The Plays of the Gold Coast Little Theatre Volume Two 1990-2015

The plays of the
Gold Coast Little Theatre
Volume Two 1990-2015
Written and compiled by Maria Buckler

The Plays of the
Gold Coast Little Theatre
VOLUME TWO
1990 - 2015

© 2015 by Maria Buckler. The author retains sole copyright to her
contributions to this book.
This Book is dedicated to my Daddy, who never missed a
performance.
The Blurb-provided layout designs and graphic elements are copyright Blurb
Inc., 2012. This book was created using the Blurb creative publishing service.
The book author retains sole copyright to his or her contributions to this book.

The Plays of the Gold Coast Little Theatre - Volume Two
continues on from the previous book
- The Plays of the Gold Coast Little Theatre Volume One 1950-1990.
We begin with some items and photographs from that earlier period, which
were not available for inclusion in Volume One.
GCLT hopes to continue to unearth material from past productions.

First, some History.....
1919 - 1957 SOUTHPORT SCHOOL OF ARTS -
Scarborough Street, Southport.
Photo courtesy of the Gold Coast Bulletin
The Gold Coast Little Theatre, or GCLT, is presently situated at number
21A Scarborough Street in Southport.
Originally known as Nerang Creek Heads, Southport was eventually given
its name because it was the southernmost port of the colony of Queensland.
Gold Coast Little Theatre used the School of Arts building for its early
performances. The building was erected in 1882 on what is now the site of
the Southport RSL. It was modified in the 1930's and was later given to the
Returned Service men's League in 1938. It featured a 200-seat room,
stage, dressing rooms and a library. It was demolished in 1957 to make
way for the first purpose-built RSL building to be erected there. That brick
building has since been replaced by the present RSL building.

THE HISTORY OF GCLT
The South Coast Little Theatre was formed in 1950. The first meeting was
held in the old Diggers Hall in the Southport School of Arts building in
Scarborough Street. Prior to having their own building in 1955, the Southport
RSL also used the School of Arts building for their activities.
The South Coast Little Theatre rented the Diggers Hall from the RSL for its
early performances, starting with its very first production of three One-Act
Plays in 1950. The first member to direct a production for them was Mrs Joan
Ross. A drama teacher at the nearby St Hildas School, Joan would remain
active in the theatre until her passing in January of 1999. The Foundation
President was Mr Ken Price.
In the early 1960's, an old Scout's hall was placed on the land that had been
purchased by the then members of the SCLT. The building was used as a
rehearsal venue and for storage of props. During this time, productions were
performed in the new RSL building, built on the site of the Arts building in
1955.
In November of 1969, the SCLT changed its name to the Gold Coast Little
Theatre.
In 1970, two old military huts were assembled and placed on top of each
other. They became the first home for the theatre. The huts were made ready
for the first performance which was held there in May of 1970. Its was 'An
Evening with Ionesco' directed by Mrs Mary Diehl. The last production to be
staged there was 'Suddenly at Home' which was directed by Dorothy Henderson
in April/May of 1983.
After that time, the group used its own purpose-built theatre building, which
was built on the site of the original Scout Hall at 21a Scarborough street.
Able to seat 150 patrons, the new theatre building was officially opened in
July of 1983. The first production to be staged there was The Crucible
performed in July of that year and directed by Julanne Shearer.
The old Military huts were later used for storage of props and costumes and
for rehearsals. Still used to this day, the building was renamed Mollys in honor
of Mrs Molly Leggett who used to teach Saturday morning Youth Theatre there
in the 1970's.
She also directed a number of plays for GCLT in the 1970's and early 1980s.

Graphic of Mollys as it was in the 1970s
Mollys as it appeared in 2015

First, a look back at how they
managed their accounts for
the 1950's productions of
Mystery at Greenfinger, The
Gioconda Smile and
Travellers Joy.

1951 Mystery at Greenfingers -
Statement of Income and Expenditure

1951 - Mystery at Greenfingers - Ticket Analyses

Travellers' Joy (Burleigh Heads) Ticket Sales Analysis.

Travellers' Joy (Burleigh Heads) Statement of
Receipts and Expenditure

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure - Southport
Travellers Joy

Ticket Sales Analysis - Southport
Travellers Joy

Some more history from the
1960's, 1970's and 1980's.

1952
THREE IN A ROOM by Antonia White, 1947. Directed by Billie
Kenderdine. Performed at the Diggers' Hall, Southport, June 11-13, 1952.
15

16

1955
17

1955
The Program material for this production
was located by the author postpublication
of volume One.
GCLT hopes to continue to unearth
records from past productions.
CHARLEY'S AUNT by Brandon Thomas. 1892. Directed by John Dolby.
Performed at the Diggers' Hall, Southport, September 22 to September 30, 1955.
Jack Chesney....................................................................................Cliff Buchanan
Charles Wykeham..............................................................................Tom McGuire
Bassett............................................................................................Horace Williams
Lord Fancourt Babberley.........................................................................Bill James
Amy Spettigue...................................................................................Elaine Chorley
Kitty Verdun....................................................................................Lenore Perkins
Sir Francis Chesney.......................................................................Tom Theodosiou
Mr Stephen Spettigue............................................................................Harry Wills
Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez...................................................................Dulcie Ladds
Elsa.........................................................................................................Joan Smith
Set in Jack Chesney's Rooms, St Olde's College, Oxford.
Jack Chesney and Charles Wykham are both students at St Olde's College, and
are both in love. Jack is in love with Kitty Verdun and Charles is in love with
Amy Spettigue. The two chums want to meet their girls for lunch under the
auspice that they will be chaperoned by Charley's mysterious aunt, Lucia
D'Alvadorez. When Lucia sends word that she can't come for a couple of days,
their plans are thrown into a spin.
The boys don't want to wait, so they dress Babs up in his theatrical costume
and pretend that he is their aunt. When Mr Spettigue and Sir Francis Chesney
arrive, Babs is able to charm them into thinking he is a widowed millionairess
from Brazil. Both gentlemen hope to marry her. However, Lucia intends to visit
her nephew unannounced.
After introductions are exchanged, certain old relationships are renewed.
Lucia was once in love with Sir Francis and her young ward, Elsa Delahey, is the
long lost love of Lord Fancourt.
5

1961
Rehearsals for OKLAHOMA to be performed at the Southport RSL Hall in
September of 1961.
19

20
1961 GCLT Float at the Spring Festival, Nerang street,
Southport. Advertising upcoming productions - South Pacific
and The Tender Trap.

ONE WILD OAT - by Vernon Sylvaine, 1951.
Rehearsing in the Theatre Rooms, later known as Molly's in August, 1962.
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU by Moss Hart and George Kaufman,
1937. Directed by Letitia Gordon-Wickins. Performed at the Southport RSL
Memorial Hall, Scarborough St., Southport in February, 1966.
21

1965 The Plays of the Gold Coast Little Theatre
22

1975
23

1979 CONDUCT UNBECOMING by Barry England. Directed by Julanne
Shearer. Performed at the Theatre Rooms, Southport, June 30 to July 14.
1977 THE SPIDERS WEB by Agatha Christie. Directed by Molly Leggett.
Performed at the Theatre Rooms, April 28 to May 7, 1977.

1980 NIGHT WATCH by Lucille Fletcher, 1972. Directed by Molly
Leggett.
Performed at the Theatre Rooms, Southport, August 23 to September 13.

1982 THE REMOVALISTS
Written by David Williamson in 1971. Directed by Barry Gibson.
Performed at the GCLT Theatre Rooms (Mollys), Southport, October 30 to
November 20, 1982.
26

OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder. Directed by Joan Ross. Performed in
the GCLT theatre, October 8 to October 22, 1983.
27

The New Theatre
1983
the new theatre is officially opened by Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Lew
Edwards.
Also present was his wife, Mrs Edwards, Chair of the GCLT building subcommittee,
Julanne Shearer and then President of GCLT, Jan Derbridge.
28

1983 THE CRUCIBLE
First production to be performed in the new theatre - The Crucible, by
Arthur Miller. Directed by Julanne Shearer. Performed July 9 to July 23,
1983.
29

WHO'S LIFE IS IT ANYWAY? by Brian Clark, 1978.
Directed by Julanne Shearer. Performed at the GCLT
theatre, May 26 to June 9, 1984.
HABEAS CORPUS by Alan Bennett, 1973. Directed by Joyce
Grant. Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 1985.
30

CABARET, book by Joe Masteroff. Music by John Kandar, Lyrics by Fred
Ebb, 1966. Directed by Julanne Shearer. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
Southport, February to March, 1986.
31

32
COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY
DEAN, by Ed Graczyk, 1976. Directed by John Arthars.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 26 to 29, 1986.

AFTER DARK by Dion Boucicault, 1868. Directed by Barry
Gibson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, May 27 to June 17, 1989.
REEDY RIVER by Dick Diamond,1970. Directed by Julanne Shearer.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, August 5 to 27, 1988.
Together with the LEAPING LIZARDS band

1990
NO SEX PLEASE, WE'RE BRITISH by Anthony Marriott & Alistair
Foot, 1971. Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the GCLT
theatre, August 4 to 25, 1990.
34

DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE, by Ted Willis, 1957. Directed by
Dolores Clifford & Alistair Beer. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
November 18 to December 9, 1989.
35

Finally, we reach the
1990's and move on to
2015.
Enjoy the trip!

36
Set the scene. The audience awaits

CARNIVAL by Bob Merrill & Michael Stewart, 1961. Directed by Gerda Pinter,
Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 10 to March 3, 1990.
Jaquot.................................................................................................................Robert Morris
B.F Schlegel, Circus Director...................................................................................Bill Martin
Roustabouts......................Cameron McKendrick, Sean Devanny, Greg Brettle, Dale Pearce,
Damien Prokop, Jason Brettle-Evans.
Princess Olga, Snake Charmer.........................................................Helene Walder-Gonzales
Marco the Magician..............................................................................Mark Thornton Wood
Rosalie, Assistant to Marco...............................................................................Marilyn Culell
Gymnast.............................................................Lainine Usher, Terry Callaghan, Tony Ward
Dog & Souvenir Seller............................................................................Chrissy & Joel Beskin
Lili Daurier & Paul Berthalet.........................................Kaelene McLenan & David McNeven
Puppets manipulated by .............................................................................David McNeven
Mother Goose, Jackie Horner, Marguerite, Renardo - manipulated by Robert Morris
Dr Wilhelm Glass............................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Young Lili arrives at Schlegels' Grand Imperial Cirque de Paris, looking for a
job. She meets Marco the Magician who talks Schlegel into hiring her. But on
her first day, she ruins one of Marco's magic tricks and Schlegel fires her.
As she is leaving, the puppets, manipulated by Paul, ask her why she is
unhappy. Thus begins a friendship, and Lili is asked to help with the puppet act.
Paul falls in love with her and it is hard for him because he believes that Lili is in
love with Marco.
When Marco's assistant, Rosalie, leaves, Marco asks Lili to leave the puppets
and come help him with his act. Paul is jealous and Lili doesn't like him. When
Rosalie returns because her fiancée has had second thoughts, she goes back to her
old job with Marco.
Marco is planning to leave the circus and go to Rome. Paul has dismantled
the puppet booth, and now Lili has no future. But finally, Paul is able to
communicate 38 his love for her through the puppets.

39

SHERLOCK'S LAST CASE by Charles Marowitz, 1984. Directed by
Barry Gibson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 7 to April 28, 1990.
Sherlock Holmes....................................................................................Colin Turner
Inspector Lestrade...........................................................................John McWatters
Dr John Watson.....................................................................................Trevor Love
Liza Moriarty.......................................................................................Maria Buckler
Mrs Hudson.............................................................................................Julie Moran
Sick of being berated by Holmes, Dr Watson decides on a plan of revenge.
When Holmes receives a threatening letter from the son of a dangerous criminal,
Dr Watson pretends to be concerned for Holmes' safety
In reality, it is Dr Watson himself who has written the letter and orchestrated
the kidnapping. He lures Holmes to a dark dungeon where he traps him in an old
dentist's chair. After he believes he has poisoned and killed Holmes, Watson
returns to his old life at Baker Street.
After a period of fourteen months, Watson suspects Holmes may still be alive,
so he returns to the dungeon to visit his remains. It is then that Holmes reveals
he is still alive and that he may decide to turn Watson over to Inspector Lestrade
for his attempted murder.
But Holmes has another idea. He allows Watson to live a free man in the cellar
at Baker Street as long as he remains his faithful servant. Watson is now belittled
even more than he was before.
40

SALONIKA by Louise Page, 1983. Directed by Victor Newcombe. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, June 9 to June 23, 1990.
Peter......................................................................................................James Dardis
Ben Swift..................................................................................................Alan Hobbs
Charlotte Swift............................................................................................Joan Ross
Enid Swift..............................................................................................Rosalind Kay
Leonard................................................................................................Michael Beard
Set on a beach in Greece, mother and daughter, Charlotte and Enid, are on
holiday. They are accompanied by Charlotte's male friend, Leonard.
They visit the grave of their husband and father, Ben Swift. They are able to see
the ghost of Ben and talk to him.
A young man is lying on the beach. His name is Peter. He asks Enid about the
older man, meaning Leonard, who is with them. Enid tells him that Leonard
wants to marry Charlotte.
When Charlotte and Enid go off together to look at the graves, Ben starts
talking to Peter and Leonard. Leonard asks Peter whey he doesn't do anything
except sleep on the beach. He says he is wasting his life. But Peter doesn't think
so. Ben confides to Leonard that he drowned himself.
When Enid can't stand staying with Charlotte and Leonard, she goes back
down to the beach where Peter sleeps most nights. She has the idea of asking
Peter if he would make love to her if she paid him enough money for his plane
fare back to England. Then Peter tells her the truth about how Ben died. While
the two of them chat on the beach, Peter slumps down. He has been selling his
blood and has collapsed.
42

NO SEX PLEASE, WE'RE BRITISH by Anthony Marriott & Alistair Foot,
1971. Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
August 4 to August 25, 1990.
Peter Hunter.........................................................................................Peter Maden
Arnold Needham..................................................................................Mark Barkley
Delivery Man...................................................................................Michael Croaker
Brian Runnicles.................................................................................James Wallace
Superintendent Paul ........................................................................Ted Henderson
Frances Hunter......................................................................................Maria Payne
Leslie Bromhead..............................................................................Terry Callaghan
Barbara....................................................................................................Helen Rose
Eleanor Hunter.........................................................................................Nina Khan
Set in a town in the UK. An Assistant Bank Manager, Peter Hunter, lives
above his bank with his new bride, Frances. The misunderstandings occur when
the very conservative Frances orders some items by mail order from a
Scandinavian glassware company, and receives some very raunchy material
instead.
What she receives is Scandinavian pornography. She, along with the bank's
frantic cashier, Brian Runnicles, must try to figure out what to do with the loads
and loads of photographs, books, films and eventually, women, who threaten to
engulf the couple.
The matter is made more complicated by the presence of Peter's mother,
Eleanor, his Boss, a Bank Inspector and a Police Inspector.
43

THE LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS by Neil Simon, 1969. Directed by
Brian Wilson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, October 6 to October 20, 1990.
Barney Cashman...........................................................Leon Knox
Elaine Navazio..............................................................Maria Buckler
Bobbi Michele...............................................................Louise Ryan
Jeanette Fisher.............................................................Debbie Henderson
Set in an apartment in Long Island, New York. Seafood restaurant owner,
Barney Cashman, wants to relieve the monotony of his life by having an
extramarital affair.
He invites three very different women back to his mother's apartment on
three separate afternoons. They include the hard-drinking and fast-living
Elaine, the goofy wannabe actress Bobbi and the neurotic pill-popping wife of
his best friend, Jeanette.
Each woman presents a different challenge to the hapless seducer as he
flounders his way through the quagmire of intended adultery. Left with his
morals intact, Barney finally admits defeat and we leave him trying to coax his
wife to come and spend time with him at his mother's apartment.
44

45

46

MY THREE ANGELS by Sam & Bella Spewack, 1953. Directed by Trevor Love.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 17 to December 1, 1990.
Joseph....................................................................................................Colin Turner
Jules.......................................................................................................Alistair Beer
Alfred.......................................................................................Cameron McKendrick
Felix.......................................................................................................Barry Gibson
Paul.......................................................................................................James Dardis
Marie-Louise......................................................................................Michelle Carey
Gaston..............................................................................................John McWatters
Emile....................................................................................................Lynette Smith
Mc Parole..........................................................................................Dolores Clifford
Espoir.............................................................................................Bradley Dargusch
Set in French Guiana around the turn of the twentieth century. Portrays the
interaction between three prisoners and a family of French colonists.
Paroled convicts from the local penal colony move about with relative freedom.
The three warm-hearted convicts try to help the family when they are struggling
to make ends meet.
The unlikely heroes arrive and use their various skills to help the family enjoy
the things that are really important, such as an honest appreciation of life.
47

THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE by Jay Presson Allen, 1969. Directed
by Brian Wilson and Joan Ross. Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 2 to
February 23, 1991.
Mr Perry.......................................................................................................Victor Newcombe
Sister Helena.................................................................................................Libby Newcombe
Sandy.....................................................................................................................Louise Ryan
Jenny....................................................................................................................Bettina Dunn
Monica.................................................................................................................Amber Allum
Mary MacGregor................................................................................................Sharon Clogan
Clara..................................................................................................................Rachael Moore
Jean Brodie.......................................................................................................Belinda Cargill
Miss Mackay............................................................................................................Del Halpin
Teddy Lloyd.......................................................................................................Michael Beard
Gordon Lowther........................................................................................................Ryan Jelfs
McCready................................................................................................................Lee Phillips
Miss Campbell.................................................................................................Jan Harrington
Schoolgirls........................................................Kylie Evans, Ellie Halpin, Kelly-Anne Baglot
The play takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland in the late 1960's and also from
1931 to 1933. Journalist, Mr Perry is sent to interview Helena, a prize-winning
writer. In telling of the influences that created the book, Helena, a cloistered nun,
goes back to her schooldays and the very influential teacher, Miss Jean Brodie.
She tells of Miss Brodie's unorthodox teaching methods, the men in her life, and
her love of culture. The then headmistress of the Marcia Blaine School was not as
fond of Miss Brodie's teaching methods, however. She became worried about
gossip concerning Jean and the effect it may have on the reputation of the school.
Sister Helena did not go on to become a carbon copy of Miss Brodie. On the
contrary, she rejected her illusionary view of life and became more practical.
When she was a young student at the school, Sister Helena was called Sandy.
Sandy became intimate with the artist, Teddy Lloyd. But when he paints a
portrait of her, she is shocked to see that the painting resembles Jean Brodie. It
is Jean that Teddy Lloyd is really in love with. Realising she has been used,
Sandy aka Sister Helena, reaches a turning point in her life. She tells
headmistress of the school, Miss Mackay to investigate Jean Brodie's political
views. Jean Brodie accuses Sandy of having assassinated her. She is sacked from
the school.

REBECCA by Daphne Du Maurier, 1939. Directed by Kurt A Lerps.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 6 to April 27, 1991.
Mrs De Winter............................................................................Sherryl Ravenscroft
Maxim De Winter.......................................................................................Peter Graf
Mrs Danvers............................................................................................Anne Boxall
Frith...........................................................................................................Joe Feeney
Beatrice Lacey.................................................................................Libby Newcombe
Giles Lacey.............................................................................................Barry Gibson
Frank Crawley..................................................................................Les McCrimmon
Robert........................................................................................................Denys Bon
First Maid & Second Maid...............................Kerryn Tredwell & Amanda Landers
Jack Favell..............................................................................................Noel Clifford
Colonel Julyan............................................................................John Rees-Osborne
William Tabb...........................................................................................Lee Phillips
Set in the hall at Manderley, the home of Maxim and Mrs DeWinter. When
Maxim brings his new bride back to his estate at Manderley, she has no idea
about the history concerning her husband's former wife's death. Intimidated by
the taciturn housekeeper, Mrs Danvers and convinced that her husband doesn't
love her as much as he did Rebecca, the new Mrs DeWinter feels very insecure
there.
When Mrs Danvers plays a trick on Mrs DeWinter that causes friction between
her and her husband, Mrs DeWinter begins to piece together why she is
experiencing so much animosity.
When the boat that Rebecca supposedly drowned in is brought to the surface,
the case concerning her death is reopened. When Maxim confides in his new wife
and tells her the part he played in her death, she becomes one of his staunchest
allies. But they have to convince the judge that he is innocent of any wrong
doing. When the verdict comes back as suicide, it looks as though Maxim is in
the clear.
However, Jack Favell, Rebecca's cousin and former lover, is convinced that
Maxim played a part in her death and has a note which he believes is
incriminating. So he tries to blackmail Maxim. Maxim asks Colonel Julyan to
read the note and so thwarts his blackmail attempt. When it comes to light that
Rebecca had cancer and was going to die soon, it becomes apparent that she
taunted Maxim deliberately so he would kill her and thus prevent her from
having a slow, painful death. The quick and mysterious departure of Mrs
Danvers co-includes with the house at Manderley going up in flames.
49

PARDON ME PRIME MINISTER by Ray Cooney, 1979. Directed by Dorothy
Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 1 to June 22, 1991.
The Rt Hon George Venables, MP.......................................................James Wallace
Rodney Campbell..................................................................................Geoff Gwillim
Shirley Springer........................................................................................Kylie Evans
The Rt Hon Hector Cramond, MP.....................................................Terry Callaghan
Miss Frobisher......................................................................................Marilyn Culell
Sybil Venables.........................................................................................Lesley Millar
Jane Rotherbrook................................................................................Anthea Renner
Dora Springer..............................................................................................Lyn Smith
The Detectives..........................................................Craig Ingham & Ted Henderson
The play takes place in the Prime Minister's study, Number Ten Downing
Street, London.
In an attempt to stamp out pornography, gambling, drunkenness and other
public symptoms of the Permissive Society, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor
of the Exchequer are preparing a very strict budget that will tax Gambling, Bingo
and Strip joints out of existence. But the Prime Minister has other things on his
mind when twenty-two year old Shirley Springer gains access to his office and tells
him she is his daughter. She wants the PM to drop the intended taxes on the
entertainment industry, because as a dancer at the Libido nightclub, she depends
on the industry for her livelihood. She takes off her dress and refuses to leave
until he agrees to change the budget. Just then the PM's wife Sybil walks in and
Shirley hastily hides in the next room.
During the proceedings, the PM's wife has been encouraging everyone at
Number Ten that day to donate blood. It transpires that two people there have the
same rare blood type. Shirley Springer and Chancellor Cramond. It now becomes
obvious that Cramond is her father and not Venables.
When reporter, Jane Rotherbrook overhears the revelations, she thinks she has
a once in a lifetime story. But Campbell comes rushing in with some more news.
He happily announces to all that a detective has traced his father at last, and that
he is his 50 idol, George Venables.

