PERIOD COVERED: ;1912;-;1920 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1962-03-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: In an interview with Imbert Orchard, Mrs. Eva Gillan speaks about her arrival in Victoria from England in 1912, and her first impressions. She is a well known singer under her maiden name, Eva Hart, and talks about the Empress Hotel, music and entertainment. She discusses the "Englishness" of Victoria; tourism; prominent families; the Pemberton family; the Pooley family; the Dunsmuir family; the Barnard family; local Indians; the Chinese; Esquimalt; Vancouver and the real estate boom. Grace L. Shaw continues the interview (for a radio program on the history of theatre in Canada). Mrs. Gillan talks about her musical career; theatrical life in Victoria in 1912; Reginald Hincks; the opening of the Royal Theatre; and various performances. Grace Shaw's interview with Mrs. Gillan is continued on tape T1301:0001. [TRACK 2: blank.]

The item is a copy of a recording of an interview by Michael Meiklejohn with Florence James, originally made in 1966. James talks about: theatre, theatre in British Columbia, Dorothy White in B.C., the Kramers in Saskatchewan, her experiences with the Saskatchewan Arts Board, and Burton James.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Victoria High School project RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1975-07-30 SUMMARY: Frederic Wood: high school; Rosalind Watson was best teacher; others too old and not interesting; 1902-03: McGill at Victoria High. Later as high school teacher and first native B.C. son on faculty at UBC. J.K. Henry was another English instructor -- nice man, but 'dull as ditchwater'. McGill, Montreal. Theatre in Vancouver. Rosalind Watson and Jeannette Cann.

SUMMARY: A report on the opening of George Ryga's new play, "Paracelsus" at Expo 86.;

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974 SUMMARY: John Juliani and his theatre experiment "Savage God" -- a group of 12 BC playwrights that has produced a series of plays, scripts, and TV programs. Discussion of "welfare art" -- that is, government-supported projects in the arts -- by Jonathan Baker and Harry Rankin. Chris Newton defends the "elitist" concept of art.

RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Harriet Parker, nee Franklin, talks about her arrival in Vancouver with her family in 1911; early music and entertainment in the city; and her musical involvement in "Belle of Burrard". She describes her father's contracts for road work and land development, and the Mary Lloyd incident. She talks about vaudeville performers; Charlie Chaplin; early radio; "The Queries"; musicians and organists, and recollections of B.C. Hilliam. TRACK 2: Mrs. Parker continues with recollections about Vancouver; the "Komagata Maru" incident; Hamilton Earl and other singers; the Vancouver life ;style; Vancouver Bach Choir; the Grosvenor Singers; and personal anecdotes.

SUMMARY: "Heritage Theatre" was a series of short historical plays set in the Vancouver environs. These vignettes illustrate some of the significant events and interesting episodes from Vancouver's earliest ti;mes. First broadcast in 1977, the plays were made in co-operation with the Social Planning Department of the City of Vancouver. This series was broadcast during the summer of 1981. This episode, "Toba;cco Road" by Tom Cone, re-creates the 1953 production of Erskine Caldwell's "Tobacco Road", staged by Everyman Theatre Company. Having played successfully in New York, the play met quite another fate ;in conservative Vancouver, and eventually went to trial.;

These records relate to both Jack Bowdery and Alicia Ammon. The records include: scripts, short stories, reminiscences, publicity material, scrapbooks, interviews and an audiotape of a performance by Jack Bowdery. A significant section of the records is the "Millie and Lizzie" scripts, written by Jack and Alicia Ammon. "Millie and Lizzie" was a radio situation comedy that was broadcast over Vancouver radio stations from 1930 to 1934 and in 1936. The main characters, two charladies living in England then moving to British Columbia, were acted by Alicia and Jack Ammon. The series was the first radio sitcom in Canada. Another large part of the records are publicity material that include newspaper clippings, magazine articles, playbills, photographic presentations, resumes and videotape promotions. They were compiled both for personal reasons and for career promotion. These records were frequently used in the preparation of resumes and other presentations. Also included is an audiotape, recorded in 1993, in which Jack Bowdery performs a simulation of two "Millie and Lizzie" episodes, call number T-4402:1.

