This display highlights books and ephemera from the Ballarat Libraries collection that tell the story of the performing arts in Ballarat from the gold rush to more recent times. Each object brings Ballarat’s rich and diverse performing arts history to life.
A compelling starting point for appreciating Ballarat’s settler performing arts beginnings is the life of Lola Montez. An enchanting performer synonymous with gold rush Ballarat, her conspicuous example reflects a time where visiting performers and troupes of all kinds competed for the patronage of gold prospectors.
Emerging out of this ramshackle tent city, a vanguard of well-heeled Ballarat citizens then sought to legitimise their new home, and the arts were a powerful marker of change. Their aspirations were reflected in their investment in and patronage of the arts. Impressive theatres and halls quickly emerged including Theatre Royal (1858), Her Majesty’s Theatre (1875), and the former Alfred Hall (1856, demolished 1958), which became a focal point for the performing arts across all segments of society.
Programs and invitations from Mayoral and other special events held at the Ballarat Town Hall and the former Alfred Hall feature in this display. These offer an intimate glimpse into how the performing arts served to bring both joy and gravitas to official and important civic occasions.
Presenting its first competition at the Alfred Hall in 1891, the Royal South Street Society has become the longest running and largest eisteddfod competitions in Australia. It holds a special place in the hearts of many, with over one million aspiring performers competing since its establishment. This display includes official guidebooks from the late 1950s, and a brief history published in 1979.
The display also includes recent histories of community bands in Ballarat and surrounds. Emerging from a British working-class tradition made famous by coal mine bands, by the early 1900s participation in brass bands became a popular community activity in Australia. Many brass bands emerged in the region at this time, performing at public events such as festivals and parades.
The National Theatre movement established a Ballarat Branch in 1938, and this display includes programs and flyers promoting its plays from the 1940s onwards. The rise in popularity of the American musical is reflected in programs from Ballarat Light Opera Company and Ballarat Lyric Theatre from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Community theatre grew considerable in the 20th century and continues to provide a vital training ground for Ballarat’s emerging performers.
Image: ‘I Have Been Here Before’ (promotional leaflet), The Ballarat Branch, National Theatre Movement, Waller & Chester Printers, Ballarat, 1948. Ballarat Libraries Collection.
