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Series I: Set and costume designs, 1952-2009, undated
Series II: Professional and administrative documents, 1952-2016, undated
Series III: Production memorabilia, 1884-2016 (bulk 1952-2016), undated
Series V: Photographs, 1946-2018, undated

Desmond Heeley papers, 1884-2018, bulk 1946-2016

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Series IV: Personal memorabilia, 1957-2018, undated

This series primarily consists of Heeley's personal correspondence (with friends, family, and colleagues, but also includes other memorabilia relating to Heeley's private life. Heeley's collection of personal photographs can be found in Series V. The divide between Heeley's professional and personal life was generally porous, and many of Heeley's colleagues in the theater industry were also his friends. Thus, some of Heeley's professional correspondence was found mixed in with his personal correspondence: This professional correspondence has been included in this series, maintained in the order in which it was found.

Subseries IV.1: Tanya Moiseiwitsch, 1957-2003, undated

This subseries contains material relating to Heeley's relationship with the British theater designer Tanya Moiseiwitsch. It primarily consists of correspondence, but also includes material relating to her passing in 2003 (such as letters of condolence, Heeley's obituary, programs for tributes) and some photographs. Tanya Moiseiwitsch was the inaugural designer for the Stratford Festival, and pioneered the Festival Theater's thrust-stage design. Heeley met Moiseiwitsch at the Stratford Festival in the 1950s, and they maintained a close professional and personal relationship. This subseries documents a 46-year creative exchange between these two designers, including cards, postcards, letters, faxes, and sketches. Heeley and Moiseiwitsch discuss the productions that they are working on, talk through various professional and personal difficulties, and document life at the theaters which employed them (including the Stratford Festival and the Guthrie Theater). Heeley's photographic portraits of Moiseiwitsch were found mixed in with other materials relating to their relationship: these photographs have been included in this subseries. Other photographs of Moiseiwitsch were interspersed in Heeley's broader photograph collection: these photographs have been arranged in Series V.


Box 7 Folder 8 Drafts for an obituary for Tanya Moiseiwitsch, circa 2003

Pages of pad paper stuck together and some loose pages.


Box 48 Folder 1-5 Personal communications from Tanya Moiseiwitsch, 1959, 1961, 1963-1964, 1966, 1970-1971, 1973-1975, 1978-2003, 5 folders

Cards, postcards, letters, faxes, telegrams. Includes the envelopes in which the letters were contained. Includes various clippings and photographs sent in correspondence. Includes some sketches and doodles from Tanya Moiseiwitsch. One letter previously contained rose petals, which have been discarded by the processing archivist. Includes one letter from Heeley to Moiseiwitsch.


Box 49 Folder 1 Pictures of Tanya Moiseiwitsch, 1965, 1985, 1994, undated

Photographs, negatives, and contact sheets. Includes photographs of Tanya Moiseiwitsch and Desmond Heeley and Stratford Festival backstage photographs.

Box 49 Folder 2 Personal communications from Heeley to Tanya Moiseiwitsch, 1957, 1968-1969, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983-1987, 1990-1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, undated

Mostly letters but includes cards and photographs.

Box 49 Folder 3 Materials celebrating Tanya Moiseiwitsch, 1994-1995, 2000, 2002-2003

Includes programs for tributes to Tanya Moiseiwitsch, letters of condolence to Heeley regarding her passing, various obituaries, Heeley's recollections of their professional and personal relationship, articles about Moiseiwitsch and her achievements.

