Darlinghurst Blog: Books: Set in Stone - The Cell Block Theatre, by Deborah Beck

Deborah Beck is an archivist and lecturer at the National Art School, housed in the old Darlinghurst Gaol, and she has developed a passion for the history of her workplace. In 2005 she released the book, Hope in Hell: A History of Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School (Allen and Unwin publishers) and now she has followed that up with a pictorial history of the Cell Block Theatre, which was published by the UNSW Press last month.

The Darlinghurst Gaol (built between 1822-1885) was converted into the Sydney Technical College in 1922 but it was only in 1957 that the women's cell block, or D-wing, was restored and transformed into the Cell Block Theatre and over the next two decades it became a cultural hub for alternative and avant garde productions in Sydney. 

Beck traces the sandstone building's history from its days as a women's prison - including the time when French actress Sarah Bernhardt came to tour the facilities in 1891, and when the jail housed such crooks as sly grog dealer Kate Leigh in 1905 - to the late 1970s when it played host to wild parties and performances by people like dominatrix Madame Lash.

Beck has also pieced together some marvellous stories of the women who were jailed there and the women who later studied at the college in the 1930s, who would sneak into the derelict women's cell block to have a snoop around.

In 1955, when the director of the college, WR (Bill) Crisp, was trying to gain support to turn the women's cell block into a theatre, he invited American actress Katherine Hepburn to visit the site in order to generate publicity for his plans. And, she accepted.

This photo shows Australian theatre legend Sir Robert Helpmann puffing on a fag with college director Mr Crisp and Hepburn:

Beck's beautifully illustrated book also includes a lengthy chronology of the dance and theatre performances, parties and music gigs, which were held within its walls from July 5, 1955 to October 21, 2010. 

The chronology includes the book launch of The Mind and Times of Reg Mombassa, by Murray Waldren, which was held on October 28, 2009. I note this because I was lucky enough to attend that launch and it was one of the most magical nights I have experienced in Sydney. 

When I arrived there were candles, or small lights, dotted through the grounds leading to the Cell Block Theatre and waiters bearing canapes and Champagne. The book was launched by Mambo founder Dare Jennings and Mombassa's band, Dog Trumpet, gave a live performance in the theatre. 

Apart from Beck's fascinating story of the building's history and restoration, my favourite part of her book are the historical photographs. They just have a beautiful silver glow about them.

If you want to see this excellent and well-researched publication, there are nine copies of the book in various libraries in the City of Sydney network, including two copies at Kings Cross Library. Or why not just buy a copy from the publisher's website and support this amazing local historian.

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Set in Stone - The Cell Block Theatre, by Deborah Beck

UNSW Press, 272pp, $49.95

www.unswpress.com.au

Darlinghurst: Heritage Items: G.A. Zink and Sons

G.A. Zink and Sons

- Register of the National Estate, NSW Heritage Act

Since the olden days, when I was a fashion manufacturing student at East Sydney Technical College, I have adored G.A. Zink and Sons - the finest tailors of gentleman's suits in Sydney. One of my fellow students, a female, shared my passion and even considered having a men's suit tailored just for her, by Mr  Zink and his boys.

The building, at 56 Oxford Street, also features one of the finest decorative, early 20th century facades in the district because Mr Zink, being such a success, was able to afford the best. Still to this day, the shop has excellent retro-window displays featuring art deco font and flowing reams of woollen fabrics, tailored suits and business shirts.

Such is its magnificence, a permanent conservation order was placed on the building in 1987.

Gustav A. Zink migrated to Australia in the mid 1880s and opened the doors to his first Sydney bespoke tailoring business, G.A. Zink and Sons, in 1895.
The shop was originally housed at 112 Oxford Street, but in 1911, after the City of Sydney council's road-widening project was complete, they offered 50-year leases for nine ''splendid business sites'' on Oxford Street and Mr Zink purchased the lease for number 56.
Mr Zink employed architect John Dunstan to design the four-storey building that 99 years later continues to stand, and which is still leased from the council.

After a decade in business, Mr Zink's son Frank managed the shop throughout the 1920s and 30s and built a strong clientele, from butchers to High Court judges.

The shop was so busy that in 1925, two mezzanine levels were added to accommodate fitting rooms, a cutting room and storage - all built with the finest materials and skills known to mankind.

At the height of the depression, in 1937, Mr Zink employed Sidgreaves Shopfitters to build an extravagant art deco shopfront, which later featured in many glossy magazines of the day.

By the 1940s, queues of up to 30 people would be outside G.A. Zink and Sons's fashionable door, as dozens of staff worked away inside, sizing, cutting and sewing.

Gustav's grandson, Thomas, who lived on the top floor of the building, took over the suit-making scissors in the 1950s and was the last Zink to be involved in the business.

In the late 1950s the business was sold to Bill Jones, whose son, Robert, joined him in the shop the following decade.

Today, G.A. Zink and Sons is run by Robert Jones, who works alongside his own son, Daniel, and you can see a picture of them on their website.