CALL NUMBER: T3842:0026 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1982-05-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: In an interview by Emmanuel Ronse, Jack Gillmore discusses his involvement with the production of early radio drama and variety programs in Vancouver. Gillmore's start in amateur theatre; trained with Arthur Foxhall of Foxhall's National Opera Company; plays produced. First radio drama work. Foxhall's departure; theatre in Victoria. The CNR radio service, and Vancouver station CNRV. George Wright invites Gillmore to produce a play on CNRV. Script pages; "gunshot" sound effect. CNRV offices and studio in Vancouver CNR station. Adapting stage plays. Sound effects for "Behind the Lines;". Presenting Shakespeare. TRACK 2: Radio presentation of Shakespeare plays, and other plays done. Parts played; preparation of scripts; "teamwork"; actors involved. Media coverage of plays and distant reception. Takeover on CNR radio service by CRBC; Walter Powell. Discussion of capek's play "R.U.R." regarding royalties. More on Walter Powell; decline of radio drama at CNRV. Other programs of this type? All complete shows; where players went; stations broadcast from. Vancouver stations.

CALL NUMBER: T3842:0027 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1982-05-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Story of "The Radio Artist's Review" program on CKWX, sponsored by Excelsior Lumber, and incident with CRCV. Other programs. The Kitsilano Boys' band. [TRACK 2: blank.]

The series mainly consists of recordings of radio programs and stage productions that John Emerson appeared in or contributed to, and performances by other entertainers that he knew and encouraged professionally. This material includes complete radio programs (usually recorded or copied for Emerson by the broadcasting station), as well as rehearsals, stage performances, and excerpts from broadcasts (recorded on Emerson's home equipment). Emerson's tapes provide a cross-section of the types of performances that he participated in, representing his varied talents, the talents of his colleagues, and the entertainment venues of Vancouver in years 1950-1964. The tapes contain complete or excerpted radio programs (both musical and spoken word); complete or excerpted radio dramas; complete or excerpted recordings of live stage plays, musicals, concerts, nightclub performances, television shows, and other entertainments; and recordings of rehearsals. The decisions regarding excerpting were made by Emerson. In many cases, the action of recording over existing material at a later date caused interruptions in earlier recordings, leaving only excerpts. Notable recordings include: radio musical series such as "Club Date", featuring Helen Young, Juliette, Eleanor Collins at Pat Kirkpatrick with the John Emerson Trio (1950-1955) and "Hotel Downbeat" (1955-1957), both from CBC Vancouver, and "John Emerson/The Man Who Comes to Dinner" (CJOR, 1957-1958); episodes of CBC Vancouver radio plays from the series "Vancouver Theatre", "Point-Counterpoint" and "Don Grey: Marine Investigator" (1954-1957); CBC radio talk and commentary programs including "Emerson Presents" (1955-1959), "Emerson's Digest" (1958), "Emerson's Weekly" (1961),"Best of Emerson" (1962), and "Emerson's Point of View" (1963-1964); CBC television programs such as "The Other Cheek" (1960), "Night Beat" (1961) and "The 7 O'clock Show" (1962-1964); performances recorded at the Arctic Club in Vancouver (1956-1959); and stage productions by Theatre Under the Stars, Totem Theatre, the Vancouver International Festival, and the Vancouver Little Theatre Association.

SUMMARY: A pocket documentary on Vancouver playwright, actor and critic John Lazarus by actor Jerry Wasserman.;

CALL NUMBER: T1327:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], [1960?] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: COLONEL LOW recalls Vancouver in the 1890s and 1900s; his father, who worked for the CPR; his impressions of the Seymour Street area; Hotel Vancouver; Granville Street; the Howe Street races; the Badminton Hotel; the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. He continues with childhood memories of home on Seymour Street in 1899; Dawson School; incidents; and the Fairview area. He recalls Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show; streetcars; his position as electrical inspector for the city; pageants; arches in the city; first automobiles; Saturday night entertainment and vaudeville shows. TRACK 2:; Colonel Low continues with recollections of teenagers, ca. 1900; newspapers and journalism; the Imperial Theatre and other theatres. WILLIAM WALLACE gives his impressions of Vancouver in 1906 including Carrall Street and the Grandview district. He recalls boyhood incidents; schooling; East Indians; lacrosse; sports; the Grandview District; the Okimo Club, a social club for boys and girls; the chain gang; and the Riel Rebellion.

