b'The thrill of the stageIn 1874 US-born actor and theatrical manager JamesSir Henry Irving and Dion Boucicault. In 1922 Arthur Allen Cassius Williamson opened his first Australian production,became a director of JC Williamson Ltd.Struck Oil, at the Theatre Royal in Melbourne. A huge success, it ran for a record forty-t hree shows in MelbournePerhaps the most renowned performer represented bybefore going on to thrill audiences in Sydney and Adelaide.the firm was Dame Nellie Melba, Australias famous Williamson fell in love with Australia as much as its audiencesoperatic soprano, who undertook many tours with fell in love with his shows, which inspired a new era ofJCWilliamson. Dame Nellie was the first Australian to theatrical productions.achieve international recognition on the operatic stage, performing to great acclaim in London, Paris and New Williamson returned to Australia in 1879 with the AustralianYork. Arthur Allen and Madame Melba, as he called her, and New Zealand rights to Gilbert and Sullivans newbecame close friends and she joined Arthur and his family comic opera, HMS Pinafore. It was the start of an enduringand friends for picnics in country and coastal New South presence and an impressive enterprise. He leased theatresWales. On at least one occasion she gave an impromptu throughout Australia and New Zealand and in the ensuingperformance from the balcony of Arthurs holiday houseyears staged elaborate musicals and performances within Port Hacking.touring artists. His company, JC Williamson Ltd, in time became the largest theatrical company in the world. Allens continues to be a proud supporter of the arts, through its work with the National Gallery of Victoria, the Arthur Allen, a frequent visitor to the theatre, becameWestern Australian Academy of Performing Arts, the Sydney deeply involved with Williamsons company. He advisedTheatre Company and Sculpture by the Sea. Allens has also Williamson on his personal and business legal affairs, andbeen a strong advocate for Australian contemporary art Allen Allen & Hemsley managed the contracts for manythrough acquisitions for its art collectionone of the largest world- renowned performers and playwrights, includingpost- 1970s corporate art collections in Australia. Perhaps the most renowned performer represented by the firmwas Dame Nellie Melba, Australias famous operatic soprano. the first Australian to achieve international recognitionon the operatic stage.74'