Box 49 Folder 4 Draft of Heeley's obituary for Tanya Moiseiwitsch, circa 2003

Subseries IV.2: Lance Mulcahy, 1964-2018 (bulk 1964-1998), undated

This subseries contains material relating to Heeley's partner, the Australian-born composer Lance Mulcahy. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Mulcahy scored several musicals and revues in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. His score for the Off-Broadway revue Shakespeare's Cabaret was nominated for a Tony Award in 1981, while his 1980 musical Keystone was filmed for public television and VHS release during its New Jersey tryouts. This subseries documents Heeley's relationship with Mulcahy through correspondence, photographs, and other memorabilia. It also includes material relating to Mulcahy's professional activities, such as production documents, scripts, sheet music, clippings, and programs, along with several audio recordings (reel-to-reel tapes, audiocassettes, and CDs), seemingly of musical works by Mulcahy. Material relating to Mulcahy's visa application to the United States (which did not legally recognize his relationship with Heeley) and to Mulcahy's passing in 1995 (such as letters of condolence, tributes, etc.) can also be found in this subseries.

Box 49 Folder 5 Legal correspondence regarding Lance Mulcahy, 1986, 1996-1997

Relating to royalties from Lance Mulcahy's estate and injuries sustained in a traffic accident.

Box 49 Folder 6 Lance Mulcahy's permanent residency application, 1983

Includes copies of newspaper clippings relating to his artistic activities, letters of recommendation, letters from lawyers, application forms.

Box 49 Folder 7 Photographs of Heeley and Lance Mulcahy, undated

From the same set of photographs with various filters applied. Includes a photograph of a cat.


Box 50 Folder 1 Personal communications from Lance Mulcahy, 1964, 1965-1967, 1969-1971, 1973, 1975, 1977-1978, 1982, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1995

Cards, postcards, and letters with life updates, expressions of love, and administrative matters relating to their life together. Written while Heeley was away for work (in Canada, England, Minneapolis, Stuttgart, etc.). Includes some photographs and other materials sent in correspondence. Includes some letters sent from others to Lance Mulcahy. Includes one letter sent from Heeley to Mulcahy.

Box 50 Folder 2 Personal communications to Lance Mulcahy, 1984-1986, 1989-1990, 1993

From various friends and colleagues. Cards, postcards, and letters. Includes one letter from Heeley to Mulcahy.

Box 50 Folder 3 Material relating to the death of Lance Mulcahy, 1995

Letters and cards of condolence, memorial photographs, funeral program. Includes a draft insert for the program book of Amadeus at the Stratford Festival, which was dedicated to the memory of Mulcahy.

Box 50 Folder 4 A script for the musical Keystone, undated

Music by Lance Mulcahy. Includes some administration documents relating to the production.

Box 50 Folder 5 A script for Shakespeare's Cabaret, 1981

Music by Lance Mulcahy.

Box 50 Folder 6 Lance Mulcahy production materials, 1980-1981, 1983-1986, 1992

Includes Mulcahy's notes, clippings of reviews, programs, production stills, publicity material, administrative documents, sheet music. For Hot and Cold Heros: A Musical Sandwich, Keystone, Sweet Will, Shakespeare's Cabaret, Hat Trick, Beauty and the Beast. Includes the lead sheet for Mulcahy's "The Lonely Single's Song."

Box 50 Folder 7 A survey of the Desmond Heeley and Lance Mulcahy audio recordings, circa 2018

Appears to have been completed posthumously. A word-processed document containing a list of the audio recordings contained in this collection.


Box 51 Item 1-2 Much Ado About Nothing, Baltimore Centre Stage, incidental music, 1981-1982, 2 open reel audiotapes

Reel-to-reel magnetic tape (10.5-inch diameter)

Box 51 Item 3 Desmond Heeley #1: Cotton Club, undated, 1 open reel audiotapes

Reel-to-reel magnetic tape (7-inch diameter)

Box 51 Item 4 Desmond Heeley #2, undated, 1 open reel audiotapes

Reel-to-reel magnetic tape (7-inch diameter)

Box 51 Item 5 Desmond Heeley #3: String Q[uartet], Opera, undated, 1 open reel audiotapes

Reel-to-reel magnetic tape (7-inch diameter)

Box 51 Item 6 Order of Canada: Mr. T. Clayton Shields, C.M., 2009-05-15, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 7 Guthrie on Guthrie , 1998, 1 compact disks

By CBC radio, directed by Margaret Dale with Colin Fox as Tyrone Guthrie.

