ON STAGE the Spring 2002 Newsletter of Victoria Theatres Trust Vol.3 No.4

ON STAGE The Spring 2002 newsletter of Victoria Theatres Trust Vol.3 No.4

Ballarat’s new Arts Academy opens Camp Street, Ballarat, has come full circle: the city’s first arts school was established there in the 1890s. Now it is once again home to an arts academy. fter seven years’ planning, The dedicated arts campus, comprising graduate Tanya Burne has won a Ballarat’s Arts Academy, two contemporary purpose-designed scholarship to the famous Actors Studio AAustralia’s newest university buildings and four prominent heritage- Drama School in New York. She is only the campus dedicated to the visual and listed buildings, is in the heart of Ballarat’s second Australian to be accepted there. performing arts, was officially opened by historic precinct once known as the (Bronwen Coleman, a 1998 graduate of the Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, on Friday, Government Camp. It was from here that Victorian College of the Arts’ School of 11 October. troopers set out in the early hours of Film and Television was the first.) The same day the Academy’s 144-seat 3 December 1854, to quell the miners’ In 1995, when it was decided that theatre was inaugurated, with a musical, uprising at the Eureka Stockade. Ballarat Police Station and the law courts Working, written by Stephen Schwartz, Now, Camp Street has reinvented itself would move to a new site, Ballarat’s leaders performed and produced by students. as a dynamic cultural hub buzzing with grasped the opportunity to revitalise the The Arts Academy campus, planned student life, having also been the site of the historic street and add another dimension conjointly by the University of Ballarat, the city’s first arts school in the 1890s. to the city’s cultural significance by City of Ballarat, and state and federal The Arts Academy’s cutting edge developing an arts precinct. governments, now houses the university’s courses in performing arts, fine arts and Today, seven years and $30 million TAFE and higher education curriculum in graphic design/multimedia have won later, Ballarat has an extended fine art visual and performing arts, all on one site. international acclaim and are attracting a gallery and the new campus where students It can accommodate 400 students and is broad range of students from Australia spend their days developing their the final jewel in the crown of Ballarat’s $30 and overseas. creative talents. million Camp Street Arts Precinct, which Alumni of the Arts Academy already Construction of the two contemporary has also seen major redevelopment of including Libby Tanner (All Saints), Peta university buildings, the renovation and Ballarat Fine Art Gallery and the creation Brady (Mullet), Michelle Pitcher (Oliver!) refurbishment of existing heritage * of the community space, Alfred Deakin Place. and Matthew Heywood (Mamma Mia!). Internationally, performing arts

The Camp Street campus of the University of Ballarat, the New North building in the centre. The other five buildings in the campus are all heritage status. A precinct steeped in ‘The Bohemian’ days the rich history of The recent, hugely successful, arena spectacular The Man From Snowy River continues a grand Australian tradition the goldfields of the travelling ‘Wild West’ shows. Walking the length of Camp Street in century ago Australians what the real flesh-and-blood the heart of Ballarat is to take a walk thrilled to the shows of drama was like. Boys and girls through Australian history. Athe enterprising sneer at it—give it ‘the bird’, of ill Today home to the University of E.I.Cole, ‘The Bohemian’. Cole omen, preferring the chalk-faced Ballarat’s dynamic Arts Academy, died in 1942. shadows and the tinny mechanical voices of the screen. flanked by Australia’s oldest and Richard Fotheringham’s ‘Bohemian Dramatic Company’ in But the real living theatre never largest regional fine art gallery, this Companion to Theatre in Australia dies; it only changes its style and street has had an illustrious history (Ed. Philip Parsons, Currency title. I have even heard of a since the discovery of gold in 1851. Press, 1995) and Barbara Garlick’s modern ‘producer’ who read a It was on this escarpment, set high ‘The Problem of Sources: The scenario of As You Like It and above the goldfields, that the city’s “Bohemian” Cole Collection in remarked: ‘This stuff’s the goods, early leaders first began the job of Australasian Drama Studies, October but I’ll tell the world this guy The 144-seat New South Theatre at the University building Ballarat’s administration 1993, cover the subject. But this Shakespeare has pinched a lot of of Ballarat during one of its earliest performances. profile, one of a ‘Great Figures of my ideas!’ Below: a pre-performance makeup session. when they established the first Government Camp. Our Stage’ series by Norman And the outback to its performing arts students are encouraged Campbell, originally published in uttermost frontier has its wireless buildings—the former Ballarat Post In the first 50 years of Ballarat’s Office, Ballarat Library, state government to explore cross-art experimentation. Life magazine in Sydney in June miracle where the lonely boundary- development, Camp Street was home offices (which later became the Ballarat Budding entertainers can study a Diploma 1940, is especially interesting as rider can sit by his fire and listen to to the police, courts and the goldfields Courthouse)—and the old courthouse and of Arts (Small Companies and Community it was written while Cole was the King of England talking to him. the extension and redevelopment of the Theatre), Diploma in Music (Jazz and administration, with postal services still alive. The play’s the thing. It must Ballarat Fine Art Gallery combine with Contemporary), Diploma of Entertainment established around the corner. A major collection of Cole come again. It is not dead more open spaces, theatres, galleries and (Lighting and Sound), or Bachelor of Arts In 1854 it became the rallying point memorabilia is preserved in the but sleepeth. restaurants to create a new cultural precinct. in Music Theatre Performance, Theatre for for the government’s efforts to Mitchell Library, Sydney, In those good old, bad old Facilities at students’ disposal range Performance or Theatre Production. quell the Eureka uprising, and later the reference ML5497. days, there was a real link between The Arts Academy also offers a from historic spaces to contemporary centre of trade unionism and the 1891 worth five million dollars. the theatre and the people. Bachelor of Visual Arts in Fine Arts or Theatrical pioneers of the back country purpose-built studios. These including the federation movement for the district. Great Figures of Our Stage Of this genus was—and is, for he is still 144-seat theatre, the flexible Post Office Graphic Design/Multimedia, Diplomas of No. XMIL carried the only oriflamme of culture and The area also became the cultural alive and hearty at 85—Edward Irham Cole, Arts in Graphic Arts and Visual Arts, and Theatre and the innovative media arts space ‘Bohemian’ Cole the ‘Bohemian’, with the long hair, beloved imagination ever seen or known there. All an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Graphic heart of the city, with a free library on where multi-disciplinary work can evolve. by Norman Campbell of small boys who are now grown men, and honour to their memories. Design). the corner, the Mechanics’ Institute Nearby is the renowned Her Majesty’s who still cherish affectionate memories of It was not a very high form of dramatic Two other academy courses, a Diploma across the road, the Fine Art Gallery Theatre, second oldest still-operating theatre What, exactly, do we mean by a ‘great ‘Cole of the Bohemians’. art they got, to be sure. There was a deep of Ceramics and Certificate IV in in Australia after the Theatre Royal, Hobart. and its associated arts school and Her figure’ of our stage? In this year of grace and disgrace, 1940, gulf between literature and the theatre, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art All building and renovation works have Majesty’s Theatre. I take it that it is someone who it is hard for us to realise how starved the there was a deeper and wider gulf been fully approved by the National Trust and Design, are offered at the University’s Consultant to the University on symbolises a particular form of dramatic art country was for theatric amusement of any separating the theatre from everyday life. and Victoria’s Heritage Council. SMB Campus in Ballarat. The Visual Arts the Arts Academy development, Dr that appeals compellingly to the audiences kind at and about the end of the last And there still existed the ancient, Diploma can be studied at Horsham with puritanical prejudice against theatre-going. To maximise their creative potential, Frank Hurley, said Camp Street was of his time—who marks the trend of his century. The cinema which can now some units at Stawell. n particular period. The only plays which could be within metres of one of the most present a field of battle with thousands of In such a sense I claim that ‘Bohemian’ soldiers and horses; a vast ship sinking at produced successfully were those which lent historically significant intersections in Cole is a distinctive figure. He himself sea; a city on fire; the Emperor Nero with themselves to spectacle and melodrama. Australia, the corner of Sturt and would be the very last to accuse himself of all his sumptuous Court—a thousand The popular actor of those days did not Lydiard Streets, which is a legacy of being a ‘great’ actor. moving accidents by flood and field at the want a finely wrought play with skilful Ballarat’s golden past. Rather he was a born showman just as mere turning of a little handle, was character-drawing and natural dialogue; he He said the creation of an arts much as was P.T. Barnum who made a unknown and undreamt of. wanted a part in which he could rave, rant, precinct at the city’s core was fortune with Tom Thumb—he brought Tom Nowadays the itinerant showman can and roar. He scarcely glanced at the person physically and symbolically Thumb to Australia—and who introduced journey to Yow Yow Flat and the Back o’ whom he was supposed to be addressing; monumental because it further Jenny Lind to his native America, and gave Sunset with merely a small suitcase to he played to the gallery all the time. He a hundred concerts with her there, realising rolled out his lines for all he was worth. He enhanced Ballarat’s reputation as a transport his vast spectacles. another fortune, which he lost. Pluckily he So we have ‘The Pitchers’ in every town actually competed against his fellow-players place of history while embracing the started again in 1871 with his huge travelling and little townlet in the Commonwealth, instead of collaborating with them. * future through learning. show, and made another fortune, dying in and the present generation has forgotten

Spring 2002 Page 3 Page 2 ON STAGE The idea of the intelligent interpretation but highly popular, where the Comedy own special train. The late T.B.Molomby, The late Frank Neil of the Tivoli, of a play by consistent team work was Theatre of J.C.Williamson Ltd now stands the former Commissioner for Railways in Maurice Tuohy, Johnson Weir, Reg Rede undreamt of. at the intersection of Exhibition and Victoria, was quite proud of the fact that he and numberless other Australians were at History’s broad canvasses Such was the stage, in city or country, Lonsdale Streets. Rather historic theatrical worked out the first itinerary of the big show. one time or another members of Cole’s show. Panoramas in the mid-1800s were to complex panoramas, cycloramas and and that was the style of acting demanded stamping ground this, for on that very spot Cole had a surprisingly big repertoire of For a number of years E.I.Cole and his enthusiastic audiences then what epic dioramas left their enthusiastic viewers and loved. George Coppin built the Olympic, the thrillers. The Kelly Gang, of course, for he wife, Miss Vene Linden—who was his movies and Imax are to us today. breathless with the scope and Well, Cole was one of the shrewder, famous ‘Iron Pot’ theatre, where G.V. very early saw the attractiveness from a leading lady in the drama days—have been Huge hand-painted canvasses in representations of countryside, battles, more forceful men who gave it to them. His Brooke himself was wont to fret his hour in stage point of view of the quasi-romantic living in comparative retirement near discoveries and empire-building feats. life story is well worth the studying. the gold-digging, feverish fifties. and picturesque story of the Kellys. He Sydney, but their love of the Wild West Now, historian, author and VTT Edward Irham Cole was born at ‘Bohemian’ Cole’s stage was really an presented Coo-ee! and The Eureka Stockade days still lingers, and they run a small committee member, Dr Mimi Colligan, Croydon, England. There is some little doubt embankment of solid earth, so that his (by the late E.W. O’Sullivan), and another by factory for the manufacture of cowboy and has compiled a painstaking record of as to whether he is 84 or 85 this year. He beloved horses could gallop on and off behind the same author in collaboration with the Indian suits for children! these eye-widening entertainments in Australia and New Zealand—Canvas came to Australia in the year 1874, as a the proscenium without danger. Why not an late Arthur Wright, called Keane of Kalgoorlie. A remarkable woman young man of 18, and took a job as earthen stage? We had one of ice not long He put on every kind of theatrical Documentaries—launched at the State Cole’s mother was a very remarkable coachman in Adelaide, and later was ago at His Majesty’s, just across the way. thriller from The Indian Hero and Buffalo Bill Library of Victoria on 23 October by woman, and reference to the ‘Bohemians’ employed as a guard on the Port Adelaide Cole had a deep pit excavated in the and Dick Turpin, down to—or up to—Torn another VTT committee member, theatre would be incomplete without mention of Railway, where he came under the friendly middle of his stage, and this, filled, with From the Altar, with scores—literally scores— historian Frank Van Straten. her. She was a painter and had been, so it notice of the late C.C.Kingston. He later water, served for a variety of ‘tank effects’— of similar shows in between. With thanks to its publishers, was said, a pupil of the richly gifted went to Mount Brown. Later he had the especially for the villain to attempt to During his tour with his ‘road show’ Melbourne University Press, the 268 Cruikshank who illustrated the works of so Japanese Village—a popular show of the drown the heroine just as the noble hero Cole played to unsurpassed seasons, both page, fully illustrated Canvas many great writers, including Scott, eighties—under his control. dived to her rescue. for takings and length at Geelong, Bendigo, Documentaries is being offered to VTT Dickens and Ainsworth. When she was He was a cheap-jack [a Ballarat and Broken Hill. members at a generously discounted over 70 this wonderful old lady painted an travelling hawker], and In the latter city he price of $47.95, plus postage. recognised as a rival of the Cole…put a show on the roads that played for just eight act drop of rather more than 30 feet by 16 Enclosed with this issue of On Stage ‘great’ Ellis Newton. From has never been surpassed for size, consecutive months, changed feet in size for the Sydney Hippodrome. is an application form. Simply fill it in, cheap-jacking he formed the originality, or attractiveness. his programme twice and Three sons-in-law as well as a stepson of send it to the publishers, and stand by ‘Bohemian Medical sometimes three times ‘Bohemian’ Cole enlisted for active service for your copy. Company’—curing all weekly, and did not repeat in the Great War; one was killed at the ailments—and for many months had his Following these lengthy Melbourne and more than a round dozen plays. front in 1916. Early patrons of Cole’s shows stand where Anthony Hordern’s big store Sydney seasons, Cole then put a show on He was always the good friend to the may remember ‘Lolly’ Wilson. He, too, flourishes in Sydney today. the roads that has never been surpassed for actors, despite a somewhat abrupt manner died as a result of war injuries. Three New Green Room Awards Then he became associated with Texas size, originality, or attractiveness. It that was sometimes mistaken for grandchildren are now members of the Jack, probably the best sharp-shooter and consisted of the largest canvas theatre that unkindness. In this connection I must Second AIF. president with the lot one of the most likeable showmen ever to has ever housed a play, with an entrance mention a story of Cole and an actor It may be added that the old Cole visit this country. Texas Jack and E.I. Cole tent that was used as a museum, and had on named Beaumont. banner is still flying bravely. ‘Cole’s Director, lecturer and theatre all-rounder, ‘But we must remember that seeking were associated in the production of Wild exhibition a complete set of pictures of the Beaumont was an excellent actor, and Varieties’, a touring show presenting an Will Conyers, has been elected president of excellence is what we do, not necessarily the Green Room Awards Association, putting on a glitzy show. The value of a West drama, under canvas, in Sydney, Bushrangers of Australia, and many had played with the very best companies in entertainment of a metropolitan standard, is replacing Rob Meldrum who stepped down Green Room Award must not be judged by Brisbane and other places in 1893–4. incidents connected with their lives. Each Australia. He was everyone’s friend—except, still ‘on the roads’. There is a company of The ‘Bohemian Dramatic Company’ after three years in the chair. the size of the ceremony. We are peers picture was life-size, and painted in oils. perhaps, his own, for occasionally he wore 40 show people, who use a vast tent—a was the next venture, and it was not long The museum also housed a collection of vine leaves in his hair. Mr Conyers has the unique qualification celebrating our peers.’ ‘canvas theatre’—for their performances. before Cole was recognised as a fine saddles, amongst which was one in which On one occasion, while in Cole’s of having performed and/or directed in all Will Conyers is supported by Dr Mark Mostly the Company plays for a week in equestrian director. He has been compared Buffalo Bill rode to thrill good Queen Victoria. Company, ‘Beau’, as everyone called him, the disciplines covered by the Green Room Williams (vice-president), Fiona Dearing each town, but in the cities their stay is for to the great Ducrow who is credited with There was also a collection of firearms, had been suspended and was under a cloud. Awards: cabaret, dance, drama, fringe, (secretary) and Tobias Benn (treasurer). longer. For example, the show ran for 16 the oft-quoted: ‘Cut the cackle and get to from the old-fashioned blunderbuss and A new play was about to be cast. Cole had music theatre and opera. Green Room Awards panel heads comprise: weeks in Perth a few months ago, next 11 the hosses.’ pistols of the pepper-box variety, to a rifle a pet remark: ‘I could chop actors out of He has also served the association in the Fiona Scott Norman (cabaret), Stephanie weeks in Adelaide, and then for a return While Cole did not make anything like reputed to have belonged to the bushranger wood,’ which was really not meant to be capacities of secretary, vice-president, long- Glickman (dance), Ernie Gray (drama), season of eight weeks. Five weeks in that remark, it was always his policy. ‘Let’s Ben Hall. offensive. Beau asked for a part in the new standing music theatre panel member and Mary-Anne Caleo (fringe), Joanne Adderley Launceston has been followed by 10 or 12 have the horses on!’ He even introduced How many residents of the country play, but Cole said, ‘No. You have was co-production co-ordinator for this (music theatre) and Robert Whitehead weeks in Hobart. them into East Lynne! centres remember parade of ‘Cole’s disappointed me too often.’ year’s hugely successful awards ceremony (opera). Cole was very successful in the country, Bohemians’ in their towns and cities! A Beau said, ‘But I’m a good actor, Governor.’ This speaks well for the quality of the that re-opened the newly-restored Her Immediate past-president, Rob and then, later on, he ran at both the parade often led by Cole himself, with his ‘Actors!’ said Cole, ‘I can chop ’em out entertainment provided. Majesty’s Theatre. Meldrum, now joins an impressive alumni: Sydney and Melbourne Hippodromes. He long, flowing hair, and (of course) a band— of wood!’ The manager and proprietor of this new ‘I am thrilled to be taking the Green Room Steven Tandy 1983-1985, Professor John kept going for four years in Sydney, and in a bandwagon—which was shaped like a Like lightning Beau came back: ‘And ‘Cole’s’ is an old friend of mine, ‘Bill’ Ayr, a Awards into their 21st year,’ Mr Conyers Rickard 1985-1990, Hugo Leschen 1990- had a three years’ run in the Melbourne sea serpent! At this time the show had a judging by what I saw last night, you have son-in-law of ‘Bohemian’ Cole, and one of the said. ‘We are dedicated to making our 1994, Beverley Dunn 1994-1999. He Hippodrome, which stood, battered looking payroll of 65 people, and travelled by its been damned busy with your axe.’ actor stalwarts of the old Bohemian days.n coming-of-age a very special occasion indeed succeeded Ms Dunn in 1999. n