THE ELEPHANT MAN by Bernard Pomerance, 1979. Directed by Dolores
Clifford & Alistair Beer. Performed at the GCLT theatre, August 3 to August 24,
1991.
John Merrick..........................................................................................Ashley Wilkie
Ross & Lord John...................................................................................Barry Gibson
Hospital Porter, Policeman & Footman..................................................Chris Harris
F.C. Carr Gomm & London Conductor................................................Michael Beard
Fredrick Treves...............................................................................Victor Newcombe
Hospital Orderly, Bishop How & London Conductor.............................John Ebbott
Mrs Kendal...........................................................................................Lynn Hudman
Nurse Sandwich & Princess Alexandra......................................................Nina Khan
Scene Extra & Duchess.........................................................................Thea Crichton
Snork & Brussels Conductor...................................................................Alicia Haran
Scene Extra & Nurse............................................................................Melissa Collins
This play is based on the real life story of John Merrick, known as the Elephant
Man.
Born sometime before 1923, John Merrick was born deformed as a result of his
mother being trampled by an elephant in the circus while she was pregnant. John
Merrick was a subject of wonder when he appeared in carnivals along with other
freaky people. He lives a life of poverty and degradation until a doctor, Sir
Frederick Treves, takes him and gives him lifetime abode at the London Hospital.
Whilst domiciled at the hospital, he is visited by many wealthy and influential
people. He believes he will be going to heaven when he dies, and that his life will
be better after death. Whilst at the hospital he builds a model of St Phillip's
church.
Throughout the play we are shown the wisdom that comes from John Merrick
as we see life from his point of view.
Not expected to live to a great age, he dies one night when his head causes him to
suffocate. The weight of the head crushed his windpipe.
51

THE ANNIVERSARY by Bill MacIlwraith, 1966. Directed by Del Halpin and
James Wallace. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 9 to November 30,
1991.
Tom..........................................................................................................Steve Pfister
Shirley.......................................................................................................Kylie Evans
Henry....................................................................................................Michael Beard
Terry......................................................................................................Geoff Gwillim
Karen.............................................................................................Gael M. Ballantyne
Mum........................................................................................................Rosalind Kay
Tom and Shirley are in love and are expecting a baby. Tom has chosen Mum's
Wedding Anniversary celebrations to tell the family. But poor Shirley is not
prepared for Mum's nasty streak that comes out whenever she hears of one of her
three son's intentions of having a life of his own.
When brother Terry arrives with his family and says that he too has some earth
shattering news, tension builds between the two brothers. They both know that
with two such big changes happening in their and Mum's life, the situation that
was going to get nasty is now going to get downright ugly. Terry and wife Karen
are planning to move to Canada.
Mum is not happy about her son Terry's plans to move to Canada, so she plays
a cruel trick on Terry and Karen to teach them a lesson. She also tells them that
she has bought them a house.
Meanwhile, Shirley has gone upstairs to her room only to find that eldest son
Henry is dressed in her underwear. Henry has a penchant for cross-dressing and
it is this weakness that Mum plays on to try to blackmail Terry into staying in
England. When Henry is nearly caught stealing women's clothing off a
clothesline, Mum says that she will put him in jail if Terry doesn't stay. Wife
Karen is trying to get Terry to stand up to her, but it is difficult for him.
When Shirley makes fun of Mum's glass eye, it brings back the guilt that Terry
feels about having caused it when he was a child.
Shirley, upset at seeing Mum's glass eye on the pillow, screams and waits in the
car for Tom to leave with her. Tom is stunned that she still wants him and the two
drive off together. Then Karen is pleased when Terry tells Mum they will leave for
Canada, and so they leave together. Only Henry is left and it is upon him that
Mum vents what remains of her spleen. However, Henry is too vague and beaten
to fight back. At the end of the evening, Mum considers she has enjoyed herself.
52

84 CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff, 1983. Directed by John Rees-
Osborne. Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 1 to February 2, 1992.
Helene Hanff...............................................................................Margaret De Mestre
Frank Doel...............................................................................................Colin Turner
Cecily Farr................................................................................................Clare Milton
Megan Wells...........................................................................................Gail Richards
William Humphries...................................................................................Joe Feeney
George Martin......................................................................................Bruce Pallesen
Maxine Stuart.........................................................................................Gail Richards
Joan Todd................................................................................................Clare Milton
The action of the play is set in the New York apartment of Helene Hanff and in
the premises of Marks & Co, Booksellers, 84 Charing Cross Road, London.
When New Yorker and self-professed 'poor writer with an antiquarian taste in
books' answers an ad placed by a London booksellers, it begins a long-distance
friendship between her and the staff of Marks and Co.
While writing to request copies of rare books, she manages to win the hearts of
staff members, Frank, Cecily, Megan and George.
While Frank thinks that he is the only one writing to her, the other staff
members write to her secretly, informing her of all their family happenings and
lives in general.
With a quirky sense of humour and a kind heart, Helene becomes a welcome
correspondent as she even sends the employees of Marks & Co, food parcels via a
mail order catalogue.
With all members of Marks & Co offering to put her up if she ever fulfilled her
dream of coming to England, Helen tries for many years to save the money.
However, by the time she manages to make the trip, Frank has passed away.
53

ROMEO and JULIET by William Shakespeare, 1595. Directed by Julie
Shearer. Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 4 to April 25, 1992.
Juliet....................................................................................................Rachael Moore
The Nurse..........................................................................................Julanne Shearer
Lord & Lady Capulet....................................................Terry Callaghan & Del Halpin
Tybalt & Paris.................................................................Peter Alwast & John Halpin
The Capulet Servants..........................Brett Ingram, John Ebbott, Brendan Shearer
Friar Laurence......................................................................................Michael Beard
Citizens & Ladies of the Ball..................Alana Kennedy, Nicole Christiansen, Jody
Byford, Mellisa Bloxesome, Cheryl Moreno.
Romeo & Benvolio..........................................Glen Ryman & Cameron McKendrick
The Montague Servants....................................Samantha Wareing & Sean Devanny
The Montagues....................................................John McWatters & Virginia Leaver
Mercutio & The Prince.......................................................Paul Daly & James Henry
The Montague and Capulet families hate each other. Both live in the town of
Verona. They regularly meet and fight. When Romeo, a Montague, falls in love
with Juliet, a Capulet, they realise that what they have is a forbidden love.
With their families against them, they realise that the only chance they have of
being together is for them to marry as soon as possible before their respective
families can stop them. The next day, Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them in
private, in the hope that their love will bring the two families together.
However, Romeo was seen at the Capulet party where he met Juliet, by Tybalt,
Juliet's cousin. He took Romeo's presence there to be disrespectful and so he
challenged him to a fight. By this time, Romeo is married to Juliet and doesn't
want to fight with her cousin. But Tybalt continues to pursue him and then
Romeo's friend, Mercutio joins the fray to protect his friend. Mercutio is killed by
Tybalt. Romeo is so angry, he then goes after Tybalt and kills him. Amazed that
he has killed his wife's cousin, he is eaten up with remorse. When the authorities
learn of the deaths, they banish Romeo. Meanwhile Juliet's father has betrothed
her to local man-about-town, Paris. She is already married to Romeo, but is
unable to tell her parents and yet can't go ahead with the wedding. She goes to
Friar Lawrence who gives her a vial of poison to suspend signs of life in her for 24
hours. He tries to get word to Romeo that she will wake from her tomb, but word
does not get through. When Romeo discovers her dead, he takes poison and dies.
Juliet 54 wakes and sees Romeo dead and she stabs herself. When the two families
discover them, they reconcile.

LOOK WHO'S TALKING by Derek Benfield. Directed by Barry Gibson.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 13 to July 4, 1992.
Sheila........................................................................................................Anne Boxall
Brian................................................................................................Victor Newcombe
Andrew....................................................................................................Colin Turner
Carole........................................................................................................Cristel Leed
Jane .................................................................................................Libby Newcombe
Middle-aged, middle-class couple, Andrew and Sheila, have both been tempted
to commit adultery whilst under the influence of good wine. They both secretly
suspect each other of having been unfaithful. Andrew has made romantic
overtures to his secretary Carole, and Sheila has given a younger man she met at a
party, the impression that she wants to pursue a relationship with him.
As Andrew digs around in his garden and Sheila prepares Sunday lunch,
Sheila's friend arrives. This throws Sheila into a tailspin, because she has used her
friend Jane as an alibi for her flirtatious escapades with Brian. She needs to bring
Jane up to date.
Sheila is not sure how far her escapade with Brian went, but she feels the need
to lie about it to Andrew. Andrew also has an attack of the guilts about chatting
up Carole at an office party, and lies to Sheila about his connection with Carole.
Both Andrew and Sheila forget that they have both invited their would-be lovers to
lunch that day.
A spanner is thrown into the works when Brian arrives unexpectedly, hoping
that Sheila will continue their flirtation where it left off. Just as Sheila is trying to
diffuse his amorous intentions, Andrew's secretary Carole arrives, with a suitcase
and two air tickets to Rome. It is now Andrew's turn to try to dig himself out of a
very embarrassing hole. Sheila tries desperately to cover up her now increasing
number of mis-truths, and Andrew throws in a few misunderstandings and
mistaken identities.
Things just begin to get more and more confusing. They all decide to have
drinks together and try to unravel it all. Andrew and Sheila need to face up to
their behaviour and Brian and Carole go off together to Italy.
55

56

ORPHANS by Lyle Kessler, 1983. Directed by James Wallace. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, August 7 to August 29, 1992.
Treat..................................................................................................Michael Croaker
Philip........................................................................................Cameron McKendrick
Harold......................................................................................................Alistair Beer
Treat and Phillip are brothers. They are living alone together without any
parents. Treat is the older brother who goes out each day to steal money and
jewelery from people he comes across in the street.
Phillip stays at home and waits for him. One morning, Treat arrives back at the
house with a drunken man name Harold. He is carrying a briefcase and Treat
believes it is full of stocks and bonds. Harold is kind to the boys because he was
an orphan and he believes that Treat and Phillip are poor little orphans too.
Phillip stays inside all the time because he thinks he has an allergy to the
outside world, with things like grass and pollen.
Treat has it in mind to hold Harold as a kidnap victim, but when he rings
Harold's acquaintances asking for money, they laugh at him.
It seems that Harold is involved in illegal doings just as much as Treat is.
He offers Treat a salary to be his bodyguard, but Treat turns it down. When
Treat threatens him with a knife, Harold pulls out his gun. He then hits him over
the head with it.
Finally, Harold wins Treat over and Treat begins working for him as a
bodyguard. But when Harold returns to the house one night, shot and dying,
Treat and Phillip realise they have lost a friend.
57

SEASONS GREETINGS by Alan Ayckbourn, 1982. Performed at the GCLT
theatre, November 7 to November 28, 1992. Directed by Kay McInnes.
Harvey.....................................................................................................Barry Gibson
Bernard.................................................................................................Michael Beard
Belinda........................................................................................................Del Halpin
Pattie...............................................................................................Jennifer Congram
Neville.......................................................................................................Trevor Love
Eddie.............................................................................................................Craig Ball
Rachel...............................................................................................Lynn McPherson
Phyllis.....................................................................................................Marion Parry
Clive........................................................................................................Steven Tandy
The action takes place in the home of Neville and Belinda Bunker. It is
Christmas eve and the Bunkers have friends staying with them. There is Neville's
friend Eddie, his pregnant wife Pattie and their three young children. As well as
Neville's sister Phyllis and her husband Bernard, Belinda's sister Rachel and Uncle
Harvey arrive. When an acquaintance of Rachel's, a young novelist, turns up,
Belinda is immediately smitten with him. The feeling appears to be mutual. Being
a group of people thrown together and one which includes family members, there
begins the inevitable tension between differing personalities.
Pattie is having trouble with her husband Eddie because he is indifferent to her
and is no help with the children. Harvey and Bernard are polar opposites and now
Rachel can sense that her sister Belinda is flirting with her novelist, Clive.
After midnight, when all have gone to bed, Clive and Belinda come together to
make love beneath the Christmas tree. But all hell breaks loose when the
automated presents amongst the pile create such a din that the entire household
come to the foot of the stairs to see what is happening. Rather sheepishly, the pair
explain that they couldn't wait to open their presents.
However, nobody believes them. There is also trouble brewing with Bernard
and his puppet show. During rehearsal, he abuses Pattie who runs off crying and
he has harsh words with Harvey. Phyllis is in trouble with Belinda for taking the
mousse out of the fridge and Clive had just told Rachel that he was not attracted to
her sexually anyway. Things come to a head when Harvey shoots Clive in the
belief that he is a thief. Clive, though not dead, is wounded and delirious and calls
out his need for Belinda. After Clive is taken off to the hospital, Neville and
Belinda try to get some normality back into their lives.
58

BUSYBODY by Jack Popplewell, 1965. Directed by Steven Tandy. Performed
at the GCLT theatre, February 6 to February 27, 1993.
Mrs Piper................................................................................................Marion Parry
Richard Marshall.....................................................................................Colin Turner
Detective Constable Goddard..............................................................Mark Hatherly
Detective Superintendent Baxter......................................................Terry Callaghan
Claire Marshall......................................................................................Maria Buckler
Marian Selby...............................................................................Naomi Middlebrook
Robert Westerby.................................................................................David Woodley
Vickie Reynolds.................................................................................Lynelle R Moore
The cleaning woman for Marshall Developments, Mrs Piper, discovers a dead
body in one of the offices she is cleaning. Thinking it is her boss, she calls the
police. However, when the police arrive, the body has disappeared. The three
other staff members then become the prime suspects.
They are - Miss Selby, who was in love with Mr Marshall, Vickie the Typist who
is in love with Mr Westerby and Mr Westerby who is in love with Marshall's wife,
Claire. But when Mr Marshall walks into the office the next morning, alive and
well, Mrs Piper's reputation is tarnished.
Knowing that there is something very wrong going on, Mrs Piper continues to
snoop around for clues. A set of keys, a waistcoat button, an article in the
newspaper, what do these things mean?
Mrs Piper urges the Inspector to investigate. When a body is found at another
location, the finger of suspicion is firmly pointed at accountant Robert Westerby.
59

60

THE LION IN WINTER by James Goodman, 1964. Directed by Lynn
McPherson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 17 to May 8, 1993.
King Henry 2nd of England...................................................................Steven
Tandy
Princess Alais.........................................................................................Jodie
Walton
Prince John Lackland......................................................................Scott
Williamson
Geoffrey Duke of Brittany....................................................................................Roman
Muric
Richard Lionheart..............................................................................................Dwayne
Lawler
Eleanor of Acquitaine......................................................................................Vicki
Carmichael
King Philip 2nd of France...........................................................................................Craig
Ball
The year is 1184 and King Henry 2nd of England and France is aging. His first
born son Henry, has died and so now he needs to name a new heir. His
estranged wife, Eleanor of Acquitaine, and their three remaining sons, are all
plotting amongst themselves.
Eleanor favours son Richard and Henry favours John. But John is young,
only sixteen years old and the war-like Richard is not about to sit back and let
the throne be taken from him. Then there is the third and forgotten son,
Geoffrey.
Henry had kept Eleanor a prisoner in England because of her attempts to
challenge him and now he has also imprisoned his three sons as they have been
plotting against him. Faced with the prospect of leaving his vast empire to three
warring sons, he considers it would be best if he annulled his marriage to
Eleanor and took a new wife, his lover the young Princess Alais.
61

62

63

PRIVATE LIVES by Noel Coward, 1930. Directed by Victor Newcombe.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 19 to July 10, 1993.
Sibyl Chase............................................................................................Maria Buckler
Elyot Chase..............................................................................................Colin Turner
Victor Prynne...............................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Amanda Prynne...................................................................................Belinda Cargill
Louise....................................................................................................Leanne Belbin
Sibyl and Elyot Chase are on their honeymoon in the South of France. All is
going well until Elyot discovers his ex-wife is honeymooning in the hotel room
next door.
Both Elyot and Amanda try to persuade their new spouses to leave at once, but
both spouses stubbornly refuse. This causes much disharmony between the newly
married couples. Realising that they still have feelings for one another, Elyot and
Amanda flee the hotel and escape to her flat in Paris. But it is not smooth sailing
when old jealousies resurface and Sibyl and Victor arrive to get answers.
The discussion becomes too rowdy and heated. Amanda and Elyot make their
escape, leaving their spouses to fight it out between themselves.
64

65

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Adapted for the stage by Tim Kelly. Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed
at the GCLT theatre, September 11 to October 2, 1993.
Perkins, the Maid.....................................................................................Susan Booth
Lady Agatha Mortimer..............................................................................Eula James
Dr Watson............................................................................................James Wallace
Sherlock Holmes....................................................................................Steven Tandy
Mrs Barrymoore......................................................................................Rob Collings
Sir Henry Baskerville................................................................................Steven Foye
Barrymoore............................................................................................Leo Mevissen
Kathy Stapleton.................................................................................Ruth Henderson
Jack Stapleton..................................................................................Bruce Thompson
Laura Lyons.............................................................................................Vikki Turner
Set in Baskerville Hall, a Manor house on the moors in the West Country of
England. When Lady Agatha summons Sherlock Homes and his friend Watson to
the Hall, it is to discuss the note written in 1742 which outlines the tale of the
Hound of the Baskervilles. The tale goes that Sir Hugo Baskerville kidnapped a
village girl and kept her prisoner in his house. One night she escapes. Sir Hugo
rode after her. When Sir Hugo's friends caught up to them on the moor, they
found both the girl and Sir Hugo dead. But it is the way in which Sir Hugo was
found that began the tale. The note stated that '...plucking at his throat, there
stood a foul thing, a great black beast...and even as they looked the thing tore the
throat out of Hugo Baskerville.'
But how real is the tale which has been passed down from father to son for
generations? The tale that says that any man of Hugo Baskerville's blood will be
mauled and killed by a huge vicious demon of a dog. So when Sir Charles
Baskerville from the House is killed, Lady Agatha tells Holmes how she suspects
that he died of fright.
When his heir, Henry Baskerville, the last of the line, comes from America to
take up residence, strange noises are again heard on the moors. Henry has
formed an attachment with local woman Kathy Stapleton, unaware that her
'brother' Jack is really her husband. All are surprised to learn that Holmes has not
gone to London, but has stayed on the moor to learn the facts. Then Mrs
Barrymoore is distressed to find her convict brother has been killed on the moor.
But 66Sir Henry learns the truth when Kathy confronts him and tells how her
husband Jack is the son of Rodger Baskerville, the rightful heir.

QE11 THE ABDICATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND by
Mark Stow Smith. Directed by Alan Ingram. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
November 13 to December 4, 1993.
The Maid...............................................................................................Leanne Belbin
Diana......................................................................................................Bettina Dunn
The Maid..................................................................................................Varena Lyell
Margaret...................................................................................................Joan Stalker
Charles....................................................................................................Steven Tandy
Elizabeth.............................................................................................Brenda Warren
Set in Buckingham Palace, Winter 1984.
Follows the royal family as they experience the breakdown in the marriage of
Charles and Diana.
Both Charles and Diana are restrained by the requirements of The Firm, as the
Royal family call themselves.
Finding themselves both unhappy in the stifling atmosphere, their movements
and personalities are reined in to try to give the impression of a happy
relationship for the benefit of the public.
68

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY by Alan Ingram from the original fairy tale
Directed by Alan Ingram. Performed at the GCLT theatre December 8 to 18,
1993.
King Rene................................................................................................Colin Turner
Raven...................................................................................................Damian Bryant
Rosebud..............................................................................................Jillian Rawlings
Amber..........................................................................................................Lyn Smith
Aurora......................................................................................................Varena Lyell
Florimund........................................................................................Steven Carpenter
Queen Christina................................................................................Sandy McKenzie
Court Crier/Owl..............................................................................Melissa Stichbury
Mayflower...............................................................................................Anita Hatton
Carabosse.........................................................................................Vicki Carmichael
Rabbit............................................................................................Cassandra Lowden
Guard.......................................................................................................Paul Millroy
with Eamon Farren, Aaron Baker, Chevaun Sutcliffe, Sarah Buckler, Kyle
Hoffschildt, Karina Miller and Daniele Verrills, Edna Woodall and Niki Thurecht.
The King and Queen have not been able to have a child. So when Raven
appears and tells the Queen that she will have a daughter before the New Year, the
Queen promises to name her child Aurora and to invite all of the fairies in the
Kingdom to the Christening. She must also remember to invite Raven's mistress,
the Fairy of the Winter, Carabosse.
As Raven foretold, the Queen does have a daughter and there is a Christening
wherein she names her daughter Aurora after the dawn. However, the dark lady
of the Enchanted Forest, the Fairy of Winter, Caraboss, was not invited.
So during the ceremony, she arrives and announces her annoyance. As a result,
she curses the child Aurora and says that Aurora will prick her finger on her
sixteenth birthday and will die instantly.
But the Fairy of Autumn changes the curse to be that she will sleep for one
hundred years and then be woken by a prince.
So a century later, the prince kisses Aurora, her parents come back to life, and
then Aurora and Prince Florimund get married.
69

THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA by Tennessee Williams, 1963. Directed by
Steven Tandy. Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 5 to 26, 1994.
Rev. T. Lawrence Shannon.................................................................Dwayne Lawler
Maxine Faulk...........................................................................................Katy Charles
Hannah Jelkes................................................................................Jennifer Congram
Pancho...............................................................................................Yasca Sinigaglia
Pedro.................................................................................................Marco Sinigaglia
Hilda.......................................................................................................Natalie Gillin
Wolfgang.....................................................................................................Brett Craft
Herr Fahrenkopf..................................................................................Jimmy Hendry
Frau Fahrenkopf.....................................................................................June Keough
Hank........................................................................................................Kris Higham
Miss Judith Fellowes..........................................................................Kath Thackeray
Charlotte Goodall......................................................................................Lee Murray
Nono (Jonathan Coffin).......................................................................Jason R. Seear
Jake Latta...................................................................................................Ben Dillon
The action of the play takes place in the summer of 1940 in the Costa Verde
hotel in Puerto Barrio on the West Coast of Mexico. Reverend Lawrence Shannon
is a former churchman who has been working as a Tour Guide in Mexico. During
a particularly challenging tour, he directs the bus driver to veer away from the
planned route, so that he can seek refuge at the hotel of his lusty female friend, the
recently widowed Maxine Faulk. When the impoverished artist Hannah Jelkes
and her poet grandfather, Nono arrive asking for a room, Shannon overrides
Maxine, who is indifferent to their plight. Maxine is particularly unfeeling
towards Hannah, because she senses the attraction between Hannah and
Shannon.
Meanwhile, Shannon, a fragile man on the verge of yet another nervous
breakdown, has to contend with the ire of one of his tour customers. Consumed
by problems of his own making, Shannon finds himself being accused of the
statutory rape of one of the women on his bus, the seventeen year old Charlotte
Goodall. He is also sacked from Blake Tours. Shannon becomes so mentally
confused he has to be tied to his hammock. When Hannah hears the iguana trying
to get loose, she asks Shannon to free it, which he does. Finally, Maxine asks
Shannon to stay with her at the hotel. It is now Hannah who is at a loss, as her
grandfather 70 dies and she is left on her own.

