Theatrical coat used in Theatre for Children productions
Object numberM2020/016:030
TitleTheatrical coat used in Theatre for Children productions
DescriptionFull length coat, black with pink trim. Used in theatrical productions staged by the Theatre for Children in Sydney c. 1940s - 1950s.
Part of the Theatre for Children Archive, which includes theatrical costumes, play scripts, photographs, illustrations, musical scores and other documents compiled by the Theatre's founder, Rosemarie Benjamin. The Theatre for Children is an example of the significant contribution made by Jewish migrants to Australian cultural history. Established in Sydney in 1937, the Theatre survived for almost 20 years and contributed to the discourse surrounding young people’s cultural education.
Rosemarie was born in London in 1901 into a well-off Jewish family. She worked in London as a dramatist and producer. In 1936 she planned a brief holiday to Australia, but soon decided to stay permanently. She immersed herself in the Jewish migrant community in Sydney and found a social network that allowed her to begin and maintain her theatre. By the following year she had established the Theatre, first called the Young People’s Theatre, then the Children’s Theatre, before the Theatre for Children was registered as a business name in 1944. That year she made her headquarters in a small studio space in Northcote House in Reiby Place, near Circular Quay.
Rosemarie gave great care to the adaptation of stories, script development, making of costumes, composition of music and set design. She was a brilliant publicist of her views, writing plays and articles and giving luncheon speeches and broadcasts on the ABC, as well as organising seasons of productions with her enthusiastic amateurs.
During the inter-war and post-World War II periods, the Theatre enjoyed much success, performing two plays every Saturday. Its success declined by the mid-1950s as it competed with cinema and television for young audiences. Rosemarie Benjamin became seriously ill in 1955 and closed the Theatre at the end of the next year. She returned to London where she died in June 1957.
Part of the Theatre for Children Archive, which includes theatrical costumes, play scripts, photographs, illustrations, musical scores and other documents compiled by the Theatre's founder, Rosemarie Benjamin. The Theatre for Children is an example of the significant contribution made by Jewish migrants to Australian cultural history. Established in Sydney in 1937, the Theatre survived for almost 20 years and contributed to the discourse surrounding young people’s cultural education.
Rosemarie was born in London in 1901 into a well-off Jewish family. She worked in London as a dramatist and producer. In 1936 she planned a brief holiday to Australia, but soon decided to stay permanently. She immersed herself in the Jewish migrant community in Sydney and found a social network that allowed her to begin and maintain her theatre. By the following year she had established the Theatre, first called the Young People’s Theatre, then the Children’s Theatre, before the Theatre for Children was registered as a business name in 1944. That year she made her headquarters in a small studio space in Northcote House in Reiby Place, near Circular Quay.
Rosemarie gave great care to the adaptation of stories, script development, making of costumes, composition of music and set design. She was a brilliant publicist of her views, writing plays and articles and giving luncheon speeches and broadcasts on the ABC, as well as organising seasons of productions with her enthusiastic amateurs.
During the inter-war and post-World War II periods, the Theatre enjoyed much success, performing two plays every Saturday. Its success declined by the mid-1950s as it competed with cinema and television for young audiences. Rosemarie Benjamin became seriously ill in 1955 and closed the Theatre at the end of the next year. She returned to London where she died in June 1957.
Subjectachievers, cultural events & activities, education, youth
Object nametheatrical costumes
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by John McIntyre