The Archives of Pier One Theatre : A Guide
Collection Number: MS-3-7Collection processed and finding aid written by Victoria Sigurdson, April 2003
Finding aid revised and electronic version prepared by Kathryn Harvey, June 2003
Collection Level Description
Title: Pier One Theatre fonds
Dates: 1971-1975
Extent: 1.94 m of textual records
Pier One Theatre was formed in the late summer of 1971 as a theatre of contemporary and experimental drama, and was Halifax's first alternative theatre company committed to drawing on local talent in the presentation off-Broadway theatre. Pier One Theatre operated out of a run-down building on the Halifax waterfront, hence the company's name. Over its short, four-year life, Pier One presented more than 30 productions in addition to hosting several visiting theatre groups and musical performances. The theatre was initially run on a local grant which allowed for the hiring of a permanent administrative and technical staff, but these funds did not meet the bulk of expenses involved in running a theatre company. Funding for the group was always in doubt, but it raised enough for two tours: one to Toronto in 1972 and the other to Truro in 1974. On 31 May 1973, the local grant was terminated which created funding problems resulting in a large fundraising campaign. Members of the troupe changed often but included Richard Perkyns and David Porter among others, and leadership Reid and Dunsworth provided leadership at different periods throughout the group's history. The Pier One Theate was closed in 1975.
- October 1-24 1971 - Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool, Dry Place /The White Whore and the Bit Player
- December 1-19 1971 - Wind in the Branches of the Sassafras
- January 26 - February 20 1972 - Seal/Resurrection of Philip Jerome Michaels/Feast in the Time of Famine/Cowboys #2
- March 8 - April 12 1972 - Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ
- April 12-30 1972 - Out at Sea/I'm Really Here/Snowbirds
- May 10-28 1972 - The Mystification of our Lady of Lourdes
- June 28 - July 16 1972 - The Journey of the fifth Horse
- August 6-20 1972 - Evangeline
- August 23-24 1972 - Medicine Show
- August 30 - September 13 1972 - The Maids
- October 20 1972 - Folk Concert
- November 8-26 1972 - The Jingo Ring
- December 6-17 1972 - Endgame
- January 16-28 1973 - Murray's Lunch / Olga Visiting Graham
- February 8-25 1973 - The Empire Builders
- February 28 - March 11 1973 - Condemned
- March 2 - April 1 1973 - Look Back in Anger
- March 16 1973 - Basses Loaded
- April 6-25 1973 - The Bad Children
- May 17-27 1973 - The End of the World
- June 16 1973 - A Summer Evening of Baroque
- June 21-24 1973 - Pier One Traveling Players
- June 27 - July 8 1973 - Of Mice and Men
- August 1-5 15 1973 - Miles of Broken Glass
- August 16-18 1973 - La Troupe de Masque
- August 23-26 1973 - Three One Act Plays
- September 19-30 1973 - Bland Hysteria
- October 10-21 1973 - Beware the Quickly Who
- November 19 1973 - Kafka and Poe
- November 15 1973 - Focus
- November 28 - December 9 1973 - Dracula Two
- December 16 1973 - Evening of 18th Century Music (Lewis, Karr)
- February 6-17 1974 - Abelard and Heloise
- April 21-25 1974 - Nobody Goes to Toyland
- May 23 - June 2 1974 - Zoo Story
- June 15-23 - The Prophets
- July 18-29 1974 - The Tempest
- August 8-19 1974 - Dangling Desperation
- August 17-19 1974 - Finally ... A Celebration
- August 5-6 1974 - Summertime Serenade
Return to the Table of Contents
The bulk of the collection was donated by John Dunsworth in January 1974, with a second accession in January 1975. Miscellaneous theatre programs were donated by Sister Geraldine Anthony, English department, Mount Saint Vincent University, in 1975.