Page 4 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 5 President’s Report Pets of the Public

President of the Victoria Theatres Trust, Henry von Bibra AO, delivered his report to the Annual General A right royal romantic leading man Meeting, held on Wednesday, 21 August 2002 in the Rehearsal Bar of Her Majesty’s Theatre. A new leading lady joins Julius Knight in Part 6 of Elisabeth Kumm’s coverage of

have pleasure in congratulating the support, and in particular Simon Marsh, Trust had to be carried out in Melbourne. his remarkably durable career. editor of On Stage, David Cullinane, our Treasurer, who labours long and hard And it was, by those people mentioned hen The Prisoner of Zenda was impression and ‘the hearty applause playing Lady Blakeney for the first time. Iand his editorial committee of Frank in balancing the figures; and Philip already, as well as numerous others, presented at Melbourne’s Her awarded Mr Knight was but a fitting tribute An interesting event occurred on the 3 Van Straten, Dr Mimi Colligan and Waldron, whose secretarial skills of principally our first members. WMajesty’s Theatre, commencing to a fine performance.’ The Breed of the night of 23 February—after a performance Elisabeth Kumm for the challenging and interpreting the minutes are very much Theatres are what we are all about and on 5 December 1908, Julius Knight was Treshams ran for four weeks, though the of The Scarlet Pimpernel a thief stole the interesting quality production of our appreciated. As President I rely heavily on London is a good place to learn about joined by a new ‘large pictorial poster, showing magazine. I commend members to take Frank Van Straten with his vast experience theatres. There are good theatres: ones that, leading lady. the head of Mr Julius Knight, in extra copies and distribute them amongst and historical knowledge of the theatre. by their design bring the audience right Since undertaking his fourth colours’ which was displayed friends and theatre supporters. Finally I am saddened to report Evan into the intimate aura of the performer, Australian tour, in February 1907, outside the Theatre Royal. The highlight of the year has been our Hercules’s ill health, but heartened with his right into the fourth wall. The performer he had entertained no fewer than Apparently the daring thief cut association with Mike Walsh and the stoicism and strong endeavour to believe in then gets energy from this audience and four leading ladies: Miss Elbert the picture (valued at £5 5s) reopening of Her Majesty’s Theatre. On the future, I spoke with him over the magic is created as the energy is sent back. Orton, Marion Grey, Beatrice Irwin, from its frame with a pair of behalf of the VTT I wrote a letter, ‘A salute weekend and can report he was in an This is good theatre. Ola Humphrey, and now Beatrice Day. scissors. With melodramatic to Mike Walsh OBE,’ but The Age declined optimistic mood. I now have pleasure in Then there are the others: places that Beatrice Day was well known to flourish, an initialled handkerchief to print it; you will find a copy on page 15 requesting Frank Van Straten to read a present the performer on a platform in Australian audiences and on her first was discovered at the scene of 5 in the Winter Edition of On Stage. The message from Evan to the meeting. front of a fourth wall. A physical and appearance ‘met with quite an the crime. overwhelming reception’.1 Prior to On 6 March, another new magic of the Green Room Awards and the Message from Evan emotional distance separates them. The joining Julius Knight’s company, the production was staged—The Duke’s opening night of The Hollow Crown Hercules potential theatre experience is destroyed. It heralded the return of this grand lady to was never there in the first place. These English-born actress had been a Motto by Justin Huntley [The Victoria Theatres Trust was founded the theatre scene of Melbourne. venues often resemble town halls and principal with the Brough-Flemming McCarthy, ‘a dashing, Progress is being made with student in 1995 on the initiative of expatriate converted cinemas. Comedy Company, and before that swashbuckling play of cloak-and- involvement and with the help of Robin Australian designer Evan Hercules.] The Victoria Theatres Trust embraces had supported Pattie Browne during sword sentiment, hotly spiced Grove and Simon Abrahams we have I am very heartened by the growth of good theatre design, old and new, and her 1898 Australian tour. with battle, murder, and gained an insight into student theatre the Victoria Theatres Trust and must put promotes the position of Melbourne as the Back in Sydney, 19 December sudden death’.6 in Melbourne. that down to the support and energy that city where good theatre is best generated. saw the company at the Theatre As Henri Lagardere, the hero Martin Carlson gave the Committee an you, Henry, have given to it. We promote young theatre talent, Royal, where a revival of The Sign of of the piece, Julius Knight informative talk on the history of the John In the early days, this support combined producers, directors, designers, performers the Cross was given with Beatrice declared: ‘I am here!’, words Truscott Design Foundation Inc, an entity with the talents of a small team, led by and musicians alike. Day in the role of Mercia. made famous by Lewis Waller with a close liaison with the VTT. I thank Frank Van Straten, Dr Mimi Colligan, They will help to provide our theatres As on previous occasions, the when he first played the title role Martin and his committee for their support Elisabeth Kumm, Prof. Robin Grove, Delia with that very magic our audiences can play was a huge success and the in September 1908 at London’s of On Stage. Taylor, Rohan Storey and Michael enjoy. They will keep them open and theatre was packed. Lyric Theatre. Some years later, Tonight gives me an opportunity to Sturmfels (Michael was my first main viable, not just for us to experience, but for On 16 January 1909, the an old playgoer who had seen record our appreciation to member John collaborator and who we jokingly referred our grandchildren too. company added a new play to their The Duke’s Motto, recorded his White for his contribution Nostalgic to as ‘my eminence gris’)—all have taken the Thank you all for being part of it. repertoire—The Breed of the Treshams, impression of the play, in a letter Memories of the Theatre Royal which was Trust to its present position. - Evan Hercules a drama by ‘John Rutherford’ (the to ‘Melodious Memories’ in the included as a supplement to the winter I know the recent addition of new blood nom-de-plume of two ladies from Melbourne Age: The following committee for 2002–03 was edition of On Stage. John in his research to the committee will generate greater Boston, Mass., Mrs E.G. Sutherland ‘The Duke’s Motto was not a elected at the AGM: and financial contribution has helped to strength and drive. and Miss B.M. Dix). The play had medium which added to his record significant theatre history. It is In the early days in 1995 I tried to do President Henry von Bibra AO first been performed at the Theatre [Knight’s] reputation; the informative and exciting reading; thank this during my brief yearly visits to Secretary Philip Waldron Royal at Newcastle-on-Tyne in recurrence of “I am here!” was you, John. Melbourne. Initially only a few people Treasurer Simon Marsh England in September 1903 with blatant, and timely appearances It is heartening to note increased recognised that early vision and I am Committee Sandy Graham John Martin-Harvey as Lieutenant at danger points was an effect membership, with 271 now on the mailing delighted and still thrilled that Sue Nattrass Prof. Robin Grove Reresby. It hit a chord with British which had its genesis in the old 7 list. I commend all members to use their was one of them. Thank you, Sue, for Carolyn Laffin playgoers, and subsequently became melodrama.’ best endeavours to increase this number sharing that vision, then and now. Although Darien Sticklen one of Martin-Harvey’s most The Duke’s Motto ‘did not grip 8 during the next year. the concept came from one expat living in Editorial Committee Dr Mimi Colligan popular roles alongside Sydney the public’ and rather than run 2 4 Membership fees have been noted as: London, the seeds were well and truly David Cullinane Carton in The Only Way. management had hoped for a longer run, it to the end of the season, it was Student $10; General $25; Corporate and planted in Melbourne. Elisabeth Kumm As Lieutenant Reresby (aka ‘The Rat’), and it was replaced, on 13 February, by the withdrawn and replaced by A Royal Divorce Overseas $50. I take this opportunity of This may have been the easy bit. The Frank Van Straten OAM Julius Knight, in his handsome cavalier’s ever-popular The Scarlet Pimpernel, which on 20 March, with Knight as Napoleon and * thanking all Committee members for their difficult job of nurturing and building the Ex-Officio Evan Hercules uniform (pictured), made a favourable gave Beatrice Day the opportunity of Beatrice Day as Josephine. The season

