, eugene o'neill, the university of melbourne, australian elizabethan theatre trust, melbourne city council

The program includes articles about the play, the actors and advertisements.Advertisement for Athenaeum Library included in the program.Melbourne Theatre Company Season Ten - Program; 20 pages.melbourne theatre company, rusell st theatre, sticks and bones, david rabe, the university of melbourne, australian elizabethan theatre trust, melbourne city council

Several programs of the Melbourne Theatre Company performing at Russell Street Theatre contained advertising for the Melbourne Athenaeum Library. Melbourne Theatre Company leased Athenaeum Theatre from 1977 season to 1985Paper program for a play performed at the Russell St Theatre 17 July until 5 August 1972; green cover; 20 p. includes articles about the play, the actors and advertisementsThe front cover has a message for the secretary Mr Stephens regarding future advertising for the seriesmelbourne theatre company, russell st theatre, jugglers three, david williamson, the university of melbourne, australian elizabethan theatre trust, melbourne city council, program

Melbourne Theatre Company later leased Athenaeum Theatre 1977 -1985Paper program; 16 p. includes articles about the play, the actors and advertisementsFile includes three theatre reviewsmelbourne theatre company, part 2 season 21, equus, peter shaffer, the university of melbourne, the australian elizabethan theatre trust, melbourne city council, martin dysart, mick rodger

Linda Britten presents Operette:Legato Melbourne couture designer, Linda Britten fused opera and fashion. Her presentation incorporated ballet and music. Performed by the Australian Ballet School and singers Antoinette Halloran, Michelle Buscemi and Angela Hogan Wednesday, March 12, 7 pm. at the Athenaeum Theatre. Program for an event of the Melbourne Fashion Festival's Cultural Program at the Athenaeum Theatre March 2014; coloured cover; 32 p. includes articles about the show.athenaeum theatre, program, programme, melbourne fashion festival, the australian ballet school, linda britten, leigh rowles, cameron menzies, antoinette halloran, michelle buscemi, angela hogan

Keith Michell wrote and performs the lead in this play being an Australian play with tones of Ibsen's Peer Gyntpaper program pete mcgynty and the dreamtime, athenaeum theatre, melbourne theatre company, keith michell, henrik ibsen, peer gynt

The play was presented by arrangement with NIDA, The play was originally dramatized by Bert Bailey from the works of Australian writer Steele Rudd.The program includes information about Australian writer Steele Rudd and the original play. Garry McDonald best known as 'Norman Gunston' plays eldest son Dave.on our selection, athenaeum theatre, program, melbourne theatre company, bert bailey, garry mcdonald

Play was produced by the Gordon/Frost Organisation by arrangement with John McCallum productions and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. Australian premier at the Athenaeum with permission of Melbourne Theatre Company.In the 1980s John McCallum, husband of the actress and 1940's film star Googie Withers, set up his production company and brought a number of West End productions and stars to Australia. Cast includes Diane Cilento and Carole Raye.Theatre program coloured agnes of god, athenaeum theatre, program, programme, john mccallum productions, john pielmeier, diane cilento, carole raye

directed by Daniel Keene starring Linzee Smith Rhonda Wilson and John Butler. Staged with the assistance of the Australia Council St Martin's Theatre Company The Fitzroy Stars Gym and MavisFlyer & Newspaper cuttingthe fighter, daniel keene, the tide, melbourne athenaeum two, program, programme, australia council, fitzroy stars gym, st martin's theatre company

Transferred from original performance location in Fitzroy to Melbourne Athenaeum Theatre. The Elizabethan Trust production was performed after a season at the Sydney Biennale. The performance consisted of five, 20-minute variations on a fictional love story. The theatre review by Leonard Radic comments: This kind of performance theatre is an attempt to cross the boundaries between art and theatre. It is genuinely experimental in that it seeks to give new meaning to old situations. ... It dares to be different.Large flyer, 2 small flyers and newspaper articleprediction piece 8: winter/passion, lyndal jones, athenaeum theatre, the australian elizabethan trust, program

Australian premierStars Evelyn Krape as Sarah Bernhardt. After injuring her knee Bernhardt finally had part of the leg amputated but continued to perform. She was offered a circus tour in America in 1914-15 this play is based on those eventsafter the lions, athenaeum theatre two, program, programme, ronald harwood, sarah bernhardt, circus tour, america

Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Production productionFlyer and Newspaper articleslennon the legend the music, athenaeum theatre, program, programme, australian elizabethan theatre trust production, audition registration card

Assisted by the Australia Council, the Federal Government's Arts funding & Advisory Group Black and white theatre programcontains author autobiographymonsters, program, proogramme, athenaeum theatre two, kevin nemeth, slegehammer presents, australia arts council

contains biographiesblack and white summer of the seventeenth doll, athenaeum theatre, program, programme, ray lawler, australian nouveau theatre

flyerit ain't necessarily rowe, athenaeum theatre, program, programme, normie rowe, graeme blundell, kinselas productions

The program contains a time line of William Shakespeare's life; includes director's notes of play and the storyline Melbourne Theatre Company leased the Athenaeum Theatre from 1977 to 1986.Large Theatre paper program coloured cover :good conditionthe merchant of venice, bell shakespeare company, william shakespeare

This project is assisted by the Australian Council ,the Federal government's Arts Funding advisory body and has been generously supported by the playbox theatre company Black and white pamphletwoman thy name is, athenaeum theatre two, program, programme, maggie millar, maud clark, june jago, kerry o'reilly

History of the playcoloured programsiren, athenaeum theatre, program, programme, hocking & woods, glenn elston, kinselas productions, australian shakespeare company, graeme blundell, david williamson

contain information on the theatre and people of importanceColoured program good conditionblack light theatre of prague, program, programme

Universal Theatre Newsletter featuring Universal Theatre at the athenaeum good conditioncontains advertisements for 'the Australian Greek Festival including Description of Australian performances in this time as well as Gerry Connolly in men and women of Australia as the brass band for the melbourne international comedy festivalthe nylons in concert, universal theatre, melbourne athenaem theatre

The play was presented by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in association with The Northside Theatre company, Marian Street Sydney. Noel Ferrier was the Executive Producer of The Australian Elizabeth Theatre Trust and Stan Coogan Acting chief Executive Officer. The play was produced in association with the radio station 3AW.Large yellow and black program - good conditionthe department, david williamson, max gillies, athenaeum theatre, elizabethan theatre trust, northside theatre company marian street theatre, tracy mann, noel ferrier, 3aw

The event was organised to support soprano Joanna Cole as the Australian representative at the "Singer of the World" competition to be held in Cardiff, Wales in June 1993. Other performers were: Margaret Haggart; Kirsty Harms; Susanne Johnston; David Collins-White; Kerry Henderson; Greg Scott; Jonathon Welch and, Mark Skillington. The accompanist was David McNicol and compere Michael Easton.black and white program :good conditionfrom strauss to sondheim, australian opera, joanna cole, victoria state opera, athenaeum theatre, singer of the world competition

The history of the blues performed by arrangement with Warner Chappell Music, imago Atlantis Pty Ltd, and the Australian Film and Theatre Development, with the assistance and support of the Perth Theatre Fund. Cast: Venetta Fields; Marcie Jones; Jenny Davis; Michael Edward-Stephens.coloured program: good conditionblues in the night, athenaeum theatre, elston hocking & woods, elston hocking and woods

Produced by "Kids Show" - a ballet-pantomime . This production was first staged in 1981 and toured around Australia. The production is performed to some of George Gershwin's music.Small posterthe wonderful wizard of oz, kidshows, rex reid dance company, athenaeum theatre, pantomime