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By permission of the Mitchell Library
15 October 1913 cover
Date: 1916-1921
Issue Details: First known date: 1916... 1916 Australian Variety and Show World
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The only weekly paper dealing exclusively with Vaudeville, Drama, Pictures, Circus, Parks, Fairs and kindred amusements of the Antipodean Show World.' Although the price increased, the size remained the same and there was no break in style or content between Australian Variety and Australian Variety and Show World. It continued with 'newsy notes', regular reviews of shows at specific theatres, critiques of current film releases, interstate and international notes, club and association reports (Musicians, Magicians, Vaudeville Artists, Tattersall's), and boxing and racing columns. It also continued the tradition of large Christmas editions, carrying seasons greetings – often in display form – from individual performers and companies. Joint publisher from August 1917 was Andy Kerr (the Coogee Bunyip), a leading bookmaker. The effects of war, paper shortages, and the influenza epidemic on business were noted. The magazine was still partially addressed to those in the know, including the racing 'Heads', the theatrical 'Chasers', 'Bondi Beach combers', and the residents of the theatrical boarding house 'Pacific Mansions', whose doings were recorded in cryptic references, nicknames, and innuendoes. This element declined as moving pictures became increasingly important, not least through their extensive advertising, and from early 1918, film censorship was a significant topic. In May 1920 (No.1043), the editor published an Open Letter to the Film Exchanges, declaring, 'We have looked the matter over from all angles, and we have decided to cast our lot with the buyers and sellers of the shadowy screen, and, from now on, we are with you heart and soul'.

Notes

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1916

Works about this Work

Australian Variety/Australian Variety and Show World Clay Djubal , 2005 single work biography
— Appears in: Australian Variety Theatre Archive : Popular Culture Entertainment: 1850-1930

— Appears in: 'What Oh Tonight' : The Methodology Factor and Pre-1930s Australian Variety Theatre - Appendices (Volumes 1 and 2) 2005;
'Variety's' Annual 1916 single work column
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , February 1916; (p. 44)
A positive review by the Theatre Magazine of the Australian Variety Annual (29 December 1915). The critic writes, for example : 'A bigger theatrical production for the money has never been brought out in Australia' (p44).
Untitled 1914 single work column
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , February 1914; (p. 37)
Brief item congratulating Martin C. Brennan and the 'excellent headway' he had made with Australian Variety since starting publication a few months previous.
Review : Australian Variety and Show World 1914 single work column
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , November 1914; (p. 17)
Brief item offering best wishes to Martin C. Brennan following his recent operation for appendicitis and acknowledgment of the success Australian Variety had established after one year of publication.
'Variety's' Annual 1916 single work column
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , February 1916; (p. 44)
A positive review by the Theatre Magazine of the Australian Variety Annual (29 December 1915). The critic writes, for example : 'A bigger theatrical production for the money has never been brought out in Australia' (p44).
Review : Australian Variety and Show World 1914 single work column
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , November 1914; (p. 17)
Brief item offering best wishes to Martin C. Brennan following his recent operation for appendicitis and acknowledgment of the success Australian Variety had established after one year of publication.
Untitled 1914 single work column
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , February 1914; (p. 37)
Brief item congratulating Martin C. Brennan and the 'excellent headway' he had made with Australian Variety since starting publication a few months previous.
Australian Variety/Australian Variety and Show World Clay Djubal , 2005 single work biography
— Appears in: Australian Variety Theatre Archive : Popular Culture Entertainment: 1850-1930

— Appears in: 'What Oh Tonight' : The Methodology Factor and Pre-1930s Australian Variety Theatre - Appendices (Volumes 1 and 2) 2005;

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

Frequency:
Weekly.
Range:
Vol.13, no.138 (7 June 1916) - No.1075 (31 Dec.1920). Volume numbers were dropped after Vol.17, no. 232 (5 April 1918) and there was a shift in numbering from No.300 (25 July 1919) to No.1001 (1 Aug. 1919).
Continues:
Continued by:
Supplement:
Xmas Annuals
Size:
16pp. (nb, no page numbers). Xmas Annuals up to 82pp.
Price:
Three pence. Annuals six pence.
Graphics:
Theatrical photographs, film stills, pen sketches and cartoons.
Advertising:
Performers cards; display advertisements for theatrical and domestic services and products; bookmakers; film releases.
Note:
Mitchell Library Holdings: Missing Vol.15, no.174, 176-80 (Feb. - March 1917); Nos.269-70 (Dec. 1918).
Note:
The magazine's founding editor was vaudeville critic Harry Kitching (q.v.)
Last amended 12 May 2014 12:39:59
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