Page 6 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 7 ended with a matinée on 7 April 1909, and J.C.Williamson companies, the pantomime Based on a short story by Alexandre the following day the company left for not excepted.’ Dumas, Les Frères Corses, the play had first Exeunt Melbourne, en route for Adelaide and Perth. A successful season in Kalgoorlie been produced in Paris in 1850.13 Dorothy Hewett AM White and others, the venture was a failure and drama at the Princess Theatre. It is worth mentioning the production followed, after which the company returned In 1852, an English language version of and the theatre was ultimately demolished. As fellow Viennese, Kahan and Haag that followed Julius Knight’s season at the 21.5.1923–25.8.2002 to Melbourne, opening at the Princess’s the play, by Dion Boucicault, was produced found an instant rapport, and it was Haag Dorothy Hewett was a larrikin: a robust In the 1990s Hewett wrote The Jarabbin Theatre Royal—An Englishman’s Home. The Theatre on 26 June 1909 with A Royal at London’s Princess’s Theatre with Charles Trilogy for the Melbourne Theatre Company who recommended that Kahan be publicity leading up to its first performance, master Divorce. Melburnians flocked to the opening Kean in the dual role. commissioned to design Lucia. Kahan was playwright, poet, and Perth’s Black Swan Theatre, but it on 10 April, was quite extraordinary. night: ‘Those who managed to get into the It was Boucicault’s version that proved too difficult and too expensive to not new to theatrical design, though his Written by Major Guy du Maurier9, it novelist and Princess’s Theatre on Saturday evening continued to be performed, until 1906 training as a tailor had meant that his personality stage. was still playing in London when the first were lucky, for before the curtain rose the when John Martin-Harvey produced a new previous experience—in Europe—had been whose own In 2001 Aubrey Mellor commissioned Australian production was given, having whole of the auditorium was packed, and version at the Adelphi Theatre in and produced Nowhere for Playbox. It was entirely with costumes. opened at Wyndham’s Theatre on 27 12 tumultuous life hundreds had been turned away.’ London.14 It was this new version that He’d worked for the legendary Paul matched Hewett’s first première in 18 years. January 1909, with Lawrence Grossmith Indeed, so popular was A Royal Divorce, Julius Knight presented to Sydney ‘I was a forgotten woman,’ said Hewett. Poiret and had designed for Colette, and Arthur Wontner in the principal roles. anything her that it ran the full three weeks allotted to audiences in December 1909. Josephine Baker and Mistinguett. imagination ‘My plays weren’t being put on; they had Wontner had been associated with Julius the Melbourne season. disappeared into the mists of time.’ Kahan’s Lucia was a triumph: ‘Mr To be continued… could conjure. Knight’s 1903-05 Australian tour. Kahan amalgamated in his designs the She was an ‘Nevertheless,’ said Mellor, ‘we still The play told the story of Footnotes grandeur of the renaissance with twentieth atheist, a communist, a lusty feminist and, haven’t found a way to do her plays.’ But ‘an ordinary John Citizen’ ‘…returns for the five nights of the Perth run century formalism and abstract art. His 1 Table Talk, 10 December 1908 as NSW Premier Bob Carr put it, ‘an he praised them as ‘poetic epics written who is forced to defend his colour schemes in the mass scenes were of 2 Disher, The Last Romantic, with a perceptive yet uncritical eye’. home when it is invaded by [An Englishman’s Home] being the best authentic working-class voice’. Although she Wild Card, Hewett’s first volume of exquisite beauty and sumptuousness.’ 10 p. 167 thought of herself primarily as a poet, her ‘foreign’ forces. The following year Kahan designed two registered for the period by any of The Sydney Morning Herald, contribution to Australian theatre was autobiography, was published in 1990. She The Australian première of more National productions, Cosi fan tutte 18 January 1909 monumental. Her plays alternate between was working on a second volume at the the play featured Henry Kolker the J.C.Williamson companies, and the sensational Australian première of 4 Punch (Melbourne), intensely personal explorations of time of her death. and Ola Humphrey (recently The Consul, the powerful contemporary the pantomime not excepted.’ 28 January 1909 relationships and sexuality and celebrations Playbox’s 2003 season is dedicated to returned from a tour of New opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. The Herald’s 5 Table Talk, 4 March 1909 of Australia’s environment, history and Hewitt’s memory. Zealand) in the principal roles. John Sinclair wrote, ‘Here, perfect 6 The Sydney Morning Herald, heritage So optimistic was collaboration between producer [Haag] and 8 March 1909 Her first of her 22 plays, This Old Man J.C.Williamson about its Louis Kahan AO designer [Kahan] resulted in a production 7 The Age (Melbourne), 13 December 1941 Comes Rolling Home, was written in 1966. It potential in Australia that once the Next the company proceeded to 25.5.1905–16.7.2002 that could command respect anywhere in 8 Punch (Melbourne), 18 March 1909 was followed by The Golden Oldies (1967), company finished rehearsals, he dispatched Sydney, where A Royal Divorce was ‘I hope I design the world.’ In 1954 Kahan designed another 9 Guy was a member of the famous du Mrs Porter and the Angel (1969), the largely the play’s director, Mr Priestley Morrison, presented for three nights only, after which for the stage as Menotti Australian première, Amahl and the Maurier family, the son of George du autobiographical The Chapel Perilous (1971), to Adelaide to rehearse the Julius Knight the company’s first Brisbane season nobody else, for Night Visitors, and a controversially Bon-Bons and Roses for Dolly (a musical set in company, who were to play it in Perth. commenced on 26 July 1909. Maurier (author of Trilby) and brother I could never innovative production of The Tales of a 1930s picture palace, 1972) and The Tatty Even a third company was established That season opened with The Scarlet of Gerald (the actor) and Daphne respect any stage Hoffmann, the Offenbach opera chosen for Hollow Story (1974). ‘in order that the whole of Australia and Pimpernel, followed by the long-enduring (the novelist). designer who the Royal Gala Performance at the Princess Hewett moved to Sydney from Perth in New Zealand may make the acquaintance The Sign of the Cross which played until 10 Disher, Melodrama, p. 177 became merely on 1 March 1954. 1974. After this she wrote another musical, of the epoch-making piece at the earliest 21 August when the company went to 11 Table Talk, 1 April 1909 a limp copyist.’ ‘We were late with everything,’ recalled 11 Catspaw (1974), Joan (a musical pageant of possible opportunity.’ Toowoomba and Newcastle. 12 Punch (Melbourne), 1 July 1909 So wrote Louis Louis. ‘During opening night I was still Julius Knight’s Adelaide season at the the Joan of Arc story, 1975), The Beautiful On 1 September 1909 they left Australia 13 Bingham, Henry Irving and the Victorian Kahan in 1952, working frantically on one act whilst the Theatre Royal commenced on 10 April Mrs Portland (1976), the rock opera Pandora’s for their third New Zealand tour, opening in Theatre p. 161-163 soon after his previous one was being performed. Crazy! I Cross (1978), The Man from Muckinupin (1979), 1909 with The Duke’s Motto, followed by The Auckland on 6 September, with Dunedin, 14 Disher, The Last Romantic, p. 196 sets and just had time at the end to slip into tails to The Fields of Heaven (1982) and The Rising of Sign of the Cross, The Breed of the Treshams, Christchurch and Wellington to follow. costumes for the National Theatre Opera Pete Marsh (1988). meet the royal couple. Stretching out my and Monsieur Beaucaire. December saw the company back in Company’s production of Lucia di Her radio play Susannah’s Dreaming was hand for the handshake, I noticed that I still When the Adelaide season finished on Australia, again at the Sydney Theatre References Lammermoor launched him as one of broadcast in 1981. Hewett also wrote two had paint all over it! I don’t know whether 30 April, they went to Perth, where they Royal. While in New Zealand they had Madeleine Bingham, Henry Irving and the Australia’s most distinguished stage children’s plays, Golden Valley (1981) and it left a trace on Her Majesty’s glove.’ opened with The Duke’s Motto. The rest of been rehearsing another new play—The Victorian Theatre, Allen & Unwin, designers. Song of the Seals (1983). Also in 1954, Kahan designed a double repertoire was the same as in Adelaide, with Corsican Brothers, which had its première on London, 1978 It was a sensational début, made all the Pandora’s Cross was produced by Rex bill of two short dramas: Strindberg’s the addition of An Englishman’s Home. Boxing Night 1909. M.Willson Disher, The Last Romantic: the more remarkable because it was his very Cramphorn and Jim Sharman’s innovative tragedy Miss Julie and Mérimée’s light- Of this production, Punch (3 June 1909) The Corsican Brothers was not a new play Authorised Biography of Sir John Martin- first attempt at set design—not that anybody Paris Theatre Company, based at the Paris hearted The Golden Carriage for George and reported: ‘...in Western Australia Mr Julius by any means, having been performed in Harvey, Hutchinson, London, 1948 realised it at the time! Theatre in Sydney’s Liverpool Street. Anna Pravda. Knight and his company are meeting with Australia in the 1850s by G.V.Brooke. M.Willson Disher, Melodrama: Plots that Vienna-born, Louis came to Melbourne The Paris was a reworking of Walter in 1950. Here he met director Stefan Haag After this Louis and his new wife, Lily, the most gratifying success in the du In Britain, the most famous exponent of Thrilled, Rockliff, London, 1954 Burley Griffin’s Australian Picture Palace who was working with Gertrude Johnson’s went to London. At Glyndebourne Oliver Maurier drama, the returns for the five the play had been Henry Irving, who had Punch (Melbourne)Table Talk, The Argus, The of 1918. National Theatre, which was presenting Messel used Louis’ talents as a tailor to nights of the Perth run being the best first played the dual role of the twin dei Sydney Morning Herald n Despite the support of Hewett, Patrick make the costumes for his Il seraglio. * registered for the period by any of the Franchi brothers in September 1880. ambitious annual festivals of opera, ballet

Page 8 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 9 Kahan also designed Welsh National Leo McKern AO Russell Page television include the contemporary opera ‘Russell is probably the best dancer this Australis (1946) in which she appeared as Opera’s highly acclaimed I Lombardi. Black River, Tracey Moffatt’s film Bedevil, the Spirit of Australia confronting the 16.3.1920–23.7.2002 1968–14.7. 2002 country has produced, black or white,’ he said On his return to Australia, Louis Christine Anu’s Wanem Time, Poison for arrival of white colonists. Internationally known and loved as ‘It’s almost as if the light went out too designed the Elizabethan Trust Opera ABC-TV and the film musical Billie’s Holiday. From 1946 until 1950 Sager was in television’s Russell Page, the early and we are still trying to find the Company’s Otello, notable for Joan In 1999 he performed with Adelaide’s irascible Horace youngest of the switch to turn it back on.’ Europe. She danced with Britain’s Hammond’s portrayal of Desdemona. Australian Dance Theatre. Rumpole, three Metropolitan Ballet and the Glyndebourne Two years later he created the costumes He danced in the opening and closing Sydney-born extraordinarily Peggy Sager Opera, and at the Théâtre Royal de la for Stefan Haag’s open-air production of ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympics Leo McKern Monnaie in Brussels. In 1948 she appeared talented Page 6.1.1924–27.7.2002 Molière’s The Misanthrope for the Festival of and in Tubowgule, the opening ceremony of in the enormously influential film The Red Shoes. made his acting brothers who Born in Perth. In 1960 Kahan worked again with the Olympic Arts Festival. Sager rejoined Borovansky in 1951 début in 1944 at were the creative Auckland, New the Trust Opera, providing sets and His engaging portrayal of a rugby mastering 14 ballets in just six weeks. She May force behind Zealand, Peggy costumes for the Haag’s Puccini triple bill Il player turned dancer in the feature film Kick created the role of Aurora in the Australian Hollinworth’s Bangarra Dance Sager came to trittico and costumes for Robin Lovejoy’s earned him a best actor nomination in the première of The Sleeping Princess (1951) and Metropolitan Theatre, took his Australia in Rigoletto which featured Glenda Raymond Tudawali Awards for indigenous performers. the Sugar Plum Fairy in Lichine’s The Theatre, own life at 1941. In Sydney and Donald Smith. The last public performance of Page’s Sydney, in Our Town. Later that year he Cronulla, on 14 July. He was at the peak of Nutcracker (1955). Other highlights at this vigorous career was just a few days before she worked in a By 1962, the Australian Elizabethan time were title roles in Giselle and Pineapple joined J.C. Williamson’s, who cast him in his career. milk bar to fund Trust Opera had been renamed the his death, in a short Sydney season of several plays, starting with Uncle Harry at Acclaimed for his intense physicality, Poll and the Ballerina in Petrouchka. She Bangarra’s latest work, Walkabout, the lessons that Australian Opera. To Louis Kahan went the retired from the company in 1958 but the Theatre Royal. grace, athleticism and model looks, the eventually earned honour of designing the sets and costumes choreographed by his brother Stephen, the In 1946 he left for London, which Queensland-born dancer was descended returned as a guest artist for the final company’s artistic director. her a place in for Haag’s production of Richard Strauss’s Borovansky season, in 1960-61. became his home. After ‘rep’ experience, from the Nunukal people of Stradbroke Australia’s first professional dance Ariadne Auf Naxos which had its Australian Russell is survived by his three young success came when he joined the Old Vic Island and the Munaldjali clan of the Sager opened a ballet school in Mount children—daughters Ricali and Raninya and company, the Kirsova Ballet. première at the Adelaide Festival. The press Eliza. After the retirement of her second Company in 1949. Yugambeh tribe. son Rhimi. Rhimi has already performed With Helene Kirsova she created the lauded Louis for his ‘exquisite frocks and husband, businessman Ken Taylor, they McKern revisited his homeland many The youngest of 12 children from a with Bangarra. roles of Soul of the Lost Umbrella in charming setting. There is so much to moved to Coffs Harbour. times, first in 1953 with the Shakespeare struggling family, he grew up in a run-down Dance critic, Jill Sykes, said the dancer’s Revolution of the Umbrellas (1943) and the appeal to the senses that one’s attention is At nearby Tallebudgera on the Gold Memorial Theatre Company with whom he commission home in the Brisbane suburb of death was a devastating loss. ‘As a performer, Dawn Fairy in Hansel and Gretel (1943). In constantly bound to the complete loveliness Coast, Sager and her long-time friend and was a memorable Iago in Othello. In 1956 Mount Gravatt. He had a larrikin streak, he was unique—one of Australia’s best and 1945 she married fellow Kirsova principal of the scene’. colleague Kathleen Gorham ran a very he played the title role in Douglas Stewart’s and delighted in terrifying his doting most interesting dancers. And not just in Paul Hammond and together they joined Thirteen years passed before Louis successful summer school. Ned Kelly for the Australian Elizabethan mother with reckless athletic stunts. the context of Bangarra. the Borovansky Ballet. accepted another stage commission: Sager continued the summer schools for Theatre Trust. He also directed and acted in Page trained at the National Aboriginal ‘He was light and quick with an intensity Sager’s career flourished. Her technique costumes for the Australian Opera’s 1975 many years after Gorham’s death. The Rainmaker in Sydney. Islander Skills Development Association that came from within, transforming mere was faultless, her stage presence L’Elisir d’Amore. In 1962 McKern directed the London College. One of his teachers, Ronne movement into action that was rich in meaning breathtaking. Her powers shone in full- The participation of indigenous artists For Louis, the years rolled away. Again première of Richard Beynon’s The Shifting Arnold, described him as a model student and cultural references to past and present.’ length ballets like Swan Lake which gave from the Aboriginal and Islander Dance he worked with his dear friend Stefan Haag Heart, but it closed after only three weeks. who initially struggled with his new A long-time family friend and Bangarra her the chance to create a growing sense Theatre brought Sager particular pleasure— directing. It was one of Haag’s last projects; In the early 1970s he based himself in discipline. ‘His first year was quite chairman, Senator Aden Ridgeway, spoke of excitement culminating in the ballet’s as did the opportunity to indulge in her he died in 1985. And it was Louis’ last Melbourne. For the Melbourne Theatre horrendous. He didn’t know what he was of the dancer in the present tense, perhaps spectacular finale. favourite sport, golf, which she continued to work for the theatre. Company he created the role of Governor doing. He had never studied dance, he was reflecting an inability to accept that Page She also relished the challenge of play until fairly recently with the same Stage work was really a hobby for Bligh in the première of Ray Lawler’s The a sportsman—but somehow, eventually, it all is gone. modern works such as Borovansky’s Terra passion she invested in her dancing Kahan. It didn’t pay the bills. All the time Man Who Shot the Albatross and followed this clicked in his mind; he realised he could and teaching. n he produced hundreds of paintings, with Patate, which he had played in London. use his athleticism in his dancing. He was drawings, etchings. These are in galleries all He was back in 1988 with his solo pure spirit.’ Well, it didn’t quite work out. We never And there’s another little matter of over Australia and in hundreds of private performance in Boswell for the Defence. This In 1990 Page toured with the One Extra Gus Goss saw Ragtime and Sydney got Show Boat fraud and conspiracy charges in the US, collections. His portrait of Patrick White was seen first in Melbourne then in all state Dance Company in Othello. He joined I well remember a before we did. Even then, though, there where Garth and Myron are charged with won the Archibald Prize in 1962. capitals and regional Queensland. Bangarra in 1991, dancing lead roles in swish affair a few were rumblings. stealing US$4.6 million (A$8.3 million) from A superb collection of his studies of On television he starred in Rumpole of acclaimed productions such as Corroboree, years ago when Mr Now a friendly Toronto tabby has told Livent during the 1990s, and cooking the books. singers and musicians was presented to the the Bailey from 1975 to 1992. His notable Praying Mantis Dreaming, Ochres and Fish. He Garth Drabinsky, me that Mr Drabinsky and fellow director Livent filed for bankruptcy protection in Victorian Arts Centre some years ago, and films include the Beatles’ Help! (1965), A encouraged and inspired many young head honcho of the Myron Gottlieb have each been charged by Canada and the United States in November more recently Louis entrusted the Man For All Seasons (1966), Ryan’s Daughter Aboriginals to follow in his dancing footsteps. Canadian-based the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with 1998 after the discovery of what the Performing Arts Museum with dozens of (1970) and The French Lieutenant’s Woman Page also created and performed Livent international 19 counts of fraud and with doctoring Securities and Exchange Commission called costume designs and set models. (1981). His final films were Australian: Travelling thematic pieces for special events including production Livent’s books. Each count carries a a ‘pervasive eight-year fraudulent Lou Klepac’s celebratory book Louis North (1987), On Our Selection (1995) and the 1997 Venice Biennale. He organisation, was in maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. accounting scheme’. Kahan was published by Beagle Press in Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (1999). choreographed for—and sometimes town to announce a The amount in question is Can$322 million— Make a mighty good musical! Would 1990 and is now a collector’s item. The Leo McKern was appointed an officer performed with—bands such as Jump Back liaison with Marriner generous, gentle genius it celebrated was of the Order of Australia in 1983. His Jack and Drum Nutz. His choreography was Theatres. Together they would bring Ragtime that’s about $370 million in Aussie money. The Producers be a good title? Oh! It’s appointed an officer of the Order of memoirs, Just Resting, were published in seen in Bruce Beresford’s film Paradise Road. and Show Boat to the Regent. And Premier It’s one of the largest fraud cases in already gone. Pity. Australia in 1993. London that year. Page’s credits as a performer for film and Kennett was there to wish them well. Canadian history. - Gus, the Theatre Cat n

