HISTORY:
Remember Old Sydney Town? Began operations in 1975 and was a pretty ambitious entertainment project which really never managed to be financially viable. Finally in 2003, it closed the doors. The site has been listed by The National Trust Of Australia since 2019 but has not re-opened to date.
This flexi-disc was released as a promotional item for just one small part of Old Sydney Town, the Cat-O-Nine theatre restaurant.
We received this disc back in the early 1980's
Flexi-discs are extremely thin and as the name implies, VERY flexible. This type of audio product was often used to promote products or services audibly through give-aways and often with magazines as a "freebie included"
The major drawbacks with Flexi-discs were that care was needed in handling and they had a limited "play lifetime" - the plastic is quite soft.
This Flexi-disc is double-sided
This Flexi-disc can be played on a standard turntable but a little extra weight in the central spindle area helps as there is not much friction between the record and the turntable mat.
So, on with the description of this audio marketing product from long ago ...
CAT-O-NINE THEATRE RESTAURANT - Audio Marketing Record
Old Sydney Town entertainment complex
"Dine At The Nine" marketing slogan
Technology: Flexi-disc - double sided
Plastic colouring: Transparent Red
Size: 7"
Catalogue number: unknown as there is no indication on the cover or disc
Runout matrix (stamped): blank - no ID information at all (other than 2 stamped into Side 2)
Year of release was the period early ~ mid 1980's
Not sure how long they used this marketing technique but we received our copy during a visit in the early 1980's
Cover is two colour (Brown & Mid Blue) printed light cardboard with an internal flap to support the flexi-disc
NO seam damage
Record label print is a metallic Silver colour
NO significant wear to the record labelling nor the cover front and rear print.
PRODUCT CONDITION:
The Flexidisc is in amazingly good condition, actually it's not the sort of record we would bring out and play all that often! Today was probably the first time in 40+ years that I have had it on a turntable.
Surface is very nice, clean and no significant scratching or "crumples"
So let's give the disc a whirl and hear those bawdy songs from the dark past at Old Sydney Town ...
Playback of both sides/tracks is fine, not super quality but no significant issues with surface noise nor clicks/pops
Side One
Performed by David Hogston & Eric Thompson
TRACK: The Lusty Young Blacksmith
Side Two
Performed by Graham Keating & Colin Douglas
Graham Keating was the Entertainment Producer at O.S.T and then (and possibly still is) employed by the City Of Sydney as the Town Crier
Colin Douglas was an Entertainment Manager at O.S.T and after their closure, he toured schools entertaining with a musical show focusing on Australian History.
TRACK: Have Some Madeira M'Dear
Performed by The Company
TRACK: There Is A Tavern In The Town
To properly protect the Flexi-disc and the paper cover, both have new plastic inserts and then the whole release is sitting on a cardboard backing (to reduce bending) which is also completely sealed.