Box 51 Item 8 Keystone TV, Lance Mulcahy, Acts I and II, 2003-06-24, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 9 Lance Mulcahy, Five Songs: Brave New World, undated, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 10 #1A, undated, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 11 #1B, undated, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 12 #2A, undated, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 13 #3A, undated, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 14 #3B, undated, 1 compact disks

Box 51 Item 15 Much Ado edited, Marie Never, II Bijou extra, 1986-06, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 16 Keystone , undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 17 Duenna, 55Gs, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 18-19 The Duenna, side A, undated, 2 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 20-22 Duenna composite, undated, 3 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 23 Duenna, piano, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 24 Lenya/Weill, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 25 Gertrude Lawrence, Lady in the Dark, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 26 Lance Mulcahy, One by One, Side B, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 27 For Lance, Side 1, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 28 Keystone original, #1 AB, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 29 Duenna, ASD comp. M. Cobel. Composite, fast, some. #2 AB, 1989-11, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 30 Duenna, Balt. Wishoe #3 AB, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 31 The Duenna, Lance Mulcahy, Baltimore, Centre Stage, #4 AB, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 32 Mame, Who is Sylvia, Sweet Love, etc. + Mark Wench, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 33 Theatre Music, Lance Mulcahy, feeble!, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 34 Keystone?, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 35 Keystone bits, 1986-06, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 36 Keystone mon?, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 37 Brave New World songs composed by Lance Mulcahy for Alan Brasington, 1989-1990, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 38 "Where is My Verse": Sweet Will, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 39 Keystone TV version, Lance Mulcahy, Act II, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Case is labeled with Mulcahy's address and phone number.

Box 51 Item 40 Keystone video, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 41 Keystone A+E TV, Lance Mulcahy, 1986-08, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 42 Keystone Act I, McCarter, original, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 43 Keystone Rochester, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 44 Keystone, McCarter, Act II, original, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 45 Duenna - Arms[illegible], undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 46 The Duenna, Act II, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 47 The Duenna, Side A, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 48 Keystone TV version, Lance Mulcahy, Act I, 1986-08, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 49 Theatre songs, 1986-06, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 50 The Duenna, composite, 1989-11, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 51 ? Keystone, RhI-Anime, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 52 Keystone Side A, undated, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 53 Keystone Princeton, Act I, 1986-06, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 54 Brave New World - Sand (-3), 1989-12, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 55 Brave New World, early instl. versions, 1989-08, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 56 The Duenna: for private use only, 1981-01-18, 1 audiocassettes

Box 51 Item 57-59 Blank audiocassettes, undated, 3 audiocassettes

Subseries IV.3: Personal correspondence and documents, 1957-2018, undated

This subseries contains postcards, greeting cards, letters, notes, and faxes from Heeley's friends and colleagues, documenting Heeley's vast array of personal contacts across Australia, Europe, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also includes some draft letters from Heeley himself, although the large bulk of the subseries is devoted to communications sent to Heeley by others. The correspondence mostly contains life updates, but also includes notes of appreciation and various reminiscences (i.e., about their relationship with Heeley, productions that they worked on, etc.). This subseries contains some professional correspondence, which was found intermixed with Heeley's personal correspondence and has been stored in the same order in the collection. A small number of personal documents - mainly ephemera that Heeley collected over the course of his lifetime - can also be found in this subseries.


Box 31 Folder 9 Photographs from Don Jesse and Ray Colwill, 2006

Personal photographs in an envelope addressed to Heeley.

Box 31 Folder 10 Letters to be filed 2/15/19, 1981, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2019-02-15

Label appears to be posthumous.