Page 10 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 11 THE JOHN TRUSCOTT DESIGN FOUNDATION INC. You’re saying that museums are for art and the difference, so society is A discussion on style for the people. In the past 20 to 30 more enriched. years people have become increasingly In my own case I can remember In this Design Dialogue Margaret Manion and Martin Carlson of the conscious of this. There is a whole clearly when I first started in this John Truscott Design Foundation Inc., talk with art dealer Stuart history of museum development. gallery, that if your son or daughter Purves, director of the Australian Galleries in Melbourne and Sydney, Though it doesn’t go back thousands of wished to be an art student, you hid years, it probably goes back to the 15th this information and you were even the oldest, largest and one of the most respected commercial galleries in or 16th century in the West, but it is slightly embarrassed about Australia. As one of Australia’s few second generation art dealers, Stuart very lively now. When we look around it. Today they take their Purves is regularly consulted by the visual arts industry, at all levels, for his Melbourne and see what is happening children down in wheelbarrows and with the National Gallery of Victoria, tip them into art school. It used to Stuart, we would like you to tell us some of expertise acquired over more than three decades. the museum spaces, the State Library, I worry me, but I now realise how your views on design and its He is president and former chairman of the Australian Contemporary think there is much more consciousness important it is that these people are importance in your profession in Galleries Association, and a current board member of the Australian of how buildings relate to the public which getting trained, though they won’t directing art galleries and, indeed, perhaps was not there before; it was just all be artists. For instance, my bringing art to the public. How Contemporary Art Fair. Stuart is also an approved valuer under an attitude about building fine buildings. mother, Anne Purves, went to art important is the design environment in the Commonwealth Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. SP: A couple of things about that. It school, and what did she do? She which you work? has not been made elitist but it has started a gallery. What is it they SP: Recognition of the importance of if you are going to approach your enormously well in this area, Were you conscious that your parents been done with an elite conscience, say? You save for one thing, but design—I remember once when I society—in this case Melbourne— although I do live in a glass bottle were pioneering? I think, and one being very giving when you have the money, you will was between two of my marriages, with a view that it will be a better as you know. I have no idea what SP: Not until later. They were quite remarkable. I feel that my second- at the same time. The result is that probably spend it on another. It is all of which I enjoyed, a friend said place because of art, you have to goes on in the real world, but in generation role is quite different everybody is invited to see great that same sort of energy. to me when I was having some offer a situation that is not my world I know it is just so and I am conscious of it because I works of art in wonderful style, Tell us about the exhibition openings you baked beans: ‘For Christ’s sake, distracting. It is the same as with a much better. have to make the very boat that where they feel as though they are have on a Saturday afternoon, and the Stuart, it takes the same energy to theatre seat. I think all our worlds share in the real they built sail. in a temple of the artist, but they diverse range of people who are coming cook a good meal as a bad Recently I was asked to go along world. Stuart, you come from a family When my mother died, I wanted feel that the art is accessible. This to these. They seem to be quite different. meal.’ That has never left me, with a group of people to the that has cared about this and has been to put into plan all the things that I is very important. SP: You are talking about the second nor has the great satisfaction of president’s lunch at the Kooyong in touch with a wide range of very had held back on when she was in Another point: I think artists are gallery we opened here in doing something well, which I Tennis Club—such an a-typical thing distinguished artists in Australia. Do her 80s and I didn’t want to rock born, not made, and I think there Melbourne for works on paper. It is for me to do, I mean just to be you see yourself as part of that bring back to style and design. For the boat. If I had started bashing is only a tiny number of artists per by name ‘Works on Paper’, and instance, in our own gallery, among all the accountants, but Jeff historical development you are the walls out it would have worried million of population. The certainly maybe 80 per cent of it is, Australian Galleries, we aim to Kennett was speaking. Jeff was building on? her. I just had to wait my turn: downside is that perhaps people but there is nothing to stop us make it so that when you walk terrific because he spoke on his SP: I was very fortunate for lots of sounds odd, but I served a long call themselves artists when they showing sculpture or painting there. through the door the architecture favourite topic—the depression things. First of all my parents were apprenticeship. are painters. It is satisfying a broader and and the interior design create an syndrome; then he spoke about insightful enough to have started a I am glad I did and saw it all out Now I think we have to be growing audience. ambience of seriousness, quality, being careful about society when gallery in 1956. I was nine at the satisfactorily. I feel as though I am careful of that distinction. Our Although the gallery operates importance and of things the economy is boiling away, and time. How lucky can a child be? 18 and I have a long way ahead. responsibility is to pre-select and seven days a week, we tested for contemporary. then he talked about the things I grew up under the tables of To my absolute astonishment I found in the old safe the original show the best so that the viewers the best time for exhibition openings. Yet it is not an intimidating that make society work. artists, thinking that the world was plans for this gallery in 1956. After have the right to have their eye To our surprise it is late Saturday atmosphere that prevents people I asked him about the arts and full of artists and passionate lots of hard work, a few million tuned when they go into a gallery afternoon. It has been very from asking questions. And it is whether he thought them people. It made the extra-ordinary dollars and lots of renovations, I or museum. This means they come successful. We have discovered that comfortable. We believe it is only important. He said the arts were ordinary to me. I think that was a can tell you that the gallery is not out knowing a bit more than when a lot of people come to us on the fair to the artists that their art is fortunate because David Gonsky great gift. My father died 35 years all that different to 1956! Also the they went in—it may be only at a way out for dinner and, it has viewed in as serious a way as they had just been appointed chairman ago and I had only a year in the attitude in 1956 and the attitude sub-conscious level—so that they can brought a completely new audience, make it. Closely working with an of the Australia Council. business with him, which was very now are very similar. Make it easy begin to tell the difference between yet it hasn’t taken away from our The thing I would like is for valuable. My mother died three architect helps me achieve this. to come in, make it easy to see the years ago. It was a collaborative quality and not so good a quality. traditional Tuesday night openings Do you think from your experience that style and design to be a bigger pictures, give them light, but hide To me it’s like a chart datum; there in the other gallery. people respond positively to this? part of the warp and weft of our effort at the gallery. We built it to a the source; make the spaces as best is a line of quality, above it is Is the art in a different price range? SP: I think they do, and the wonderful culture. For instance, it would be stage where the business was mine, you can, and keep it neutral; don’t good, and below it is no good. If SP: It is, but by golly it is a good thing thing about it is that they do it good if we were automatically a natural progression, so I was a make it for yourself, make it for the you asked me to draw it I will, I for all people concerned that prints without knowing. If, for instance, aware of design in shop windows fully fledged second-generation art art and for the viewer—and this is can just draw a line across the air and drawings have been ‘discovered’. the door is hard to open or the or the use of colour on buildings. dealer with all that background really where we are. here. People will fight about it but I will let you into a secret: for hall is too narrow or too wide, If we did that by simple osmosis and experience and a proper sense All I have managed to do is a actually there are good and bad myself I see no difference. I am then there is discomfort. We try to we would be many times better off. of responsibility, because that was new version of the same thing. I things, and these galleries teach us equally happy with an idea on * take the discomfort away, because But I think we are advancing drummed into me. have made it more of the same but more up to date.

Page 12 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 13 paper as I am in any other form, but What we are doing with our to auction or been presented to a dory lost in the fog, not knowing mother making up one portrait, the intimidation, which I think is somehow or other prints have catalogues and folios is to try to national or state gallery. Now that where the mother ship is. The John Brack portrait of my father, tremendous. I actually remember never had the status. We are having make it comfortable for people to is nearly 50 years of documentation. gallery’s absence has affected the and the Fred Williams portrait of when he put the acoustic discs on an effect on changing this, and the see the art works. That is another thing we might explore: whole nuance of the business. my father. the ceiling—it was the most fantastic prints deserve it. An idea drawn in I also think that by publishing a you have always been a most I predict that the commercial I also approve of the interior thing. He told me that a tiny hole the sand is as good as an idea on folio or using a web site we enthusiastic and generous supporter of galleries will start doing a lot design of the gallery. I am not mad had to be drilled in each one steel; the only difference is that the probably reach an audience 10 public institutions such as the Tapestry better when that gallery opens. It about the outside yet, but I am sure because if the sprinkler system wind won’t blow the steel away, times the number who actually Workshop or National Gallery of works in Sydney: they have the because of what it represents I will went off it would fill them and pull which gives it a currency. come to see the art. It was a Victoria. Would you like to comment on marvellous Edmund Capon who is like it one day. the ceiling down; the little holes let I can’t get enough of the art business decision: they won’t come that interesting relationship between what a fabulous enthusiast for art, and We might conclude with a focus on John the water out. world. As you know I have four to us, so we will go to them. we might call commercial and public? works hard. Sydney is lively as a Truscott. We were both very much I went into the theatre when it galleries, two in Melbourne and Now, what I am also hoping is SP: I can tell you, it is very simple: I result of that. I hope that the same involved in the building of the was raining little bits of gold leaf, it two in Sydney, and we now have that the quality gives confidence believe in the industry, believe in happens here and the Melbourne Victorian Arts Centre. Of course Roy was a magical moment. And like our own production department and the folios are so good that the overall cultural thing. I would gallery becomes the city’s centre. Grounds did the National Gallery, but all things, I appreciate John more where we do our own catalogues, people won’t throw them out. So like the daily news at 6:00 o’clock When we were putting in place the Truscott then there were the two other buildings now than I did then, and I did folios, books and what-have-you. by the time they think they might to go: headlines, details, the commission for the Victorian Arts which contributed a great deal to the appreciate him then. This is extremely interesting and leads to a like that work of art, they remember weather, the stock market and a Centre the link from John to you and presence of the arts in Melbourne. Stuart, do you have some suggestions about broader question on design, and that is that somewhere in the bookshelf quick report on the day’s cultural your gallery was of vital importance. So We were there when John Truscott how our very small Foundation can the quality of publications that events. That would make much would never have happened. It came in, really at the 11th hour, to continue to develop, here and there, are associated with art. No society a heavenly place. was a major undertaking of enormous meet the challenge of furnishing the things to help style in Melbourne? matter how much you enjoy A new idea is usually leaps ahead of the usual It only needs to be a proportions. Melbourne Concert Hall and the SP: I will tell you the thing I have the art when you see it in a minute and a half. This SP: It was a major undertaking and it Theatres Building. noticed, and that is that we have gallery, because we are people thought of the day, so it may not be opera is great, this has made the Melbourne Concert They could not be furnished according benefited from lots of other who think, talk and write we exhibition is terrific, and Hall, the whole thing that John did, to the architect’s original design, which galleries. Australian Galleries, successful on Day One. need to go away to reflect and so on. remarkable. I want to tell you, it really was not at that time suitable for which started in 1956, is going to write about it. You document I am also interested in made us remarkable. It was a theatres. John came in and quite magically be fifty in 2006 and we have material; you are producing country drives. I love to wonderful thing to be involved in. involved a great number of artists as benefited massively from the very good catalogues so that the they’ve got that folio: we missed it drive because I think it airs your It gave us a completely new level you mentioned. existence of a number of other exhibition won’t be just a one-off on the first shot, but isn’t it brains and you see all the trees and on which to talk to the artists we SP: He dressed it, he stretched us all. galleries here, the Museums of experience for a small group of people. interesting now! We are aiming for birds—wonderful nature—and at the represented: we could go to them John cared. Here were two buildings which Modern Art everywhere, the SP: I have discovered in this business long-term exposure. Sometimes we end of these drives there is a with a serious project that involved were solid, monumental structures, a auction houses; all those things that once you have got it right, you have to breathe thinly for 10 years regional gallery which is delightful society—all the things that they large proportion underground, and have been fantastic for us. have got it wrong. What I mean by until it is understood and appreciated. to pop in to see. always said they wanted to where people who go out at night You can niggle away about a this is that you might get everything So again, through style and design I used to barrack for Geelong do. Suddenly they had to face wanted an occasion, a gala occasion, little family blue on this thing and under control and have your shows we build a future. Football Club and that would take the fact that they had the chance wanted a dressed space which would that, but the view from on high, and all the organisation so shipshape You are also contributing to the cultural me to Geelong, and so I got used to do it. They gave generously, the be stylish, not sombre. which is from where you should and clinical but then the art may richness of the country itself, because to this. It is what you are exposed market price of pictures had no SP: I think John understood that look at everything, is that the more, be dead. You have forgotten what you are actually recording it and making to. When you put it into the larger bearing but it didn’t matter, it was Melbourne was the Europe of the better. you are doing. that material available in a very context of the city, a main centre, about giving and they also realised Australia, and I still think that is Now if I were you I would be as Really, what we are trying to do professional way. anywhere in the world, what is its pretty quickly they were going to true. Every week I spend half a noisy as possible about the Foundation. here is to give new and genuine SP: That is something I learnt from my proudest building? It is always its be involved in something that was week in Sydney and half a week in I would get everybody to talk ideas expressed in art a chance. A family. We were scrapbook people. gallery or museum. They fly the fairly serious down the track. And Melbourne, and I have done so for about it. I would take every new idea is usually leaps ahead of When we were children our cultural flag—that is where the all those things have come true. 15 years. I know them both well opportunity for John Truscott and the usual thought of the day, so it parents gave us scrapbooks and we money goes. This is happening in It was great for us. John lifted us, and I consider myself the luckiest design to become part of the talk of may not be successful on Day One. cut out our photographs, so we had Melbourne at the moment. we answered the call, we spoke to person in the world. the city. It’s exposure, exposure, Somehow or other we have to a sense of cut and paste. It is not In the past Melbourne somehow the artists, they spoke to him—the They are both fabulous. Sydney exposure. If a thing is worthwhile, simply sit it out and wait until it surprising, then, that my parents struggled with the National Gallery whole thing. You could hear the has the harbour, it sparkles on that makes it famous. You think of sorts itself out. photographed and recorded and I don’t know why. Finally we machinery click one turn over all everything—you just can’t beat that. Nolan, you think of Boyd, they If we had all the successful things everything in a manual. are getting a new gallery and an of that. It was wonderful. Melbourne has this wonderful were capable of churning out straight away they would be too We actually have a description of enthusiastic director who will make I might just add one thing about feeling; it’s like visiting Paris, St paintings that weren’t all good, but immediate and wouldn’t get a good every painting that was sold from us feel welcome. I hope the split the new gallery. I have given, with Petersburg or London, and I think they supported their names and patina about them. They have to 1956 to 1966. Since 1966 we have thing works. I am barracking for it. my family, all the portraits of my John somehow grasped that very the good ones came through. What grow like a piece of sculpture in photographed every work that has While the refurbishment has been parents for the opening of quickly. He knew the European I have learnt about those men is the garden and gradually get better gone through the gallery, sold or going on and we have not had the Federation Square. They include mood and he gave these buildings that they were good enough and over time—that is our approach. not. Some have actually come back NGV, I have felt like a little fishing Arthur Boyd’s four views of my gold leaf, theatre, fun and a lack of lived long enough to be judged *

