LW Conolly Theatre Archives
History
Since 1969 the library has been acquiring theatre collections, but it was really during the 1980s after the formal establishment of Archival & Special Collections that Leonard Conolly’s leadership as chair of the Drama Department (1981-1988) and later as Associate Vice-President Academic (1988-1992) helped firmly establish the University of Guelph as a destination for the study of theatre history. It was through Conolly’s contacts and discussions with significant Ontario theatres such as Phoenix and Tarragon in Toronto and the Grand in London, that soon led to their boards to agree to donate what was then a precious but endangered cultural heritage for Canadian drama and theatre. These rich and varied holdings, now known as The L.W. Conolly Theatre Archives, have become a major resource used by Guelph faculty and students as well as researchers within Canada and from around the world.
Collection strengths
The collections are focused on the work of Bernard Shaw; modern Ontario theatre companies; and playwrights, actors, directors, designers, cutters, and administrators active in Ontario theatre life. Over the years, the library's commitment has grown significantly to the point that it has become the largest collection of Canadian theatre and Shaw-related materials in Canada with more than 200 collections in its holdings.
Professional theatres
Major theatres in regional centres are well-represented in our holdings, including:
- The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton
- The Grand Theatre in London
- The Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa
Smaller companies
A great many smaller Ontario companies are represented in the collection including:
- The Blyth Festival
- Le Théâtre Français de Toronto
- Theatre Terra Nova from Hamilton
- The Lighthouse Festival from Port Dover
Companies that ceased operation
The records of many companies that are no longer in operation have also been acquired and preserved. They include:
- The Toronto-based Phoenix Theatre
- NDWT
- Toronto Workshop Productions
- Theatre and Company (Kitchener)
International reach
In addition to holdings representing theatre in Ontario, many individuals have generously donated their own personal papers and materials which represent not just their work in Ontario but also internationally. Our library is much richer with holdings from Christopher Newton, William Hutt, Richard Rose, Judith Thompson, Hilary Corbett, Cameron Porteous, Tony van Bridge, Neil Munro, Susan Benson, George Walker, Barry Morse, and many others.
Topical, activist, thematic companies
Various facets of the rich complexity of Ontario and Canadian theatre are reflected in the Guelph archives. These include:
Children's theatre:
- Young People's Theatre
- The Carousel Players
- Theatre on the Move
First Nations theatre:
LGBTQ theatre:
- Sky Gilbert fonds
- Buddies in Bad Times
Feminist theatre:
- Windsor Feminist Theatre
- Nightwood Theatre
Multicultural and community theatre:
- Black Theatre Canada
- Cahoots Theatre Projects
- Eramosa Community Players
Various forms of theatre outside the mainstream:
- Toby Gordon Ryan Collection
- Theatre Smith-Gilmour
- Theatre Columbus Outaouais Popular Theatre
- Necessary Angel
Professional organizations and associations
Archives of major national professional organizations are also housed at Guelph, including:
- The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres
- The Associated Designers of Canada
- The Playwrights' Union of Canada
Two examples of the preservation of important research and scholarship resources include:
- The archives of the Association for Canadian Theatre Research
- The records of the 1991 International Women Playwrights Conference
Late 19th-Century collections
By far the majority of collections relate to twentieth-century theatre, but there are one or two interesting exceptions, including the Garrick Family Papers.
Other exceptions include small collections on a nineteenth-century Toronto Opera House, British actor Edmund Kean, late nineteenth-century U.S. and Canadian music halls and theatres, and London's Independent Theatre.
LW Conolly Theatre Archives
Title | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Crest Theatre | Operating between 1954-1966, Crest Theatre was a company that focused on both modern and classic works. It is no longer in operation. | 1954-1966 |
Dan H Laurence & Shaviana Collections | Materials collected by George Bernard Shaw scholar and bibliographer Dan Laurence with some additions by other Shaw researchers. | 1856-2005 |
David Antscherl | Ontario-based artist, instructor, actor, art director, and a set and production designer for both stage and film | |
David Lee fonds | Photographic work of Toronto-based freelance photographer David Lee, related to Canadian theatres. | 1984-2003, bulk 1990-1992 |
Earle Grey Shakespeare Festival | Formed by British actors Earle Grey and Mary Godwin, the Earle Grey Shakespearean Festival is a topical festival focusing solely on the works of William Shakespeare. It ceased operation in 1958. | 1949-1958 |
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres | A collection featuring two theatres that operated in the same building. These theatres are no longer producing live performances. | 1914-15, 1987-1990 |
Equity Showcase Theatre | This not-for-profit organisation encouraged the artistic development of theatre professionals. | 1959-2007 |
Eugene Benson fonds | Contains first editions, draft editions and working copies of creative works by Eugene Benson, correspondence, newspaper clippings, photos and slides. | 1915-2012 |
Factory Theatre | Factory Theatre is an experimental theatre based in Toronto which creates and features new Canadian Content only. | 1970-1996 |
FLIP Publicity | A public relations agency with a focus on theatre and other performing arts. | 1988-2010 |
Gaiety Theatre (Manchester) | A now closed theatre that was used throughout the early to mid 20th Century in England. | 1904 |
Grand Theatre | A professional Ontario theatre that opened in 1901 and is still producing live performances today. | 1985-Present |
Great Canadian Theatre Company | Formed in 1975, this Canadian theatre was created by U of Ottawa Students and Professors. | 1975-1993 |
Ground Zero Productions | This controversial topical theatre was originally based in Toronto but has since moved to Alberta. | 1982-1997 |
Guelph Light Opera Company | A small company, focused on vocal talent, that is no longer in operation. | 1971 |
Guelph Royal Opera House | The Guelph Royal Opera House was a theatre that featured live performances before being turned into a movie theatre. It has since ceased operation. | 1873-1926 |
Guelph Spring Festival | A local festival that has been in operation since 1968 featuring both national and international talent. | 1968-present. |
Independent Theatre London (England) | A theatre that once put on a performance of Bernard Shaw's Widowers' Houses. | 1891-1894 |
International Stage in the Bernhardt Era Conference | A conference that coincided with the Guelph Spring Festival in 1977. | 1977 |
International Women Playwrights Conference | A yearly conference organised by women for women. | 1984-1991 |
Jacob & Sparrow Opera House | A small opera company that functioned out of Toronto, ON. It is no longer in operation. | 1891 |
Leonard Conolly fonds | Distinguished Ontario-based author, editor, teacher and theatre scholar. | 1900-2017 |
Lighthouse Festival Theatre | A professional Ontario theatre in Southern Ontario that focuses on producing purely Canadian shows. | 1980-2007 |
Linda Griffiths fonds | Scripts, reviews, posters, DVDs, VHS, books, research material. | 1978-2014 |
Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People | This is a smaller theatre company that produces Canadian works featuring school aged children. | 1966-2003 |
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