Return to the Table of Contents
The fonds contains correspondence, production records, scripts, flyers, posters, programs, promotional materials, press reviews, financial records, organizational management, documents regarding the theatre building and property, workshop programming, as well as touring production records. There is extensive correspondence regarding script acquisition and production; some correspondents included Canadian and Haligonian playwrights. Many scripts contain annotations by directors and actors. Set drawings, lighting cues, props lists and theatre renovation plans are also part of this fonds.
Unprocessed materials from the fonds not included here amount to approximately 94 cm. Please consult the Archives staff for access.
Correspondence / 1971-1974
Production Documents / 1971-1974
Scripts / 1971-1973
Flyers / 1971-1974
Posters / 1971-1974
Programs / 1971-1974
Promotional Materials / 1971-1974
Press Reviews / 1971-1974
Financial Records / 1971-1974
Organizational Management / 1971-1974
Pier One Theatre Building / 1973-1974
Workshop Programming / 1973-1974
Touring Production Records / 1972, 1974
Richard Perkyns collection (MS-3-27) in the Theatre Collections section.
Return to the Table of Contents
[Identification of item], Pier One fonds, MS-3-7, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives and Special Collections, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Return to the Table of Contents
Combined Series and File Level Descriptions
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 4 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
These files contain the incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Theatre Group. Scripts correspondence detail the acquisition of works for possible production and dialogue between the group and writers regarding royalties and development of the scripts.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 1.1
Scripts Correspondence - 1971-1973
Folder - 2.1
Scripts Correspondence - 1972-1974
Folder - 1.2
Theatre Community Correspondence - 1971-1973
Folder - 2.2
Funding and Donation Correspondence - 1971-1973
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 4 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
These production documents detail many aspects of theatre production. Notes on the opening night performances, lighting cues, props lists and set drawings comprise this series.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 1.3
Production Notes - Seal/Feast/Cowboy - 1972
Folder - 1.4
Opening Night - Jingo Ring - 1972
Folder - 7.58
Production Records 1971-1974
Folder - 1.7
Opening Night - Bad Children - 1973
Boxes 1 and 2
Lighting Documentation
Folder - 1.6
Lighting Cue - Wind in the Branches of the Sassafras - 1971
Folder - 1.7
Script with Lighting Cue - Seal - 1972
Folder - 2.3
Lighting Cue - Abelard and Helo?se - 1974
Boxes 1 and 2
Properties Documentation
Folder - 1.8
Properties List - Resurrection of Philip Jerome Michaels - 1972
Folder - 1.9
Properties List - Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ - 1972
Box 1
Set Documentation
Folder - 1.10
Set Drawing - I'm Really Here - 1972
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1973
Extent: 46 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
Many scripts in the Pier One collection are written by Canadian playwrights. The group was also interested in Haligonian writers and local, non-professional theatre productions. Unproduced scripts are also included in this series. Annotated scripts contain notes regarding production and acting techniques, as well as revisions to the works for production purposes.
Arrangement:
Produced scripts are arranged in chronological order by date of production. For precise dates refer to the detailed production schedule in the administrative history section of this finding aid. Unproduced scripts are listed alphabetically.
File Level Descriptions
Boxes 1 and 2
Annotated Produced Scripts
Folder - 2.4
Director's Script - The White Whore and the Bit Player
Folder - 1.11
Cowboys #2
Folder - 1.12
Feast in the Time of Plague
Folder - 1.13
Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ
Folder - 1.14
Look Back in Anger
Boxes 1-3
Produced Scripts
Folder - 1.15
Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool, Dry Place
Folder - 2.5
The White Whore and the Bit Player
Folder - 2.6
Wind in the Branches of the Sassafras
Folder - 1.16-17
Seal
Folder - 1.18
Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ
Folder - 1.19
I'm Really Here
Folder - 1.20
Out at Sea
Folder - 1.21
Snowbirds
Folder - 1.22
The Mystification of our Lady of Lourdes
Folder - 1.23
The Journey of the 5th Horse
Folder - 3.13
The Maids
Folder - 3.14
The Jingo Ring
Folder - 3.1
Maurry's Lunch
Folder - 3.2
Olga Visiting Graham
Folder - 3.3
The Empire Builders
Folder - 3.4
Condemned
Folder - 3.5
Look Back in Anger
Folder - 3.6
The End of the World
Folder - 3.7
Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)
Folder - 3.8
15 Miles of Broken Glass
Folder - 3.9
Bland Hysteria
Folder - 3.10
Beware the Quickly Who
Boxes 2-6
Unproduced Scripts
Folder - 3.11
And the Lamp Went Out (?)