Page 14 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 15 on the best they did, not the of them. It won’t happen unless worst. You know how we were you say, say, say. The John Truscott Design Foundation Inc. Fremantle’s lost showplace always told to eat all our food Anything else you would like to comment now has four issues in its strategic thrust: Frank Van Straten has rediscovered a treasure of Western Australia’s theatrical past, the Dalkeith Opera House. ● one is this Design Dialogue series because of the starving children in on before we let you off the hook? published in On Stage in association China, and that you would be SP: What I wanted to add is that some ituated in the heart of South Terrace, and the drama. The site is an excellent one, side, the dress circle was accessible, while with the Victoria Theatres Trust; judged on your worst act? I don’t years ago I went innocently to now Fremantle’s trendy cappuccino as South Terrace is one of our finest on the other, doors opened onto a balcony believe it. I think that if you are ● another is with the Green Room strip, the theatre predated the iconic thoroughfares and a second street is also over the pavement. From it there were Spain. I knew it had great S any good you have earned the right Awards Association; and now fully restored His Majesty’s in Hay available for another set of entrances. splendid views of the ocean. This museums but, I am almost to be judged on your best act. John ● ‘A Place in the City’, is a de facto Street, Perth, but its life in the spotlight was There’s money in it and we trust Mr Gallop promenade extended the full 27m width of embarrassed to say, I expected it to Truscott was good, and what you arrangement with the City of Melbourne brief. Both theatres were splendid examples will go full steam ahead with the project.’ the building and was illuminated with be a peasant country. have to do is tell everybody. by which we acknowledge some small of early 20th century architecture with their Noted Perth architect F.W. Burwell handsome gas lights. I was knocked over by the style You get the occasional person innovative design elements in the city by balconies, dress circles and ornate designed a building with a grand The auditorium was 24.38m by 18.29m. and design; it hit me like a 4x2. like John Brack who did very few the award of a Cato designed commendation balustrades. Renaissance-style frontage and five shops at There were ‘iron frame folding opera works and became famous, but it Flags flying with art, galleries with (see advertisement below); also The Dalkeith Opera House was built by street level. It adjoined the Freemason’s chairs’ for 1200 patrons in its stalls and took a very long time. Just keep the most delicious design, people ● we have become the catalyst for James Gallop, a forebear of dress circle, with room for talking about the Foundation and with art books under their arms, the publication of Vicki Fairfax’s history WA Premier Geoff Gallop. At South Terrace, Fremantle, in the early years of the 20th more in the gallery. The I’ll keep talking: it is something railway stations with art posters, of the building of the Victorian Arts the turn of the century James century, the Dalkeith Opera House shown on the right. building was ventilated by that people need to know about. people sprouting poetry in the Centre. We have gathered a group of Gallop farmed lands on the Below, the building today. large windows in the If we can reinforce the alliances that are street; it just struck me that art was people who are sponsoring its Dalkeith riverfront and auditorium walls and above now developing, that gives us the an integral part of the city. publication in October this year to supplied vegetables to the the stage. On hot summer continuity of four projects a year. This inspired me to renovate coincide with the 20th anniversary markets in Fremantle and nights a sliding roof caught SP: That’s right, have a John Truscott Australian Galleries. of the opening of the Melbourne Concert Perth. He would often take his the sea breezes. Hall. night at Australian Galleries, at Don’t forget the magic of art, it still has family by boat down river to Elaborate safety precaution For further information on the John other galleries, have one at the everybody intrigued. It gives enjoy the lively nightlife of included 17 fire exits, a Truscott Design Foundation Inc., contact Fremantle where, ‘shops were theatre, just keep having them until so much. sprinkler system and an PO Box 69, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, kept open until 10pm on asbestos stage curtain. All it is the event everyone wants to Yes, it does have a magic. phone (03) 9415 6796; fax (03) 9415 8095 Saturday evenings and parts of escape doors were fitted with attend, that everyone finds interesting SP: And John Truscott had plenty e-mail: [email protected] the High Street were so automatic fasteners and there and suddenly they realises it is part of that. thronged with shoppers and was a dual gas and electric A contract to dream Theatre. Costumes that were realised under Truscott’s dream to create a ‘people’s those promenading that emergency lighting system. his guidance will also be displayed. palace’ in the heart of Melbourne and the one had to shoulder one’s The stage itself was 18.29m On the 20th anniversary of the opening of Acclaimed for his Academy Award extraordinary lengths he went to to way through’. by 12.19m. Over it towered the the Melbourne Concert Hall, the Victorian produce the interiors of the Victorian Arts As the bustling port city largest fly gallery in Western Arts Centre will pay tribute to its interior winning designs for Camelot, Truscott’s lacked a modern theatre, the Australia. The proscenium designer John Truscott. sense of artistry and unyielding vision Centre and the Melbourne Concert Hall Fremantle Town Hall was the arch was 15.24 metres high. Drawing on the Performing Arts continues to elevate the spirits of all Victorians. can be seen in the original samples of colours focus of entertainment. Enter, There were 12 dressing rooms. Museum’s extensive collection of designs, Photographs and correspondence and finishings selected by Truscott himself. costumes and photographs, this display will documenting Truscott’s rise to international ‘A Contract to Dream: A Tribute to the enterprising Mr Gallop. He James Gallop’s Dalkeith highlight the many facets of Truscott’s stardom in the mid- to late-1960s will provide John Truscott’ opens on 22 November and determined to present Opera House opened on 27 career, including his early association with a glimpse of the genius behind the movie star will run until early February in the St Kilda Fremantle with a fine new September 1904, beating by the National Theatre and St Martin’s looks and appreciation of beauty in all things. Road foyer of the Victorian Arts Centre. n playhouse. Money was no object. three months His Majesty’s The first mention of Theatre, which opened on Gallop’s grand plan was Christmas Eve of the same year. One of two advertisements being used in Melbourne’s press to mark the John Truscott Design Foundation’s award to Yarra Trams for the new published in The Umpire The first attraction was J.C. Superstops, part of the Foundation’s ‘A Place in the City’ campaign. It was given for the Superstops on Collins Street near the Town Hall. magazine on 17 April 1901: Hotel, at that time also owned by James Williamson’s Specially Selected London ‘It has been a long standing reproach to Gallop. Tenders for the project were let in Company in a repertoire of four plays Fremantle that a city of such magnitude January 1904. By 20 February, when Gallop starring English matinee idol Julius Knight should be without a proper theatre, now himself laid the foundation stone, contractor and his leading lady Maude Jeffries. They’d that the mail steamers, crowded with James Brownlie had already completed the already appeared at the 1897 Theatre passengers, call almost daily. With pleasure foundations and commenced the brickwork Royal, Western Australia’s first genuine we report that Mr James Gallop, the Squire for all external walls. theatre, the shell of which still stands in of Dalkeith who recently purchased the fine Patrons accessed the theatre through an Hay Street Mall. block of land known as Ye Olde Englishe entrance between the shops. This opened Unfortunately, there had not been time Fayre with the Freemasons Hotel and other into a foyer that led directly into the stalls. to install railings around the orchestra pit, buildings, is seriously contemplating the A staircase led to the first floor supper so, reported the papers, several over-curious building of an up-to-date home for music rooms over the shops. From here, on one patrons had ‘lapsed into music’— *