TOP SILK by David Williamson, 1989. Directed by Alistair Beer. Performed
at the GCLT theatre, April 9 to 30, 1994.
Jane Fredericks........................................................................................Janis Sheen
Eddie O'Donnell.....................................................................................Barry Gibson
Tony Turner.......................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Trevor Fredericks....................................................................................Colin Turner
Mark Fredericks..................................................................................Damian Bryant
Trish O'Donnell...........................................................................................Lyn Smith
Judge/Kelvin..............................................................................................Del Halpin
The action takes place in the Frederick's home, a prison cell, a restaurant,
offices, a clothing shop and a courtroom. Trevor and Jane Fredericks are both
lawyers, with Trevor being a QC. In her role as a Legal Aid solicitor, Jane
Fredericks is called upon to defend a man she once knew intimately, Eddie
O'Donnell. Eddie is charged with dealing heroine and is facing a jail term. With a
wife and four children, he is pleading with Jane to help him avoid jail. Jane even
contacts Tony Turner, the new Attorney-General, to see if more lenient laws for
drug offenders can be put in place.
Meanwhile, Jane has domestic problems of her own with a seventeen year old
son, Mark, who is struggling at school and prone to depression. Jane is worried
that he may contemplate suicide, as has another student at his school. So Trevor
attempts to pay the police twenty thousand dollars to decrease the quantity of
drugs allegedly found at Eddie's home. The two went to school together and Jane
can't stand the thought of Eddie going to jail for twenty five years.
Then, when Trevor takes on the brief to represent media mogul Paul Bradley,
thinking that with Bradley's backing he will get elected into parliament, life in the
Fredericks household reaches a climax .
Son Mark leaves school and home and Jane faces ten years jail for her attempt
to pervert the course of justice. Also, the attempted bribe has put Eddie's case in a
bad light and he may get the maximum sentence. Jane leaves Trevor. Trevor
takes up the case of defending Eddie and he gets him off with a five year good
behaviour bond and a twenty thousand dollar fine. When Trevor asks Jane to
come back home to him, she says no.
71

THE KIDNAP GAME by Tudor Gates, 1991. Directed by Dorothy Henderson.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 11 to July 2, 1994.
Philip....................................................................................................James Wallace
Paul Kendon................................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Harry Daines.....................................................................................Stephen Hockey
Joy Hart.........................................................................................Melanie Wilkinson
Sarah Kendon.........................................................................................Nicole Clarke
The action takes place in a luxurious office in the centre of London. The play
opens with Philip phoning Paul Kendon at his office and advising him that he has
kidnapped his daughter, Sarah. He tells Kendon not to call the police or he will kill
her. He calls colleague, Harry Daines, to bring him up to speed with the problem.
Daines, an ex-policeman, tries to get Kendon to call the police, but Kendon tells
how the kidnapper threatened to kill Sarah if he did. Daines gives Kendon the
worrying statistic that in most cases of kidnapping, the victim dies.
When Philip the kidnapper calls back, he demands half a million pounds to be
put in a big hold-all which he will collect from the office in two hours. Now very
emotional, Kendon tells Daines he does not want the police called, but Daines says
it is too late, he has already called them.
After Philip describes how Sarah is sealed in an old Anderson Shelter with very
little air left, Kendon begs the police to let him go so he can give her more air,
escape, and then reveal the address so she can be rescued.
But the bag was switched so Philip only has fake paper and he has now eluded
the police who are following him. When Inspector Joy Hart realises that the
situation has turned into a Mexican Standoff, she instructs Daines to leave her
alone with Philip to negotiate the girl's release.
When she realises that Sarah is being held in the office upstairs and that there
is no accomplice, Daines goes up and releases her. But Kendon's relief is shortlived
when he hears that his daughter was in on the heist and that she loves Philip.
Alone with his money, Kendon realises the love of his life, his daughter, despises
him.
72

HOBSONS CHOICE by Harold Brighouse, 1916. Directed by Marion Parry.
Performed September 10 to October 1, 1994.
Hobson...................................................................................................Steven Tandy
Willie.......................................................................................................James Henry
Maggie........................................................................................................Val Beattie
Alice..................................................................................................Tania Whatmore
Vickey......................................................................................................Varena Lyell
Albert....................................................................................................Brett Edwards
Mrs Hepworth............................................................................................Nina Khan
Freddie.............................................................................................Alastair Tomkins
Tubby....................................................................................................Maurice Parry
Jim.....................................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Doctor..........................................................................................Maurice D'Agostino
Ada....................................................................................................Robyn Pihlamae
Hobson was a Cobbler with three daughters, Maggie, Alice and Vickey. They
work for Hobson without getting paid. They work while Hobson spends most of
his time drinking in the pub. When rich customer, Mrs Hepworth, asks who made
her new boots, and she is told it is the underpaid bootmaker, Will Mossop, she
declares that only he will make her and her daughters boots from now on.
When Maggie is told that she is too old and plain to get married, she decides to
ask Will to marry her because she can see his potential. But Will is hesitant to
marry and Hobson is horrified. He threatens Will and warns him not to continue
with the plan.
He agrees to marry Maggie when he runs away from Hobson, and the pair
borrow money from Mrs Hepworth to set up shop. Pretty soon they are taking
customers away from Hobson. Hobson keeps on drinking and as a result, one day
he falls into the warehouse which belongs to the father of daughter Vickey's love,
Mr Fred Beenstock. Vickey and Alice want to marry but Hobson has refused to
settle money on them, and so they will find it hard to find decent husbands.
Maggi decides to settle money on them so they can marry.
She is able to get the money when Beenstock sues Hobson for damages.
Hobson goes bankrupt and is soon sick from drinking. He asks the daughters to
look after him, but only Maggie will, as long as he signs over the business to her.
73

CAUGHT IN THE ACT by Trevor Cowper, 1982. Directed by Janis Sheen.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 12 to December 3, 1994.
Cherry Winters....................................................................................Andrea Burton
Martin Barclay........................................................................................Colin Turner
Cedric Travers..................................................................................John McWatters
Helen Temple.......................................................................................Maria Buckler
Bill Taylor..............................................................................................Andrew Blain
Prince Hassan.............................................................................................Ben Dillon
Lawyer Martin Barclay takes a wrong turn reroute to his girlfriend's flat and
becomes engaged in a mistaken love romp with sexy mature business woman,
Cherry Winter.
Both parties don't realise they have slept with a stranger until the next morning.
Cherry and Martin quickly realise their mistake and go about trying to make logic
out of the confusion.
When Cherry's fiancée Bill finds out about the mishap, he runs into the arms of
Martin's (former) girlfriend, Helen.
A case of two couples who end up switching partners. There is also a sub-plot
involving Cherry's sexy goods company run by Cedric and the international
playboy, Prince Hassan, who wants a cut of the business action.
74

CAUGHT IN THE ACT
75

July 13, 1994.
Article courtesy of the Gold Coast Sun
newspaper.
1995 - NOISES OFF
Photo courtesy of the Gold Coast
Bulletin.

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS by Neil Simon, 1984. Directed by Lee
Bowers. Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 4 to 25, 1995.
Eugene................................................................................................Donovan Leitch
Blanche.......................................................................................................Del Halpin
Kate................................................................................................Colleen Cartwright
Laurie.....................................................................................................Alicia Kozicki
Nora........................................................................................................Tammy Gold
Stanley......................................................................................Cameron McKendrick
Jack..........................................................................................................Colin Turner
Set in Brighton Beach, New York in 1937. A family is struggling financially
during the Depression in America.
Seen through the eyes of the family's younger son, Eugene Maurice Jerome,
the family consisting of mother, father and two brothers, also includes an aunt and
two cousins.
Each family member has their own challenges to face and with the combined
family all living together under the one roof, there is never a dull or peaceful
moment.
Eugene wants to be a baseball star, Aunt Blanche gets headaches and hates
being dependant on her sister Kate, and Kate resents the fact that she is always
having to care for others. Brother Stanley loses his job and all of his money
playing poker and cousin Nora wants to quit school and be in a Broadway
production.
With a 'flutter in her heart,' the young Laurie is the only one sequestered away
from life's pitfalls.

RING ROUND THE MOON by Jean Anouilh, adapted by Christopher Fry,
1950.
Directed by John Rees-Osborne. Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 8 to 29,
1995.
Hugo & Frederic.................................................................................Robert De Rooy
Joshua...............................................................................................Gordon Johnson
Diana............................................................................................Elizabeth Chambers
Patrice Bombelles..................................................................................Nicholas Rich
Lady India.........................................................................................Lynn McPherson
Mme Desmortes...........................................................................................Joan Ross
Capulet................................................................................................Ursula Johnson
Romainville........................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Messerschmann...........................................................................................Peter Graf
Isabelle.................................................................................................Louise Delaney
Mother..................................................................................................Valerie Cooney
The play is set in a conservatory attached to the Chateau of Madame Desmortes.
The occasion is a Ball to celebrate her nephew Frederic's engagement to Diana
Messerschmann. The era is uncertain, but strongly resembles the early 1920's.
Hugo and Frederic are twins. As young men of an age when romance is very much
on their minds, Frederic finds himself in love with the aloof Diana
Messerschmann.
The less sentimental of the two twins, Hugo plans to cure Frederic of his
infatuation with Diana, by introducing him to the ballet dancer, Isabelle.
Hugo has invited Isabelle and her mother to attend a Ball so that Isabelle can be
the most beautiful woman in the room.
Hugo is also threatening to expose the affair between Messerschmann's
mistress, Lady India and his secretary, Patrice Bombelles.
So with good planning and arrant knavery, Hugo's plan works out that Isabelle
loves Frederic and Hugo admits to loving Diana, especially when he finds out that
her father has lost all his money.
But, even that is a deception, with Messerschmann being far too good a
businessman to really lose everything.
By the end of the play he is actually twice as rich as he was before.

NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn, 1982. Directed by Joan Stalker. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, June 10 to July 1, 1995.
Dotty Otley............................................................................................Julie Withers
Lloyd Dallas..........................................................................................Kurt A. Lerps
Garry Lejuene......................................................................................Brett Edwards
Brooke Ashton......................................................................................Bettina Dunn
Poppy Norton-Taylor..........................................................................Lara Flanagan
Frederick Fellowes...............................................................................Ashley Wilkie
Belinda Blair.............................................................................................Tracey Kriz
Selsdon Mowbray...................................................................................John Pearce
Tim Allgood......................................................................................Craig Sherwood
Set in the Grand Theatre, Weston-Super-Mare, the Theatre Royal,
Northampton and the Municipal theatre, Stockton-on-Tees.
It is the last dress rehearsal for the world premiere of the play Nothing On by
Robin Housemonger. Being a farce, Nothing On requires the cast to come in and
out of doors carrying plates of sardines and taking their clothes off. With only
two weeks left to rehearse and learn their lines, the cast are having trouble with
their props and entrances and exits. Director Lloyd Dallas has his hands full
trying to placate the actors, as the show goes on the following night. But the
dramas are not confined to the script. Brooke is having a relationship with Lloyd
the director and Poppy the Stage Manager, is upset because she also likes Lloyd.
Before the performance at the Theatre Royal, Dotty and Garry are having a
row. Dotty has locked herself in the dressing room. Lloyd arrives with whiskey
and flowers for Brooke, Garry wants to kill Frederick and Selsdon has gone
missing. When the matinée begins, all are relieved that Dotty has gone on stage
as Mrs Clackett, but throughout the performance, the actors are fighting amongst
themselves. Dotty is grateful to Frederick for his understanding but weeps all the
same. The bottle of whiskey originally meant for Brooke, is being passed around
behind the scenes, until Selsdon gets hold of it and retires with it to the dressing
room. Belinda gets an axe to break the door in but Frederick gets hold of it to use
against Garry. The now open bottle of whiskey is being absentmindedly swigged
by Lloyd, Dotty and Belinda. Garry's shoelaces are tied together, Brooke has lost
one of her contact lenses and Lloyd has cactus needles in his bottom. But when
the play ends, the final curtain has Poppy announcing over the loud speaker that
she is pregnant. The next performance is at the Municipal Theatre, and Mrs
Clackett is still trying to come to terms with the plate of sardines.
By this time the play draws to a close with Lloyd going on as Selsdon and Poppy
coming on as the Sheikh.

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR by Lillian Hellman, 1934. Directed by Naomi
Middlebrook. Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 9 to 30, 1995.
Miss Martha Dobie...............................................................................Pam Sexton
Miss Karen Wright..................................................................................Val Beattie
Mary Tilford............................................................................................Jill Robson
Mrs Amelia Tilford..........................................................................Ursula Johnson
Dr Joseph Cardin...................................................................................Paul Sadler
Rosalie Wells...........................................................................................Lisa Smith
Evelyn Munn.......................................................................................Jacki Macrae
Peggy Rogers..........................................................................Narelle Schmalkuche
Agatha.................................................................................................Linda Shields
Grocery Boy & Catherine ..............................................Scott Keir & Sarah Bennett
Lois & Helen..............................................Hayley Bennett & Kimberley Krastovec
Janet & Mrs Lily Mortar.........................................Monica Pagano & Marion Parry
Set in the Wright-Dobie School and the living room of Mrs Tilford's. Teachers
and friends, Martha Dobie and Karen Wright, are running a girl's school. They
were able to open the school with the financial assistance of Mrs Amelia Tilford,
whose granddaughter Mary Tilford, attends the school. Mary has been spoilt by
her grandmother and is naughty and disruptive in class.
Other family members involved in the school are Martha's theatrical aunt Lily
Mortar and Mary Tilford's cousin, Dr Joseph Cardin. Dr Joe has asked Karen to
marry him, and she has agreed to do so. But this does not please Martha, who is
'unnaturally' fond of Karen.
When a couple of schoolgirls overhear Lily Mortar arguing with her niece
Marta, they are bullied into telling the mischief-making Mary what they
overheard, mainly that Martha's affection for Karen is not normal. When Mary
runs away to her Grandma's place, she tells her what the girls had overheard.
When Amelia Tilford phones the other mothers about the situation, they send for
their daughters to stay elsewhere.
When Joe, Martha and Karen confront Mrs Tilford, the girls Rosalie and Mary
are brought before them to answer questions about their accusations. Mary is
shown up as a liar, and Rosalie is denying having seen the two women kissing,
until Mary threatens her and she says that she has in fact seen them together
kissing in a way that two women shouldn't. Dr Joe has decided that the three of
them will travel to Vienna to live. Martha admits to loving Karen in 'that way'.
She then goes into the other room and shoots herself.
Mrs Tilford then comes to tell Karen that she has found out that Mary lied, and
she wants to make amends with money. Karen is at first hostile towards her, but
soon agrees to accept her money and anything else she can offer.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens. Adapted for the stage by Michael
Rodger. Directed by Kay McInnes. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 11
to December, 1995
Storyteller One & Storyteller Two...............................Lyn Smith & Anne Coombe
Three Christmas Ghosts............................................................Lynn McPherson
Bab Cratchit & Scrooge's nephew.....................................Joe Feeney & Colin Turner
Old Fezziwig & Marley's Ghost.................................Trevor Love & John McWatters
Fan & Belinda Cratchit......................................................................Kellie Rossiter
Tiny Tim & Schoolboy Scrooge................................................................Kris Brown
Young Scrooge and The Boy.....................................................................Greg Scurr
The Girl and Martha Cratchit...............................................................Melanie Leitch
Mrs Cratchit & Scrooge..............................Roseanne Stower & John Rees-Osborne
Mrs Fezziwig & Old Crone.................................................................Marilyn Culell
Scrooge's Niece & Belle........................................................Janis Sheen & Michelle
A Gentleman & Belle's husband..........................Joseph Nowak & Scott Williamson
A Gentleman & Old Joe...........................................................................John Pearce
Caroline & Husband............................................................Mary Ward & Scott Keir
Set in 1843. It is Christmas and Mr Scrooge is now an aged man. He is an
uncharitable man and though wealthy, he begrudges the Poor getting any charity.
He does not believe in love either, and he belittles his nephew when he comes to
wish him a Merry Christmas.
When Ebeneza is visited by the ghost of Marley, his former partner, he is
shocked to hear him tell him that he should change his ways before it is too late.
The ghost tells him that three Spirits will haunt him. He says that without their
visits, Scrooge is doomed to the same fate as him.
He is visited firstly by the Ghost of Christmas Past. In his past, Ebeneza
Scrooge is shown how he was in the past. He sees his former love, Belle, who
releases him from their engagement so he can pursue a woman with a dowry.
Next, he is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, where he learns that the
young cripple, Tiny Tim Cratchit, dies.
Then the third spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Future arrives and shows him
what peoples response will be to his own death. That of people laughing and not
wanting to go to his funeral.
So as a result of the visitations by the three Spirits, Scrooge decides to give
generously to those around him and to enjoy Christmas every year from then on.
And little Tiny Tim Cratchit doesn't die.

ROUGH CROSSING by Tom Stoppard, 1984. Directed by Lynn McPherson.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 3 to 24, 1996.
Sandor Turai...........................................................................................Paul Sadler
Dvornichek..................................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Adam Adam.........................................................................................Nicholas Rich
Alex Gal...............................................................................................Valerie Cooney
Ivor Fish.................................................................................................Colin Turner
Natasha Navratilova.............................................................................Lara Flanagan
Members of the Chorus...............................Celestine Taylor, Lauren Brannigan,
Lisa Szymiczek, Joanne Underwood.
Set on board the SS Italian Castle during the mid to late 1930's. The ship is
sailing from Southampton to New York.
Successful duo of comedy writers, Sandor Turai and Alex Gal, are making a
transatlantic crossing with their new young protege and composer, Adam Adam.
Also sailing is the Hungarian actress, Natasha Navratilova and Ivor Fish. Adam
Adam and Natasha are engaged to be married, and Adam is not aware that
Natasha had a previous affair with the married Ivor.
Turai, Gal and Adam board the ship a day early to surprise Natasha and are in
turn surprised to hear Ivor making love to her. Adam who is suffering from an
alarming speech impediment which forces him to pause interminably before
finally being able to speak and then pouring out torrential monologues that never
end, becomes despondent because of Natasha's infidelity and threatens to either
commit suicide or jump ship.
In order to save the show, Turai comes up with a brilliant plot to convince Adam
that what he overheard was the rehearsal of lines, rather than real romantic tryst.
Steward Dvornichek sploshes around providing drinks and comedic lines. The
playwrights are trying to finish their new show and rehearse the cast of the
musical company for their Broadway opening. However, things get a little rough.

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN by Ariel Dorfman, 1990. Directed by Lynn
McPherson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 13 to May 4, 1996.
Pauline Salas.................................................................................Linda Novicky
Gerardo Escobar..............................................................................Colin Turner
Roberto Miranda.............................................................................Barry Gibson
A democratic new age is dawning in an unnamed Latin American country.
But Paulina is haunted by the past. Set in the home of Paulina Salas and
Gerardo Escobar in the 1990's in a country, probably Chile, but could be any
country which is now a democracy after a long period of dictatorship.
When Gerardo's car breaks down on the motorway, he is given a lift home
by a friendly stranger, Dr Roberto Miranda. But tension mounts when his wife
Paulina, haunted by a violent incident in her past, believes she recognises the
stranger's voice. She was raped and tortured fifteen years prior in a prison and
she is so sure the man is her tormentor, she takes the opportunity of tying him
up and putting him on trial. She has a loaded gun and threatens to use it
When husband Gerardo tries to placate her into letting him go, she threatens
to shoot Roberto and then turn the gun on herself.
Realising the emotional state she is in, Gerardo agrees to help her find the
truth from this man. Paulina asks that the man be asked to make a confession,
which she will record. She is happy to have the confession, and then she will
let him go. After he confesses, Paulina puts the gun to the Doctor's head
because, now that she knows he is guilty, she will not be able to live again until
he is dead. The Doctor claims that he made up the confession from what her
husband had told him and that he only did it to save his life.
But Paulina has purposely given her husband wrong information, with the
idea that her perpetrator would correct it. This is exactly what happens. And
this is how she knows for certain that Doctor Miranda is the man she thinks
he is. A story of a woman's agonized past and her desire to bring that past to
light in her bid for justice.

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN

WUTHERING HEIGHTS Adapted from the 1846 Emily Bronte novel by
Charles Vance, 1990. Directed by Kurt A. Lerps. Performed at the GCLT
theatre, June 8 to 29, 1996.
Cathy Linton................................................................Lauren Brannigan
Hareton Earns...............................................................Scott Hampton
Heathcliff.........................................................................................Dwayne Lawler
Ellen Dean.......................................................................Ursula Johnson
Catherine Earnshaw........................................................Lara Flannagan
Edgar Linton.........................................................................Matt Reimer
Hindley Earnshaw..............................................................Kevin Tarrant
Isabella Linton...................................................................Kristy Condren
Mr Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange, goes to Wuthering
Heights to pay his respects to his landlord, Heathcliff. Whilst in the house, he
meets the elderly servant, Joseph and a snarly young woman named Cathy. Also
a 'rough-hewn' young man named Hareton Earnshaw. We learn that Cathy
married Heathcliff's son, but the son is now dead. The weather has turned so bad
that Lockwood dare not make his way back to the Grange, and so he is compelled
to stay the night at the Heights. At midnight, Lockwood sees and hears the ghost
of a young woman at his window. When he tells the insomniac Heathcliff about
the ghost calling herself Catherine Linton and asking to be let in, Heathcliff races
in to be with her.
Witnessing this, Lockwood is now very interested in the people at the Heights,
and the history, and so he asks former Heights nanny, Ellen Dean, to tell him
about Heathcliff and Catherine. He learns abut the night Heathcliff overheard
Catherine as she said she will marry Edgar Linton because she would be ashamed
to marry the poor, uneducated Heathcliff. But Heathcliff overheard this and ran
out onto the moor in the storm. Cathy, goes out onto the moor to look for him.
She then becomes sick with cold and lapses into a fever. When Cathy recovers,
she agrees to marry Edgar Linton, with whom she has been staying.
Three years after leaving, Heathcliff returns a changed man. He is now
prosperous. He is shattered to find Cathy married. Out of spite, he marries Edgar
Linton's naive sister, Isabella. Cathy dies shortly after giving birth to a girl named
Catherine. Heathcliff is devastated and asks her corpse to haunt him.
Isabella has a son to Heathcliff, named Linton Heathcliff. Isabella leaves with
Linton and never returns. But when she dies, the sickly Linton goes to live with
Heathcliff. After Heathcliff dies, cousins Hareton and Cathy marry and go and
live at the Grange.

GUYS AND DOLLS by J. Swerling & A. Burrows. Music & Lyrics by Frank
Loesser, 1950. Directed by Julanne Shearer. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
August 24 to September 21, 1996.
Nicely Nicely Johnson & Benny Southstreet..............Bill Martin & John Christison
Rusty Charlie & Sarah Brown.....................................Peter Garrett & Amy Davoren
Arvide Abernathy & Calvin.................................John McWatters & Warren Wright
Agatha & Martha.......................................................Jann Alcorn & Barbara Prestia
Hope & Charity..................................................Caroline Berenger & Marilyn Culell
Harry the Horse & Lt. Brannigan............................Mark Emmett & Melvyn Clarke
Nathan Detroit & Angie the Ox......................Colin Turner & Ian Henwood-Odgers
Miss Adelaide & Sky Masterton....................................Del Halpin & Brian Edmond
General Matildas B Cartwright & Big Jule....................Deslye Kruck & John Ebbott
Liver-Lips Louie & Joey Perhaps...............................Shaun Horsey & Ken Stanway
Society Max & Scranton Slim ............................Dennis Simmons & Warren Wright
Lola, Mimi, Bobbie/ Chorus Girls/Havana Dancers.............Jacqueline King, Anne
Crestani, Kathryn Unicomb.
Professional gambler, Nathan Detroit, has been engaged to dancer Miss
Adelaide for fourteen years. Our story begins with Detroit needing to find a place
in which to hold his floating Crap game.
A couple of big players are in town and he needs to host a game, as he makes
his living by taking a cut from the proceeds of such games.
Big player, Sky Masterton is in town and Detroit knows that he will stake a lot
of money. But he needs $1,000 to pay for a place, so he asks Masterton to bet him
that he can't take Mission worker Sarah Browne to Havana with him for lunch
But Masterton takes Sarah to Havana in return for him getting his sinful friends
to go to a church meeting.
Meanwhile, Detroit's long-term fiancée, Miss Adelaide, has been trying to get
him to marry her and has even lied to her mother about their relationship, telling
her they are married with five children.
When Sarah's Mission is threatened with closure, Masterton makes a bet with
the other blokes, and he wins it, so they all turn up and prevent the Mission from
closing due to lack of converts.
Then Sky and Sarah and Detroit and Miss Adelaide get married at the Mission,
even though the women know that their men need to change their lifestyles.

Molly's Verandah - where many auditionees have waited to
hear whether or not they have the part!

