Includes material relating to governance and administration of the group, as well as publicity materials including programmes, flyers, posters, and material concerning the history of the group.

Includes programmes for theatrical and musical performances in and around York, principally for choral music, light music, operas, and operettas. Many of the programmes relate to performances by amateur and community groups. These programmes were collected by Freda Freer during the course of her lifetime.

Information contained in each programme varies, but many of the programmes include some information about the society performing the production, information about the production itself, information about the performers and producers, lists of past performances by the society, lists of performances by other societies, and lists of other performances at the same venue.

Many of the programmes contain artwork on the covers and advertisements, in particular those for businesses based in York and for products and services relating to music and drama.

Various documents collected by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society relating to the history of York, York property and land, and prominent York individuals. The collection includes historical notes and accounts, and original documents collected by the society in the course of their antiquarian research. These original documents include estate correspondence and papers, land and property deeds, civic and official documents, guild records, personal and business papers, papers of Eustace Strickland, papers of the Whitehead family, and papers from the Yorkshire Musical Festival.

Notably, the collection includes YPS/5/1 [c. 1525-1550]: The guild's own manuscript copy of The Scrivener' Play, originally performed as part of the cycle of York Mystery Plays, also know as 'The Sykes Manuscript. This is the only known surviving guild copy of a York Mystery Play.

Until 1752, Great Britain used the Julian calendar, with the first day of the new year falling on March 25th. Dates in this catalogue have all been expressed as 'new style' dates, in line with the Gregorian calendar, unless otherwise stated.

This series comprises 7 bound volumes, the diaries of Cuthbert Joseph Kleiser (1855-1929). They mainly focus on events in York, particularly associated with the theatre and dramatic arts. They are handwritten.

From J. Bannister Howard of Comic Operas Ltd of Fleet Street London. Regarding travels of Aladdin pantomime company through York, Bridlington, Peterborough, King's Lynn, Gusiborough and Lincoln, Next year will be 'Babes in the Woods.' Reply to Kleiser's earlier letter.

Sent from Grand Opera House, Scarborough, from Nelson King of the Compton Comedy Company. Replying to Kleiser's enquiry about a performance of 'The Penultimate Slope'.

Correspondence of Cuthbert Joseph Kleiser reflecting his personal and business life and his interest in, and support of the theatre in York and further afield. With the exception of KLE/5/1/25, all correspondence is from other individuals to Kleiser. He is sometimes addressed as 'Joseph', 'Joe' or 'Mr J Kleiser', particularly in the more informal letters from friends and family. Indeed, he signs himself 'J Kleiser' in the single piece of correspondence sent by him to Mr Cahill (KLE/5/1/25).

Brochure for re-opened Londesborough Theatre, Scarborough. Details of refurbishments and promise of performances by 'the very Highest Class of Variety Company' and use of building as a 'Picture House'. Includes photographs of new interior.

Programme for the performance of Overture by York Everyman Theatre, at the Co-Operative Hall, Railway Street, York,. Note that the year is not included on the front of the programme but 'forthcoming productions' on back page indicate this performance was in October 1925,

Programme for the performance of The Shewing-up of Blanco Poset, preceded by The Twelve Pound Look, by York Everyman Theatre, at the Art Gallery, York.

Programme for performance of An Old Nativity Play by York Everyman Theatre, at the Guildhall, York.

Programme for the performance of The Mask and the Face by The Guild of York Players, at the Art Gallery, York.

Programme for performance of The Gondoliers by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society in aid of York County Hospital, at York Theatre Royal. The Society performed The Gondoliers again in March 1929, see KLE/3/3.

Programme for performance of Merrie England by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, in aid of York County Hospital, at York Theatre Royal.

Programme for performance of Dorothy by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, in aid of York Hospital, at York Theatre Royal. The Society performed Dorothy again in April 1913, see KLE/3/2.

Programme for performance of The Pirates of Penzance, by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, in aid of York Hospital, at York Theatre Royal.

Programme for performance of The Rebel Maid by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, in aid of York County Hospital, at York Theatre Royal.

Programme for performance of H.M.S. Pinafore by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, at York Theatre Royal.

Programme for performance of Killibegs by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, at York Theatre Royal.

Programme for performance of The Gondoliers by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society in aid of York County Hospital, at York Theatre Royal. The Society had previously performed The Gondoliers in April 1907, see KLE/3/11

Programme for performance of Dorothy by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society at York Theatre Royal. The Society had previously performed Dorothy in April 1904, see KLE/3/8

Programme for performance of Highwayman Love by York Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society at York Theatre Royal.

This series includes 37 programmes for theatre and operatic performances by various amateur theatrical and operatic groups, at various venues around York. There is also a menu for a dinner for the Gallery First Nighters' club. The collection was probably compiled by Cuthbert Joseph Kleiser (1855-1929) who had a keen interest in the theatre.

Notes on performances at various York venues

Newspaper clipping from unidentified newspaper with handwritten date, re a David Garrick comedy 'The Fun of the Fayre' at London Pavilion

Record of performances of various cultural performances including pantomimes, ballets, spectacles, sketches, operas and Shakespearian productions. Locations include York, Leeds, Bradford and London.

Lists of performances at York, Leeds. Bradford, Sheffield, Wakefield, Scarborough. Paris, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Birmingham , Liverpool, Harrogate and London. Lists plays by locations, venues, and playwright. Also lists of pantomimes.

Lists Cuthbert Kleiser's visits to London, 1869-1911 and attendances at performances of plays and operas in York and Leeds 1872-1926.

Records theatre performances 1905-1909 and 'A Record of London Visits 1869-1911. Includes loose 'List of plays in this book for which information is sought'

Book listing theatre performances in a series of lists with various orders - chronological, alphabetical by title, by location. Includes lists of pantomimes. Locations include York, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Bradford, Wakefield, Scarborough, Birmingham, Newcastle, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Paris. Includes loose note at front stating that the volume was examined on the August Bank Holiday 1921 and found 'to be about correct' by Cuthbert Joseph Kleiser.

Performances of various productions in York, Leeds, London, Birmingham, Harrogate, Scarborough, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Blackpool, Douglass, Newcastle, and Paris. Includes pantomimes and ballets in York and Leeds. Includes visits to Savoy Theatre for operas and ballets. Has table of contents.

Lists performances of theatre productions at York, Leeds, and London. Information includes register number, title of production, notes and remarks, description, number of acts and scenes, authors, adapters and composers.

Volumes, lists, and notes regarding theatre performances and other cultural productions in York and Yorkshire and across the country. Compiled by Cuthbert Joseph Kleiser. Includes pantomimes, ballets and operas. Also includes details of his visits to London to attend performances. Also lists productions in Paris, France.
The dates of several of the volumes overlap.
Some of the notes are written in biro, dating their creation to the mid to late 20th century, most likely pre-1989..

This collection comprises documents, correspondence, volumes, photographs and physical objects created by and relating to the Kleiser family, and related families (particularly the Cundall and Potter families), as well as to the Kleiser clock and watchmaking/jewelers/silversmiths business. . Much of the material relates to York and Yorkshire, but there are references to other national and international locations.
Includes notes in biro, which dates their creation to the mid to late 20th century, most likely pre-1989.