Eric Duckworth interviewed by Bill Stephens [sound recording].

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Resource Sound: Interview
Title Eric Duckworth interviewed by Bill Stephens [sound recording].
Creator Contributors
Abstract/Description Eric Duckworth recalls his childhood, the family's migration to Australia from England at age 7; his education at Fort St. College which encouraged his love of theatre; his decision to train in dramatics in London; his first theatre job with the Bristol Theatre Company; how he joined the Airforce in 1941; how the RAF got him to his dying father; his service in Changi Goal; his return to theatrical life in the Reunion Theatre and ENSA; his leading role in the Ivor Novello play We Proudly Present; his first meeting with Bill Orr and Orr's early career; his return to Australia in 1950 with Orr who produced the first revue at the Metropolitan Theatre; establishment of the Phillip Street Theatre; selecting of the cast for its first revue Top of the Bill; an unsuccessful production of Hamlet; why Rod Taylor never appeared in a Phillip Street Theatre revue; two successful revues; administration of the Theatre; how Playgoers Cooperative worked and why it was abandoned; how Dot Mendoza joined the organisation and her contribution to it; how Reg Livermore became involved in Phillip Street revues; what made the Joyce Grenfell tour so successful despite a strike that season. Duckworth speaks about the demolition of the Phillip Street Theatre; the Phillip Street Company's tour with the Phillip Street Revue; using Australia Hall as a suitable theatre to replace Phillip Street and its opening as the Phillip Theatre with Out on a Limb; his recollection of Gloria Dawn particularly her impact on an audience; Gordon Chater's famous pie sketch; Noel Coward's visit to see Jill Perryman and visits by others such as Rodin Cutler and the Catholic Archbishop; how the Doncaster Theatre Restaurant was established with productions such as What A Thing to Say starring Ronnie Fraser; the circumstances leading to his and Orr's withdrawal from the Restaurant; how the Board became disenchanted with Orr's management of the Phillip Theatre. Duckworth discusses his recollections of Jacki Weaver as a performer; problems in the production of Boeing Boeing; difficulties in producing Is Australia Really Necessary? and the disaster with Diplomatic Baggage; the circumstances under which Orr left the Phillip Theatre and its company during the production of Hail Gloria Fitzpatrick; an offer by Eric Dare to open theatre restaurant in Manly leads to the formation of the Manly Music Loft opening with Ronnie Fraser in the Manly Christmas Ferry; the general success of the Music Loft and various shows including Pardon My Privates and the circumstances whereby the Toppano Family became involved in their productions; what lead to his company finishing at the Music Loft; the highs and lows in his relationship with Bill Orr; his views on many of the artists he had worked with such as Gloria Dawn; his achievements including establishing the Phillip Street Theatre; how television brought on the demise of the theatrical revue in Australia.
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Date Created 23 January 2000
Catalogue ID https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn186881
Holding Institution National Library of Australia
Language English
Citation Bill Stephens, Eric Duckworth, Eric Duckworth interviewed by Bill Stephens [sound recording]., National Library of Australia, 23 January 2000
Data Set AusStage
Resource Identifier 58954