FALLING FROM GRACE by Hannie Rayson, 1994. Directed by Anne
Coombe. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 9 to 30, 1996.
Suzannah..................................................................................................Janis Sheen
Maggie.........................................................................................................Lyn Smith
Brock.....................................................................................................Linda Novicky
Tessa...............................................................................................Lauren Brannigan
Hugh............................................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Michael....................................................................................................Clem Halpin
Miriam.............................................................................................Lynn McPherson
Three women, Suzannah, Maggie and Brock are friends.
They all work for Metro Magazine. Suzannah is the Features Writer, Maggie is
the Sub-Editor and Brock is another Writer. They often discuss men when they
go out to lunch.
Suzannah and Maggie are both divorced with children. Brock is expecting her
first child at the age of thirty-seven. When Suzannah's ex-husband, Dr Hugh
Storey, talks with Brock about the story the magazine is planning about the work
done by Dr Miriam Roth, he warns that a PMS drug she is trialling could be
causing birth defects. He wants to get the media involved in an awareness
campaign.
But things are very complicated, because Suzannah is having an affair with
Miriam Roth's husband. Although Suzannah doesn't want to discredit Miriam's
work, she is also hesitant to write about her new drug in the magazine, in case it
turns out to be causing birth defects, as her former husband, Hugh, suspects.
Now that Hugh knows about her relationship with Michael, Suzannah fears
that Hugh will tell Brock about it and her editorial integrity will be compromised.
But when Maggie leaks the story and it backfires on Miriam, Brock resigns from
the magazine.
When Brock goes into labour, the two friends are there to support her.

Mollys Rehearsal Space

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST by Dario Fo, 1980. Directed by
James Henry. Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 1 to 22, 1997.
Maniac..................................................................................................Grant Ebeling
Bertozzo................................................................................................Peter Johnson
Inspector Pissani...............................................................................Nancy Faulkner
Superintendent..................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Constables............................................................................................Sean Skuthorp
Maria Feletti.........................................................................................Francesca Lee
Paulo Davidovitch Gandolpho disguises himself as a Maniac and then a High
Court Judge in order to get tape recorded evidence against four policemen who he
believes pushed a suspected 'anarchist' out of the police station window during an
investigation into a bomb attack.
He manages to deceive the four policemen and trick them into admitting
having pushed him. They suspect he is a crank, but it is not until journalist, Maria
Feletti arrives and recognizes him that the four policemen realise they have been
baited.
When Bertozzo threatens him with a gun, the Maniac produces a bomb. He
then gives Miss Feletti the keys and gives her the decision of whether or not to let
the policemen go by unlocking their handcuffs. The Maniac runs out. He then
gives the audience two different scenarios for a conclusion.
One is that Miss Feletti ignores the pleas of the policemen and leaves them to
blow up, and the other is that she unlocks the handcuffs and the policemen are
then free. But the policemen handcuff Miss Feletti to the window because she
knows too much about them and then she blows up.

BILLY LIAR by K Waterhouse & W Hall, 1960. Directed by Marion Parry.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 5 to 26 April, 1997.
Florence Boothroyd............................................................................Ursula Johnson
Geoffrey Fisher.....................................................................................Brett Edwards
Alice Fisher.......................................................................................Lynn McPherson
Billy Fisher...........................................................................................Matthew Ryan
Arthur Crabtree.....................................................................................Steven Ruddy
Barbara.................................................................................................Pamela Curtin
Rita......................................................................................................Vicky Stathakis
Liz......................................................................................................Rebecca Herriot
Set in an industrial town in the north of England in the early 1960's.
Billy Fisher lives with his parents and grandmother. He is nineteen years old.
His parents despair of him because of the way he is so sloppy around the house
and because of the way he treats his girlfriends.
When he tells his parents he is going to London to get a job as a script writer,
his parents tell him to stop telling lies. He is supposedly engaged to Barbara and
she has a ring. But Billy wants to get it off her to give to Rita.
Barbara talks with Billy's mother Alice, and they discuss why they think Billy
lies so compulsively. Barbara thinks it is the influence of a former girlfriend, Liz,
who is back in town.
When Rita barges in on the family and demands Billy give her the ring back,
Geoffrey comes downstairs with the news that Mother is dead.
When Billy reunites with Liz, they agree to marry each other and go away to
London.
Billy's parents have lost patience with him, as they watch him pack his bag to
go. However, the last we see of Billy is him sheepishly arriving back at the house,
with no intention of leaving .

HOTEL SORRENTO by Hannie Rayson, 1990. Directed by Janis Sheen.
Performed June 7 to 28, 1997.
Marge..................................................................................................Valerie Cooney
Dick........................................................................................................Robert Blows
Hilary.........................................................................................Julie-Ann Townsend
Wal....................................................................................................John McWatters
Troy............................................................................................................Greg Scurr
Meg......................................................................................................Gillian Hayllar
Edwin.................................................................................................Dale Woodward
Pippa........................................................................................................Julie Moran
Auctioneer...............................................................................................Tony Jansen
The play takes place in the 1990's and is set in three different households. Meg
Moynihan is a successful Australian writer living in London with her English
husband.
With her book a contender to win the prestigious Booker Prize, she finds the
English media attention brings on a bout of homesickness. She returns to her
family home in Sorrento, after an absence of ten years. Her sister Hilary lives in
the family home, along with her son Troy and father Wal. When youngest
daughter Pippa arrives from New York, it is a reunion for the sisters, but it also
brings out some old issues which have never fully been resolved.
When their father Wal dies suddenly in an accident, the sisters have to face up
to what they will do with the family home. Pippa thinks Hilary should sell and
move to Melbourne, whereas Meg thinks she should stay there as it is her home.
This dissension brings about the unspoken tension surrounding Hilary's dead
husband.
He died in a car accident some years prior, but there has always been a suspicion
that he was having an affair with Meg at that time. Towards the end of the play,
Troy asks Meg why his mother won't talk about the events surrounding his death,
and Meg tells him that it is because he was having an affair with Pippa.
It is a family secret, and one that is not likely to be opened up for discussion.
We also meet other characters along the way who add their comments about
Meg's book 'Melancholy.'

BILOXI BLUES by Neil Simon, 1986. Directed by Lee Bowers. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, September 6 to 27, 1997.
Roy Selridge..............................................................................Christian Sandaljian
Joseph Wykowski...............................................................................Jason Magnus
Don Carney............................................................................................Steve Ruddy
Eugene Morris Jerome.......................................................................Matthew Ryan
Arnold Epstein..................................................................................Scott Hampton
Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey........................................................................Andrew Blain
James Hennessey...........................................................................Jake W. Lange 11
Rowena.........................................................................................Suzanne LeBoydre
Daisy Hannigan........................................................................Narelle Schmalkuche
Set in an army training camp in Biloxi, Mississippi and the barracks at nearby
towns, Biloxi and Gulfport. New recruits, Selridge, Wykowski, Carney, Jerome,
Hennessey and Epstein, come face to face with the formidable Sergeant Toomey.
They spend ten weeks at Basic Training in preparation for being posted into the
Pacific Region during the second world war.
While the young Americans from various different ethnic backgrounds find
the transition from civilian life tough, it is Arnold Epstein who refuses to play the
game of absolute obedience to a superior.
He spends a lot of time in contest with his Sergeant and subsequently, he
spends a lot of time cleaning the latrines as punishment.
The platoon is shocked when Hennessey is charged with committing fellatio
with another man and is taken away to Military prison. Wykowski takes
Eugene's notebook and reads it out loud to the other men, telling them what he
thinks of them. This causes some temporary disharmony, especially with his
friend Epstein, whom he suspects is homosexual. Eugene loses his virginity with
a prostitute called Rowena, but then meets a young woman he loves at a dance.
Her named is Daisy and the two begin to correspond by letter. Sergeant Toomey
leaves for a Veterans Hospital and never returns. The platoon gets a replacement
Sergeant.
After Basic Training, the men are sent to England. Eugene continues to write
in his notebook. He is away for two years, and on his return to New Jersey to be
discharged, he rereads the predictions about how his fellow platoon members
would turn out and looks to see how accurate he was. He was wounded his first
day in England and went on to write for the GI newspaper. He never saw a day's
action.

DAYLIGHT SAVING by Nick Enright, 1990. Directed by Deslye Kruck.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 8 to 29, 1997.
Felicity Hayes.......................................................................................Linda Novicky
Tom Finn...............................................................................................Ashley Wilkie
Bunty, Flick's mother..........................................................................Valerie Cooney
Joshua Makepeace................................................................................Mark Emmett
Stephanie...................................................................................................Del Halpin
Jason Strutt.........................................................................................Sean Skuthorp
Set in a house overlooking Pittwater, north of Sydney. Felicity Hayes is married
to Tom Finn. Tom manages international tennis star, Jason Strutt. With the
travel and care that Tom needs to put in for his role as manager, his relationship
with Felicity is suffering. When Felicity receives a phone call out of the blue from
an old flame from her American exchange year at high school, she agrees to cook
dinner for him at her home. With Tom away, she has not altogether discounted
the possibility of a brief romance with Joshua.
Before she and Joshua can do much talking, the couple are continually
interrupted by Bunty, Felicity's mother, neighbour Stephanie and also Tom and
Jason walk in, having left the States a day early.
Wanting to talk to Felicity about an important element in their relationship,
Tom comes home to find the house full of people who just won't leave. Thinking
that he is about to tell her that he is having an affair with a woman in the States,
Felicity is not all that interested in hearing what he has to say anyway.
It is not until everyone leaves, that Tom has the chance to tell Felicity that he
has decided to change his life, no longer managing Jason and concentrating on
having a family with her.

COMMUNICATING DOORS by Alan Ayckbourn, 1995. Directed by Lynn
McPherson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, January 24 to February 14, 1998.
Julian Goodman..........................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Poopay Dayseer..................................................................Francesca Durtnell-Keily
Reece Welles...........................................................................................Colin Turner
Ruella Welles.........................................................................................Marion Parry
Harold Palmer.........................................................................................John Pearce
Jessica Welles......................................................................Gayla Williams-Jefferies
young Reece Welles.................................................................................Mark O'Dea
Set in the Regal Hotel Suite, London in the years beginning 2014, then back to
1994 and then 1974. Poopay Dayseer is a specialist sexual consultant who has
been ordered by the murderous Julian Goodman, at the behest of the wicked
Reece Welles.
Welles, who is seventy, is very unwell, but he needs to get something off his
chest before he dies. He wants to sign a confession and he needs Poopay to
witness it.
Reece explains to her that his confession must be kept hidden from Goodman
and the others, because as they are implemented, they will try to stop it. When
Reece seems to be gasping for his last breath, Poopay calls for Goodman to come
back. When he does, he shows himself up for what he is, a murderer, and he is
willing to kill Poopay if she doesn't hand over the confession paper.
Hidden in the bidet, Poopay tries to escape by hiding in the closet. When
Goodman is called to answer the door, she is mysteriously transported into the
past to the year 1992, twenty years previous.
She meets Ruella, Reece's second wife whom Goodman killed. She warns
Ruella about Julian and leaves. Then Ruella goes into the communicating door
herself and ends up in 1974. Now putting two and two together, Poopay and
Ruella realise that they are in a time warp, and that they have the ability to
prevent their own deaths by changing the course of history. They decide they need
to get the confession from behind the bidet. When Poopay and Ruella convince
Jessica of the danger she is in, history changes for the three of them.

1998 COMMUNICATING DOORS

108
1998 COMMUNICATING DOORS
After Party

LOST IN YONKERS by Neil Simon, 1990. Directed by Jane Irvine.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 4 to 25, 1998.
Jay............................................................................Oliver Johnston & Ben Knapton
Arty.................................................................................David Law & Eamon Farren
Eddie.......................................................................................................Steve Knight
Bella......................................................................................................Linda Novicky
Grandma Kurnitz............................................................................................Roz Kay
Louie......................................................................................................Mark Emmett
Aunt Gert......................................................................................Suzanne Le Boydre
Jay and Arty don't like visiting their Grandma Kurnitz. During one of the visits,
the boys are told by their father, Eddie, that they have to stay and live with
Grandma for at least a year.
Leaving town to work, Eddie is unable to take care of the boys as their mother
has recently died and he needs to move from town to town for his work. His
dysfunctional family also includes his kooky Aunt Bella, Aunt Gert who has a
breathing problem, and Uncle Louie who is involved in the Underworld.
At first, Grandma declines to take the boys, but when Bella threatens to leave,
Grandma relents. The boys receive letters from their Pop regularly.
When Uncle Louis charms Jay about money and an adventurous life, Jay wants
to go away with him. Uncle Louis soon tells him he is of no use to him, but it is
Jay who comes out on top.
Aunt Bella finally makes her announcement about the man she has met at the
Picture Theatre. Bella wants to get money and approval from her mother so she
and her husband can open and run a restaurant. Aunt Bella is not taken
seriously and so she goes and stays with Gert. Gert asks the boys to stay with
Grandma. When Bella comes home she confronts her mother and her mother
admits that she made herself hard so she could cope with the loss of her two other
children.
Bella returns and has to admit that the man she was interested in does not want
to get married and have children. When Eddie arrives home and is able to make a
home for his two boys, they realise that they have learnt from their Grandma and
she has learnt from them too.

MONEY AND FRIENDS written by David Williamson, 1992. Directed by Janis
Sheen and Anne Coombe. Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 6 to 27, 1998.
Margaret...................................................................................................Janis Sheen
Peter.........................................................................................................Alistair Beer
Conrad.........................................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Jaquie............................................................................................Suzanne Le Boydre
Stephen...................................................................................................Robert Blows
Penny........................................................................................Julie-Anne Townsend
Alex......................................................................................................James Wallace
Vicki......................................................................................................Rita Casalaina
Justin............................................................................................Matthew Mariconte
Set during the summer at Crystal Inlet, a small, pretty bay two hours drive
south of Sydney.
Margaret and Peter are friends and neighbours and are both in their mid
forties. Margaret is a university history lecturer and Peter is a professor of
Mathematics. They are both now single after Margaret's divorce and the death of
Peter's wife. They are living in their holiday homes in Crystal Inlet.
The population of that area is mostly made up of wealthy people who can afford
a holiday home. Margaret and Peter have befriended three other couples and it
has become a regular thing for them all to have drinks on each other's decks.
Margaret confides to Peter that she finds the other couples' spiritually
bankrupt. Peter thinks she should be less judgmental and he admits that he
appreciates their company. When Peter confesses to Margaret that he is in the
courts fighting bankruptcy, Margaret suggests they ask their rich friends to lend
him the fifty thousand dollars he needs to pay his defense lawyers. Peter does not
think that is what friends are for and he asks Margaret not to tell them about his
situation.
But before he has a chance to ask for the money himself, Margaret tells him he
should start telling the truth to their friends and tell them what he really thinks of
them and what they do.
This advice backfires when his attempts at honesty see the friends gang up on
him. When Margaret offers to pay the full amount herself, the friends decide to
thwart her genuine act of charity by giving Peter the required amount themselves.

SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME by Frank McGuinness, 1992.
Directed by Julanne Shearer. Performed at the GCLT theatre, August 29 to
September 19, 1998.
Adam........................................................................................................Steven Foye
Edward..................................................................................................Joseph Lynch
Michael....................................................................................................Frank Culell
Three men are held captive in a cell in Lebanon in the early 1990's. The men
are - Michael, an Englishman, Edward, an Irishman and Adam an American.
All three of the men have been kidnapped.
Adam has been there for four months, Edward for two and Michael for only a
few days. They are chained to a wall in the same cell.
The three men keep each other company and try to maintain their sanity by
telling stories and pretending. Drawing on their past lives, they colour their
stories with actual places they have been to and describe the various members of
their families.
They struggle to retain their emotional buoyancy when Adam, the American, is
taken from them and is assumed to have been killed. Edward takes the loss
particularly hard.
When Adam is gone, Edward and Michael become closer and it seems the
wisecracking Irishman realises not only how much he loved and depended on
Adam the doctor, but also how much he now needs the English teacher, Michael.
When Edward the Irish journalist is given his freedom and leaves, we share in
the loneliness that Michael will now endure. Neither knows why Edward is freed,
or indeed anything else that is going on in the outside world.

SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME

THE THREE MUSKETEERS by Willis Hall, 1995, from the novel by
Alexandre Dumas. Directed by Marion Parry. Performed at the GCLT theatre
November 7 to 28, 1998.
King Louis X111 & Priest.........................................................................John Grange
Queen Anne & Constance Bonacieux........................Michelle Milne & Kelly Warren
Donna Estafana................................................................................Christine Merkel
Cardinal Richelieu & a Tailor......................................................John Rees-Osborne
Rochefort& Porthos ...........................................................Phil Mathers & Erico Tini
Athos & Aramis .......................................................David Kovacic & Mark Chelman
D'Artagnan & Planchet................................................John Taylor & Scott MacNeill
Monsieur Bonacieux & Milady De Winter......John Pearce & Francesca
DurtnellKeilly
Jussac & 1st Gaoler...............................................................................Jason Brooker
Monsieur de Treville & Manservant..................................................Russell Darling
D'Artagnan's Father & 2nd Gaoler......................................................Steve Jemison
Innkeeper/Nun & Clothilde ..............................Dawn Warrington & Pamela Curtin
Understudy/Courtier & Buckingham..............Julie Lambert & Matthew Mariconte
Mother Superior & Nun.......................................Jenny Pullan & Chrissy Robertson
Queen Anne is in love with Lord Buckingham, the Prime Minister of England.
She eagerly awaits news from him. But she needs to be discreet because Cardinal
Richelieu and Rochefort are always looking for gossip on behalf of her husband,
King Louis X111. Meanwhile in a country district of France, a young man named
D'Artagnan is hoping to travel to Paris and be accepted as a musketeer. He has a
few misadventures on the way, but finally makes it up with and becomes friends
with fellow musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis.
D'Artagnan and Mme Constance Bonacieux fall in love at first sight.
D'Artagnan rents a room at Monsieur Bonacieux's place and therefore gets to
spend time with Constance. As Constance is a close confidante of the Queen, she is
taken prisoner by Richelieu and Rochefort, who want to extract information.
Athos is also taken along when he is forced to surrender his weapon. But the other
musketeers come to their rescue.
Together they foil the plans of Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter to expose
Anne and the Duke of Buckingham.
113

114

115

Musketeers - Craig Nicholls, Joanna Kersten, Daniel Fitzgerald
Page - Chelsea Toomey
Guards - Mary Greathead, Troy Dorosz, Robert Billingham
Tavern Folk - Jenny Pullan, Chrissy Robertson, extra Musketeers
Nuns - Andrea Stargues, Cathy Dale
Peasants - Chelsea, Robert, Kate, Andrea & Troy
Servants - Russell Darling, Chelsea Stargues, Kate Robertson
Bastille Bodies - Jenny, Kate, Troy, Scott & Robert
Courtiers - All Cast and Crew
The After-Party
Rehearsing in Molly's
116

LIPSTICK DREAMS by Helen O'Connor & Simon Hopkinson, 1988.
Directed by Leo Mevissen and Janis Sheen. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
January 30 to February 20, 1999.
Jo................................................................................................Julie-Ann Townsend
Jenny...................................................................................................Mandi Bateson
Jess............................................................................................................Jane Irvine
Jan..............................................................................................................Del Halpin
MC...........................................................................................................Brian Wilson
Winning a talent quest could be just the answer for four women who long to
escape their predictable lives in a small country town.
Set in the Blue Heaven hairdressing salon, the play follows the women as they
swap their hairbrushes for microphones and head off on a poignant story to
transform themselves into a foursome singing group.
Singing popular songs from the 1960's, the four very different women share
their hopes and dreams, fears and regrets as they prepare for a local talent quest.
We have Jo, the distracted, disappointed Salon Manager, Jenny, her nervous
apprentice, Jess, who is a loud, domineering character and Jan, the middle-aged
woman from rural Australia.
The women attempt to free themselves from their own feelings of low selfconfidence
by doing something completely different and getting out of their
comfort zones. The story tells how the four ladies, three staff members and one
customer from the salon enter a local quest in an attempt to win some money to
help keep the hair salon afloat. They also hope to gain some self-respect. Jo is
advised by the bank that the salon is no longer a viable concern. Since Brett and
the Boys opened a rival salon across the road, Jo and her girls haven’t been taking
enough money to pay the tea bill let alone the interest repayments to the bank.
So with the help of her employees, Jo enters a talent quest at the local Chinese
restaurant in the hope that if they win, the publicity would start bringing the
customers back.
On the very day of the contest, one of the staff resigns. Enter - one of their
customers who is willing to join the singing group. Is this the break they need to
save Blue Heaven?
117

118

CAMELOT by Lerner & Lowe, 1961. Directed by Julanne Shearer. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, April 10 to May 8, 1999.
Arthur & Guenevere....................................................Steven Tandy & Louise Harris
Merlyn & Morgan Le Fey.........................................Michael Beard & Marilyn Culell
Lancelot & Pellinore............................................Gordon McPherson & Frank Culell
Mordred & Tom of Warrick........................................Phil Mathers & Eamon Farren
Sir Dinadan & Sir Lionel..............................................Mark Emmett & John Ebbott
Sir Sagramore & Sir Clarius....................................Peter Garrett & John McWatters
Squire Dap & Lady Anne..............................................John Grange & Marion Parry
Lady Sybil & Colgrevance................................Suzanne Randazzo & Marcus Watson
Bliant & Guilliam...............................................Craig Nicholls & Richard Whittaker
Castor & Nimue.......................................................Jeremy Most & Mary Greathead
Lords and Ladies of Camelot, Creatures and Trees .................Sarah Walkley,
Tamara Camilleri, Luke Hamlin, Lyn Smith, Josh Martin, Madonna Hal, Fay
Vesperman, Kirsty Sinclair, Jodie Young, Michelle King, Joanna Kersten,
Monique Freedman, Phil McCambridge.
Arthur is the King of Camelot and his Queen is Guenevere. When Merlyn the
Magician, who raised and educated Arthur as a boy, is taken by Nimue, the Wood
Nymph, he can no longer advise Arthur on what to do.
Five years into Arthur's rule, he feels he has been fighting battles for nothing.
So he forms the Knights of the Round Table. He meets Lancelot du Lac and
invites him to sit at his table.
But Queen Guenevere falls in love with Lancelot and they are caught together
by Arthur's illegitimate son, Mordred. Mordred charges him with treason.
Lancelot escapes to France and Guenevere is threatened with being burnt.
Lancelot returns to England with an army and frees Guenevere. She remains
faithful to Arthur, by staying in a Convent.
Arthur realises that he must sometimes fight to maintain right.
119

120

REMEMBRANCE by Graham Reid, 1987. Directed by Jim Dickson. Performed
at the GCLT theatre, June 19 to July 10, 1999.
Bert Andrews..........................................................................................John Pearce
Victor...................................................................................................Mark Williams
Jenny........................................................................................................Lilias Davie
Theresa Donaghy.................................................................................Marie Dickson
Deirdre..................................................................................................Julie Lambert
Joan..........................................................................................................Linda Furse
When Bert Andrews and Theresa Donaghy meet at the cemetery, they begin a
romantic friendship. Both in their sixties, the two have something very important
in common. They have both lost a son to the violence between the Catholics and
the Protestants.
Both Bert and Theresa have also lost their spouses and so are free to begin a
new relationship. They find though, that the main obstacle to their budding
romance is not their religious differences, but rather their adult children with
whom they share their homes.
Bert's son Victor is a policeman and is very bigoted. Theresa's daughters find
the notion of their mother being in love at her age quite ludicrous.
The couple try to introduce each other into their children's' lives gradually.
When Bert and Victor finally talk about their relationship, Bert is shocked to
hear his son say that he feels his father would have preferred him to have been
shot instead of his dead brother, Sam.
But more shocks are in store for Bert when Theresa's daughter Deidre tells how
her husband is in jail for murder and is a member of the IRA.
When the differences between the two become too great, it is the children who
then decide to make amends. In the end, the two end up writing together as
friends.
121