CALL NUMBER: T1327:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], [1960?] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Wallace recalls the change in traffic directions. JACK MEHAN was born in Nanaimo; his family came to Vancouver in 1905. Mr. Mehan talks about the early streetcar lines; childhood pranks; Main Street; Granville Street; the BC Electric [interurban] line to Steveston; Point Grey; the CPR gardens in Kerrisdale; the collision between the "Princess Victoria" and the "Chehalis"; and Captain Alex MacLean. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: South Slocan (B.C.), 1983-11-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The early history of Theatre Energy of South Slocan, B.C. Names and backgrounds of early members. Early workshops and first productions. Developing plays and planning a season. TRACK 2: Plays produced. Description of plays done: "The Food Show", "The Girls Will Be Out", "Pablo's Dog". Plans for the future. Guest directors and actors. Criticism. New plans, new ideals. Relationship with the audience.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1982-06-14 SUMMARY: Keith Simpson discusses the history of drama education in British Columbia.;

RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1982-04-29 SUMMARY: Lawrence Lynds discusses the history of drama education in British Columbia.;

SUMMARY: "B.C. Hilliam and the Belle of Burrard", the 12th program in the series, features recollections of entertainer-entrepreneur B.C. Hilliam and his musical comedy "The Belle of Burrard", produced in Vancouver in 1913.

Llewelyn Bullock-Webster (1879-1970) was an actor, playwright, producer and civil servant.

Records include general correspondence, including family correspondence, 1912-1959; diaries, 1916-1961; notebooks and personal notes re adjudication of plays; scripts and rough drafts of plays; addresses and speeches re theatre in British Columbia; collected plays by other playwrights; and selected publications.

See MS-3143 for approximately 500 photographs that were transferred to Visual Records accession 198006-027.

RECORDED: Nelson (B.C.), 1984-08-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: What kind of playwright is George Ryga. Individualism balanced with socialism. Problem of Canadian culture. Canadian drama had to "catch up" quickly. Special characteristics of western Canadian drama: a concern with the native population, a sense of geographical space, a concern with urban life. Ryga's "split" with Canadian theatre after "Captives of the Faceless Drummer". Ryga's plays during the 1970s -- vital work, but not necessarily fashionable. The problem of getting a script produced. Ryga and Canadian mythology. Ryga, myth and popularization. Ryga's integrity, and other playwrights. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Memoirs, including reminiscences of childhood in Vancouver, businesses, transportation, his careers in car sales, acting, radio drama and real estate.

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode apparently includes items about George McWhirter, the Vancouver Opera production of "Fidelio", the Arts Club Theatre ;Production of Shaw's "Arms and the Man", and a review of the Mordecai Richler's novel "Joshua Then and Now".;

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode includes an interview about Expo 86 with producer Ann Farris Darling; David Watmough talking about publishing in BC; ;and a review of the play "Judith K." [possibly "The Trial of Judith K.", by Sally Clark].;

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode includes a review of the play "Love For Love"; an interview with David West about "the poet as an urban guerrilla"; a;nd a look at multicultural arts activities in BC.;

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode includes features about Expo '86 in Vancouver and the play "Singular, Not Plural", and theatre reviews.;

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode includes features about Kamloops Theatre director David Ross, singer Ann Mortifee, art critic Jill Pollock, author Jo;el Russ, and UBC music professor Dr. William Benjamin.;

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode features a profile of New Westminster artist Joe Plaskett and a review of the play "Stone Fish".;

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode offers a look at how the life of Mozart is portrayed in movies and in plays, such as "Amadeus"; an interview with pla;ywright Margaret Hollingsworth; a look at Expo '86; and Peter Brockington's review of the play "Of Mice and Men".;

SUMMARY: "Monitor" was a radio series devoted to the arts in British Columbia. This episode includes a segment about Vancouver theatre spaces, a Noel Hudson short story, and interviews with [playwright] Tom Co;ne and Dale Spencer.;

Scrapbooks containing clippings, programmes and correspondence relating to amateur theatricals in Victoria and notes on the activities of the "Priory Players."

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1971 SUMMARY: Writer Cam Hubert and actor Jacques Hubert discuss her play "The Twin Sinks of Allen Sammy" and its staging by the Tillicum Friendship Centre's Tillicum Theatre. TRACK 1: Actor Jacques Hubert talks about his role in his wife's play about Native Canadians in modern society, "The Twin Sinks of Allen Sammy"; his life as a Métis and the lives of Canadian native people in general; brief comments by the actress who plays Allen Sammy's wife; Cam Hubert tells why she wrote the play and what it's about; her concern for Native people, and all people. TRACK 2: Further comments by Cam Hubert on Native/White relations, comparison of Native change, dances and festivals and imported ballet and opera; Jacques comment on his wife's writing; Cam discusses Dan George; Jacques describes Native song; Jack Messenger who directed the play, talks about the actors and the play.