Folder - 3.12
Barber (Michael John Nimchuk)
Folder - 4.1
Beach (Avro McMillan)
Folder - 4.2
Black Fog (Joachim Maass)
Folder - 4.3
Cabot's Fall (D.F. Kellum)
Folder - 4.4
Caskett Song (David Gustafson)
Folder - 4.5
The Cenci (Antonin Artaud?)
Folder - 4.6
Children of the Wolf (?)
Folder - 4.7
A Conflict of Family Interest (Austin G. Nolan)
Folder - 4.8
Covet Honour (Frank W. McEnaney)
Folder - 2.7
Cowboy Island (Brian Shein)
Folder - 2.8
Deadline F.L.Q. (Guy Claude Hamel)
Folder - 4.9
The Desert (Avro McMillan)
Folder - 2.9
Doktor Weerd (Brian Shein)
Folder - 4.10
Eating the Apple (?)
Folder - 4.11
The End (John Palmer)
Folder - 4.12
The Fight (?)
Folder - 4.13
Flight (?)
Folder - 4.14
Foreplay (Barry Friesen)
Folder - 2.10
Glossolallia (?)
Folder - 4.15
Gwyneth in a Phelion (Raymond F.R. Cawale)
Folder - 4.16
His Wife and Coutrymen (?)
Folder - 4.17
Horticulturalist (Smiley)
Folder - 4.18
Imago Homines (Steve Petch)
Folder - 4.19
Impression of Loving (Louise Thompson)
Folder - 4.20
Just Fifty Glasses a Day (Frances MacLeod)
Folder - 2.11
Kafka (Brian Shein)
Folder - 4.21
Lady Windemere's Fan (?)
Folder - 4.22
Living Room (Avro McMillan)
Folder - 4.23
The Magician (Smiley)
Folder - 5.1
Make your Play (Kenneth Livingston)
Folder - 5.2
The Man Who Loved God (Sherry Kafka)
Folder - 5.3
Marise (Jack Cunningham)
Folder - 5.4
My Mind (Jim Gow)
Folder - 5.5
Neighbours (Hams Werner)
Folder - 5.6
Pardon us for Living (A. Szumigalski)
Folder - 5.7
The Peephole Convention (D.F. Kellum)
Folder - 5.8
Peter (Paul Maurice)
Folder - 5.9
Pig-Tales (Ernest Schwartz)
Folder - 5.10
Play of the Cyclone (W.R. Chadwick)
Folder - 5.11
The Princes of Naples (George F. Walker)
Folder - 5.12
Psychiatrist (Smiley)
Folder - 5.13
Rex Morgan, M.D. (Brian Shein)
Folder - 5.14
Sam Slick's Surprise (Joseph McLeod)
Folder - 5.15
Santanas (Steve Petch)
Folder - 5.16
Shellgame (Douglas Bankson)
Folder - 2.12
Short-Cut (Ken Rajkumar)
Folder - 5.17
The Silver Mirror (?)
Folder - 5.18
The Spectacles of 'N' (Avro McMillan)
Folder - 2.13
Steady State Doomsday (?)
Folder - 5.19
Stonehenge (Douglas Bankson)
Folder - 5.20
Suppose (?)