BROADWAY BOUND by Neil Simon, 1986. Directed by Lee Bowers.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 4 to 25, 1999.
Kate............................................................................................................Del Halpin
Ben.....................................................................................................Michael Nathan
Eugene.................................................................................................David Eastgate
Stanley............................................................................................Anthony Edwards
Blanche......................................................................................................Val Beattie
Jack...........................................................................................................Tom Meath
The story begins during the winter of 1949 at the Jerome house in Brighton
Beach, Brookln, New York.
Eugene Jerome and his brother Stanley want to become comedy writers.
Back from their stint in the army, the brothers are working in regular jobs when
brother Stanley insists they have talent and they should try to make it in the
entertainment business.
Their father, Jack, thinks they should stay with their more secure jobs. But he
has life-changing decisions of his own to make. He finally leaves their mother
Kate and continues a relationship he started on the sly a couple of years ago.
The boys' grandfather, Ben, lives with them, and at age seventy seven, he
spends most of his time in his room asleep.
Eugene meets the girl he wants to marry, Josie, and the brothers move out of
the Brighton Beach home as well. They go and live in an apartment in New York.
Kate's now rich sister Blanche lives in Park Lane in New York and urges her
father to join their mother in Florida where the temperature is more suited to the
elderly.
122

THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE aged 13 & 3/4 by Sue Townsend.
Directed by Marion Parry. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 13 to
December 4, 1999.
Adrian Mole..............................................................................................Kris Brown
Pauline Mole.............................................................................................Tracey Kriz
George Mole................................................................................................Bob Allen
Mrs Lucas & Matron............................................................................Rita Casalaina
Mr Lucas & Mr Scruton............................................................................John Lawry
Pandora....................................................................................................Kylie Flavell
Grandma.................................................................................................Jean Watson
Bert Baxter.............................................................................................Peter Meggitt
Queenie....................................................................................................Jann Alcorn
Barry Kent.....................................................................................Phil McCambridge
Doreen Slater...........................................................................................Lisa Smaller
Nigel...........................................................................................................David Law
School Girls...........................................................Jayne Haydock & Kate Robertson
School Boys...................................................................David Dann & Alex Edwards
This is a glimpse into the life of an adolescent boy. Adrian Mole talks candidly
about his parent's troubled marriage, the dog and his life as a tortured poet with
aspirations of becoming an intellectual.
The play is based on his painfully honest diary entries from January 1st to
around April. It covers various themes such as the friendship between himself
and Pandora, his relationship with his parents, the relationship between his
mother and father, his intellectual development and his achievements at school.
Also his work as a Good Samaritan and his efforts to become a socially aware
member of his society. He also thinks about unemployment and its effects on
family life and race relations in England.
He is worried about his appearance and the development of his body. He thinks
he is an intellectual but he is not very good at school.
He is growing up in a poor British family in a working-class English town.
123

124

Committee makes plans for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
SOUTH PACIFIC
125

SOUTH PACIFIC by Rodgers & Hammerstein, 1949. Directed by Kate Peters.
Musical Director - David Ferguson, Choreographer- Bruce Harris.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 5 to March 4, 2000
Ensign Nellie Forbush & Emile De Becque........Louise Harris & Arthur Shacklock
Bloody Mary & her Assistant.............................Katarina Mikaere & Lisa Schembri
LT Buzz Adams & Seabee Tom O'Brien..........................Dean Jessep & Alan Decaf
Seabees George Watts & Luther Billis.............Marcus Watson & Grant C. Ebeling
Seabee Weinstein & Lt. Joseph Cable...................Jason Brooker & David Morris
Henriette & Liat.........................................................Jodie Young & Naomi Pryor
Capt. George Brackett & Commdr. Harbison..........Mark Emmett & Steven Tandy
Yeoman Quale & Marine Sgt. Johnson......................Scott Fields & Craig Nicholls
Marine Cpl. Steeves & Pte. Victor Jerome.................John Ebbott & Antony Haag
Seabee West & Sgt. Jack Waters........................Angus Gordon & Bruce Alker Jnr.
Lt. Genevieve Marshall & Ensign Manelli.....Robyn Pihlamae & Sharyn
Waterhouse
Ensign McGregor & Ensign Noonan................... ..Fay Vesperman & Jodie Young
Ensign Whitmore & Adams...................................Lisa Schembri & Kirsty Sinclair
Ensign Sue Yaeger & Dinah Murphy.............Amanda Miller & Kathryn Robinson
Marcel & Jerome................................................Jason Brooker & Aaron Santelises
Ngana...................................................................Emily Santelises & Latoya Kent
Story centers around an American nurse stationed at a US Naval base during
World War Two.
She falls in love with an expatriate French plantation owner who has been
married before and has two children. When she finds out about the children,
Nurse Forbush struggles with the relationship and thinks it best if they no longer
see each other. But when the plantation owner, Emile De Becque, goes on a
mission with some of the other personnel, she finds herself worrying about his
safety. When he returns, she realises that she can handle the fact that he has
children and they continue their relationship.
There is also a second romance with a US Lieutenant who falls in love with a
young Polynesian woman.
126

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil Simon, 1964. Directed by Deslye Kruck.
Performed at the GCLT Theatre, April 8 to April 29, 2000.
Corrie Bratter..........................................................................................Becky Leigh
Telephone Man.....................................................................................Barry Gibson
Delivery Man.......................................................................................Bob Rollinson
Paul Bratter.............................................................................................Robert Diaz
Mother.....................................................................................................Pam Barber
Victor Velasco......................................................................................Michael Beard
Set in 1964 in an apartment in New York. Corrie and Paul Bratter are
newlyweds in their mid twenties. Corrie has found an apartment for them in
48th street and is very excited about it. When recent law graduate husband Paul
sees it for the first time, he is dismayed to find that there is a hole in the skylight,
it is six stories up and has no bathtub. Practical and comfort-loving, he is more
concerned with getting a good nights sleep so he can be fresh for his first legal
case the next day. Corrie is more concerned with extending their honeymoon and
enjoying a romantic evening. She is a romantic who considers herself
spontaneous. Pretty soon, the two differing personalities begin to grate on each
other to the extent that Corrie asks her new husband to leave.
Meanwhile, Corrie's mother becomes involved with neighbour and womaniser
Victor Velasco. Paul is more concerned for her welfare than Corrie is.
When Paul comes back from having walked barefoot in Central Park due to
being drunk and confused, Corrie takes him back with open arms.
Trying to be more spontaneous, Paul has managed to make himself ill with cold.
Corrie finally realises that she doesn't want a spontaneous nutcase for a husband,
and is quite happy to have her sensible one back.
127

Photo courtesy of the Gold Coast Bulletin
DON'S PARTY by David Williamson, 1973. Directed by Steven Tandy.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, July 8 to July 29, 2000.
Kath.................................................................................................Becky O'Donnell
Don.......................................................................................................Daniel Brixey
Jody....................................................................................................Tamara Pooley
Simon........................................................................................................Evan Mitzi
Mal..............................................................................................................Ron Scott
Jenny.................................................................................................. Diane Rainnie
Mack........................................................................................................Jack Henry
Kerry........................................................................................................Val Beattie
Evan....................................................................................................James Dobbin
Cooley........................................................................................................Gary West
Susan....................................................................................................Diana Leeson
Set in the home of Don and Kath Henderson in the Melbourne suburb of
Lower Plenty. It is Election night, 1969. Don has invited some of his friends
around to his home to watch the election and hopefully celebrate a new
government. Most of the time, however, they are more interested in the
possibility of wife-swapping than they are in the politics. The larrikin of the
group, Cooley, arrives with his young partner, Susan. When young art student
Susan approaches Don for sex, she suggests she go and ask his wife Kath first. But
Kath is on anti-depressants and just tells Susan it is up to Don to decide for
himself. Meanwhile, Mal is being hostile towards Simon and Jody because of
their differing political opinions. Evan loses patience with Kerry and leaves the
party, only to return a short while later and find Cooley in bed with her. Evan
physically separates the two lovers and, after an exchange of verbal abuse, leaves
the party again. Cooley, Mack, Mal and Don have known each other for fourteen
years. We see them as they are in the present, their youthful ambitions
unattained and their so-called social consciences more aligned to making money
than helping the people. The women get together and discuss their men. Cooley
is trying to get into bed with Kerry, but so is Susan. Then it is Don and Kath's and
Mal and Jenny's turn to confront each other. Pretty soon their discussions
degenerate into a ribald yelling match of abuse. When it is time to leave, the
friends seem to have settled their differences and farewell each other with a level
128
of amicability.

STEAMING by Nell Dunn, 1981. Directed by Marion Parry. Performed at the
GCLT theatre, September 2 to 23, 2000.
Violet..................................................................................................Virginia Leaver
Josie.....................................................................................................Maria Buckler
Mrs Meadows.............................................................................................Pat Aldam
Dawn................................................................................................Judy Richardson
Nancy.................................................................................................Louise Delaney
Jane...........................................................................................Julie-Ann Townsend
Bill...........................................................................................................John Pearce
A group of London women regularly go to their local bathhouse to socialise
and keep warm. They are each very different characters and have different life
problems and experiences, which they share with each other.
When the bathhouse is threatened with closure, the disparate group of women
band together to prevent this from happening. They organise a petition to
save their baths.
We are brought into their world as they reveal all.
129

130

INAUGURAL DOLPHIN AWARDS
STEAMING - Voted Best Play

INAUGURAL DOLPHIN AWARDS

WIND IN THE WILLOWS by Kenneth Grahame. Adapted by Alan
Bennett. Directed by John Rees-Osborne. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
November 9 to December 2, 2000.
Mole & Rat....................................................................Greg Scurr & Nathan Schulz
Toad & Badger.........................................................James Wallace & Steven Tandy
Albert & Chief Weasel...................................................Colin Turner & John Pearce
Fox/Motorist/Salesman/Engine Driver............................................Joseph Nowak
Magistrate................................................................................................Joe Feeney
Gaoler's daughter/Rabbit Robert..........................................................Sally Grover
Washerwoman/Bargewoman...............................................................Jean Watson
Magistrates Clerk/Motorist/Rabbit Rose.............................................Sara Hayson
Gypsy/Mother Rabbit....................................................................Lynn McPherson
Hedgehog Herbert & Squirrel Shirley....................Luke Hamlin & Kate Robertson
Other rabbits, squirrels, weasels etc, played by members of the GCLT Junior
Theatre.
When Mr Toad of Toad Hall invites his friends Ratty and Moley to accompany
him on a tour of the open road in his Gypsy Caravan, they are forced off the road
by a motor car. When Toad sees the car, he falls into another one of his fads and
abandons the idea of the horse drawn caravan.
Now in the throws of a car buying passion, he becomes a menace by driving too
fast and causing accidents. In an endeavour to help him, his friends, including
the wise old Badger, keep him locked away in his home.
He escapes however, and goes on to have many adventures, including being
put in gaol, impersonating a washerwoman and then escaping, and then finally
making his way back to his home and friends.
He finds when he gets home, however, that the weasels of the Wild Wood have
taken over his home. It looks as though Toad has lost everything, until Badger
remembers a secret passageway that leads into the Hall.
The four friends arm themselves with whatever they can grab and attack the
weasels, ridding the Hall of the intruders and reclaiming Toad Hall for Toad
again.
133

SYLVIA by A R Gurney, 1995. Directed by Lynn McPherson. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, February 8 to 24, 2001.
Kate..........................................................................................................Tracey Kriz
Greg....................................................................................................David Edwards
Tom, Phyllis and Leslie................................................................Monique Kinerson
Sylvia..................................................................................................Jackie Graham
Set in Greg and Kate's Upper West Side, New York apartment in the 1990's.
Middle-aged, Upper Middle Class Greg, was walking in Central Park one day
and found a dog who took an instant liking to him. He brings the dog, named
Sylvia, back to the empty nest he shares with his wife, Kate.
When Kate gets home, she reacts negatively towards Sylvia and wants her
gone. But Greg is worried the dog will be homeless. As a compromise, they
eventually decide that Sylvia will stay for a few days before they decide whether or
not she can stay longer.
Unfortunately for Kate, Greg and Sylvia have already bonded. Over the next
few days, Greg spends more and more time with Sylvia and less time at his job.
The pair go for long walks together, they discuss life and even astronomy.
Already dissatisfied with his job, Greg now has another reason to avoid work.
Tension increases between Greg and Kate, who still does not like Sylvia.
Eventually, Greg becomes completely obsessed with the dog and Kate fears their
marriage is falling apart.
Now Kate and Sylvia are at odds with one another. Greg has Sylvia spayed,
and she is angry and in pain, but she still loves him completely.
Now Kate and Greg are visiting a therapist called Leslie. Leslie tells Kate to get
a gun and shoot Sylvia. Kate is asked to teach abroad in London and she tells
Greg that there is a six month quarantine for any dog coming into the country.
Greg tells Sylvia that he must give her away to a family who have a farm.
The final scene is directed at the audience and Kate and Greg retain fond
memories of Sylvia.
134

DEADLY NIGHTCAP by Francis Durbridge. Directed by Steven Tandy.
Performed March 22 to April 7, 2001.
Sarah Radford....................................................................................Tamara Pooley
Kate Warren..............................................................................................Nina Khan
Geoffrey Curtis....................................................................................Nathan Schulz
Lucy...................................................................................................Ursula Johnson
Edward Donnington................................................................Christophe Broadway
Jack Radford.............................................................................................Evan Mizzi
Cliff Jordon............................................................................................Colin Turner
Anna Truman...........................................................................................Kara Stacey
Dr Maurice Young....................................................................................Gary Kliger
Arnold Boston.............................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Set in Sarah and Jack's house in East Sussex.
Jack and Sarah Radford appear to be a happy and successful couple living in a
large home in the country. However, Jack is secretly plotting to murder his wife
and inherit everything.
He enlists the help of his girlfriend Anna to help him with his ingenious plan to
murder her. He tries to convince his wife that he is on the verge of a nervous
breakdown.
Enter Inspector Cliff Jordon, a man of insight and perception. After her brother
had apparently committed suicide, Sarah learns that her husband is planning to
murder her to get control of the company which she and her late brother owned.
Part of the plan is to make her think that she is going out of her mind.
After the death of her parents, Sarah and her brother Edward inherit the estate.
However, her scheming husband Jack, manages the business and everything
does not go well.
When Edward returns from Spain, he suspects Jack has been doing dodgy deals
and as a result, a confrontation ensues.
Jack finds a way to keep Edward quiet and then continues plotting against his
wife. But again, things do not go the way he planned.

PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE by Steve Martin, 1994. Directed by
Julanne Shearer. Performed at the GCLT theatre, May 24 to June 9, 2001.
Pablo Picasso....................................................................................James Anderson
Freddy..................................................................................................Michael Beard
Suzanne...............................................................................Claudine Stephen-Smith
A Visitor..................................................................................................Luke Leeson
Charles D Schmendiman.........................................................................Shane Todd
Albert Einstein...........................................................................................Gary West
Germaine...................................................................................................Del Halpin
Gaston....................................................................................................Brian Wilson
Sagot........................................................................................................John Ebbott
A female Admirer..............................................................................Kate Robertson
The Countess.....................................................................................Aldwyn Altuney
Set in a bar in Paris in 1904. When Picasso meets Einstein in a bar in Paris,
they discuss each others talents and skills and contest which one of them will
have the most impact on the century.
Freddy the barman and the elderly Gaston contribute to the discussion by
giving their opinions and asking them questions.
At this time, the bars of Paris were the hub of creative ideas and were
frequented by writers and artists. The two men try to make a name for
themselves as their careers are yet in their infancy.
But the artist Picasso and Einstein the physicist come together in unity when
they each explain what they do as 'dreaming the impossible and putting it into
effect.
When Elvis arrives describing himself as a messenger, he tells Picasso that he
has a message for him. He whispers in his ear and then the sheep painting on
the wall transforms into Les Demoiselles D'Avignon, which goes on to become
one of Picasso's most famous paintings.
136

OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder, 1938. Directed by Tom McSweeney.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, July 26 to August 11, 2001.
Stage Manager & The Organist.............................Jacy Lewis & Shannon Miller
Dr Gibbs & Joe Crowell........................................Ben Prindable & Todd Leigh
Howie Newsome & Ernestine.............................Peter Tkacz & Simone Dumbleton
George & Mrs Gibbs ..........................................Martin Broome & Caroline Lowe
Mr & Mrs Webb............................................................Tom Betts & Linda Arnold
Rebecca Gibbs & Helen............................................Renee Bower & Jade Bilowol
Wally & Emily Webb.........................................Eamon Farren & Kristy Condren
Professor Willard, Simon Stimson.......................................................Gary West
Woman in Balcony, Louise, Irma............................................Miranda Podleska
Man in Auditorium, Mr Morgan, Farmer McCarthy.......................Steve Gration
Lady in Aisle, Miss Corcoran........................................................Louise Delaney
Mrs Soames & Constable Warren.....................Diane Rainnie & Vinnie Monaco
Stu & Bob...................................................................Luke Wright & Todd Leigh
Mr Slocum, Joe Stoddard................................................................Geoff Andrews
Fred, Sam Craig..............................................................................Tim McDonald
The action takes place in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, USA, just over the
line from Massachusetts. The First Act is called 'Daily Life.'
We are gradually introduced to the inhabitants of the town known as Grover's
Corners. The story moves through the years, beginning with May 7, 1901.
We get to know the Gibbs and the Webb families, meal times with mothers
feeding their families and other folk going about their jobs and daily chores.
Emily Webb is starting to take a romantic interest in George Gibbs.
There is the cycle of life in a small town. Everybody knows about everybody
else. There are births, deaths and marriages underpinning the social structure.
By the beginning of Act Two, three years have gone by. Act Two is called 'Love
and Marriage' and it' is now 1904. George Gibbs and Emily Webb are getting
married. It is common for young people to marry straight after they have
graduated from High School.
Act Three is set nine years later in 1913. We learn that Emily had died in child
birth with her second child. Amongst the living at the cemetery awaiting the
funeral, are also the voices of the dead. They discuss what goes on in their town.
The dead Emily now joins the other dead people in discussing life. Emily wants to
rejoin the land of the living, but the others advise her not to. The living don't 137
really understand life.

2001 OUR TOWN
2001
PICASSO at the LAPIN AGILE
138

Promotional Poster for 2001
STRIPPERS
139

STRIPPERS by Peter Terson, 1985. Directed by Marion Parry.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 20 to October 6, 2001.
Wendy.................................................................................................Maria Buckler
Aunt Ada...............................................................................................June Keough
Bernard..............................................................David Edwards & James Anderson
Dougie..................................................................................................Chris Murphy
Harry.....................................................................................................Brian Wilson
Cilla.....................................................................................Claudine Stephen-Smith
Michelle...............................................................................................Michelle Milne
Paulie...........................................................................................................Rob Scott
Buffy.......................................................................................................Kym Jackson
Barmaid Ruby..............................................................................Chrissie Robertson
Club Secretary........................................................................................John Grange
The Robson's are a proud mining family from Northern England. When
Bernard Robson is put off work, it is his wife Wendy who goes to work as a
waitress. While working, she overhears some strippers talk about their wok and
how much money they earn.
The other strippers encourage her to pursue work as a stripper instead of
wasting her life earning a small wage as a waitress. She is reluctant at first, but
agrees to meet with manager Harry, who asks the other strippers to train her and
get her ready for her debut.
Wendy has not had the courage to tell her husband, as she knows he will not
be pleased. However, her secret is soon out as her husband is drinking in the
same pub as she is performing in on her Opening Night.
It is a rough pub and when her husband sees her act from the audience, he
charges on stage and drags her off. Harry is not keen to keep Wendy on, under
the circumstances, but agrees to give her another chance. It takes Bernard a while
to recover from the betrayal of His wife's secret life, but he eventually accepts it to
a certain extent.
Wendy explains show their life can be much better with her working less and
earning more.
140

141

142

CHICAGO by Fosse, Kander & Ebb. Directed by Tony Alcock & Michael Sutton.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 8 to December 8, 2001.
Master of Ceremonies & Martin Harrison.............................................Paul Foskett
Velma Kelly & Roxie Hart............................................Kandy Fielding & Jacy Lewis
Fred Casely & Harry......................................................................Warwick Gowland
Sergeant Fogarty, The Jury, The Tailor...................................................Jack Henry
Amos Hart & Liz.........................................................Marc James & Laura Zanesco
Annie & June...................................................Diana Leeson & Rachel Georgopolos
Hunyak & Mona.................................................Anne McMahon & Brooke McEnlly
Matron Mama Morton & Billy Flynn............Shirley Jean Carr & Warwick Comber
Mary Sunshine & Aaron, Ensemble......................................Gary West & Ben Kime
Go to Hell Kitty, Ensemble................................................................Melanie Brown
The Cop, The Judge, Ensemble........................................................Bruce Alker Jnr
Ensemble.....................................Robert Billingham, Anthony Dean, Matt Duggan
Kim Lord, Steve Ruddy & Kate Wilson
Set in 1920's Chicago. Roxie Hart meets Velma Kelly in prison. Velma shot
the other half of her sister act when she caught her husband with her, and Roxie
murdered nightclub regular, Fred Casely.
Roxie convinces her husband, Amos, that the victim was a burglar and he
therefore tries to take the rap. But when the police reveal to Amos that Roxie
knew the burglar intimately, Amos decides to let her take the rap herself.
Now an inmate of Cook County Jail, Roxie also meets Matron Mama Morton,
who is helping to promote Velma so she can be her agent when she returns to
Vaudeville.
Lawyer Bill Flynn represents Roxie and rearranges her story so that the public
and media will be sympathetic. Roxie becomes the new toast of Chicago and
Velma is left in the dust.
Roxie then decides that being pregnant in prison would be her way back to the
front page. Billy gets Roxie her acquittal but when another sensational crime
appears in the papers, she becomes yesterday's news. She then teams up with
Velma in the Sister Act.
143

A CHORUS LINE by Michael Bennett, 1975. Directed by Annie Lotocki.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 7 to March 2, 2002.
Zac & Larry......................................................Adam Marcombe & Rachel Mathews
Cassie & Sheila..............................................Jamie Lee Robertson & Anne Crestani
Val & Diana..............................................................Ellie Halpin & Tamar Camilleri
Judy & Al.....................................................................Taneysha Toft & Glaston Toft
Paul & Kristine.....................................................Kristopher Brown & Sharn Hobill
Maggie & Bebe...............................................Lauren Hanlon & Katherine Wigmore
Connie & Mike.............................................................Stephanie Gehle & Troy Savc
Richie & Mark............................................................Jarod Joseph & Darryn Swaby
Greg & Bobby..............................................................Greg Scurr & Terry Matheson
Don & Vicki.................................................................Luke Hamlin & Jessica Corby
Tonya & Frank.............................................................Laura Evans & Shayne Jarvis
Lois & Roy....................................................................Shannon Wylie & Jesse Boag
Tricia & Lisa.........................................................Jasmine Lewis & Breanna Thayer
Set in 1975 during an audition in a Broadway theatre.
A group of dancers are auditioning for a place in the chorus of a Broadway
show.
They are the dancers who are not good enough to be principals, but whose
love of dancing and performing brings its own reward. They are for the most
part, struggling financially and have already made sacrifices in their lives to do
what they love doing.
The man running the audition, Zac, has previously been in a relationship with
one of the auditionees, Cassie. She explains that she has been out of work for
two years and desperately needs this job.
Zac chooses his chorus and this involves rejecting at least half of the audition
hopefuls.
144

