Manresa REPORT The Official Saint Ignatius’ College Magazine SUMMER 2014 | ISSUE NO.39 From the Rector Welcome to the latest edition of the Saint Ignatius’ College Manresa Report, which has a special focus on the arts. I hope you enjoy the stories and photographs in the Manresa Report, which capture the rich Ignatian spirit alive in our community. From Wire Woes to Digital Delights! Sometimes a chance comment can lead to wonderful discoveries. A casual lament regarding the loss of the 02 From the Rector original recording of the College’s very first musical, The Pirates of Penzance (1951), led to the re-discovery 04 College Council of a copy within the College archives. Although it was stored on a spool of wire, an early recording medium, some ingenuity led to 05 Foundation Board a usable copy being produced from the wire. However, only the second act could be salvaged, since the wire spool from the first act was in an impossible 06 Thank You to Our Community tangle. The wire recording had been in the possession of James Travers (OI ’59), and 09 Around the College in Pictures his father, Ambrose, had arranged for the original recording to take place. Ambrose was the inaugural President of the Fathers Association and held 10 Parents and Friends this role for the first nine years of the College’s life. We are indebted to the Travers family for enabling future generations to share in this important piece 11 Fidelis of the College’s history. 12 Jesuit Mission So we now have preserved, hopefully forever, eleven of the original songs, a closing speech by the College’s first Headmaster, Fr Perrott SJ, and a stirring 13 My Graduation Year rendition of ‘God Save the King’! It is noteworthy that this musical was performed in the very first year of the new school at Norwood, and a perusal 14 Old Ignatians Association of the program (also resident in our archives) lists cast members whose names became well known in the history of the College. In those days the 15 Old Ignatians Soccer Club cost of the program was threepence. Sam Winston-Smith (OI ’55), who played Major-General Stanley, also played lead in the musicals in the two 16 Old Ignatians Netball Club years following: Pinafore (1952) and Iolanthe (1953). Each play was presented on the tiny stage in the hall at the Junior School, which has seen so many 16 Old Ignatians Football Club productions throughout the years. These include Jan of Windmill Land (1957), Tom Sawyer (1960), Ali Baba (1961) and Once Aboard the Lugger (1962). 17 Old Ignatians Tennis Club 17 Old Ignatians Cricket Club 18 Where are They Now? 22 Old Ignatian News 23 College Musical 24 Reserve Your Seat Donation Form Another CASTONDESIGN.com Design: CASTONDESIGN.com On the same small stage, Richard Flynn attribute their love of drama and, at times, with up-to-date digital equipment for produced Macbeth in 1965, which was their career direction, to him. Richard’s lighting, sound and communications and, in the first in a series of ten Shakespearean legacy provided a strong example of many cases, is of a professional standard. plays. Following The Tempest in 1974, Ignatian excellence that challenged us never Over the history of Drama at the College, Richard produced plays from a variety of to rate ourselves against school productions the expansive stage area in the Flynn playwrights, with a total of 43 productions – our reference point was to always be the Theatre has replaced the limited Norwood until 1998. Richard Flynn also took a professional stage. stage, and memory cards may have number of these productions on tour The history of Drama at Saint Ignatius’ supplanted the cumbersome reels of interstate. College, Adelaide, stands proudly within magnetic wire, but the excitement of the These productions gave generations of the larger history of Jesuit education, opening night and the thrill of thunderous Ignatians the opportunity to strut the stage where from the 17th century, Jesuit applause remain unforgettable highlights or work behind the scenes. The result schools were noted for their emphasis that surely will continue to feature in the was an increase in confidence in public on communication skills through essays, happy memories of school days at Saint performance and, for many, a passion for speeches, drama, debates and the like. This Ignatius’ College. drama that endured well beyond school promotion of ‘eloquence’ has continued in FR ROBERT J DAVOREN SJ days. The Court Theatre Company gave Old Jesuit education through the centuries and, Rector Scholar thespians the means to continue today, not only includes the traditional skills their involvement in the world of drama. but encourages competence with modern instruments such as video and internet I was blessed to be one of these