Page 16 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 17 that is, had fallen into the orchestra pit! In 1946 the old theatre was bought by the King’s as a cinema. Instead the building The paint was hardly dry before an energetic Perth-born car salesman became a nightclub. The Twentieth of May Gallop’s theatre was rechristened. In colourfully named Victor Gubgub—his The Gubgub family still owns the Part 4 of Robert Foster’s confessions of a chorus boy. He has auditioned in Sydney for the legendary February 1905 it became the King’s and surname is a contraction of the original building. Two years ago Victor Gubgub’s Betty Pounder in the hope of a chorus position in JCW’s Damn Yankees… welcomed Pollard’s Adult daughter Jamelia took over e were back in the Rowe Street and watched a world I wasn’t part of come I started collecting all the cuttings on Opera Company in The the running of the studios on the Friday. Rehearsals alive. I headed back down Rowe Street. their arrival times, booking announcements Toreador and The French Maid. nightclub. A former dancer Wfor an amateur production of Rodney was waiting at the bottom of the and what they were performing. This In its early years Gallop’s with WA Ballet, she was Rio Rita were about to begin when Rodney studio stairs. became a nightly ritual at home. Mum and theatre hosted drama, keen to return the building rushed up to me. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said as he hugged me. Dad listened to their radio serials, When a comedy, music and variety to its theatrical origins. Her ‘Did you get a letter?’ he asked. ‘I hate Sydney,’ I blurted out through Girl Marries, Lux Radio Theatre and Blue by many of the era’s top family paid for the ‘I haven’t been home,’ I replied. the tears. Hills, while I sat in my room surrounded by performers. There were restoration of the upper ‘I’m in. Start rehearsals in two weeks.’ Four weeks had gone by and everyone I my ballet clippings, searching for any hint magic lantern shows and verandas and the return of The excitement in his voice and the glow knew seemed to have left town, either to do of new information. flickering silent films. The the facade with its on his face were amazing. His feet weren’t a show, do London, or their own thing. For some reason, I was restless this first floor balcony was used shopfronts to its turn-of-the- touching the ground. I threw my arms The loneliness of a big city seemed to night. It was cold and bleak and I couldn’t for fashion parades and century splendour. Her around him. We didn’t have to say be enshrouding me. The highlight of the get warm. The hot water bottle had gone musicales. There was a restoration efforts recently anything. He knew how I felt. day was the return trip on the City-to-Bondi from scalding to ice cold and so many Grand Benefit Concert to earned Ms Gubgub a ‘Go and ring home, go, go now,’ he urged. toast rack tram. thoughts were running through my head. raise funds for the South heritage award from the I ran down to the GPO, trying to find a I had made a decision. Work wasn’t Bang, bang, bang, on the front door Fremantle Football Club’s Having a ball at the now-named King’s. The stalls floor was flat for Fremantle City Council. couple of pennies to make the call. Mum satisfying. I felt theatre had let me down, brought me and the whole household to Injured Players’ Fund and such functions and the dress circle can be seen above the revellers Inside, the once tatty picked up the phone and I knew, ‘There’s a and me for not preparing myself for the our feet. the town’s maritime heritage nightclub has been letter for me, isn’t there?’ two jobs I loved. Even the Arts Ball at the ‘It’s midnight,’ my mother cried out. was reflected in a Grand inventively transformed ‘Yes, but don’t be upset,’ came the reply. Trocadero looming on the horizon didn’t ‘Urgent telegram, special delivery.’ Naval Concert in aid of the crew of the Lebanese ‘MouGhabghab’. Victor could into the funky, ultra-modern Metropolis ‘I’m not,’ I lied. ‘I’ll be home soon. Bye.’ inject any excitement into me. ‘But at this hour of the night?’ asked Dad. wrecked Orizaba. remember being taken there by his mother Fremantle club lounge where acts such as I walked up to the Theatre Royal and Boro’s had acquired the services of ‘Yes, we deliver them as soon as they Wayward actor Roy Redgrave, star of to hear Dame Nellie Melba when he was Paul Kelly and the Whitlams now appear. stood out front watching as they prepared Dame Margot Fonteyn and Rowena come through, if it’s marked “Urgent”.’ several early Australian movies (father of only seven. He turned the shopfronts and A separate upper-storey bar that opens out for the night’s show. The globes around the Jackson for a season at Her Majesty’s Dad signed for it and thanked the Sir Michael and grandfather of Vanessa, auditorium into his Ford dealership on to the veranda is planned for use as an awning were switched on and the ticket Theatre. The New York City Ballet was due deliverer. He stood with it in his hand, Lynn and Corin) played at the King’s in showrooms. The seats and dress circle were intimate performance venue for cabaret- box was alight. Stalls 18/6. It was all so mid-year and the Royal Ballet the following looking at it. March 1905. His leading lady was the removed and a concrete floor inserted style acts, so that the old theatre will again different from that day. year—the dance world seemed to be having ‘Open it,’ said Mum, urgently. Dad beauteous American Tittell Brune. Bert throughout the auditorium. Photographs of echo with the sounds of variety, albeit of a Tears ran down my cheeks as I stood an invasion of imports. looked at her. ‘It’s for him.’ Bailey appeared in pantomime—long before the time show Ford Prefects proudly more modern kind than those vaudeville He handed me the envelope. he found fame as ‘Dad’ in On Our Selection. displayed in front of the grand proscenium. performers of a long vanished era. The author There in bold letters showing through The peripatetic Pink Dandies Pierrot Gubgub’s Victor Motors flourished on Jamelia Gubgub’s final piece of the window opening was my name. troupe was a big draw in 1909. the site for the next 20 years. During this restoration is to reintroduce the name We stood there in the cold hallway The theatre underwent another change time the stage was removed and the arch Dalkeith Opera House to the gables of the staring at the delivered document. of name in April 1914: as the Tivoli it bricked up to provide another garage with veranda, so that passers-by will again be ‘I’m putting the kettle on for a operated as part of the national Tivoli access from the rear. Gradually all traces of aware of the building’s historic origins. cuppa. We may need it,’ Mum Circuit. In 1918 it was the King’s again and, the building’s theatrical origins were For further information, visit www. announced. for a couple of years, it shared programs removed or buried under the infrastructure metropolisfremantle.com.au ‘Come on, open it,’ urged Dad. with Perth’s ‘home of vaudeville’ the of the automotive industry. This history of the Dalkeith Opera ‘This is my first telegram. Ever,’ Shaftesbury Theatre in Beaufort Street. The proscenium was presented to the House has been complied with the generous I said. Live production ceased in 1920 and the Architecture Department of the University assistance of Jamelia Gubgub and Ivan King, ‘That’s very nice, dear, but can building became a cinema for most of the of Western Australia. archivist of His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth. you get them to send it a bit earlier next two decades. After Mr Gubgub’s near-fatal illness, next time,’ added Mum. References: After its screen went dark, the building Victor Motors went into liquidation in 1965. ‘Just open it,’ said Dad, getting was used as a motor vehicle repair shop. In Happily, though, Mr Gubgub survived, and Max D. Bell: ‘Fremantle Opera House/King’s impatient. the early 1940s it housed a police boys’ club. at the age of 94 now lives in a nursing home. Theatre’ in Kino, March 1997 ‘Swing boy required for On 10 June 1943 Film Weekly reported In March 1978 part of the roof was Bill Dunstone: ‘King’s Theatre’ in Philip production of Damn Yankees. Please that entrepreneur Sir Benjamin Fuller had destroyed in Cyclone Alby. It was replaced Parsons (ed.) Companion to Theatre in contact if interested. Pounder.’ purchased the theatre privately, not as part with a slightly lower structure. The building Australia (Currency Press, 1995) ‘What’s a swing boy?’ asked Dad. of his company, Fuller’s Theatres. Fuller was basically still structurally sound and Warren Kerr: Architecture in Fremantle 1875- ‘A swing boy is an understudy to the had plans to renovate and reopen it after from October that year it housed an ice 1918 (University of Western Australia, dancers, if one is sick you go on,’ I the war for revue and variety but this rink. In the late 1980s Fremantle Council 1975) replied, not fully knowing what it * never happened. rejected a proposal to refurbish and reopen The West Australian, 23 September 2002 n

Page 18 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 19 meant myself. Did a swing boy only appear Mum’s tears were my tears. I’d just left home. and turned on my reading light and when someone was off? Wending my way back to the cabin, I dimmed the one overhead. All the world’s a stage Did it mean you could do a whole was greeted by Roger with a paper cup full ‘That’s better,’ he said as he sat on the Australia: Sydney Garden has had a new lease of life. (A$195). The most expensive item was a show and never appear in it? I didn’t know of liquid. edge of my berth. The Eveleigh Carriage Works in the This summer it has a presented a wide beaded tutu worn by Viviana Durante in the answer to these questions. ‘First time away from home?’ he asked. ‘Aren’t you cold?’ I asked, looking at Redfern rail yards have been purchased by range of family-based activities that offer The Sleeping Beauty, which cost £650 (A$1820). Mum was listening in the kitchen. As He could tell by my red eyes and sniffles his naked form. the New South Wales state government children an insight into the theatre world. The Independent’s Julia Stuart was she made the tea I could see the tears that it was. One for the road from State Rail for $15 million. Main activities are crafts workshops, particularly intrigued by a £60 (A$165) welling up in her eyes—tears of joy, and ‘Just drink this. It will make you feel practical drama workshops relating to West naked Rhine Maiden’s latex fat suit with ‘This,’ waving the cup around, ‘will warm The site has been used for Sydney tears of sadness with losing me to the better.’ He added, ‘It’s Scotch. Don’t worry, Festival performances and has provided End shows, storytelling sessions designed to tomato-red nipples, and a long dress from outside world. I’m not selling you into white slavery— up any part of me.’ He offered his cup. I rehearsal space for Company B Belvoir and give tips on how to tell stories with a which a gargantuan naked latex bosom One week later, we were all at Central although with your talent and good looks, sipped out of courtesy and started to feel the Bell Shakespeare Company. Now the dramatic twist, and quizzes base on objects protruded.‘For the dressing-up enthusiast,’ Station, as I departed on the Spirit of we’d get a good price.’ flushed myself, the Scotch and the old carriage works and blacksmith’s shop on display in the museum. she observed, ‘the event bordered on the Progress for Melbourne. ‘But they’d only want girls,’ I answered. flannelette proving to be a fatal will become a permanent home for orgasmic.’ Mum had cried for the week, Dad took ‘I’ll blame that remark on your youth,’ combination. He sat sideways on the berth England: London companies such as Legs on the Wall, us to Spellson’s for a farewell dinner and he laughed. facing me, and his hand slid beneath Theatre Kantanka and Stalker Theatre. In the Winter edition of On Stage we England: London gave me a £10 note. ‘Only to be used if ‘Now do you like to be on the top or the covers. The initiative aims to bolster the work reported the closure of London’s last London is to have a new children’s theatre. you have too,’ he reminded me. the bottom?’ he enquired, indicating the Suddenly I felt a panic and started to remaining music hall, the 65-year-old The Arts Council has granted the get out of bed. and future of arts companies that have Suddenly I was on the train, starting a sleeping arrangements. Players Theatre. The Players Company was either had to make do with inadequate Unicorn Theatre Company £4.5 million professional career in legitimate theatre, ‘I’ve never slept on a train before, so I ‘I’d better go to the upper berth.’ evicted from its home in The Arches under accommodation or have felt isolated from (A$12.6 million) to build the new venue yesterday an amateur, tomorrow who don’t really know,’ I replied, cautiously ‘Relax,’ he whispered. Charing Cross station in March, after a the arts community. Offices, rehearsal (architect’s model pictured above) on a site knows, but now it’s up to me. I’ve made sipping my drink. ……………………………………… long running dispute over unpaid rent. studios and a contemporary performance the break and I feel I’ve chosen carefully— ‘Take the bottom. You’ll be able to see A knocking on the cabin door woke me. It Now comes the news that the venue will space are included in the plans. those words of Greg’s always seem to come the view’. was the steward with coffee and a biscuit. I re-open in December as the Villiers back to me. looked around—the cabin was empty. ‘Thanks,’ I replied. ‘This seems very Australia: Sydney Theatre, a membership-only venue for the strong.’ I took another sip of this strange ‘Where’s Roger?’ I asked. entertainment profession. Late night Berthday party The Australian Youth Orchestra has smelling liquid. ‘He’s moved to another cabin. Doesn’t entertainment will be introduced from I found my allotted sleeping berth. A tall received a New South Wales government ‘An acquired taste. It comes with age.’ like your type on the train. You need to February 2003. sandy-haired guy in a suit greeted me with, grant of $490 000 for long-term He took the glass decanter down from the watch yourself, otherwise you’ll find The new management is seeking startup ‘Hi! I’m Roger. Sharing my trip to accommodation in the Arts Exchange wall holder and added water to my cup. yourself in trouble.’ He put down the coffee investment of £1.5m (A$4.2m) to ensure it Melbourne are we?’ building in The Rocks. ‘There are times in life when you need and left. is properly capitalised. Three former members ‘Yes,’ I replied, a bit stunned, not Formerly the Earth Exchange, the to learn slowly and from experienced I sat aghast. I’d never had anything of the Players management will be non- realising that I was sharing a cabin. building will also house the Sydney hands, so you get to enjoy the finer ways of happen like this before. My thoughts went executive directors of the new venture. ‘I’m doing business there. You’re Festival, the Australian Ballet and the life, and understand them properly.’ to my wallet. My money was still there plus obviously on holidays?’ Orchestras of Australia network. Whether it was what was in the cup Dad’s gift. Tucked into another fold was England: London ‘No, I’m joining a theatre group there, or the way he spoke, I was warming more money. What was going on? J.C.Williamson’s,’ I came back proudly. England: Brighton At 5.30am on Sunday 4 August 2002 a towards Roger. I showered and dressed and went into ‘Sounds fun, chasing all those showgirls queue started forming outside the Royal ‘This is a long trip. I need to get out of the corridor. The guard was there. Glastonbury, a play about ‘drink, music, around the stage,’ Roger quipped. Opera House, Covent Garden. By 11.30am all this regalia, and grab a shower,’ ‘I’d stay right where you are until we love, drugs and disappointment’ has started ‘I’m not interested in girls.’ The words it snaked half a kilometre back to Leicester get to Spencer Street, young man,’ he ordered. its road tour in Brighton, before moving on had barely left my mouth when I realised indicating his suit and tie. He stripped to Square. Pavarotti? No. A Sutherland I went back and sat on the bunk. It to Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham. what I’d said. his underwear, grabbed a towel and comeback? Definitely not. in Tooley Street, near London Bridge, seemed ages before we looked like arriving The Zoe Lewis play tells the stories of ‘I’m a bit ambidextrous myself. A bit of disappeared into the cubicle in the corner. It was a first-come first-served sale of over adding to the range of theatres (National, Globe, and I felt like I’d been tricked into seven visitors to the famous Glastonbury side swapping doesn’t hurt,’ he chortled. I followed suit, changed into a new pair 1000 costumes from operas and ballets Old Vic) on the southern side of the Thames. something awful. festival, and includes live musical support ‘All aboard that’s going aboard,’ came of flannelette pyjamas Mum had given me including Aida, The Sleeping Beauty, Arabella It will be close to the very popular Eventually the train slid into Spencer from named bands. It is performed in a the announcement. for the trip and hopped into the lower berth. and Don Quixote. As well, there were period London Dungeon, so parents will be able to Street. I grabbed my case and leapt onto marquee and aims to replicate the ‘Excuse me,’ I said as I went to wave The door from the shower flew open shoes, head-dresses, fans, gloves and combine a trip to the theatre with the gory the platform. Further up I saw Roger being experience of attending the festival, so farewell to the folks. and Roger stepped out naked. My eyes other accessories. pleasures of the Dungeon. greeted by a blonde woman. before entering the marquee, audiences will ‘Look after yourself and don’t get into focussed on his crotch then recognised that An ROH spokesperson explained: ‘We They kissed passionately and with his pass through a series of sideshows, and any mischief and choose your friends he had a good body. have run out of space. We recycle as much England: London ‘You’ve tucked in early haven’t you! arm around her shoulder they walked from food and drink stalls. wisely,’ came the advice from Mum. Dad as we can, but some productions are very There are plans to transform the 400-seat Not taking a shower?’ he added. the station. Unlike the real Glastonbury, however, patted me on the head and said, ‘Come “designed” and are not reusable.’ Proceeds ABC cinema in Piccadilly into a much- ‘I like it in the morning,’ I replied. I realised he didn’t want me around to toilets will be provided. back with your name in lights, son, and will be invested in future productions. needed cabaret club. If this goes ahead the ‘Care for another drink?’ he offered as see him swap back to the other side of remember to write to your mother. That’s England: London Prices started at £3 (A$8.40) for a strap- St James district will become the focus for all we want.’ he poured more liquid into his cup. I the tracks. Since the government freed it (and other on latex posterior complete with tail cabaret, as the nearby Jermyn Street The train pulled out of the station. As I declined. ‘We need to adjust the lighting in London museums) from levying entrance created for Mephisto’s helper in Faust. Theatre regularly presents cabaret and ran down the corridor waving, suddenly here. It’s far too bright.’ He leaned across Concluded in the next issue of On Stage n charges, the Theatre Museum in Covent Armani suits worn in Jonathan Miller’s revue, as well as musicals and straight theatre. production of Cosi fan tutte went for £70 Page 20 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 21 England: Stratford-upon- major musicals could be staged at the Royal me back.’ event raised $450,000—including $13 000 marquees to the outdoor plazas and the It will fit in perfectly with the revitalisation Avon Opera House. So chortles our own Dame Edna for a walk on in Mamma Mia!. Met backstage. of the theatre district. It’s worth noting, however, that the ROH Everage, who took Broadway by storm in On 10 October Miss Dahl, as president Details have emerged of Shakespeare’s More information at: www.bcefa.org Lincoln Centre draws five million does have a studio theatre, the Linbury, 2000 with her Tony Award-winning show, and founder of The Broadway Walk of World, the dreaded scheme for a 200-acre people annually to performances by the which is designed for more experimental Stars Foundation, Inc., hosted a reception Stratford-upon-Avon theme park. Dame Edna: The Royal Tour. United States: New York Metropolitan Opera, the New York City work and which is occasionally used for Australia’s first lady is trundling her to introduce the new project. There will be a full scale Elizabethan Reynold Levy, the new president of the Opera, the New York Philharmonic and the musicals and concerts, such as a recent new extravaganza, A Night with Dame Edna: ‘At last,’ she said, ‘we will have a long- street with buildings populated by people Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, has New York City Ballet, as well as chamber performance of songs from Ivor Novello shows. overdue tribute to the greatest artists of our in period garb plying trades such as baking, promised to help raise the $1 billion (A$2.8 music, jazz, theatre and film. time. We’ll salute legendary performers in cider making and blacksmithing. Visitors billion) needed for the renovation of what England: London the worlds of theatre, motion pictures, will see olde Englishe sports such as United States: New York is the world’s biggest arts complex, and to television, music and dance. The Broadway jousting, archery and sword fighting, plus The West End’s August Kids’ Week was an stay until the 10-year project is completed. Former MGM star Arlene Dahl, who was Walk of Stars will celebrate the talent, vitality the inevitable stocks and ducking stool. enormous success. Levy, one-time president of a refugee one of the very first actresses to receive a and rich cultural history of New York City. Miserable hovel-dwelling peasants will Sponsored by Marks and Spencer and relief organisation and former Harvard star on the renowned Hollywood Walk of It’s a wonderful testimony to the enduring tend sheep and cattle, maintain orchards organised by the Society of London Business School lecturer, became president Fame, has launched a campaign for a spirit of New York.’ and beehives, and practice medieval Theatre, it aimed to make theatre available in May after a year of infighting over the similar Walk of Stars along Broadway at Carol Channing, the famed Hello, Dolly! farming methods. Wandering players will to children. Children aged from five to 16 redevelopment of the 40-year-old, 16-acre Times Square. star, will be one of the first to receive a star performing the Bard’s works, but there is could see a top West End show free if complex that will revamp everything from on Broadway. n no sign of anything resembling an accompanied by a full-price adult. Elizabethan playhouse. There were also Kids’ Deals with a , around the United States, The company behind the project is number of restaurants and with Hilton The Family Show following a gala première at the Jackie A new home for Melba named Will Power Holdings and, hotels, the official hotel partners of the Gleason Theatre in Miami, Florida on understandably, the Royal Shakespeare Society of London Theatre. The world’s largest collection of Melbarabilia is to have a new home. As well there was a wide variety of 10 September. Other stops include Tampa, Company has declined to be involved. The Museum of Lillydale (Victoria) has is seeking other government, corporate and membership of $35. Work is expected to special productions and children’s Boston, New Haven, Minneapolis, St. The RSC has its own controversial announced an ambitious plan to refurbish private funding through the Lillydale begin in mid 2003 and should be backstage and workshop events, including Louis, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and redevelopment plans. and extend its existing home, the classified Museum Trust. completed within two years. learning how to do a Bollywood dance at Hartford, with a side swing to Vancouver, former 1889 Shire Office building in A ‘Friends of the Lillydale Museum For further information, call the Bombay Dreams, recreating a singing scene Canada. As well, Trio, the American arts England: London Castella Street, Lilydale. [The town uses Trust’ has been established, with an annual Museum of Lillydale on (03) 9739 7230. n from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and a and entertainment TV Network, ran a Tony Hall, new executive director of the two Ls in its name, the museum uses three!] children’s pay TV channel talent show series of vintage Dame Edna specials at Royal Opera House, has announced plans The community-owned Museum was offered an onstage appearance in Chitty 8pm every weeknight during September. to counter its elitist image and attract established in 1976. Its purpose is to collect, Chitty Bang Bang as its first prize. For more information visit the new audiences. store, research and exhibit objects that megastar’s official website: www.dame- Ticket prices for some operas will be illustrate and record the history of the Yarra United States: Los Angeles edna.com capped at £50 (A$140); normally the top Valley region, its people and their way of The next screen-to-stage transition from the price is as high as £155 (A$435). United States: New York life. To attract families there will be cheaper Disney Organisation will be adapted from Dame Nellie Melba was, of course, the The 16th Annual Grand Auction and Flea food and, for the first time, a children’s its 1992 animated film Aladdin, with music area’s greatest celebrity, and the Museum’s Market on 22 September filled Shubert menu. There will be Sunday pop and other by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Melba collection of several thousand items Alley with one-of-kind theatrical goodies non-operatic performances designed to Ashman and Tim Rice. is of international significance. and chance encounters between fans and bring in new audiences who might later Unlike Beauty and the Beast and The Lion The two-storey redevelopment, Broadway celebrities, all for the benefit of experiment with opera and ballet. King, it will be presented not on Broadway, designed by architect Peter Williams of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Elton John presented a concert in but at Disney’s recently opened California Williams Boag Pty Ltd, restores public Items in this year’s Grand Auction September. Neither the Royal Opera nor Adventure theme park. entry via the existing heritage building. include walk-ons in Rent, Mamma Mia!, The the English National Opera, both London- The show will run from 9 December There will be an expanded reception Phantom of the Opera and 42nd Street, and based, do any UK touring, but Hall and will play seven days a week, with two area and bookshop, a café with a view over opening night tickets to Gypsy, Flower Drum concedes that people who don’t live near casts and crews. Melba Park, and an intimate presentation Song, Dance of the Vampires, Miss Julie and London should be able to see work they A Disney spokesman said this is space for lectures, seminars and performances. Man of La Mancha. help pay for. essentially a theme parks project, not a Also at ground level will be a resource Up for auction were props and He plans to relay live performances to tryout for a later theatre presentation. centre and facilities for the local Historical costumes from top shows, autographed cities outside London where they will be Society. On the first floor will be three new posters, and autographed sheet music from seen on big screens in parks and public United States: Miami exhibition galleries, one of which will Barbra Streisand, John Kander and Fred squares. Education teams will be sent to ‘The most wonderful thing in life is to fall house a permanent Melba display. Ebb, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and these cities to encourage children to bring in love with somebody and find out they The Shire of Yarra Ranges has Cy Coleman. their parents. Meanwhile Hall has scoffed have fallen in love with you. Well, possums, committed $1.5m to the $3.9m project, and For a small donation, fans could be at a suggestion by Antonio Pappano, this miracle has happened to me! I have snapped with their favourite stars. The Covent Garden’s new musical director, that fallen in love with America, and it adores