145

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU by Moss & Kaufman, 1936.
Directed by Steven Tandy. Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 2002.
Penelope Sycamore...............................................................................Marion Parry
Essie.....................................................................................................Llaluitia Lsais
Rheba..............................................................................................Charlotte Wilson
Paul Sycamore.............................................................................David Knijnenburg
Mr De Pinna............................................................................................Frank Culell
Ed..............................................................................................................Mick Nevin
Donald......................................................................................Christopher J Walker
Martin Vanderhof.....................................................................................Bill Waters
Alice & Henderson.................................................Michelle Milne & Joseph Nowak
Tony Kirby & Boris Kilenkhov....................................Darryn Swaby & John Ebbott
Gay Wellington & Olga..........................................Marilyn Culell & Valerie Cooney
Mr & Mrs Kirby.............................................................Bob Mussett & Cecile Smith
Three Men.....................................................David Tandy, Neil Sardeson, Ian Kean
Set in the home of Martin Vanderhof in New York in the 1930s.
A lot of different individuals live in this house and do a lot of different things.
When 'normal' daughter Alice comes home from work excited about the boss's
son calling for her, she warns everyone to be on their best behaviour.
Alice and Tony Kirby love each other, but Alice doesn't think it will work out
because her family is too strange. Tony assures her that they are wonderful and
the couple get engaged.
When the Kirbys are invited to the Sycamores for an engagement party, they
come on the wrong night and there is much mayhem.
This results in the Kirbys being put in jail overnight, along with the rest of the
family
Alice feels all is lost and plans to move away. But when Mr Kirby arrives to take
his son home, Tony explains that he no longer wants to go back to the life he had
before
Before long Mr Kirby himself settles into the Vanderhof lifestyle.
146

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
147

IT'S MY PARTY (and I'll die if I want to) by Elizabeth Coleman, 1993.
Directed by Pam Barber. Performed May 23 to June 8, 2002.
Ron Patterson.........................................................................................Colin Turner
Dawn Patterson..........................................................................................Pam Ryan
Michael Patterson...........................................................................Adam Marcombe
Debbie Patterson.....................................................................................Kate Albury
Karen Patterson......................................................................................Kylie Flavell
Ted Wilkins......................................................................................Timothy Doecke
By Ron Patterson's calculations, he only has 111 minutes left to live.
So he invites his three adult children around to spend some quality time with
him. But they have problems of their own.
Son Michael is gay and wants to tell his parents, but finds that Ron is not
listening. Elder daughter Debbie has to keep fending off paternal efforts to get
her married and younger daughter Karen feels her siblings are always picking on
her.
Wife Dawn's way of coping is to drink champagne until she is tiddly. When
Debbie accuses her father of being the reason why she can never find a suitable
man, Michael comes to her defense and tells his parents he is gay and has a
partner, Andrew.
Debbie then finds it an appropriate moment to announce that she is pregnant.
Home truths gain momentum when Karen blurts out that she thinks her parents
marriage is a sham. When Ron prepares to hang himself, the family all come
together to apologise. Ted Wilkins, the undertaker arrives to measure Ron up
and becomes involved in the family squabbles.
Just when Michael is about to tell his father one on one about his life, Ron
dies.
At first angry that his father got the last word, again, the family all gather
together for one last family photo.
148

THE HERBAL BED by Peter Whelan, 1996. Directed by Jason Ingram Roth.
Performed July 11 to August 3, 2002.
Dr John Hall...............................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Susanna Hall.....................................................................................Lara Flannagan
Rafe Smith.............................................................................................Ian Kennedy
Hester Fletcher...........................................................................Sharonlee Cameron
Jack Lane........................................................................................Wayne Lyngkuist
Bishop Parry.....................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Barnabus Goche....................................................................................Kurt A. Lerps
Elizabeth Hall................................Angela Hoskinson, Emma Lane, Brooke Teakle
In the year 1607, Shakespeare's elder daughter Susanna married John Hall, a
successful physician They set up home at what is now called Hall's Croft, in
Stratford-upon-Avon. They had a daughter, Elizabeth. Five years later, when
Susanna was thirty, she was publicly slandered by a young gentleman, John Lane,
second son of the well-heeled family of Alveston Manor. He claimed that she had
been naughty with Rafe Smith the haberdasher and hatter of Sheep Street,
Stratford. Susanna brought a charge of defamation against him in the diocesan
court at Worcester Cathedral.
The play is set during the summer of 1613, in the Garden of Dr John Hall's
home, in Stratford-upon-Avon and in Worcester Cathedral, England.
Her husband, Dr John Hall is suspicious of their relationship, but stands up
for his wife when she takes her accuser to court for slander. Though Susanna's
father is regularly mentioned, his name is never specified and he never appears.
The author wrote it because of the pain of the moral dilemma detectable behind
the facts.
149

SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Wily Russell, 1988. Directed by Michael Sutton
and Tony Alcock. Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 5 to 21, 2002.
Shirley Valentine......................................................................................Sue Howell
Set in the kitchen of Shirley's semi-detached house in a Northern English town
and on a Greek island. Shirley is a forty-two year old mother of two grownup
children.
When she gets the opportunity to travel to Greece for a couple of weeks with
her best girlfriend, she is at first reluctant to go. Not only does she know that her
husband will give her a hard time about her leaving him, but she also feels within
herself, that she is too old and frumpy to be doing such an irresponsible thing.
She has made up her mind not to go, when her daughter tips her over the edge
by calling her plan to go to Greece 'disgusting.' Shirley feels frightened and she
knows that her family will make it so difficult, it would be easier for her to just
give up on ever doing any of the travelling she dreamed of doing in her youth.
But when her haughty neighbour offers her the gift of a silk dressing gown she
has never had the courage to wear and calls Shirley 'brave,' Shirley takes the
persona on board and decides then and there that she is going.
Having invented a lover just to shock the prying neighbour, she now gets a
taste of what it is like to be daring and desired. When she does arrive in Greece,
her friend abandons her to be with a man she met on the flight over.
So Shirley is on her own and feeling more than just a little conspicuous.
However, after she meets the affable local, Costas, she is made to feel alive again.
He takes her out on his brother's boat. When it is time for Shirley and her friend
Jane to return to Britain, Shirley decides at the last minute she is not returning
and sends Jane off home on her own.
Now working for Costas at his restaurant, Shirley is living a whole new life.
When her husband arrives in Greece to bring her back to Britain, Shirley hopes
the two of them can become reacquainted with each other all over again.
150

THE VENETIAN TWINS by Nick Enright & Terence Clark, 1996. Directed by
Michael Sutton and Tony Alcock. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November to
December, 2002.
Various Roles....................................................................................Bruce Alker Jnr
Columbina..................................................................................Sharonlee Cameron
Florindo..................................................................................................Paul Foskett
Pancrazio..................................................................................................Adam King
Rosina...................................................................................................Diana Leeson
Zanetto & Tonino............................................................................Liam McLachlan
The Judge...........................................................................................Michael Neven
Arlecchino....................................................................................Lachlan Parkinson
Beatrice............................................................................................Robyn Philamae
Lelio...................................................................................................Ashley Simpson
The action takes place within a single day in the Italian city of Verona in 1752,
centering around two twins separated at birth, Zanetto and Tonino. Rosina is
suited to marry Zanetto, but when she meets him, she finds him a rough brute.
She asks advice of Pancrazio, who hopes to win her for himself.
In a mirror image, Beatrice is suited to Tonino, but in his absence, Florindo
hopes to woo her. She also has Lelio who follows her everywhere. Tonino calls
himself by his brother's name, Zanetto, in order to find out who is wooing his
Beatrice.
When Zanetto's servant, Arlecchino arrives with his trunk of valuables, it is
Tonino who greets him. Arlecchino mistakes him for his twin and cannot
understand why he will not accept the goods. Arlecchino meets the maid
Columbina and the two decide to hit it off. When the devious Pancrazio takes
charge of the valuables, he devises to steal them and woo Rosina for himself.
But Arlecchino is in trouble with Zanetto, who thinks that he has stolen the
jewels for himself. And so the mistaken identities go round and round, until at
the end, everyone realises who each other is.
151

THE MERRY WIDOW by Leon, Stein & Lehar, 1905. Directed by Julanne
Shearer. Performed February 8 to March 8, 2003. Musical Director - Arlie
McCormick.
Hanna.......................................................................................................Anne Ryan
Danilo...........................................................................................................Ian Lake
Baron Zita...............................................................................................John Ebbott
Valencienne..............................................................................................Lizzie Ryan
Camille...................................................................................................Jeremy Cook
Njegus.....................................................................................................Frank Culell
St Brioche.........................................................................................Dale Henderson
Cascada..................................................................................................Colin Turner
Kromov............................................................................................Daniel Kilmartin
Olga....................................................................................................Rebekka Salmi
Bogdanovitsch....................................................................................Stephen Voight
Sylvia................................................................................................Mary Greathead
Pritsch........................................................................................Jason Brettel-Evans
Praskovia............................................................................................Ann Kimberley
Embassy Maid.......................................................................................Trudy Taylor
Ladies & Gentlemen of the Chorus............................Sebastian Taylor-Jarvoll, Leo
Mevissen, Helen Mitchell, Barbara Meertens, John McWatters, Bill Martin, Cecile
Smith, Rachel Matthews, Rebeca Stanley.
Grisettes......Rachel Matthews, Cecile Smith, Rebecca Stanley, TenilleDawes,
Kylie Olivioro, Rebecca Tait, Whitney Pierce, Hannah Lawly, Cassie J Nest.
The poverty-stricken Grand Duchy of Pontevedro wants to ensure that rich
widow, Hanna Glavari, marries a Pontevedrian so that the money will stay in the
principality and they won't go bankrupt.
Her countrymen attempt to find her a husband. They ask Count Danilo
Danilovitsch to do the courting. He and Hanna loved each other before her
marriage, but his uncle put a stop to it because she was penniless.
Although she is now available, he now objects to courting her because he is not
comfortable with her money. She tells him that she loses the fortune if she
remarries. She later explains that she loses it to her new husband.
152

A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED by Agatha Christie, adapted by Leslie Darbon,
1977. Directed by Marion Parry. Performed at the GCLT theatre May 3 to May
24, 2003.
Julia Simmons....................................................................................Michelle Milne
Letitia Blacklock...................................................................................Diana Harrup
Dora Bunner............................................................................................Jann Alcorn
Patrick Simmons.......................................................................Nicholas Coubrough
Mitzi......................................................................................................Barbara Keily
Miss Marple.......................................................................................Ursula Johnson
Phillipa Haymes................................................................................Cathy Thomson
Mrs Swettenham....................................................................................June Keough
Edmund Swettenham.............................................................................Chris Hillier
Rudi Scherz...............................................................................................Greg Scurr
Inspector Craddock...............................................................................Joe Fairhurst
Sergeant Mellors.............................................................................Graham Rushton
The action takes place in two drawing rooms in an early Victorian House in
Chipping Cleghorn which have been made into one room. When members of the
household of Letitia Blacklock read in the local paper about a murder which is to
take place that very night in their house, they start to panic and wonder who
would set up such a prank.
That night, with all of the members of the household present, along with
neighbours Edmund and Mrs Swettenham, a stranger bursts into the room, the
lights go out, three shots are fired and then a thud is heard on the floor. When
the lights come on, they find that Letitia has been grazed by a bullet and a man is
dead on the floor. Miss Marple arrives after the event, but recognises the assassin
as the Swiss national Rudi Scherz.
With most of the household pretending to be people they are not in order to get
close to Letty's money. When Dora Bunner dies, it is found that Letitia poisoned
her because she knew her true identity. Letitia is really her sister Charlotte, who
died years ago. She took Charlotte's identity in order to inherit the money from
her former boss.
153

THE FAMILY by Jill Shearer, 1995. Directed by Deslye Kruck. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, June 21 to July 12, 2003.
Ann.........................................................................................................Cecile Smith
Emma........................................................................................................Laura Holt
Sarah.................................................................................................Carly Nicolaides
Frank's wife, Barbara......................................................................Robyn Vinodalac
Frank........................................................................................................John Lawry
Alan.......................................................................................................Andrew Blain
Charlie............................................................................................Craig McLaughlin
The action takes place in the early 1990's in Brisbane, mostly in the homes of
the Stevenson and Lucas' families. Police Sergeant Frank Stevenson was named
in the newspaper in connection with a police corruption charge.
He is having trouble dealing with the situation, and spends a lot of his spare
time watching old movies.
His daughter Sarah is a police Inspector and is married to another police
officer, Alan Lucas. Alan wants his wife to slow down long enough for them to
have children. But Sarah is rising up the ranks fast and isn't yet ready for a
family, although at age thirty-five she may be running out of time.
Sarah has been tasked with investigating other police officers and Alan knows
it will only end in tears.
When she questions an old informer, he mentions her own father's name.
Skeletons come rattling out of the closet when Sarah returns to her family to ask
her father if he knew the dead prostitute, Ann.
When he finally confesses, the family tries to deal with it in their own way.
154

PEGGY FOR YOU by Alan Plater, 1999. Directed by Steven Tandy.
Performed September 6 to September 27, 2003.
Peggy Ramsay........................................................................................Valerie Hood
Tessa, her secretary..............................................................................Kassy Vernon
Simon........................................................................................................Greg Scurr
Philip.............................................................................................................Ian Keal
Henry.....................................................................................................Colin Turner
A fictional collage of the highs and lows of a day in the life of Peggy Ramsay.
Born in Australia as Margaret Francesca Ramsay, Peggy had her office at 14a
Goodwins Court, St Martins Lane, London.
Set on a day in the late 1960's, the play is an insight into the life and work of
one the UK's best known Theatrical Agents of the second half of the 20th century,
as she navigates her way around the various people and demands of her job.
We are shown her various moods as she flits from one encounter to the next.
155

AUNTIE MAME by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee, 1957. Directed by
Graham V. Rushton. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 8 to December
6, 2003.
Mame ................................................................................................Valerie Cooney
Beauregard.......................................................................................... Steven Tandy
Vera Charles & Gooch...............................Cecile Smith & Anne Marie Von Douglas
Mother Burnside/Ms Loomis.....................................................................Val Hood
Dwight Babcock & Ito.........................................Carl Schweppes & Matthew Myers
Lindsay Woolsey & Nora Muldoon....................John Rees-Osborne & Julie Moran
Young Patrick Dennis.....................................................Ben Hickey & Tom Sharpe
Patrick Dennis & Sally Cato...........................................Greg Scurr & Lialutia Lsais
Brian O'Bannion & Doris Upson....................................Tim Kirchler & Carol Lowe
Claude Upson & Gloria Jones..............................Bruce Alker Jnr & Rebecca Jones
Ralph Devine & Pegeen Ryan.....................................Robbie Hay & Rachel Kenray
The Picture hanger & the Vet..................................Evan Lamond & Nicholas Rich
Cousin Fan/Shopper.........................................................................Robyn Menzies
Emory Macdougal/Newsboy...................................Brendon Firth & Simon Tooma
Michael Dennis and Mame's Friends.....Matthew Fryer, Scott Blaney, Dee McKay,
Warwick Ashby, Ben Maxted, Andela Dooley.
When Mame's brother dies suddenly, she finds herself the legal guardian of
thirteen year old Patrick Dennis.
The hitherto childless Mame has no experience with children, but she
embraces the task of raising the child with characteristic gusto.
This is the story of the ups and downs in Mame's life, as she juggles her many
friends, financial struggles, household staff and heartache while always keeping
Patrick's welfare her main concern. She remains close to Patrick even after he
marries and has a child, a son named Michael.
Eager to lovingly shape another young life, Mame channels her considerable
energy into broadening the education of the next generation of Dennises.
156

THE RISE & FALL OF LITTLE VOICE - by Jim Cartwright, 1992. Directed
by Pam Sexton. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 7 February to 28 February,
2004.
Little Voice..........................................................................................Sarah Walkley
Mari.........................................................................................................Sue Howell
Ray Say.................................................................................................Barry Gibson
Sadie...............................................................................................Judy Richardson
Phone Man/Mr Boo............................................................................Andrew Blain
Billy..........................................................................................................Greg Scurr
Set in the messy home of Little Voice and her mother Mari in a Northern town in
England in the 1990's. When man-hungry Mari brings home her latest boyfriend,
the amiable Ray Say, she is hoping to get his undivided attention. But when Ray
Say, a talent agent, hears Mari's teen aged daughter LV singing, he becomes
interested in managing her and harnessing her talent. When he approaches Little
Voice, or LV as she is known, she is quiet and unresponsive. But eventually, Ray
Say tells her of other artists and of the world outside that she could become a part
of. The reclusive LV begins to listen. But when Ray excitedly tells Mari that she
feels he is onto a winner, meaning LV, she thinks that he means that he wants to
marry her.
Realising that Ray is more interested in LV, Mari becomes aggressive and LV
won't come down the stairs to sing. But upon leaving, the group hear her singing
from her window and Mr Boo is very interested.
Meanwhile, the telephone guy, Billy, is interested in LV on a romantic level, and
he begins regular contact with her. Ray Say's silver tongue manages to coerce LV to
sing in night clubs, and when Mari does not pull her weight in helping with her, he
tells her that she is past it and she is getting in the way. Mari is shattered. When
their house burns and Mari returns to find only soot, she confronts LV and blames
her. But LV finds her voice at last and reproaches her mother with a loud voice, for
once in her life. With the help of Billy, LV is able to sing for herself in her own
voice.
157

THE SOUND OF MUSIC by Rodgers & Hammerstein, 1959. Directed by Leo
Mevissen & Mary Greathead. Assisted by Marion Parry and Joyce Grant.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 17 April to 15 May, 2004.
Maria & Captain von Trapp.............................................Tamara Pooley & Ian Lake
Mother Abbess ............................................................................Suzanne Randazzo
The Baroness.......................................................................Ann-Marie Von Douglas
Max Detweiler........................................................................................Tim Kirchler
Liesl............................................................................................Veronica McCluskey
Rolf.......................................................................................Remi & Regis Broadway
Franz................................................................................................Gordon Johnson
Frau Schmidt.....................................................................................Ursula Johnson
Admiral von Schrieber.....................................................................John McWatters
Herr Zeller.................................................................................................Bill Martin
Sister Berthe.......................................................................................Judy Robinson
Sister Margaretta & Sister Sophia..........................Mary Greathead & Pat Williams
The von Trapp Children .........Carla Tooma, Jamie Hibbins-Rubie, Timothy Crisp,
Kimberley Rekers, Charlotte Borland, Brooke Teakle, Amy Lapthorne, Michael
Ware, Grant Duthie, Courtney Gollings, Elsa Howell, Claire Howell.
When former nun Maria goes to work for an Austrian family as Governess, she
does not imagin herself falling in love with the children and their widowed father.
When Maria comes to them, the children are at first hesitant to embrace
another woman in the family, but soon love her for her optimistic attitude and
her penchant for singing songs and letting children be children.
She is challenged by the Captain for her permissive ways and certainly feels her
place when the handsome and sophisticated Elsa Schraeder arrives to spend time
with the Captain.
But Elsa soon notices how Maria interacts with the Captain and bows out
graciously, allowing the Captain to realise who he truly loves.
They marry but their life is soon interrupted by the onset of World War Two.
They bravely perform at a concert and then escape to Switzerland.
158

HAY FEVER by Noel Coward, 1924. Directed by Maria Buckler. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, 19 June to 10 July, 2004.
David Bliss................................................................................Hugh Brophy
Judith Bliss.............................................................................Valerie Cooney
Simon Bliss..................................................................................James Pope
Sorel Bliss...................................................................................Lana Gibson
Richard Greatham........................................................................Colin Turner
Matthew Myers...........................................................................Sandy Tyrell
Myra Arundel...........................................................................Maria Buckler
Jackie Coryton...................................................................Evette Henderson
Clara.......................................................................................Virginia Leaver
The Bliss household is made up of a writer father, actress mother and two
rather wayward adult children. Each of the family members has invited a guest to
stay at their home in Cookham for the weekend.
Husband and father, David Bliss, invites the young flapper, Jackie Coryton to
the house, thinking she would be interesting to observe as a character for one of
his books. But right from the time Jackie arrives, she is totally ignored by him.
Wife and fading star of the stage, Judith Bliss, invites a young male fan, Sandy
Tyrell, so that he can flatter her and make her feel young again. However, when
Sandy falls within the clutches of daughter Sorel Bliss, he finds himself very
quickly engaged to her.
Son Simon Bliss has invited older woman Myra Arundel to pamper his ego, but
Myra soon finds herself being whisked away by David. Richard Greatham also
finds himself on the scrap heap when, invited by Sorel, he is soon discarded along
with Jackie Coryton.
The guests soon realise that they are in fact, the entertainment. They conspire
to leave the house without saying goodbye to their dreadful hosts, who are quite
oblivious to their presence and are having breakfast as though nothing has
happened.
159

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF by Tennessee Williams, 1954. Directed by
Brian Wilson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 4 September to 25 September,
2004.
Big Mama...................................................................................................Pam Ryan
Big Daddy............................................................................................Mark Emmett
Brick Pollitt...............................................................................................Evan Mitzi
Margaret Pollitt.......................................................................................Pam Sexton
Cooper Pollitt.......................................................................................Andrew Blain
Mae Pollitt............................................................................................Kylie Emmett
Doctor Baugh...........................................................................................Kevin Ryan
Revered Tooker........................................................................................Bill Martin
Understudies.............................................................Mark Tinsley & Maria Buckler
Pollitt Children.........................Pia O'Connell, Lachlan O'Connell, Samm Halliday,
Bridget Martens, Angela Hoskinson, Reid Pleham, Remie Pleham, Lizzie McLeod.
Tells the powerful, highly charged and moving story of a neurotic and
dysfunctional Southern US family and their rivalries, tensions and avarice. Set in
the Mississippi Delta on the plantation of a family headed by Big Daddy Pollitt.
Big Daddy has terminal cancer and the family has gathered for his final
birthday, jockeying with one another for a slice of the inheritance.
Central to the drama is the relationship between favourite son Brick, an
alcoholic ex-footballer and his wife Maggie, and the other more respectable
brother Cooper and his wife, Mae.
Cooper and Mae Pollitt have four children and are expecting a fifth. Although
Cooper is Big Daddy's legal advisor, he finds the family at odds with everything
he has to say.
163

RUN FOR YOUR WIFE by Ray Cooney, 1982. Directed by Dorothy
Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 6 November to 27 November, 2004
John Smith ................................................................................................Peter Graf
Stanley Gardner.................................................................................David Edwards
Mary Smith......................................................................................Ruth Henderson
Detective Sergeant Troughton..................................................................Bob Fallon
Detective Sergeant Porterhouse.......................................................Terry Callaghan
Barbara Smith...........................................................................................Leith Coert
Bobby Franklin..........................................................................................Ryan Jelfs
Newspaper Reporter.........................................................................Ted Henderson
The action takes place in the Wimbledon flat of John and Mary Smith and
simultaneously, in the Streatham flat of John and Barbara Smith. John Smith is
a taxi driver who has two wives who are not aware of the others existence. John
therefore, tries to juggle his two households by spending time with one wife while
telling the other wife that he is working and vice-versa. His life requires split
second timing and maintenance of a schedule where every hour of the day and
night is apportioned to each wife.
His timing becomes unstuck however, when he becomes a reluctant hero by
saving a lady from being mugged. When the police and the press become
involved, John has to make up many lies to cover his tracks. He confides in his
layabout neighbour Stanley in the hope that he will help him to maintain his
commitments to each wife. But Detective Sergeants Troughton and Porterhouse
continue to arrive at his two homes asking questions and after many valiant
attempts at misdirecting them, John falls back on a last resort scenario, that of
being Stanley's lover.
Finally, the two Detectives demand that John tell the truth about what is going
on. When John tells of all the lies he has been telling to maintain two wives and
two households, the Detectives do not believe him.
164

