Guide to the Concert and Theatre Programs Collection, Second World War, 1939-1945. Collection number: Souvenirs 3

The Concert and Theatre Programs collection contains hand-drawn and commercially printed programs produced to complement or advertise concerts, plays, musical evenings, recitals, pantomimes and revues. These events were arranged to entertain troops, as well as to raise money, or to mark an occasion like Christmas or New Year. Most programs list the names of cast members. Some contain nominal rolls. The professionally produced programs contain advertising and editorial material. The earliest items are from 1939; the latest is dated 1995, but refers to a theatre production with a war theme. The programs were produced in many different countries, including England, Australia, Asia, Middle East and South West Pacific.