Folder - 5.21
The Swineherd (?)
Folder - 5.22
Telemachus Clay (?)
Folder - 5.23
Threepenny Opera (Berthold Brecht)
Folder - 6.1
Transients (Jack Sheriff)
Folder - 6.2
Trial (?)
Folder - 6.3
Uncle Vania (?)
Folder - 6.4
Untitled (?)
Folder - 6.5
Valedictorian (Smiley)
Folder - 6.6
Warm Up and Procession (?)
Folder - 2.14
Who is Bill Wilks? (A.E. Hawkins)
Folder - 6.7
Who is Justin Foote? (Kenneth Larose)
Folder - 6.8
With all my Heart (?)
Folder - 6.9
The Younger Generation (Jack Bornstein)
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
Flyers were the group's most prolific mode of promotion. Both theatre productions and community programming are represented.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 6.10
Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool, Dry Place/The White Whore and the Bit Player
Folder - 6.11
Wind in the Branches of the Sassafras
Folder - 6.12
Cowboys #2/Feast in the Time of Plague/The Resurrection of Philip Jerome Michaels/Seal
Folder - 6.13
Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ
Folder - 6.14
I'm Really Here/Out at Sea
Folder - 6.15
The Mystification of our Lady of Lourdes
Folder - 6.16
Folk Concert
Folder - 6.17
Jingo Ring
Folder - 6.18
Endgame
Folder - 6.19
Condemned
Folder - 6.20
Bad Children
Folder - 6.21
The End of the World
Folder - 6.22
A Summer Evening of Baroque
Folder - 6.23
Seasonal Review
Folder - 6.24
Pier One Traveling Players
Folder - 6.25
15 Miles of Broken Glass
Folder - 6.26
Kafka and Poe
Folder - 6.27
Focus
Folder - 6.28
Dracula Two
Folder - 6.29
Evening of 18th Century Music (Lewis, Karr)
Folder - 6.30
The Tempest (Auditions)
Folder - 6.31
Finally ... A Celebration
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
Posters were one of Pier One's many modes of advertisement and promotion and contain a mix of promotional and production-schedule information.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 2.15
Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool, Dry Place/The White Whore and the Bit Player
Folder - 6.32
Cowboys #2/Feast in the Time of Plague/The Resurrection of Philip Jerome Michaels/Seal
Folder - 6.33
I'm Really Here/Out at Sea/Snowbirds
Folder - 2.16
Medicine Show
Folder - 6.34
Condemned
Folder - 2.17
Basses Loaded
Folder - 6.35
Pier One Traveling Players
Folder - 9.6
Of Mice and Men
Folder - 2.18
Bland Hysteria
Folder - 2.19
Summertime Serenade
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 4 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
Programs provide detailed information about the productions and represent almost all productions mounted within the 4 year period of the group's history.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 6.36
Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool, Dry Place/The White Whore and the Bit Player (includes miscellaneous program notes)
Folder - 6.37
Wind in the Branches of the Sassafras
Folder - 6.38
Cowboys #2/Feast in the Time of Plague/The Resurrection of Philip Jerome Michaels/Seal
Folder - 6.39
Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ
Folder - 6.40
I'm Really Here/Out at Sea/Snowbirds
Folder - 6.41
The Mystification of our Lady of Lourdes
Folder - 6.42
Journey of the 5th Horse
Folder - 6.43
Evangeline
Folder - 6.44
The Medicine Show
Folder - 6.45
The Maids
Folder - 6.46
Jingo Ring
Folder - 6.47
Endgame
Folder - 6.48
Maurry's Lunch/Olga Visiting Graham
Folder - 6.49
Empire Builders
Folder - 6.50
Condemned
Folder - 6.51
Look Back in Anger
Folder - 6.52
Basses Loaded
Folder - 2.20
The Bad Children
Folder - 6.53
The End of the World
Folder - 6.54
Pier One Traveling Players
Folder - 6.55
15 Miles of Broken Glass
Folder - 6.56
La Troupe en Masque
Folder - 6.57
Three One Act Plays
Folder - 6.58
Dalhousie Chamber Singers
Folder - 6.59
Bland Hysteria
Folder - 6.60
Beware the Quickly Who
Folder - 6.61
Dracula Two
Folder - 2.21
Focus
Folder - 7.1
Abelard and Heloise
Folder - 7.2
Zoo Story
Folder - 7.3
The Tempest
Folder - 7.4
Summertime Serenade
Folder - 7.5
Dangling Desperation
Folder - 7.6
Finally ... A Celebration
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
Radio broadcast and printed advertisements are the primary documents of this series.
