Klaus M. Villwock correspondence with Mona Brand, 1991-1999

MLMSS 8289

fonds

1991-1999

Textual Records, Clippings

421203

0.17 metres of textual material (1 box)

Mona Alexis Brand (1915-2007), poet, playwright and author was born in Sydney in 1915. She worked as an advertising copywriter in Sydney and Melbourne after leaving school and during World War I became an industrial social welfare worker in munition factories. From 1945-1948 she was a research assistant in the Industrial Welfare Division of the Department of Labour and National Service. During this period she was a member of the Melbourne Realist Writers.

After living in London and travelling extensively in Europe from 1948-1954, she married journalist, poet and labour historian Len Fox (1905-2004) in 1955, and during 1956 and 1957 they taught English in Hanoi. Brand became associated with the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship (1958-1968), editing its broadsheet until 1967. From 1966-1972 she conducted a number of courses on creative writing for adults.

Three volumes of Brand's poetry had been published by 1946. In the mid 1940s she turned to drama, and writing for the theatre became her main interest. Sydney's New Theatre produced many of her plays and satirical sketches, which reflected Brand's strong commitment to peace and socialism. Her work has been performed on stage, radio and television in Australia, England, Eastern Europe and India.

Brand's published works include four collections of verse, numerous plays, three educational books for schools, and her autobiography, Enough blue sky, which appeared in 1995.

Klaus Villwock (b. 1931) started acting in Berlin at 17 under Bert Brecht. Moving to Australia, he worked at Swinburne College of Technology Library, and became involved with acting and directing in theatre groups, mainly for Waverly Theatre and Mitcham Repertory Group. He also wrote a novel exploring a homosexual love affair, under a pseudonym.

In 1991 Villwock wrote to Mona Brand seeking permission to direct her play 'Here Under Heaven.' From this point they developed a long friendship and further professional collaborations.

Klaus Villwock is also known by his pen name Nick Martin.

Reference:
Compiled from the collection
Library correspondence file

Folder 1
Letters from Klaus Villwock primarily to Mona Brand, mostly computer printouts, including fliers, newspaper clippings, and copy of 'In Guten wie in Schlechten Zeiten.' Villwock describes his experiences as a child growing up in Berlin, his impressions on returning to Europe following the fall of the Berlin wall, his professional work, and his personal life, 1995-1999

Folders 2-3
Letters received by Klaus Villwock from Mona Brand, including newspaper clippings, copies of articles, fliers, cards by Len Fox, and photocopies of photographs. Brand speaks about her work, personal and political issues, as well as giving background information about the research and writing of her plays. She also provides lengthy explanations in reply to Villwock's comments and questions about the draft of her autobiography Enough Blue Sky, 1991-1999

Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners
Approval for reproduction required: of copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information upgraded as part of the Manuscripts Unprocessed eRecords Project 2011-2012

See also the following collections relating to Mona Brand: Mona Brand - papers, 189-?-2001; Christine (Christine M) Tilley - letters received from Mona Brand, 1969-2001.