MURDER BY MISADVENTURE by Edward Taylor, 1992. Directed by Barry
Gibson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 12 February to 5 March, 2005
Harry Kent.............................................................................................Colin Turner
Emma Kent..........................................................................................Maria Buckler
Inspector Egan....................................................................................Michael Beard
Paul Riggs.............................................................................................Hugh Brophy
Writer Harry Kent finds himself with his back to the wall when his partner Paul
Riggs begins to blackmail him. Set in England in an ultra-modern high rise,
Harry and his wife Emma decide to take advantage of their flat's isolation and
recycle one of Riggs' old murder plots to kill him off.
They lock him out on their balcony and then disappear for a couple of weeks
overseas. Making it look like it was an accident, the wicked pair expect to return
home and be shocked to find a dead body there.
But when they do return, there is no trace of a body on the balcony. There are
more surprises in store when Harry opens up a cupboard and finds the dead body
of Riggs hanging from the door hook.
The tension increases when the corpse pulls a gun on him. It is then revealed
that Emma has been colluding with Riggs from the very beginning and in fact
returned to the flat to let him off the balcony shortly after she left with her
husband.
The play ends with Riggs pulling a gun on Harry and shooting and killing him.
But Harry falls against the balcony door and traps Riggs outside on the balcony
for real this time.
He is sure to endure a cold, lonely, hungry death. Emma, unaware of the
situation, is not able to save him this time, as she has taken off overseas,
expecting to reunite with Riggs and live happily ever after.
165

ANYTHING GOES by Cole Porter & PG Wodehouse, 1934. Directed by
Julanne Shearer. Musical Director - Erica Whyte, Choreographer - Kim
Reynolds. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 23 April to 21 May, 2005.
Reno Sweeney & Bill Crocker..............................Arlie McCormick & Dean Giltinan
Hope Harcourt & Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.................Tamara Pooley & Steven Tandy
Evangeline Harcourt & Elisha Whitney..............Del Halpin & John Rees-Osborne
Moonface Martin & Erma.....................................Mark Emmett & Amy Thompson
Ship's Captain & Purser..........................................John Ebbott & John McWatters
Sailors...................Wayne Bentley, Henk Steenhuis, George Frame, Haydn Drake,
Matt Stephan, Teale Lowis, Shannon Wairir, Jewan-Paul D'Aubbonnett, Mitchell
Payne.
Purity, Chastity, Charity & Virtue.....Rhianwen Adam, Samantha Iaquinto, Alana
Tierney, Riely Saville
Luke, John, Fred & Henry...............Mitchel Payne, Jean-Paul D'Aubbonnett, Matt
Stephan & Norman Strambini.
Reporter & Photographer........................................Wayne Bentley & Hadyn Drake
Two FBI Agents....................................................Henk Steenhuis & George Frame
Old Lady in Wheelchair.....................................................................Marie Petersen
Passengers........Pam Barber, Gillian Crow, Ann Kimberly & other members of the
cast.
Dancers.....Ashleigh Smith, Briana Smith, Toni Evans and other members of the
cast.
Set in the 1930's. The SS American is about to set sail from New York en route
to Southampton. The passenger list includes a gangster, a wealthy and beautiful
debutante, her fiancée and her mother Evangeline Harcourt, a former evangelist
night club singer, a stowaway and a millionaire.
By the end, all the romances are sorted out and a disaster is averted when the
gangster attempts to escape and Hope's mother strives to maintain her social
status.
The action is accompanied by the tunes of Cole Porter.
166

167

AN IDEAL HUSBAND by Oscar Wilde, 1895. Directed by Marion Parry.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 2 July to 3 July, 2005.
Sir Robert & Lady Chiltern.......................................Brett Edwards & Amber Allum
Lord Arthur Goring....................................................................Jason Brettel-Evans
Mrs Laura Chevely..................................................................................Pam Sexton
Miss Mabel Chiltern.........................................................................Josie Brookman
Lady Markby & Mrs Marchmont..........................Valerie Cooney & Robyn Menzies
The Earl of Caversham...............................................................John Rees-Osborne
Lady Basildon..................................................................................Alaina Hourigan
Phipps & Mason............................................................John Grange & Keith Souter
Vicomte de Nanjae..............................................................................Robert Findlay
Set in London in 1895. Sir Robert Chiltern is enjoying a successful career as a
politician. With wealth and a happy marriage, he is considered an ideal husband.
His happy life becomes threatened when he meets Mrs Cheveley at a house party
and she gives him an ultimatum to announce an incorrect statement about an
investment plan she has shares in, or she will divulge his past unscrupulous
business dealings.
Afraid for his reputation and position, and also for the love of his wife, Sir
Chiltern finds himself in a very difficult situation.
When Lady Markby and Mrs Cheveley visit to enquire if Mrs Cheveley's brooch
has been found, Lady Chiltern reveals to her that it was she who told Sir Robert to
not succumb to the blackmail. Lady Chiltern is horrified when her husband
admits to the fraud . Sir Robert retaliates and tell his wife to stop making an
Ideal out of him. Mrs Cheveley goes to Lord Goring and offers the letter in
exchange for him marrying her.
When Lord Goring accuses Lady Chevely of having stolen a bracelet from his
cousin, she agrees to do anything he asks. She gives him the incriminating letter.
However, Mrs Chevely has a letter from Lady Chiltern, which could incriminate
her. 168

169

I HATE HAMLET by Paul Rudnick, 1991. Directed by Brett Edwards.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 10 September to 1 October, 2005.
Felicia Dantine........................................................................................Pam Barber
Andrew Rally........................................................................................David Wright
Lilliann Troy...........................................................................................Jann Alcorn
Deidre McDavey.......................................................................................Kaela Gray
John Barrymore....................................................................................John Arthars
Gary Peter Lefkowitz........................................................................Dean Creighton
When TV Actor Andrew Rally is shown the apartment which once housed the
great actor John Barrymore, he is not impressed by its old world charm. More of
a modernist, Andrew likes new things and the glitz and glamour of being a
television actor, rather than the Gothic and outdated style of this famous
apartment.
At this time, he is offered the role of Hamlet in the Hamlet in the Park
production. But he would much rather go back to his former life in LA than face a
new, more risky life in New York.
When his girlfriend, his real estate agent and his talent agent all try to talk him
into embracing the new life, he is not convinced until the mystic Felicia holds a
seance and attempts to make contact with the spirit of John Barrymore.
When Barrymore shows himself to Andrew after the others gave gone, he tells
Andrew that it was he who summoned him and that he cannot return to the spirit
world until he has helped him play Hamlet. So for six weeks, Andrew works with
Barrymore, who teaches him everything he knows about the role. But just a short
time before the play opens, Andrew shrinks away in panic and tries to weasel out
of it.
Barrymore tells him that he too struggled with the fear but did it anyway. So
Andrew goes and plays the role. Meanwhile, Lilian Troy, his agent, can also see
Barrymore and she has some questions for him. He remembers her and the two
spend 170some time together reminiscing.

CAUGHT IN THE NET by Ray Cooney, 2002. A sequel to RUN FOR
YOUR WIFE. Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the GCLT
theatre, 12 November to 3 December, 2005.
John Smith...........................................................................................Andrew Blain
Stanley Gardner.................................................................................David Edwards
Mary Smith......................................................................................Ruth Henderson
Barbara Smith.........................................................................................Leigh Coert
Mr Gardner............................................................................................John Grange
Gavin Smith.......................................................................................Karl Odenbrett
Vicki Smith.............................................................................................Sarah Clarke
Set in two Wimbledon apartments, that of John and Mary Smith and that of
John and Barbara Smith. The play centres on the life of John Smith, a London
taxi driver, who is married to two different women - Mary and Barbara Smith.
He has a child from each of the two wives. A son named Gavin and a daughter
named Vicki.
Things were going smoothly with John enjoying a life of bigamy until his two
teenage children meet each on the internet. They decide to meet and so John is
run ragged trying to keep the two youngsters apart.
He enlists the help of his friend and lodger from upstairs, Stanley.
The two tell lie after lie to try to cover their tracks. When Stanley's senile old
Dad arrives for his holiday to the seaside, Stanley is left to juggle the mad cast of
imaginary characters he has invented.
When the two wives are in the same room and are finally told by John that he
is married to both of them, he is in for a shock himself when they tell him that
they have known about his double life for the past fifteen years.
John is then dealt a bombshell of his own when Mary advises him that Gavin is
not in fact, his son. He is Stanley's son. John is not able to pass judgement, so he
accepts the situation and realises how lucky he is.
171

TEN TIMES TABLE by Alan Ayckbourn, 1978. Directed by Lyn McPherson.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 28 January to 18 February, 2006.
Ray..............................................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Donald..............................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Helen..................................................................................................Gillian Hayllar
Sophie...............................................................................................Emma Cillekens
Eric.....................................................................................................Andrew Trump
Audrey...............................................................................................Ursula Johnson
Lawrence.........................................................................................John McWatters
Tim..............................................................................................................Tony Hall
Philippa .............................................................................................Christie Milton
Max Kirkov......................................................................................Gordon Johnson
The Pendon Civic Society meets each month with the intention of improving
the life of the town by looking out for listed buildings, raising money and holding
a function once a year.
This year, Chairman Ray proffers the idea of re-enacting a piece of history in
the form of a pageant.
The pageant explores an actual happening in the town's history known as the
Massacre of the Pendon Twelve.
The story centres around the twelve men who rose up against the increasing
tide of taxation laws aimed at the agricultural folk in the area. The military was
brought in to disperse the crowd, and in so doing, the twelve men stood ready to
resist, armed with rudimentary weapons.
Those of the twelve who were not killed in the fight were later executed. With
such an inflammatory story, the committee find themselves taking sides and
taking the roles enacted in the pageant very seriously and personally. When
Helen asks Sophie's brother, the ex-soldier, to help her with her cause, he comes
brandishing a military map and real weapons.

HAMLET by William Shakespeare, 1600. Directed by Claudine Stephen-Smith.
Performed 8 April to 29 April, 2006.
Claudius.................................................................................................John Arthars
Laertes.......................................................................................Nicholas Coubrough
Hamlet.............................................................................................James Anderson
Gertrude....................................................................................................Del Halpin
Polonius & Gravedigger......................................................................Tony Thurbon
Horatio................................................................................................Brin Pritchard
Ophelia...............................................................................................Kristy Condren
Player King/Francisco & Priest............................................................Barry Gibson
Rosencrantz.................................................................................................Joel Zico
Ghost..............................................................................................Stephen Crockett
Guildenstern & Bernardo..........................................................................Jake Allen
Osric & Player Queen....................................................................Evette Henderson
Marcellus & Lucianus & Player.......................................................John McWatters
In Denmark's Elsinore Castle, King Claudius has succeeded to the throne
after the death of his brother, King Hamlet. He has married his widow, Queen
Gertrude.
Disgusted by this, young Prince Hamlet vows vengance after learning from his
father's ghost that Claudius murdered him. Using spies to follow the Prince who
feigns madness, Claudius is not convinced when Polonius, his advisor, says this
is merely love for his daughter Ophelia.
Travelling actors perform a play to which Hamlet has added some lines
indicating the crime and betrayal. Later, Polonius is mistakenly slain by Hamlet.
Grieving Ophelia is driven by insanity to suicide.
To avenge the death of his father and sister, Laertes challenges Hamlet to a
duel. Hamlet's sword is blunted and Laertes' sword is sharp and poisoned. Both
men are cut and die. The Queen dies from a poisoned chalice. Before dying,
Hamlet kills Claudius with the poisoned sword and pleads with Horatio to tell his
tragic story to the world.
173

174

175

RED HOT & COLE - music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Directed by Doug
Gehrke. Musical Director - David McNeven, Choreographer, Andrea Thomas.
Performed at the GCLT theatre 17 June to 15 July, 2006.
George Kaufman .....................................................................................Joel Beskin
Moss Hart...................................................................................................Ian Burns
Dancer .....................................................................................................Dawn Clark
Cole Porter.........................................................................................Charles Cooper
Hedda Hopper ....................................................................................Marilyn Culell
Monty Woolley......................................................................................Haydn Drake
Clifton Webb .........................................................................................Daniel Green
Sara Murphy.................................................................................... Jacqui Goodliffe
Linda Porter .........................................................................................Louise Harris
Waitress........................................................................................Debbie Henderson
Dorothy Parker ....................................................................................Kara Holdom
Irene Castle....................................................................................Catherine Hughes
Elsa Maxwell ...........................................................................................Jane Irvine
Paul..........................................................................................................James King
Ethel Merman ........................................................................................Shirley King
Noel Coward.....................................................................................David McNeven
Sam Katz & Bricktop.....................................................Jim Price & Andrea Thomas
Celebrates the life of one of the great songwriting masters of this century.
This two-act review traces Cole's career from Indiana to the world stages of New
York, London, Paris and Venice through to his marriage and his friendships with
the greats of his age and the tragic riding accident that crippled him in mid
career.
Features over twenty-five Cole Porter stage songs including Night & Day, I
love Paris, Anything Goes,Let's do it, Just one of those Things, My Heart belongs
to Daddy. The show is a mix of biography and song.
Celebrates the work of a songwriter who brought style, elegance and
sophistication to the stages and soundstages of Broadway. A tribute to an age
gone by and the talent of Cole Porter.
176

INHERITANCE by Hannie Rayson, 2003. Directed by Eric James Summers.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 9 September to 30 September, 2006.
Dibs Hamilton...........................................................................................Jan Alcorn
Girlie Delaney...............................................................................Brydie Hannabach
Lyle Delaney......................................................................................David Edwards
Neville (Nugget) Hamilton...................................................................Dale Mickelo
Farley Hamilton....................................................................................Barry Gibson
William Hamilton..................................................................................Keith Souter
Julia Hamilton.............................................................................Angela Nancarrow
Felix Hamilton-Gray...............................................................................Steve Smith
Ashleigh Delaney.................................................................................Ashlee Dawes
Brianna Delaney..................................................................................Becky Rhodes
The part of Norm is played by the Director, Eric James, Lucky Joe is played by
Darryn Campbell and Lofty by Chris Richardson. Pallbearers are Martin
Rosenstraum and Kane Browning.
Set on the Myrtle family farm in the Mallee, New South Wales.
Julia Hamilton and her son Felix are on their way to visit their family for Nana
Dibs Hamilton's eightieth birthday. Dibs has a twin sister, Girlie Delaney.
Friends and family are coming from near and far to celebrate the twins' birthday.
When Lyle Delaney approaches Nugget Hamilton, the adopted aboriginal son of
the Hamiltons' about a seeder he knows is for sale, Nugget declines the offer to go
halves with him. This is just the start of the tension between them.
Julia announces to her family that she is having a baby to an Indian man from
her work. She and her brother William want Dibs to sell the farm so they can put
the money into new ventures of their own. The Delaney and Hamilton families
contest each other for the right to the farm and proceeds.
A Will is found which names half brother Neville as the heir. The Will is torn
up. Lyle believes that he had no future and hangs himself.
177

THE BOYFRIEND by Sandy Wilson, 1952. Directed by Janis Sheen. Musical
Director - Erica Whyte, Choreographer - Bruce Harris. Performed at the GCLT
theatre, 11 November to 9 December, 2006.
Polly & Tony........................................................Kirsty Sorensen & Charles Cooper
Maisie & Bobby.........................................................Emma Cillekens & Josh Lovell
Nancy & Pierre...............................................Cassandra Simpson & Denis Watkins
Fay & Marcel..........................................................Christie Somers & James Ellison
Dulcie & Alphonse.................................................Michelle Freeman & Ricky Moss
Madame DuBonnet................................................................................Shirley King
Percival Browne....................................................................................Hugh Brophy
Lady Brockhurst.............................................................................Lynn McPherson
Hortense............................................................................................Kerrie Paradise
Garcon.............................................................................................John McWatters
Set in the Villa Caprice, Madame Dubonnet's Finishing School near Nice in
France around 1926. Polly Browne is a student a the Finishing School. She is
wanting to attend the Carnival Ball with the other young ladies but is
embarrassed in that she doesn't have a boyfriend.
But when she meets messenger boy, Tony, the two hit it off and she asks him to
meet her at the Ball. When Polly's father, Percival Browne arrives to visit her, he
is shocked to find that Mme Dubonnet remembers him as one of her former
boyfriends.
She asks him to call her Kiki. Soon, Percival finds himself defending Kiki's
honour when the lecherous Lord Brockhurst arrives on the scene.
But Lord Brockhurst is Tony's father and when Tony sees him he runs off,
leaving Polly with the impression that he is a heartless thief.
However, mistaken identities are made clear when Tony admits to being the
Honourable Tony Brockhurst and not a thief.
Polly admits to being a millionaire's daughter and Mme Dubonnet agrees to
marry Percival.
178

SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL by Ray Lawler, 1957. Directed
by Shane Caddaye. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 27 January to 17 February,
2007.
Bubba Ryan.......................................................................................Jodie Gummow
Pearl Cunningham............................................................................Cecile Campbell
Olive Leech.......................................................................................Ruth Henderson
Roo Webber..........................................................................................Andrew Blain
Barney Ibbot.......................................................................................David Edwards
Emma Leech......................................................................................Noella Johnson
Johnnie Dowd.................................................................................Darren Campbell
Set in the living room of Emma Leech's house in Carlton, Melbourne in 1953.
Olive Leech is excitedly waiting for her long-term boyfriend, Roo Webber, to
arrive from the northern cane fields.
Each year during the lay-off period, he spends the time wining and dining
Olive. This year is to be different in that Olive's former best friend and girl-friend
to Roo's mate Barney, will not be there. She has married another man. So
Barney will not be on his own, Olive has invited a friend who works in the same
pub as her to accompany them on their outings.
But Pearl is not the same type of woman that Nancy was. She is an uptight
widow who does not approve of most things, nor does she find any of the magic
with the relationship that Olive has promised her.
This is to be the seventeenth summer in which Roo and Barney have travelled
down from Cairns to spend the lay-off with Olive and her mother Emma. But this
summer it is different. Roo is now in his early forties and has had a bad back. He
walked off the job after a fight with Johnnie Dowd and has spent all his savings.
He is embarrassed and broke.
When Roo asks Olive to marry him, she refuses and mourns the death of the
good times which are now very much in the past. Roo and Barney leave together
to begin a new life elsewhere.
179

180

EQUUS by Peter Shaffer, 1973. Directed by Brett Edwards. Performed at the
GCLT theatre, 7 April to 28 April, 2007.
Martin Dysart..........................................................................................Jack Henry
Alan Strang..........................................................................................Michael Ware
Hesther Salomon..........................................................................Becky Bell-McNee
Dora Strang........................................................................................Gillian Hayllar
Frank Strang.....................................................................................Noel Thompson
Jill Mason..............................................................................................Selina Nisbet
Harry Dalton..............................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Nurse/Horse.............................................................................................Beth Nunn
The Young Horseman/Nugget...............................................................Rory Schiele
Horse...........................................................................................................Matt Hall
Horse........................................................................................................Ryan Wood
Horse...............................................................................................Robert Cifuentes
Horse..................................................................................................Jordan Schiele
Set in the Rokeby Psychiatric Hospital in Southern England. Martin Dysart
is a psychiatrist who is having trouble coping with the emotional demands of his
job.
When Magistrate, Hesther Salomon comes to him begging him to take on the
case of a young man accused of blinding six horses with a metal spike, he realises
that he may be the young man's last hope.
Dysart agrees to take him on as a patient, but finds he is appearing in his
nightmares. As Dysart tries to understand Alan, he also reveals his own
problems, such as his disappointing marriage to a woman he is incompatible
with.
When Alan finally tells that he blinded the horses because in this mind, they
were Gods and were watching him all the time, Dysart wonders whether the boy
can ever be normal, or if in fact, he would want him to be.
181

OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR by Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton, Gerry
Raffles & members of the original cast, 1963. Title suggested by Ted Allan.
Directed by Julanne Shearer. Choreographer - Denis Watkins, Musical Director -
George Frame, Pianist - Mary Walters. Performed at the GCLT theatre 16 June to
14 July, 2007.
The Cast play multiple characters of many different nationalities.
................................................................................................Michael Beard
.................................................................................................Mike Myerson
....................................................................................................Erica Whyte
................................................................................................Kevin Johnson
.................................................................................................Marilyn Culell
..................................................................................................Peter Hanson
........................................................................................Kimberley Hodgson
.....................................................................................................Ryan Wood
..............................................................................................Hank Steenhuis
....................................................................................................Shirley King
.............................................................................................Erik Holsheimer
..........................................................................................Michelle Freeman
..................................................................................................Leigh Kealton
................................................................................................Jordan Schiele
..........................................................................................Allen Hoog Antink
....................................................................................................Ziggy Dalton
Not a conventional play, O What a Lovely War is set in 1914 as a Pierrot show
at the end of the pier. This performance style was popular in seaside music halls
at the time.
The story consists of a number of comedy vignettes, music hall routines and
authentic marching songs of the period. It moves from comedy to pathos with a
reenactment of the war games to show how World War 1 began and developed.
The emotions are similar regardless of which side is being portrayed. This
emphasises the play's theme of the absurdity of man against man. The songs
sung are the ones soldiers in World War 1 actually sang - on the march, in the
dug outs and trenches, amidst the carnage of the battlefield.
182

2007 OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR
2005 MURDER
BY
MISADVENTURE
183

MURDERED TO DEATH by Peter Gordon. Directed by Marion Parry.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 8 September to 29 September, 2007.
Mildred Bagshot........................................................................................Nina Khan
Dorothy Foxton...................................................................................Maria Buckler
Bunting..........................................................................................................Ian Keal
Margaret Craddock............................................................................Valerie Cooney
Colonel Charles Craddock..........................................................John Rees-Osborne
Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington.....................................................Tania Whatmore
Pierre Marceau..................................................................................Andrew Trump
Joan Maple.......................................................................................Ursula Johnson
Constable Thomkins.................................................................................Paul Sauer
Inspector Pratt...........................................................................Jonathan Sherwood
An Agatha Christie spoof set in the 1930's and performed in the home of
Mildred Bagshot. Her niece, Dorothy Foxton, discovers that the paintings her
aunt has purchased from Pierre Marceau and his accomplice, Elizabeth Hartley-
Trumpington, are fakes.
She challenges the two counterfeiters with the deception, but they deny it.
After Mrs Bagshot is murdered, the house becomes a murder scene complete
with Inspector Pratt and Constable Thomkins.
All the guests at the house are considered suspects and are not allowed to
leave. When Dorothy is also shot, Joan Maple and Colonel and Mrs Craddock try
to crack the case. The two dodgy art dealers are taken away by police for
questioning and it is only then that the real murderers are exposed.
Bunting the butler and Mrs Craddock are lovers and it is they who have
committed the crimes.
184

185

NO SEX PLEASE - WE'RE BRITISH by Anthony Marriott & Alistair Foot,
1971. Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 17
November to 8 December, 2007.
Frances Hunter...............................................................................Ruth Henderson
Peter Hunter.........................................................................................Andrew Blain
Eleanor Hunter.........................................................................................Del Halpin
Brian Runicles...................................................................................Carl Schweppes
Leslie Bromhead...............................................................................Terry Callaghan
Mr Needham..........................................................................................John Grange
Superintendent Vernon Paul...........................................................Michael Thomas
Susan......................................................................................................Zoe Maxwell
Barbara..................................................................................................Natalie Testa
Delivery Man......................................................................................Kevin Johnson
The farce surrounds an Assistant Bank Manager, Peter Hunter, who lives
above his bank with his new bride, Frances.
When Frances innocently sends a mail order off for some Scandinavian
glassware, what comes back is Scandinavian pornography.
The two, along with the bank's frantic Chief cashier, Brian Runicles, must
decide what to do with the veritable floods of pornography, photographs, books,
films and eventually, girls that threaten to engulf this happy couple.
The matter is considerably complicated by the presence of Eleanor, Peter's
mother, Mr Bromhead, his boss, Mr Needham, a visiting Bank Inspector, and
Vernon Paul a Police Superintendent.
186