Arrangement:
The first file contains all group-oriented promotional material; the remainder of the files contain production-specific records.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 2.22
Pier One Theatre Group - 1971-1974
Folder - 7.7
Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool, Dry Place/The White Whore and the Bit Player
Folder - 7.8
Wind in the Branches of the Sassafras
Folder - 7.9
Zylan
Folder - 7.10
The Resurrection of Philip Jerome Michaels/Seal
Folder - 7.11
Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ
Folder - 7.12
I'm Really Here/Out at Sea/Snowbirds
Folder - 7.13
The Mystification of our Lady of Lourdes
Folder - 7.14
Journey of the 5th Horse
Folder - 7.15
Evangeline
Folder - 2.23
The Medicine Show/The Maids
Folder - 7.16
Jingo Ring
Folder - 7.17
Endgame
Folder - 7.18
Maurry's Lunch/Olga Visiting Graham
Folder - 7.19
Empire Builders
Folder - 7.20
Condemned
Folder - 7.21
Look Back in Anger
Folder - 7.22
Basses Loaded
Folder - 7.23
The Bad Children
Folder - 7.24
The End of the World
Folder - 2.24
Pier One Traveling Players
Folder - 7.25
Of Mice and Men
Folder - 7.26
15 Miles of Broken Glass
Folder - 7.27
Three One Act Plays
Folder - 7.28
Bland Hysteria
Folder - 2.25
Beware the Quickly Who
Folder - 2.26
Dracula Two
Folder - 2.27
Evening of 18th Century Music (Lewis, Karr)
Folder - 2.28
Abelard and Heloise
Folder - 2.29
Nobody Goes to Toyland
Folder - 7.29
Zoo Story
Folder - 7.30
The Prophets
Folder - 7.31
The Tempest
Folder - 7.32
Dangling Desperation
Folder - 2.30
Six One Act Plays (n.d.)
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 6 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
Press reviews covering almost every Pier One presentation were collected. They come from a multitude of sources including magazines and newspapers. Drafts of radio reviews and handwritten drafts of printed reviews are also represented.
Arrangement:
The first file contains press that is not production-specific; the remainder of the files are production-specific.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 2.31
Pier One Theatre Group 1971-1974
Folder - 7.33
Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool, Dry Place/The White Whore and the Bit Player
Folder - 2.32
Wind in the Branches of the Sassafras
Folder - 2.33
Cowboys #2/Feast in the Time of Plague/The Resurrection of Philip Jerome Michaels/Seal
Folder - 2.34
Charles Manson A.K.A. Jesus Christ
Folder - 2.35
I'm Really Here/Out at Sea/Snowbirds
Folder - 2.36
Journey of the 5th Horse
Folder - 7.34
Evangeline
Folder - 7.35
The Medicine Show
Folder - 2.37
The Maids
Folder - 7.36
The Jingo Ring
Folder - 7.37
Endgame
Folder - 7.38
Maurry's Lunch
Folder - 7.39
The Empire Builders
Folder - 7.40
Condemned
Folder - 7.41
Look Back in Anger
Folder - 7.42
Basses Loaded
Folder - 7.43
The Bad Children
Folder - 7.44
The End of the World
Folder - 2.38
Pier One Traveling Players
Folder - 7.45
Of Mice and Men
Folder - 7.46
15 Miles of Broken Glass
Folder - 7.47
La Trope en Masque
Folder - 2.39
Bland Hysteria
Folder - 2.40
Beware the Quickly Who
Folder - 2.41
Dracula Two
Folder - 2.42
Abelard and Heloise
Folder - 7.48
Zoo Story
Folder - 7.49
The Tempest
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 21 of textual records
Scope and Content:
This series is comprised of financial ledgers covering both payroll and the financial management of grants. Programs for youth and adults were conducted with community and governmental funding. Expense records concentrate particularly on the co-op like structure of membership in the Pier One Theatre Group.