fortunate communication. One of our greatest delights Ignatians who developed a love of drama as educators is to see students flourish and and a reasonable understanding of how come alive as they discover the talents given plays are produced. My preference was them by our loving God. In using these gifts backstage, where I often controlled the in performance they give glory to God. sound from a massive Akai tape recorder. It was exciting to be part of the larger team of Drama continues to be a popular activity at the College, and the new Music and Drama actors and those responsible for costume, facility, the Saint Peter Faber SJ Building, scenery and lighting, whose combined and, in particular, the Richard Flynn Theatre, ABOVE: Richard Flynn, the College’s Artistic Director efforts under the director’s leadership will give a modern venue for our drama from 1965-1998 created a production that could amaze and FAR LEFT: 2014 College Musical - Beauty and the Beast and music performances and will provide delight audiences. BELOW LEFT: Sam Winston-Smith (’58), Tony Ryan (’57), significant opportunities for our young Greg Flaherty (’56) and Anthony Brooks (’58) in the So many Ignatians treasure the years spent actors, musicians and those who work performance of Iolanthe in 1953 BELOW: The Pirates of Penzance 1951 Musical on stage under Richard Flynn’s guidance and behind the scenes. The theatre is equipped Programme and the original machine and wire spool used to record the performance MANRESA SUMMER 2014 | 3 College Council As I write this article for the Manresa Report, the final touches are being added to the Richard Flynn Theatre within the new Saint Peter Faber SJ Building at the Senior School. This facility is an exciting development for the College. After so many years the music and drama functions of the College will have a permanent home. This building is of course made possible by the generosity of the College community. Recent Members of College Council. BACK ROW: Fr Michael Head SJ, Mr Paul Kirchner, Mr Rod Buchecker, Mr Paul Tanti, functions this year, the College Fair and Fr Rob Davoren SJ, Mr Ted De Poi. FRONT ROW: Dr Suzanne LeMire, Fr Paul Mullins SJ, Mrs Gerry Lloyd, the Ball, have added to funds, and now Mrs Diane Campbell, Mr Peter Coffey (Absent: Fr Chris Gleeson SJ, Fr Gerard Healy SJ and Mr Chris McCabe) an opportunity is given to ‘reserve’ one Fr Julian Slatterie SJ, died unexpectedly. colleague and supporter of our College. of the seats in the auditorium. Among the positions Fr Slatterie held during Old Ignatian, Fr John Herd (’75), of the I am very aware that parents and families his 60 years as a Jesuit was the Province Archdiocese of Adelaide, is Fr Slatterie’s are called upon frequently by the College Treasurer. He became a staunch and loyal nephew. May our gracious God grant at a time when family incomes are friend of Saint Ignatius’ College, Adelaide, Julian eternal rest. under pressure, thus the generosity of so and was for many years a member of the many present and past families is greatly College Council, where his keen eye on all appreciated. things financial was greatly valued. The FR PAUL MULLINS SJ Rector Fr Davoren and I attended Chair of Council On 20 May this year Melbourne Jesuit and Fr Slatterie’s funeral in Melbourne as a member of the Xavier College Community, mark of respect for a highly valued Jesuit SAVE THE DATE Saint Peter Faber SJ Building Senior School, 2 Manresa Court, Athelstone Fr Julian Slatterie SJ We hope you can join us for the blessing and opening ceremony and/or public viewing, which is open to all members of our community. Blessing and Official Opening Public Viewing Friday, 14 November Saturday, 15 November 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm 10.00 am – 2.00 pm Free Admission Please register your attendance at: www.trybooking.com/FZTU 4 | MANRESA SUMMER 2014 Foundation Board The Foundation Thank you for building dreams and enriching was honoured young lives through your support and gifts to welcome to the College Music and Drama Appeal. music and In April we welcomed Ms Dalice Kennedy, drama donors who was appointed by the College in the and guests to role of Director of Community Engagement. a special VIP Dalice has a rich history and experience in preview of the non-profit sector, including Founder the music and and Chair of Soles4Souls Australia. The drama facility Foundation Board is looking forward in mid-August. Caroline & Anthony Davies (’82) and John & Paula Capaldo (’81) to working closely with Dalice as we The event was strengthen our community and nurture a a great success and an opportunity culture of philanthropy, which will help to to showcase the Saint Peter Faber SJ build on the past successes of the College.