Alan Clay papers, 1978-2000

MLMSS 8596
VT 1516

fonds

1978 - 2000

Textual Records, Moving Images, Clippings, Ephemera, Posters

411798

0.82 metres of textual and video cassette material (5 boxes)

Alan Clay, physical theatre teacher and author, born in Wanganui, New Zealand in 1954. Clay grew up in Auckland, studied at Rangitoto College and Auckland University before attending Clown School in Stockholm, Sweden in 1977. He has since taught and performed extensively in Scandinavia, England, Australia and New Zealand. Since 1992 he has lived in Sydney, teaching at the Actor’s Centre until 1994. He manages the electronic publisher Artmedia Publishing and runs Playspace Studio Newtown offering courses in clown based theatre. Clay has written articles for arts magazines, and published two novels, ‘Moontan’ in 1994, and ‘Dance Sisters’ in 1997.


Reference:
From the collection

Alan Clay literary and other papers, 1978 – 2000, including drafts of and correspondence concerning the novels Moontan (1974) and Dance Sisters (1996-1999); correspondence, contracts, programs, brochures related to performances and courses organised by Clay; 12 videos including student performances in Auckland and at Playspace Studio, Auckland Fringe Festival directed by Clay, various European Festivals showing Australian acts.

BOX 1
Literary papers related to the short story ‘Moontan’, ca. 1989 – 1995, including computer typescript submitted to American Express Short Story Award, first draft – computer typescript with extensive manuscript annotations, 1989, computer typescript marked up by editor Nigel Cox, 1994, ‘Third edition’ – computer typescript, 1994,

BOX 2
Literary papers related to the short story ‘Moontan’, ca. 1989 – 1995, including various variant drafts, publishers and editorial correspondence, 1984-1993, printed material including reviews, newscuttings and poster, 1994, ‘Edit copies’ – first, second and third editions, 1994, ‘Moontan’ printed first, second and third editions, 1994 – 1995.

BOX 3
Literary papers related to the short story ‘Dance Sisters’, 1996, including Draft chapter one – typescript with manuscript annotations, printout submitted to Hodder Headline, 1996, page proofs with editorial comments, Correspondence with publishers, including rejection letters and reader’s report. Correspondence also includes one letter from David Malouf, 1996 – 1997, printed material, including reviews and magazines, 1997 – 1998, Dance Sisters (Art Media, 1997) – two copies, 1997, Computer disc: Dance Sisters e-book text, 1999, proof sheet, 1997, eva, 1995, e-book: Dance Sisters (Zen Publications, 1999).

BOX 4
Brochures and newscuttings related to The Imperial Trunk Fools Theatre, 1978 – 1979, Contract and programs documenting Clay’s European performances, 1981 – 1984, Correspondence, contract, newscuttings, photograph and brochures relating to Playspace Theatre, Auckland, 1982 – 1987, Correspondence and contracts relating to European performances of Clay’s act ‘Undercover Clown’, 1985 -1986, Correspondence, newscuttings, posters, brochures relating to the organization by Expression Multi-media of the 1987 Auckland Fringe Festival and 1988 Comedy Festival, Correspondence, grant application, progress report, brochure and supporting documentation relating to Grant awarded to Clay to undertake ‘Party Tricks’ for the 1992 Adelaide Fringe Festival, 1990 – 1991, Correspondence, contracts, newscuttings, and programs relating to European performances of ‘Snap & Crackle’ and ‘The Untouchable Roving Clowns’, 1996 – 1999, Correspondence, newscuttings and course programs for circus, clown and acting training offered by Playspace Studio, Newtown, 1999 – 2000, five issues of the arts magazine, ‘Play-space’, ca. 1988

BOX 5
VIDEORECORDING
VT 1516
12 VHS video cassettes, showcasing performances of Alan Clay’s students in Auckland in the early 1980’s and at Playspace Studio, Newtown in the late 1990’s – and promote the work of Clay and his partner (The Untouchables) and Clay and his son (the clown duo Snap & Crackle). They include footage of the 1987 Auckland Fringe Festival directed by Clay, and of European festivals showing Australian acts by Clay and others. Also includes a 1994 video made when Clay was employed by the Australian Broadcasting Commission to perform in the television segment ‘ABC Travel Tips’. Housed separately from the collection at MLMSS 8596

Copyright status:: In copyright
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information upgraded as part of the Manuscripts Unprocessed eRecords Project 2012-2013

Contents lists on file