Access Restrictions:
Pay books in Box 8, Folders 7 through 11 and Box 8, Folder 15 contain personal information and are, thus, closed.
File Level Descriptions
Box 8
General Journals
Folder - 8.1
August 1971- February 1972
Folder - 8.2
November 1971 - July 1972
Folder - 8.3
July 1972 - April 1973
Folder - 9.1
December 1972 - October 1973
Folder - 8.4
January 1973 - May 1973
Folder - 8.5
May - October 1973
Folder - 8.6
June - December 1973
Folder - 9.2
October 1973 - April 1974
Folder - 9.3
April 1974 - November 1974
Box 9
Amusements Regulation Board
Folder - 9.4
October 1971 - January 1973
Folder - 9.5
Amusements Regulation Board August 1974 - November 1974
Box 8
Pay Books (RESTRICTIONS)
Folder - 8.7
December 1971 - July 1972
Closed
Folder - 8.8
January 1972 - June 1972
Closed
Folder - 8.9
June - September 1972
Closed
October - November 1972
Closed
Folder - 8.10
December 1972 - June 1973
Closed
July 1973 - November 1973
Closed
Box 8
Opportunities for Youth Financial Records (RESTRICTIONS)
Folder - 8.11
"Pay Book" - May 1973 - September 1973
Closed
Folder - 8.12
"Cash Book" - June - October 1973
Box 8
Department of Recreation Ledgers (RESTRICTIONS)
Folder - 8.13
Contingency Funding - December 1973 - June 1974
Folder - 8.14
Department of Recreation Grant - November 1973 - July 1974
Folder - 8.15
Department of Recreation Grant - June 1974
Closed
Box 8
Expense Records
Folder - 8.16
Shared Expenses - October 1972 - July 1973
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1971-1974
Extent: 2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
This series contains information on the organization of Pier One as a theatre production company. The hierarchy of the group is outlined and information given about actors involved with the group. Worksheets detail procedures followed by members in the preparation and mounting of productions, including everyday upkeep of the organization and its facilities.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 2.43
History and Structure of Pier One Theatre Company - [197-?]
Folder - 2.44
Worksheets - 1971-1974
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1973-1974
Extent: 1 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
This series contains a plan for the Pier One Theatre building and correspondence pertaining to the acquisition of theatre seating.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 7.50
Theatre Plan - n.d.
Folder - 7.51
Correspondence re: theatre seats - 1973-1974
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1973-1974
Extent: 2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
Pier One developed workshops for both children and adults. This series contains records pertaining to program development, financing, and promotion.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 2.45
Development - 1973
Folder - 7.52
Finances - 1974
Folder - 7.53
Promotion - n.d.
Folder - 7.54
Flyer - n.d.
Return to the Table of Contents
Date:1972, 1974
Extent: 1 cm of textual records
Scope and Content:
The theatre group ran two tours: one to Toronto in 1972 and the other to Truro in 1974. Production documents and financing for the tours comprises this series.
File Level Descriptions
Folder - 7.55
Toronto - 1972
Folder - 7.56
Truro - 1974
Folder - 7.57
Tour Finances - February 6-17 1974
Return to the Table of Contents
|