Box 31 Folder 11 Personal documents, 1988, 1998-2000, 2002-2003, 2007, 2013-2014

A range of material: printouts of poetry, articles, and jokes; photocopies of articles and books; newspaper clippings; programs (for church services and performances); some sketches.


Box 52 Folder 1 Letters to be sent, 2000, 2007

Only the first names of the addressees are given (Tony, Ian, Campbell).

Box 52 Folder 2 Incomplete letters, 1976, 1991-1992, 1995, 2003-2004, 2010, 2012

Fragments of personal letters from friends and colleagues. Multi-page letters with only one or two pages present. The name of the sender is sometimes visible.

Box 52 Folder 3 Letters from Kate Searle, 2008

Two letters. Note that letters from Kate Searle are also found elsewhere in the collection.

Box 52 Folder 4 Letters and drafts by Desmond Heeley, 1991, 1995-1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2007-2009, 2010-2011

A mix of professional and personal correspondence. Includes a list of party invitees and drafts of letters of recommendation. Some letters are written on the back of sketches, official documents, etc. or include little doodles. Includes discussions of several productions that Heeley designed for (The Merry Widow, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Gondoliers). Many of these letters appear to have been sent as faxes.

Box 52 Folder 5 Letters and resumés, 1979-1980, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1990-1991, 1994, 2015

Letters of introduction, cover letters, CVs, and resumés from colleagues, up-and-coming designers, students, professionals who Heeley worked with or mentored.

Box 52 Folder 6 Holiday letters, 1991, 2000, 2011, 2013

Christmas cards and letters.

Box 52 Folder 7 Letters from Libby, 1973-1975, 2001

Personal letters. Note that letters from "Libby" are also found elsewhere in the collection.

Box 52 Folder 8 Letters from Sonny and Elizabeth, 2000, 2002, 2015

Personal letters. Note that letters from "Sonny and Elizabeth" are also found elsewhere in the collection.

Box 52 Folder 9 Notes and small-size letters, 1972-1973, 1978-1982, 1986-1995, 1997-1998, 2002, 2005-2014

Personal letters from various friends and colleagues. Mostly "thank you" notes.


Box 53 Folder 1-4 Letters to Desmond Heeley, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1966-1967, 1971, 1973-2016, 2018, 4 folders

Personal letters from friends, family, and colleagues. Some letters include attachments (photocopies of books, poetry, drawings, photographs, printouts of emails). Many are on official company letterhead but contain mostly personal material (letters of thanks, congratulations, life and family updates, reminiscences, birthday and holiday greetings, etc.). Primarily from Australia, the United States of America, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. Mostly wordprocessed, typewritten, and handwritten letters, but also includes some postcards, christmas cards, and envelopes. Includes some correspondence relating to Heeley's charitable activities. Includes a few letters from Desmond Heeley (possibly sent back with correspondence). Includes correspondence relating to the case "Heeley v. Davis and Pageant Taxi Company." Includes some letters from high school students who saw Heeley's productions.


Box 54 Folder 1-4 Personal correspondence, 1965, 1974-1975, 1977-1998, 2000-2001, 2011-2012, 2015, undated, 4 folders

From friends and colleagues. Includes: life updates, letters of thanks, holiday greetings, well wishes (for medical procedures), condolences, congratulations. From the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Canada, mainland Europe. Includes all the envelopes in which the letters were sent. Includes photographs, negatives, newspaper clippings, and other print material sent in correspondence.

Box 54 Folder 5 Funeral programs, 1976, 1991, 2009-2011, 2015

For Michael Langham, Margot Fonteyn, Tom Patterson, Beatrice Ruth Miller, Robin Phillips, and Douglas Campbell.


Box 55 Folder 1-4 Cards sent to Heeley, 1960-1963, 1966-1974, 1977, 1980-1992, 1994-2005, 2008-2016, 4 folders

From friends, family, and colleagues in Europe, Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Christmas cards, postcards, cards of congratulation (on performances, awards, etc.), appreciation, thanks, or condolence. Includes some envelopes and some material that was interleaved or affixed in the cards. Some are also addressed to Lance Mulcahy. Many cards are decorated with copies of Heeley's sketches. Includes some pop-up cards and some cards decorated with textured materials such as glitter. Some cards contain Heeley's annotations.


