Dame Doris Alice Fitton papers, 1929-1970

MLMSS 1239

fonds

1929-1970

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings

889210

0.69 metres of textual material (4 boxes and 2 outsize items) - printed and typescript

Doris Fitton, 1897-1985, was an actress with the J.C. Williamson theatre company in Melbourne, Victoria, before her marriage in 1922. She continued her career in Sydney and in 1929-1930 appeared at the Turret Theatre, North Sydney of which she was also the Secretary. After its closure in 1930 she formed another group which as the Independent Theatre presented its first production, Siegfried Geyer's 'By Candlelight', in St James' Church Hall, Sydney. A Permanent home was found for the Theatre in 1939 in Miller Street, North Sydney. The Production of international and Australian plays, including the premiere in 1948 of Sumner Locke Elliott's significant work 'Rusty Bugles', continued until the Independent Theater closed in 1977.

Doris Fitton was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1982. She died in 1985. Her autobiography "Not without dust and Heat: my life in the theatre" was published by Harper and Row in 1981. (ML ref. 792.0924/F547.2/1)

This collection includes pictorial material at Pic.Acc.5720

Information transferred from Manuscripts Leaf Catalogue No. 2 as part of the eRecords Project, 2009-2010