Page 22 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 23 Carole Cook, for instance, wore a line collected show albums. So why wasn’t an Many stayed with us and many left us, Casting aspersions of stockings that were being promoted at Australian used in Promises, Promises? Why and while the world may have forgotten Peter Stephenson Jones remembers the great—and some not-so-great—stars of JCW musicals. the time. I would be curious to know what not a big name—and if an imported artist some of them, we certainly didn’t. We these performers thought of their had to be cast, why not someone we knew? remember them not only for who they ustralian theatre is full of really not a need at all, but an unexamined experiences here. Sometimes it was completely wrong or were, and the roles they performed, but for mystery and one of the most theatrical convention, the question still It was not just JCW who were just unfair. Max Oldaker had proven in some we remember the richness and the intriguing and baffling is that of remains: why didn’t they cast some of the A importing stars. The Garnet H. Carroll London that he could play Higgins in My diversity and the sheer lustre they brought the imported artist. fine English and American performers who management did it too. Shani Wallis came Fair Lady. He not only understudied Rex with them and shared with us. While I am well aware of the frustration had made Australia home? here with a very handsome leading man Harrison but also went on to play the role We need to keep sharing, and not only many great Australian-born performers In casting Forum why overlook the likes called Bruce Trent in Bells Are Ringing. I to great critical acclaim in Harrison’s by sending our own artists overseas. That had—and probably rightly so—with this of Jackie Clancy or Buster Fiddess—both know that Miss Wallis went on to star in absence. It should have been a case of isn’t how it works. phenomenon, as the years go by we seem great comics who could not only have the movie version of Oliver!, but can any ‘Aussie boy returns’, but it was not to be. If anyone can help me find out more to remember many of these imported played the role but who were also well one tell me about Mr Trent? JCW cast Robin Bailey. My Fair Lady did about the imported stars who trekked out to performers with warmth and affection. established ‘big names’ with Australian Sadly I never saw the show. I was however give us Stuart Wagstaff, who we Australia to sing and dance for us, and with It becomes even more fascinating to audiences! I am sure readers will be able to perhaps too young, but in those days, have proudly and warmly adopted. us, I would be delighted. I am currently ponder why they were cast, who they were name plenty more. according to a wonderful program I’ve Robin Bailey did return years later for a collecting and compiling data on this topic. and, the biggest mystery of all, what ever It must not be forgotten, however, that obtained, you could ‘Dine, Dance and Be revival, and although he seemed to have Many of these imported artists are happened to them. many imported artists not only stayed here Gay at Scott’s on Collins Street’. tired of the role, the producers would still either gone or very difficult to track down. I Why did JCW cast an unknown but also became very important to The Tivoli circuit also practiced this not risk an Australian. When, later still, one think it would be very sad to lose their imported artist rather than a perfectly Australian theatre. Australian theatre policy. Most of their performers were very was finally cast, audiences enjoyed such stories forever. competent Australian artist? Why is it that without Hayes Gordon, Evie Hayes and Jeff impressive. Some of the original West End memorable performances as those given by For some of these performers the Jill Perryman (Funny Girl), Nancye Hayes Warren is unimaginable, and we will forever stars came here for a hilarious musical Lewis Fiander and Anthony Warlow. sudden elevation to celebrity status may (Sweet Charity), Toni Lamond (Wildcat) and claim them and others as ours! No one who called Instant Marriage. The show is best Times have changed and we no longer well have been daunting—or did they feel Gloria Dawn (Gypsy) were quite brilliant in out people who’d had rather average saw them on stage will ever forget them. described as a romp but these days I think seem to suffer from quite the same kind of they had ended up at the end of world? their shows and deserved the accolades and careers or who had done little more than Some came and mysteriously it would be politically incorrect. cultural cringe—if indeed that is what it was. Was being the Australian star a joyful title ‘leading lady’, yet we had to have an appear in a West End or Broadway disappeared: Patricia Moore in Carnival, Even today old ladies and gay We are now casting Australians in leading experience or did they feel a sense of import to play Mame? production of the same show—and this did Jacqueline McKeever in Camelot and Bunty gentlemen will swoon if you mention John roles and mostly with great success. failure? How did the Australian artists feel? Mame is a particularly interesting not mean that they had played the same Turner in My Fair Lady. It must be noted Larsen who came here for The Merry Widow We should do all that we can as a One thing is clear: I doubt any of example. JCW imported Gaylea Byrne. role they would play in Australia. that Miss Turner made a very welcome and later Lilac Time. community and as theatregoers to nurture them would believe that they would one Who? Exactly. One of the strangest was Jack Collins. return to these shores briefly to celebrate Fade Out–Fade In boasted three and reward our own artists. Why? Because day be Nellie Forbush or J. Pierrepont Our memories of this show are of Betty Who? Collins came here to star in A Funny the success of The Phantom of The Opera’s Broadway stars, the most notable being we have brilliant Australian writers, Finch in Australia. There are some I missed Pounder’s typically brilliant choreography Thing Happened on the way to the Forum. I long run, which had broken My Fair Lady’s Sheila Smith. I am so sorry I missed this musicians, singers and actors and it would and I would love to know about them. So and the lady who stole the show, our own wonder what ever happened to him? triumphant record. These were fine show because the lady at the Tivoli box be good to see more of them —Because it many of those I did see remain warm and Mary Hardy, who played Miss Gooch. Bob Hornery in a supporting role stole performers—but where are they? office thought it was not suitable for me to would be good if they had more sustainable wonderful memories. Yet the role of Mame was the show’s the show. Australian audiences in fact One of my favourites was Carole Cook see. I have never worked this out because I work options in Australia —Because musical I am glad I met Miss Byrne and starring vehicle. When Gaylea Byrne sang adopted Mr Hornery, and in my opinion (pictured) in Hello, Dolly!—she was the had seen lots of nudes and raunchy comedians. theatre is a part of the great theatrical tradition nervously got her autograph and chatted ‘If He Walked Into My Life’ she sang it he is one of the finest artists in the country. perfect Dolly. Sheila Smith was given star treatment; and Australian musical theatre has in a way with her for quite a while. Lovely lady. I am beautifully, and yet she seemed oddly The role Jack Collins played needed a Most Australian theatre patrons had according to those who saw her it was only just started to gain a sense of itself. glad I saw Charles West in Man Of La miscast in a role that was crying out for a comedian or comic actor. The role has never heard of her but we were told she richly deserved! Whether we liked the Australian music grew in many Mancha. In my opinion no one has ever Toni Lamond, a Jill Perryman, a Nancye been played successfully by the likes of was the ‘vivacious Carole Cook’. policy of importing stars or not, I would directions during the last century but sung ‘The Impossible Dream’ so beautifully. Hayes or a Gloria Dawn. Frankie Howerd and Zero Mostel and it’s And Miss Cook did indeed go back to hate to have missed Miss Cook, even there’s still some way to go before we rush Who will ever forget Mark McManus in It is easy to understand why JCW not hard to think of a few big name Broadway and was recently honoured in though the rest of the Americans in the cast out to see original Australian musicals— Half A Sixpence or Evelyn Page in Canterbury would have cast Cyd Charisse and later Australian comedians who could have the 2002 Ovations Awards. of Hello, Dolly! have mysteriously, like Jack where we just might occasionally whistle Tales? I loved watching Dame Anna Neagle Yvonne De Carlo in No, No, Nannette. played the role with not only perfect Carole Cook and her husband Tom Collins, disappeared. and dance to our own tunes. send herself up in Charlie Girl. As for Dolly, Before Miss Charisse left the production we competence, but much more drawing Troupe are known as the ‘Lunts of LA Stephen Douglass in I Do! I Do! was If theatre itself is one of the great mirrors well, for me, Carole Cook will never go were warned by newspaper ads that we power than Mr Collins. theatre’. However if one reads about the wonderful, and was well known to that can be held up to a society, so too is away again, and I would gladly put on my had only a few days left to see ‘the most These performers must surely have great lady’s career the fact she was our Broadway audiences, but it was odd musical theatre—with tunes and choreography Sunday clothes to see her. famous legs in the world’. thought it strange that they were treated by Dolly never gets a mention. nonetheless, that while JCW took a gamble and feathers thrown in for good measure. Cyd and Yvonne were genuinely big JCW as big stars in a country that simply While it is possible that these ● Peter Stephenson Jones is director of The with a young Australian leading lady, Jill I believe that the imported star policy names, and of course we rushed to see did not know who they were. performers did not see a stint in Australia Flying Bookworm Theatre Company and Perryman (who had already proved herself was for the most part questionable. But them ‘live, on stage, in person’. Perhaps the producers felt shows as a career highlight, I doubt it; it is more The Actors Showcase Theatre School. in Funny Girl) they would not cast an while I’m as keen as anyone to foster Yet while big names did make the long originating overseas needed an authentic likely their biographers chose to overlook Australian male performer opposite her. Australian talent I must also say thank you [Editor’s note: On Stage believes Bunty trip to Australia, and not uncommonly for American or British accent. And even it. Their ‘overseas’ appeal however was Orson Bean may have been known in to the imports who in very tangible ways Turner is working in Sydney as a journalist long seasons, they were not really the though some would have argued back then, seen to sell and, as was often the case, they the States but in Australia his fame would became a part of the rich history of musical for a chain of suburban newspapers. More in typical imports. Williamson’s often brought and most of us would argue today, that the were engaged in other promotional work most likely have been limited to those who theatre in this country. future issues.] n need for American and British accents was while they were here. Page 24 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 25 clock’s age, please contact Carolyn Laffan Letters to the Editor A big piece of time at the Performing Arts Museum of the Victorian Arts Centre on (03) 9281 8074 or at Singing the praises of Singapore), ‘blowfly eyes’, and ‘a naked cold beer and take in the views overlooking he Performing Arts Museum of the were best known for their role in producing [email protected] n Singers’ entertainment lady’ (with sagging boobs—and we won’t the Boat Quay with its heritage homes now Victorian Arts Centre has recently several of the trophies presented to winners facilities even mention what the other naughty bit redeveloped into open air restaurants. Tacquired the famous Theatre of the Melbourne Cup during the 1860s is!). We saw them as two modem oblong Here also is a time capsule, set into a Royal clock, a key feature in the and 1870s. Established in 1850, We recently had five wonderful nights in Mosque type buildings, and as long as it’s pyramid, not to be opened until 2050. foyer until 1933, when the the company operated Singapore. Coincidentally we had taken a supporting the arts, we’re happy. Our next stop was the Victoria Theatre theatre was initially under the PASIG for copy of the Winter edition of On Stage to All this is positioned right at the river and Victoria Concert Hall, the original arts demolished in name of Walsh, read on the plane, so we were especially Perth in ’03 entrance, which we crossed to where they complex. A large bronze statue of Sir order to make Jones and Co., interested to read the article on the new have repositioned the Merlion Fountain—an Stamford Raffles stands in the centre of the way for then as Walsh PASIG (the Museums Association’s Esplanade complex that’s being built for ideal photo spot, looking back at the forecourt. Thankfully it seems the Manton’s & Son (1858– Performing Arts Special Interest Group) the arts there. complex across the wide span of water. government is recognising its heritage department 1861) and, will meet in Perth in late May 2003. Here are some notes on our trip, just in Next we crossed the road for a cup of rather than destroying it. store (now finally, Walsh In the two-day event will be held in case other VTT members were to follow in tea at the Fullerton Hotel. The entire We rounded the corner from the Target). Brothers conjunction with the annual Museums our footsteps, perhaps for the first time, and building is encased in columns, as is part of Cricket Club, which covers an enormous Acquired (1862–1882). Australia conference. This year’s conference were unsure about what to see in that area, the interior. The columns support the space, at least four playing fields. As you by Mr Phil Research theme is ‘The Other Side’ and runs for the ‘The Marina’. ceilings of the inner courtyards. pass the grounds, the large Armenian Leggett who into the history week beginning 25 May. First day of the The Swissôtel, formerly the Westin Reminiscent of Egypt, the hotel is set in its church with its spire reaching into the sky gave it pride of of the clock is PASIG component will be devoted to national Stamford, at Raffles City, is perfectly does not compete with its neighbour the place in continuing. We developments and reports on AusStage, positioned for those wishing to explore the 73-storey Swissôtel. Melbourne’s largest believe, however, it Dancing Australia and Australian musicals arts and the historic places in this city. Our A large pair of chopsticks features in dance venue, Leggett’s was probably installed among other topics. room had a great view. We overlooked the the front of the Raffles City complex, Ballroom, in Greville Street, at the Theatre Royal in 1872 The second day will be a Western vast grounds of the Singapore Cricket Club commemorating the fall of Singapore in WW2. Prahran, in the late 1970s it was when the theatre was rebuilt Australia day, including a tour of His (at present celebrating its 150th year), the You can take the Mass Rapid Transport donated by him to the National Trust of following a calamitous fire. This date tallies Majesty’s Theatre and reports on the state’s new Esplanade Arts Centre, then nearing system from under Raffles City, and for 80 Australia (Victoria) who in turn donated it with the company name on the clock, performing arts resources. completion, the historic Victoria Theatre cents be whisked to the centre of Singapore to the Museum earlier this year. although as John White has noted in his Venue for the conference is the intimate (pictured), and the beautifully restored shopping, Orchard and Scotts Road. It was last seen on display in the supplement Nostalgic Memories of the Theatre downstairs cabaret space at His Majesty’s Fullerton Hotel, formerly the GPO, situated Across the road is the ultimate, Raffles Performing Arts Museum’s 1983 opening Royal, in the last issue of On Stage, extant Theatre, which doubles as a conference on the mouth of the river—all flanked by a itself, beautiful, sitting there like a grande exhibition Bourke Street on Saturday Night plans for proposed alterations held by the venue and is right next to the WA pyramid of Manhattan style skyscrapers, dame being gently fanned by the palm trees which was curated by VTT member Frank State Library of Victoria suggest that Performing Arts Museum. which during the week are a blaze of light. on either side. Van Straten and designed by Shaun Gurton. interior refurbishments may also have taken For more information, contact PASIG ‘Must be cleaners’ night,’ we said. And tucked away on the top level is a At 1.25m in diameter, the clock would place in 1877. chairman Richard Stone on (02) 6281 2679 Our morning walk included all these small live theatre, the Jubilee Hall. have been a very imposing piece when on If you have any further information or e-mail: [email protected] and early sights, starting at the new Arts Centre. The Of course there are many other things public display. It bears the mark of regarding the placement of the clock within details are available on the Web at www. landscapers were staking up tall palm to see and do—these were just a few sights Melbourne jewellers Walsh Brothers who the Theatre Royal foyer or can help pinpoint the n trees—very regimented, like a line of chorus promaco.com.au/conference/2003/museums we saw that related to the area we were in. girls with very exotic headgear. On either own square flanked by the river and bridges. We hope anyone who ventures that way side a wide promenade forms the entrance Across the terrace from the hotel enjoy it as much as we did. Blow ’Im to the building. It’s wide enough to easily entrance is a feature along the river walk: - Robert Foster & Jack Bell accommodate an outdoor performance. ‘Blow ‘im’ is an expression of amazement in common use in Queensland’s indigenous Yarrabah community. the most beguiling statue of five naked At each side is a row of fountains, or The story of indigenous brass bands in the men and women who played in the bands in Mapoon, Weipa, Palm Island, Singaporean boys jumping into the river. It water sculptures as they’re now called. The Lost works of art Queensland, the exhibition Blow ’Im traces brass bands. It is also a story about the Barambah, Mona Mona and Thursday Island. is designed so that three of them are entrance itself is via a glass shaped In his interesting update of activities at the unique story of the Yarrabah Brass Band hardships of mission life at the beginning of The real story of Blow ’Im is told suspended in mid-air. triangular foyer between the spike covered Beleura (On Stage, Winter 2002), Anthony and other indigenous brass bands in the 20th century, and the struggle for self- through the memories of these music Called First Generation, it’s one of a domes that form the Centre. Beneath them Knight mentions Sir George Tallis’s Queensland from 1901 through to the 1970s. determination and community identity that makers, in video and oral histories. It is series depicting river life and was created are a 2000-seat theatre and a spectacular collection of contemporary art, assembled Curated by the Queensland Performing followed the closure of the missions. these personal experiences that provide an by Chong Fah Cheong. 1600-seat concert hall, a library and a in 1927. Arts Museum and Yarrabah Community Beginning with the founding of the first insight into indigenous social history and Passing over one of the walk bridges, mall—it wouldn’t be Singapore if there A number of these paintings were on Council for the ENERGEX Brisbane wave of brass bands, under the influence of allow us to share in this positive story of we came to the New Asian Museum, wasn’t a shop somewhere! display in the foyers of His Majesty’s when Festival, Blow ’Im is at the Tony Gould the church missionaries at the beginning of entrepreneurial spirit and musical skill. formerly the Port Authority building, which If the architect was told to be it was destroyed by fire on 25 October Gallery, QPAC (access via the Cremorne the century, Blow ’Im concludes with the For further information please contact also houses the Indochine Restaurant and controversial, he has achieved his aim, as 1929 and were lost in the blaze. Theatre entrance) until 7 December 2002. story of the second wave of community run Beryl Davis, collections manager on Bar, run by an Australian. there have been many comments on the This is mentioned in the report of the The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, bands, from the 1950s. As well as the (04) 3840 7362 / [email protected] or There are cane chairs on the structure. These range from ‘two halves of fire on the front page of the Melbourne 10am-4pm, and admission free. history of the Yarrabah Brass Band, the Christopher Smith, curator, on (04) 3840 7516, promenade, where you can sit and enjoy a a durian fruit’ (a fruit peculiar to Herald on the following day. The exhibition is more than a tribute to exhibition documents the story of brass e-mail: [email protected] n

