Val Atkinson

Atkinson was the third son of Louisa J. Atkinson, née O'Neil, and grazier James Roland Atkinson (1861 – c. 16 March 1945) of Galambine and Cullenbone, near Mudgee, New South Wales, later "The Braes", Manilla, New South Wales, then "Manaroo", near Cooma, from 1936.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article99563334 |title=Manaroo Sold |newspaper=Goulburn Evening Penny Post |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 May 1936 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} The land at Galambine was settled by J. R. Atkinson's father, James Atkinson,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157685138 |title=Land for Settlement. |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |volume=XIV |issue=1322 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=1 June 1905 |accessdate=21 May 2022 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} around 1850.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157633704 |title=Obituary |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |volume=XIV |issue=1251 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=25 July 1904 |accessdate=23 May 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} J. R. Atkinson was a leading citizen of the area, a prominent member of the Pastoral Protection Board, racing club and local government as well as a successful sheep grazier, wheatgrower and horse breeder. Louisa was a daughter of the Mudgee postmaster,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156994903 |title=Local Brevities |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |issue=2527 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=15 August 1918 |accessdate=23 May 2022 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} William D. O'Neil, who in 1888 married a sister of J. R. Atkinson.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161885928 |title=Mudgee |newspaper=The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser |volume=XLVI |issue=1479 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 November 1888 |accessdate=23 May 2022 |page=1008 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Atkinson attended Mudgee Grammar School, but unlike his brothers Eric and Geoffrey, did not distinguish himself in the classroom or sports field, but rated a mention for reciting selections from Ivry, one of Macaulay's Lays of Ancient Rome, at the 1907 prizegiving.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157617829 |title=Mudgee Grammar School |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |volume=XIV |issue=1529 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=19 December 1907 |accessdate=23 May 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} F. T. Miller, the proprietor and headmaster, died of influenza the following January and the school was taken over briefly by J. Wheatcroft, then closed.

He was a member of the Army Cadets in 1911 when he was chosen as a representative of Mudgee to the Coronation of George V.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article239107766 |title=Cadet Contingent |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) |issue=9938 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=4 April 1911 |accessdate=23 May 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Atkinson described himself as a farmer when he enlisted with the First AIF in July 1915{{cite web|url=https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3040061 |title=Atkinson Valdeman : SERN 2776 |publisher=National Archives of Australia |access-date=20 May 2022}} and was sent overseas as a private, was wounded twice, promoted to corporal, and returned in 1919 to Australia,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158006711 |title=Corporal Val Atkinson. |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=19 May 1919 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} where he was awarded the Military Medal.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157037050 |title=Corp. Val. Al[?] |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=17 July 1919 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} His brothers Eric and Geoffrey Neil Atkinson also volunteered.

He became an agent for the Citizens and Graziers Life Assurance Company,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155638801 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=21 February 1924 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} and set up an office for the company in Mudgee.

By 1926 he was living at Queen Street, Melbourne.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3802643 |title=Peculiar Accident |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=24,966 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=16 August 1926 |accessdate=21 May 2022 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}} and was founding director of the Melbourne School of Opera and Musical Comedy, with Judy Littleton, ballet-mistress, in October 1926{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146575886 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Table Talk |issue=3050 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=21 October 1926 |access-date=21 May 2022 |page=67 |via=National Library of Australia}} but ceased advertising that December.

He was producer for some Gilbert and Sullivan opera in Auckland, New Zealand before Florence Sutherland left for Australia.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24203449 |title=Music & Musicians |newspaper=The Mercury (Hobart) |volume=CXXVIII |issue=18,819 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=29 February 1928 |accessdate=22 May 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He helped found a musical comedy company in Geelong in 1929.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232441802 |title=Geelong Opera Society |newspaper=Geelong Advertiser |issue=25480 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=18 February 1929 |accessdate=22 May 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}