Box 56 Folder 1-4 Cards sent to Heeley, 1960, 1963, 1965, 1974, 1979-1983, 1985-1988, 1990-1998, 2000, 2002-2004, 2006-2013, 2015, undated, 4 folders

From friends, family, and colleagues in Europe, Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Christmas cards, postcards, cards of congratulation (on performances, awards, etc.), appreciation, thanks, or condolence. Includes some envelopes and some material that was interleaved or affixed in the cards. Some are also addressed to Lance Mulcahy. Many cards are decorated with copies of Heeley's sketches. Includes some pop-up cards and some cards decorated with textured materials such as glitter. Some cards contain Heeley's annotations.


Box 57 Folder 1-4 Cards sent to Heeley, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1972-1974, 1977-1990, 1992-1997, 1999-2004, 2006-2015, undated, 4 folders

From friends, family, and colleagues in Europe, Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Christmas cards, postcards, cards of congratulation (on performances, awards, etc.), appreciation, thanks, or condolence. Includes some envelopes and some material that was interleaved or affixed in the cards. Some are also addressed to Lance Mulcahy. Many cards are decorated with copies of Heeley's sketches. Includes some pop-up cards and some cards decorated with textured materials such as glitter. Some cards contain Heeley's annotations.


Box 58 Folder 1-4 Cards sent to Heeley, 1960, 1962-1963, 1965-1966, 1968, 1970, 1972-1973, 1975, 1978-1985, 1987-1999, 2002-2015, undated, 4 folders

From friends, family, and colleagues in Europe, Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Christmas cards, postcards, cards of congratulation (on performances, awards, etc.), appreciation, thanks, or condolence. Includes some envelopes and some material that was interleaved or affixed in the cards. Some are also addressed to Lance Mulcahy. Many cards are decorated with copies of Heeley's sketches. Includes some pop-up cards and some cards decorated with textured materials such as glitter. Some cards contain Heeley's annotations.


Box 59 Folder 1-4 Cards sent to Heeley, 1968, 1973, 1976, 1978-1983, 1985-1995, 1997-1998, 2000-2002, 2004, 2006, 2010-2014, 2016, 4 folders

From friends, family, and colleagues in Europe, Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Christmas cards, postcards, cards of congratulation (on performances, awards, etc.), appreciation, thanks, or condolence. Includes some envelopes and some material that was interleaved or affixed in the cards. Some are also addressed to Lance Mulcahy. Many cards are decorated with copies of Heeley's sketches. Includes some pop-up cards and some cards decorated with textured materials such as glitter. Some cards contain Heeley's annotations.


Box 60 Folder 1 Collection of literature, 1970, 1980, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2014, undated

Mostly photocopies of pages from books and newspapers, but also includes some complete brochures, magazines, and programs, along with web printouts of articles and reviews.

Box 60 Folder 2 Letters of appreciation, 1979, 1994, 1997, 2003-2006, 2008, 2011, 2015

Expressing congratulation or thanks. Also includes some other personal correspondence.

Box 60 Folder 3 Letters and poetry sent to Heeley, 1961, 1979, 1981, 1991, 1997-2002, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2016

Includes some material (photographs, legal documents) sent in correspondence. Includes some cards and postcards. Most of the poetry was written by Heeley's friends and some of the poems celebrate Heeley himself.

Box 60 Folder 4-5 Correspondence and cards, 1979-1980, 1983, 1985-1987, 1990, 1992, 1995-1996, 1998, 2005, 2007-2012, 2014-2015, 2 folders

Mostly personal correspondence, but includes some business correspondence. Includes some materials (clippings, photographs, poetry) sent in correspondence.