Page 26 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Page 27 The Bard for Brisbane he 2006 World Shakespeare ‘And they all want to bring their Congress will be staged families for a holiday afterwards,’ he said. Victoria Tin Brisbane. Dr Fotheringham is also planning a Brisbane recently hosted a Research Pacific Shakespeare Festival to coincide Theatres Colloquium of the International with the congress. Shakespeare Association, during which, ‘Some of the most exciting Trust with the support of the Queensland Arts performance work using Shakespeare’s Minister Matt Foley, it was decided to make stories is taking place in Singapore, China, O A the city the stage for the 2006 World Japan, Canada, the USA and even Peru,’ N ST GE Shakespeare Congress. Dr Fotheringham said. ISSN 1444-0156 The World Shakespeare Congress is ‘Tokyo has a full-size replica of held only once every five years. It attracts Shakespeare’s Globe funded by the Spring 2002 up to 1000 delegates from around the world Panasonic Corporation, the world’s most Vol.3 No.4 and 2006 will be the first time the congress successful Shakespeare Festival takes place Contents will be held in the southern hemisphere. in a small town north of San Francisco, ‘This is a significant achievement for and Vancouver offers tent Shakespeare Brisbane and Australia,’ Mr Foley said, ‘and every summer. Ballarat’s new Arts Academy opens 1 is a tribute to the quality of scholarship at ‘Brisbane will have lots to offer: hopefully the University of Queensland.’ the Queensland Theatre Company, Grin and ‘The Bohemian’ days 2 The recent Colloquium was attended by Tonic, the physical theatre troupe Zen Zen History’s broad canvasses 3 Associate Professors Richard Fotheringham Zo (currently resident at the University of and Lloyd Davis from the University of Queensland), and lots of other companies New Green Room Awards president 4 Queensland, as well as other Shakespearian will take up the challenge,’ he said. scholars from the US, UK and Japan. Invitations will be extended to major President’s Report 5 Dr Fotheringham, who was part of the companies and Shakespeare festivals in team that made the successful bid, said the countries including Japan, China, Vietnam, A right royal romantic leading man 6 North American and Asian representatives Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Exeunt 9 were particularly keen to support a venue Papua New Guinea, Canada, the United that will focus on Shakespeare as a world States, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Gus Goss 11 author, not just a British one. New Zealand. n A discussionon style 12

A contract to dream 16

Dedicated to the preservation, renovation and promotion of our theatre heritage. Fremantle’s lost showplace 17 Annual subscription of $25 (general), $50 (corporate and overseas), $10 (student) brings you a range of events, special offers, The Twentiety of May 19 discounts—and four issues of On Stage. All the world’s a stage 21 Contacting us: By mail: The Secretary, Victoria Theatres Trust, C/-PKF, GPO Box 5099BB, Melbourne, Victoria 3001 A new home for Melba 23 By e-mail: [email protected] Casting aspersions 24 On Stage is published quarterly by the Victoria Theatres Trust. Editor: David Cullinane. The contents are subject to copyright for both text and illustrations and are not to be reproduced Letters to the Editor 26 by any means, including print or electronic media without prior permission of the copyright holder(s). Information published in On Stage is done so in good faith. The Trust does not accept A big piece of time 27 responsibility for any errors which may occur but would be pleased to correct any error or omission. PASIG for Perth in ’03 27

Deadline for articles and pictures for the Summer issue of On Stage is Friday, 20 December Blow’Im 27 2002. Send them to The Editor at the above postal address or e-mail to: [email protected] The Bard for Brisbane 28 Every effort will be made to return any hard copy illustrations if a specific request is made to do so, but no responsibility will be taken over their return. Digital images are acceptable at 300dpi.

Page 28 ON STAGE Spring 2002 Spring 2002