• San Toy in March 1924, by the Mudgee Operatic Society, and played at the Mudgee Town Hall, to general acclaim.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155729082 |title=San Toy is Brilliant Success |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=13 March 1924 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}} Following its success, the Mudgee Musical Society was formed in April 1924, with subscribers entitled to two tickets to each performance.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155728131 |title=Officers |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=3 April 1924 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• A pantomime Cinderella, which he wrote, using some imported artists as well as local talent. Played 31 October and 1 November 1924, it was well received.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156057310 |title="Cinderella" at the Alhambra. |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=3 November 1924 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• Planquette's Rip Van Winkle by the Victorian Opera Company (VOC) at the Melbourne Playhouse in September 1925. It was broadcast from King's Theatre, Melbourne over 3LO in October.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2148195 |title=Wireless Broadcasting Programmes |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=24,699 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=6 October 1925 |access-date=21 May 2022 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• San Toy again, in July 1926 for the VOC at the Playhouse, with choreography by Minnie Everett.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3796368 |title="San Toy" |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=24,942 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=19 July 1926 |access-date=21 May 2022 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• The Geisha by the VOC at the Playhouse 11–22 December 1926. The cast included Alice Mallon.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244062739 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=15,466 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=13 December 1926 |access-date=21 May 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• The Alarm Clock (adapted from La Sonnette d'alarme by Maurice Hennequin and Romain Coolus by Avery Hopwood) was produced by Atkinson and Bernard A. Colman at His Majesty's Theatre, Geelong from 12 February 1927 and the Prince of Wales Theatre, Adelaide from 19 February to 5 March 1927. The cast included soprano Alice Mallon, who had recently quit a promising career with J. C. Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan Company.
• Florodora with Mason Wood for the VOC 8–12 August 1927 at the Theatre Royal.
• The Quaker Girl for the VOC 7–13 July 1928 at His Majesty's Theatre
• A revue, The Glad Eyedlers, for the VOC on 17 November 1928 at the Geelong Mechanics' Institute
• Concert in recognition of Wilfrid Molony's work as conductor of St Anne's Choir, Bondi Beach, followed by
• Trial by Jury for St Anne's Choir, Bondi Beach 25 March 1931 at the Masonic Hall, Bondi.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246313094 |title=Gilbert and Sullivan night |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) |volume=1 |issue=47 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 April 1931 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• He was co-director, with Barry J. Young, of The Sun{{'}}s Silver Reel beauty contest, which attracted 80,000 people to Bondi beach on 12 December 1931.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224286070 |title=Silver Reel Drew 80,000 |newspaper=The Sun (Sydney) |issue=1498 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=13 December 1931 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• Cobar Revels revue in aid of the unemployed, at the Masonic Hall, Dubbo 14 April 1932.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137149828 |title=The Cobar Revels |newspaper=Western Age |volume=22 |issue=1589 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 April 1932 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} A close working relationship with the Cobar Musical Society followed.
• Three Wonderful Liars for the Bourke Comedy Company at the Wonderland Theatre, Bourke, 4 & 8 July 1932 (Diggers' Race Week)
• The Student Prince for the newly-formed Broken Hill Operatic Society at the Crystal Theatre, Broken Hill 26–30 November 1932{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46673589 |title=The Student Prince |newspaper=Barrier Miner |volume=XLV |issue=13,564 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 November 1932 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} He followed up this success with a variety show, local productions of San Toy, Kathleen Aroon, The Girls of Gottenberg, Florodora, Oh, What a Family, Father McEvoy's The Little Flower by the Cathedral Players, founded by Dr T. M. Fox, Bishop of Wilcannia–Forbes{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49517284 |title="The Little Flower" |newspaper=Barrier Miner |volume=XLVII |issue=14,067 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=27 August 1934 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• In 1934 he joined the Stan Foley Revue Company as touring manager, for their presentations Hot Spots, A to Z, and Explosions at the Town Hall, Mildura 12–17 November 1934,
• Love Wins Through, an Australian musical by Adrian Ross and C. B. Fernald, with music by Howard Carr performed by Regal Operatic Society at the Sydney Conservatorium, 23–28 September 1935.
• A Runaway Girl for the students of Madame Ada Baker at the Railway and Tramway Institute on
• Trial by Jury for the Broken Hill company in 1941 on the occasion of a visit by Archbishop Gilroy.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141582684 |title="Trial by Jury" |newspaper=Barrier Daily Truth |volume=XXXII |issue=9954 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=13 May 1941 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} followed by

:*Another pantomime Cinderella, which he also wrote, for Broken Hill children{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48390854 |title="Cinderella" Revived in Unusual Setting |newspaper=Barrier Miner |volume=LIV |issue=16,267 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=13 November 1941 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

• He produced the musical A Country Girl many times,{{efn|One article claimed the incredible number of 56, possibly meaning 56 nights.}} notably:

:*For the Mudgee Musical Society, in August 1924.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156052442 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=21 August 1924 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} A review of the production was unstinting in its praise for Atkinson's work, noting that he was paid for his services to the (voluntary) society.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156056110 |title="A Country Girl" |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=4 September 1924 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

:*Shepparton Choral Society in July 1926{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article179500424 |title=Shepparton Choral Society |newspaper=Shepparton Advertiser |issue=4490 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=8 July 1926 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}

:*In March 1930 for the newly-formed Bondi-Waverley Operatic Society{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28045703 |title=Music and Drama |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=28,759 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=8 March 1930 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}} which played at the Paddington Town Hall to full houses and excellent reviews.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16683438 |title="A Country Girl" |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=28,815 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=13 May 1930 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=15 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Atkinson played in

• The Green Goddess as the captain of the Rajah's troops at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney in 1924.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155928374 |title=Mr Val Atkinson in Sydney |newspaper=Mudgee Guardian and North-western Representative |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=22 December 1924 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• John Golden's play Thank U followed at the Athenaeum Theatre with Atkinson as Leonard Higginbotham.
• Noël Coward's The Young Idea with the Theatre Association of Victoria at the Palace.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141413422 |title=Charity Matinee |newspaper=The Australasian |volume=CXX |issue=4,036 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=8 May 1926 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=55 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• Ernest Denny's Vanity with the Theatre Association of Victoria
• He had a part in the 1937 film The Avenger.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237751299 |title="The Avenger" |newspaper=The Labor Daily (Sydney) |issue=4333 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=25 October 1937 |accessdate=22 May 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Atkinson was associated with the Theatrical Sub-branch of the RSSILA, and its president in 1939.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17582546 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=31,617 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=2 May 1939 |access-date=20 May 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He organised a talent quest at Broken Hill{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48401363 |title=Budding Artist Competition |newspaper=Barrier Miner |volume=LIV |issue=16,302 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=24 December 1941 |access-date=22 May 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} which generated little interest. He had previously been mentioned as likely to settle in the town, but that and a planned second talent quest never eventuated and he returned to Sydney.

In 1946 he organised a gala concert at Bondi Beach, which was a financial failure through spectators seating themselves outside the roped-off area and declining to contribute,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228791246 |title=Contact |newspaper=The Sun (Sydney) |issue=11276 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=14 March 1946 |accessdate=22 May 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} and he retired from public life.

In 1949 Atkinson married Clare Jean Maunder (1911–1993). They lived in Tamworth where he died on 8 February 1982 and was buried in the local cemetery.{{cite web |title=Valdemar Atkinson |url=https://maunder.one-name.net/getperson.php?personID=I23930&tree=Allnames |website=Maunder Descendants Around the World |access-date=2022-05-23}}

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Category:1894 births

Category:1982 deaths

Category:Australian theatre managers and producers

Category:People from Mudgee