187

A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL by Alan Ayckbourn, 1985. Directed by
Dawn China & Marion Parry. Musical Director, Mary Walters. Choreographer,
Dennis Watkins. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 2 February to 16 February,
2008.
Guy Jones........................................................................................Martin Jennings
Dafydd ap Llewellyn.............................................................................Hugh Brophy
Hannah Llewellyn..........................................................................Maria Thompson
Bridget Baines........................................................................................Zoe Maxwell
Mrs Ames..............................................................................................Mary Walters
Enid Washbrook...............................................................................Cecile Campbell
Rebecca Huntley-Pike...........................................................................Jean Watson
Fay Hubbard.....................................................................................Emma Cillekins
Ian Hubbard.......................................................................................Andrew Trump
Jarvis Huntley-Pike....................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Ted Washbrook.................................................................................Dennis Watkins
Crispin Usher........................................................................................Jarrad Rooke
Linda Washbrook...............................................................................Lisa O'Donnell
Dilys........................................................................................................Jann Alcorn
When Guy Jones chooses to perform with the Pendon Amateur Light Operatic
Society, he meets the highly energetic director, Dafydd Llewellyn. When Dafydd,
a solicitor, finds out that Guy works for the BLM company, he approaches him to
find out about a parcel of land which adjoins BLM's land. Dafydd is not the only
member of the cast interested in the land, however, and Guy soon finds himself
also approached by the Hubbards, who bribe him to spread certain rumours.
He is also in the middle of a romantic triangle with the Hubbard's open
marriage and Dafydd's wife, Hannah. With walkouts by a couple of cast
members, Guy soon finds himself playing the lead role. But he also finds out that
you cannot be all things to all people.
188

189

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN by Irving Berlin, 1946. Directed by Kate Peters.
Musical Director, David McNeven, Choreography by Bruce Harris. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, 29 March to 19 April, 2008.
Annie Oakley...................................................................................Alison McKenzie
Frank Butler.................................................................................................Ian Lake
Tommy Keeler..........................................................................................Josh Lovell
Winnie Tate......................................................................................Emma Cillekens
Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody.....................................................................Andrew Blain
Dolly Tate..............................................................................Deborah Leigh-Russell
Charlie Davenport................................................................................Mark Emmett
Chief Sitting Bull..................................................................................Grant Ebeling
Nellie & Jessie........................................................Tahlia Traecey & Sasha Gubbins
Mrs Shuyler-Adams....................................................................Maureen Fitzgerald
Sylvia Potter Porter.................................................................................Kirri Adams
Foster Wilson.................................................................................Arthur Shacklock
Mac & Pawnee Bill................................................Jarrad Rooke & Michael Thomas
Little Jake & Luke.......................................................Jordan Jansen & Tim Carroll
Circus Performer/Annie Oakley double................................................Alana Kettle
Ensemble/Dancers includes Mark Kelly, Stewart Ryan, Bruce Alker Jnr., Alana
Kettle, Sharyn Waterhouse, Debbie Harrison, Jackie Goodliffe.
Based on the real life of Annie Oakley, a sharpshooter from Ohio, who lived
from 1860 to 1926. When the travelling Buffalo Bill's Wild West show visits
Cincinnati, Ohio, Frank Butler challenges anyone in the town to a shooting match.
Locals enter Annie in the match. She meets and falls in love with Frank Butler
before the contest, not knowing he is her challenger.
She wins the contest and agrees to join the show even though she doesn't know
what Show Business is. There is a rival show named Pawnee Bill's. Buffalo Bill
asks Annie to do a special trick to draw crowds away from Pawnee Bill's. But soon
both shows end up going broke. They then merge in order to survive. Annie and
Frank get married.
190

191

2008 CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL
2008 DEATHTRAP
192

DEATHTRAP by Ira Levin, 1979. Directed by Andrew Trump. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, 31 May to 14 June, 2008.
Sidney Bruhl....................................................................................Colin Turner
Myra Bruhl..................................................................................Brooke Williams
Clifford Anderson..........................................................................Nathan Wright
Helga Ten Dorp.............................................................................Valerie Cooney
Porter Milgrim......................................................................................Bob Fallon
The action takes place in Sidney Bruhl's study in Westport, Connecticut, in
the late 1970's.
Sidney Bruhl is a crime writer with writer's block. His life changes one
morning when he reads the draft of a play one of his students has written. The
student is a young man by the name of Clifford Anderson.
Overcome with jealousy and greed, Sidney decides to set a trap for the young
writer by inviting him round to his house to discuss the play.
Tricking him into putting on handcuffs, he then garrotts Clifford and buries
him in the garden. Outraged but loyal, his wife Myra helps Sidney to cover up
the deed.
But all is not as it seems, when Clifford rises from his grave and begins
attacking Sidney with a lump of wood.
After Myra witnesses the murder of her husband, she is in fear of her own
life. The shock is too much and she dies of a heart attack.
It is then that we learn that Sidney and Clifford were planning her death all
along. The perfect murder in fact. Myra's death would be considered Death by
Natural Causes.
After things die down a bit, Sidney finds Clifford writing a play about what
they did. Sidney is horrified because he believes it will result in them being
sent to jail. Plotting to prevent this, Sidney gives the impression that he has
come around to the idea, but then shoots Clifford with a crossbow. Clifford
then retaliates and stabs him. They are both dead. Helga Ten Dorp and Porter
Milgrim are then left to argue over the spoils.

OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD by Timberlake Wertenbaker, 2003. Directed by
Jennifer Flowers. Performed at the GCLT theatre, July 26 to August 9, 2008.
Captain Arthur Phillip, John Wisehammer...........................................James Kable
Major Robbie Ross, Ketch Freeman.................................................Noel Thompson
Captain David Collins, Robert Sideway.....................................John Rees-Osborne
Captain Watkin Tench, Mary Brenham...................................Michelle MacWhirter
Captain Jemmy Campbell, John Arscott, Harry Brewer........................Marc James
Reverend Johnson, Meg Long, Black Caesar...................................Leanne Sutcliffe
George Johnston, Duckling Smith..........................................................Jodie Munn
Will Dawes, Liz Morden..........................................................................Pam Sexton
Ralph Clark............................................................................................John Arthars
William Faddy, Dabby Bryant.............................................................Maria Buckler
Set in Sydney Cove, Australia in 1789, the play deals with the amazing true
story of Australia's first ever theatrical production. It is the year after the arrival
of the First Fleet and the 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clark of the Royal Marines directs
a cast of mostly illiterate convicts.
He chooses the popular comedy by George Farquhar, The Recruiting Officer.
Under the control of Captain Phillip, the convicts rehearse and perform their play
under often horrendous conditions. However, starvation, whippings and the
threat of the gallows are not enough to deter the convict-actors as they are helped
to find their lost humanity by speaking the refined, literate language of the great
playwright.
Although set in Australia, Our Country's Good is not an Australian play. It was
written by an American who grew up in the Basque country and was
commissioned by London's Royal Court Theatre.
194

197

198

THE CLUB by David Williamson, 1976. Directed by Noella Johnson.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, 27 September to 11 October, 2008.
Gerry Cooper......................................................................................Chris Dempsey
Ted Parker.........................................................................................Carl Schweppes
Laurie Holden...................................................................................Chris Chambers
Danny Rowe....................................................................................Darren Campbell
Jock Riley............................................................................................Michael Beard
Geoff Hayward......................................................................................Stewart Ryan
A top football club with a long history and traditions, hasn't won a Premiership
for some time. They elect a new president, Ted, who appoints an administrator.
In doing so, Ted alienates Jock, the club hero.
Jock's solution to problems is to punch someone, the president's solution is to
write a cheque, and the administrator, Jerry, sits back and waits to see how it all
pans out.
The coach and players are facing their own battles. The play begins with the
coach, Laurie's, resignation and the players threatening to go on strike. The star
player, Geoff, is disillusioned with football.
The action is set in the club rooms with the photos of great club players looking
down on them all. At the end of the play, the team go to to play the game of their
lives, but the photos of the old time heroes have been taken from the walls. The
club has changed, the times have changed. The play pitches tradition and loyalty
against money and ambition.
In 1977 a new form of management was sweeping through not just sport clubs,
but business and industry.
199

TOM, DICK and HARRY by Michael & Ray Cooney, 1983. Directed by
Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 22 November to 6
December, 2008.
Tom Kerwood.........................................................................................Andrew Blain
Dick Kerwood.............................................................................Alexander Gorshenin
Harry Kerwood......................................................................................Nathan Schulz
Linda Kerwood......................................................................................Maria Buckler
Mrs Potter.................................................................................................Gillian Crow
Katerina...........................................................................................Liza Tymoshevska
Andreas...................................................................................................Hugh Brophy
Constable Downs................................................................................Terry Callaghan
Boris.....................................................................................................Ted Henderson
Tom and Linda Kerwood want to adopt a baby but are ineligible because they
don't own their home. The asking price for the home is too high, so brother Harry
devises a plan to devalue the house to make it more affordable. This involves
burying body parts he has obtained from the hospital he works at, in the garden of
the home so that when the body parts are discovered, nobody will want to buy the
house.
Tom is horrified by this plan and when he finds out that Harry has the body
parts in a bag in their van, he demands that Harry take them back.
It is then that brother Dick must come clean about the smuggled goods he has
also stashed in the van.
When brothers go to clear out the contraband, they are surprised to find that
two illegal immigrants are also hiding in there. Wife Linda, Mrs Potter from the
Adoption Agency and the local constable, all need to be kept in the dark. The
couple's hopes of adopting are finally dashed.
But it all ends happily when Linda discovers she is pregnant.
200

201

202

203

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST by Oscar Wilde, 1895. Directed
by Noella Johnson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, 31 January to 21 February,
2009.
Algernon Moncrieff....................................................................John Arthars
John Worthing.......................................................................Noel Thompson
Lady Bracknell................................................................................Nina Khan
Gwendolen Fairfax......................................................Amy-Louise Anderson
Cecily Cardew...........................................................................Jessica Purcell
Miss Prism..............................................................................Ursula Johnson
Canon Chasuble.......................................................................Kevin Johnson
Lane and Merriman, The Butlers....................................John Rees-Osborne
Algernon Moncrieff and John Worthing are two gentlemen from the upper
classes who become involved with two ladies of similar social standing.
John Worthing wants to marry Algernon's cousin, Gwendolen, but his attempts
at wooing are thrown into disarray when it is discovered that he does not know
who his parents were. He was in fact, found in a handbag in a railway station as a
baby.
He needs to get past the formidable Lady Bracknell if he is to get the consent he
needs to marry Miss Fairfax.
After gradually stripping away the past and with the help of the vague minded
Miss Prism, it is discovered that Algernon and John are in fact, brothers.
So his ancestry is now known and he is considered a suitable match for
Gwendolen and Algernon decides to woo Cecily Cardew.
204

205

HIGH SOCIETY by Cole Porter . Directed by Julanne Shearer. Musical
Director Mary Walters, Choreographer Kim Reynolds. Performed at the GCLT
theatre, 18 April to 16 May, 2009.
Tracy Lord............................................................................................Louise Harris
C K Dexter Haven..............................................................................Shane Caddaye
Liz Imbrie...............................................................................................Alison Wilby
Mike Connor........................................................................................Jason Hayden
Uncle Willie..........................................................................................Hugh Brophy
Dinah Lord.........................................................................................Emily Monsma
George Kittredge........................................................................................Ian Whyte
Margaret Lord..........................................................................................Anne Ryan
Seth Lord....................................................................................................Dan Ryan
Arthur................................................................................................Daniel P Green
Stanley................................................................................................Denis Watkins
Peg......................................................................................................Amy Cosgrove
Sunny....................................................................................................Diana Bryant
Myrtle..................................................................................................Karen Chaffey
Mavis..................................................................................................Anne Halliday
Phyllis................................................................................................Helen Stretton
Chelsea....Jessica Sapwell, Edmund...Jarrad Rooke, Chester...Leigh Kealton,
Patsy....Ann Kimberley, Polly...Helena Penny, June....Marilyn Culell,
Millie....Cassidy Mackie, Frances...Jan Kealton.
Society socialite, Tracy Lord is about to marry her second husband, George
Kittredge. Although Tracy is determined to marry George, she is in fact, still in
love with her ex-husband, Dexter Haven.
Dexter still loves Tracy and is hoping to derail the wedding, with the help of
Tracy's little sister, Dinah.
Set in the Lord's family mansion and Uncle Willie Lord's mansion at Oyster
Bay, Long Island, New York. The time is 1938.
206

2009 HIGH SOCIETY
207

JURY ROOM by C. B. Gilford, 1961. Directed by Marion Parry. Performed
at the GCLT theatre, June 27 to July 18, 2009.
The Blonde..........................................................................................Maria Buckler
Society Woman.......................................................................................Dawn China
Shy Girl................................................................................................Marie Cowling
1st Old Lady.........................................................................................Marie Dickson
2nd Old Lady.......................................................................................June Hordern
Middle Aged Man............................................................................John McWatters
The Actress.................................................................................................Tara Page
Young Man..........................................................................................Max Philipson
Angry Man........................................................................................Noel Thompson
Foreman.................................................................................................Colin Turner
The Brunette.............................................................................................Lee Wilson
Man With Glasses..............................................................................Nathan Wright
Twelve jurors gather together to decide the fate of the accused, a young woman
charged with having stabbed her uncle in cold blood.
Eleven jurors say she is guilty. One of the jurors, a student actress, disagrees.
The jurors agree to re-enact the crime scene right there in the Jury Room.
Props are brought in, including the actual murder weapons.
The actress becomes the accused, the foreman takes the part of the murdered
man and each of the jury is given a part to play.
It is a tense situation that reaches a dramatic and unexpected climax.
208

WAITING IN THE WINGS by Noel Coward, 1960. Directed by Joan Stalker-
Brown. Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 12 to October 3, 2009
Bonita Belgrave..........................................................................................Pam Barber
Maud Melrose..........................................................................................Jean Watson
Cora Clarke...................................................................................................Pam Ryan
Estelle Craven............................................................................Carol Nash-Patterson
Almina Clare..................................................................................Maureen Leishman
Doreen...................................................................................................Diane Libretto
Lotta Bainbridge...................................................................................Valerie Cooney
May Davenport.......................................................................................Diana Ingram
Sylvia Archibald.........................................................................................Julie Smith
Perry Lascoe...........................................................................................Brian Stewart
Sarita Myrtle..........................................................................................Sheila Bradley
Dierdre O'Malley........................................................................................Kate Peters
Osgood Meeker...........................................................................................Joel Beskin
Zelda Fenwick...........................................................................................Gillian Crow
Dora.......................................................................................................Maria Buckler
Alan Bennet..............................................................................................Kevin Smith
Dr Jevons...................................................................................................Kevin Ryan
Set in the lounge of The Wings Charity Home for Retired Actresses in the
Thames Valley near Maidenhead.
The time is 1960 and the action takes place over a short period from mid
December to Christmas and just after.
A new arrival, Lotta Bainbridge, comes to reside at The Wings.
Trouble brews between her and May Davenport, who was once married
to Lotta's husband.
The aging residents are drawn together when a reporter writes about them for her
magazine. United in their feelings of betrayal, old animosities give way to a feeling
of group camaraderie.
212

213

214

215

216

217

STEPPING OUT by Richard Harris, 1984. Directed by Shane Caddaye.
Choreographed by Alana Kettle. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 14 to
December 5, 2009.
Mavis........................................................................................................Lilias Davie
Mrs Fraser................................................................................................Eula James
Lynne...................................................................................................Rhylee Nowell
Dorothy.............................................................................................Cecile Campbell
Maxine................................................................................................Janet Thwaites
Andy....................................................................................................Libby Bancroft
Geoffrey..............................................................................................Wayne Bentley
Sylvia...........................................................................................................Tara Page
Rose...............................................................................................Dawn Warrington
Vera...........................................................................................................Del Halpin
A disparate group of women and one man attend a suburban tap-dancing
class for beginners. The class is taught by Mavis, a former chorus dancer who
didn't quite make it to the big time and who manages to squeeze a living for
herself out of teaching dance classes.
Accompanying her on the piano is her friend and mother-figure, Mrs Fraser, a
dour, older woman who rules the roost from beneath her less than stylish
collection of hats.
The class contains, as so many suburban adult dance classes do, a collection of
characters who are each attending for different reasons, but who all get
something special from the time they spend in each other's company.
They share their lives and we come to know them as individuals as we watch
them work towards a charity dance performance.
218

219

220

221

DIAL M FOR MURDER by Frederick Knott, 1952. Directed by Barry
Gibson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, January 30 to February 20, 2010
Tony Wendice........................................................................Andrew Trump
Max Halliday..........................................................................Nathan Schultz
Sheila Wendice.........................................................................Olivia Regent
Captain Lesgate..........................................................................Chris Roach
Inspector Hubbard.................................................................James Wallace
Thompson & Williams................................................................Eric Schorth
Former professional tennis player, Tony Wendice, suspects his wife of having an
affair with crime writer Max Halliday.
He devises a plan to have his wife killed so he can inherit her money.
He blackmails old acquaintance, Captain Lesgate into killing her while he is
away at a dinner.
However, the plan goes awry when it is Captain Lesgate who is killed.
The change in plan seems to be working for Wendice when his wife Olivia is
charged with Lesgate's murder.
Inspector Hubbard uses all his skill to catch Wendice out and save Olivia from
hanging.
222

Dolphin Awards - February
2010.
Compare - Valerie Cooney
Barrel Girl - Maria Buckler
2008
DEATHTRAP
223

SHOW BOAT- Music by Jerome Kern, Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein 11,
1927. Directed by Julanne Shearer. Musical Direction by Mary Walters,
Choreography by Kim Reynolds. Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 17 to May
15, 2010.
Steve Baker.......................................................................................Arthur Shacklock
Queenie..........................................................................................................Ali Wilby
Pete/Backwooodsman..............................................................................Marc James
Parthy Ann Hawks.................................................................................Marilyn Culell
Windy/ Jeb/Drunk/radio announcer....................................................Hugh Brophy
Cap'n Andy Hawks....................................................................................Frank Culell
Ellie May Chipley...................................................................................Kim Reynolds
Frank Shultz...........................................................................................Grant Ebeling
Julie La Verne..........................................................................................Karen Oliver
Gaylord Ravenal..................................................................................Stephen Morris
Sheriff Vallon...........................................................................................Daniel Green
Magnolia Hawks.....................................................................................Louise Harris
Young Kim......................................................................................Courtney Monsma
Grow-up Kim.......................................................................................Cassidy Mackie
Joe.......................................................................................................Lawrie Esmond
Card Dealer/ Jim Greene......................................................................Denis Watkins
Ethel......................................................................................Diana Dureau-Steenhuis
Mrs O'Brien....................................................................................................Lea Vosti
Mother Superior...................................................................................Val Williamson
Jake.....................................................................................................Paul Hampshire
Lady on the Levee............................................................................Lesley Hampshire
Charlie ....................................................................................................Peter Hanson
Lottie....................................................................................................Helen Streeton
Dottie..........................................................................................................Gail Heeley
Ensemble...............George Frame, Ashley Morris, Lesley Hampshire, Anne
Halliday, Joel Beskin, Graham Simpson, Henk Steenhuis, Diana Bryant,
Vicki Toovey, Laraine Keogh, Jes Shephard, Karen Chaffey, Fran Dean, Gaye
McLinden.
224

Belles...........................Frances Berry, Emily Monsma, Courtney Monsma,
Cassidy Mackie, Bianca D Zilva, Ruby Hunter.
Story based on the novel by Edna Ferber.
Set around 1890. The 'Cotton Blossom' is a Show Boat that tours different
towns up and down the Mississippi River.
Cap'n Andy Hawks and his troupe of performers arrive on shore and it is not
long until his daughter, Magnolia, meets and falls in love with gambler Gaylord
Ravenal.
Magnolia's happiness is soon shattered when her friend and colleague Miss
Julie La Verne is forced to leave the ship because it has been discovered that she
had a Negro mother.
Her husband Steve defends her and says that he too has Negro blood and so
no crime has been committed. But they leave the boat anyhow.
Meanwhile, Ravenal has become a member of the cast and is now firmly in a
relationship with Magnolia. The two start a life together and have a daughter,
Kim.
Living with a gambler is not easy however and when the money and his luck
run out, Ravenal leaves Magnolia, advising her to go back to live with her
parents.
Heartbroken, Nolie at first gets work as a singer with a nightclub in Chicago.
Discovering her situation, her parents ask her to bring Kim and return to live
with them on the Show Boat.
By the time Kim has grown into a young woman, Ravenal seeks them out and
is reunited with his wife and child.
225

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE by Joseph Kesselring, 1939. Directed by
John Rees-Osborne. Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 26 to July 17,
2010.
Martha Brewster.......................................................................Marion Parry
Abby Brewster........................................................................Valerie Cooney
Elaine Harper...............................................................................Ash Pollard
Mortimer Brewster...............................................................Noel Thompson
Teddy Brewster..........................................................................Doug Harvey
Jonathan Brewster......................................................................Marc James
Dr Einstein..................................................................................Jack Henry
Mr Gibbs & Mr Witherspoon.....................................................Bob Mussett
Rev. Harper & Lt. Rooney....................................................Terry Callaghan
Officer O'Hara............................................................................Jason Cuerel
Officer Brophy....................................................................Graham Simpson
Officer Klein....................................................................................Bob Allen
Sisters Abby and Martha Brewster live in a large old home in New York with
their nephew Teddy. Insanity runs in the family and Teddy believes he is Theodore
Roosevelt and the two sisters believe they are relieving lonely, homeless old men of
their arduous life by poisoning them and burying them in the cellar. People are not
aware of the mental illness in the family and they believe that Teddy and the two
sisters are eccentric but harmless.
It is only when Teddy and his brother Mortimer become reacquainted with their
other brother, the wayward Jonathan, that the old ladies favourite pastime is
revealed.
As the bodies in the cellar mount up, hiding the truth becomes more and more
difficult. Mortimer soon realises the extent of the crimes and, though horrified,
does not want his beloved aunts to go to prison.
Their insanity is obvious to him now and he sets about orchestrating the best
possible outcome for them.
226

Travelling North
2010 ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
227

TRAVELLING NORTH by David Williamson, 1979. Directed by Noella
Johnson. Assisted by Shane Caddaye. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
September 11 to October 2, 2010
Frances .................................................................................................Janis Sheen
Frank.................................................................................................Kevin Johnson
Sophie................................................................................................Jody Lanziano
Helen........................................................................................................Tara Page
Joan...................................................................................................Janet Thwaites
Freddie..................................................................................................Barry Gibson
Saul......................................................................................................Colin Turner
Frank is a seventy two year old man who has recently moved to Tweed Heads
in Queensland with his live-in lover, the considerably younger, Frances.
Together they hope to live out their retirement years travelling North
Queensland in a campervan with the Tweed Heads cottage as a base.
Frances' two adult daughters, Sophie and Helen, are far from happy with the
new arrangements.
Challenges arise when Frank is diagnosed with heart trouble. He now finds
himself in a race against time as he tries to find the best possible medication for his
ailment.
As his health deteriorates, Frances is torn between her two daughters in
Melbourne and caring for Frank up North. It is not until Frances leaves him that
Frank realises his faults and does what he can to rectify them.
Set in various locations in North Queensland, Melbourne and areas near Tweed
Heads and Sydney between 1969 and 1972.
228

Sign along Scarborough Street, Southport, 2013.
Sign along the front of the GCLT theatre, 2013.
229

MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM by John Chapman & Ray Cooney, 1969.
Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 13
to December 4, 2010.
Alistair Spenlow...................................................................................Matt Hadgraft
Joanna Markham...................................................................................Viviane Gian
Philip Markham...........................................................................................Bob Allen
Linda Lodge....................................................................................Naomi Thompson
Henry Lodge.........................................................................................Jason Hayden
Sylvie....................................................................................Amanda-Lee Weatherby
Olive Harriet Smythe...........................................................................Marie Dickson
Walter Pangbourne.................................................................................Bob Mussett
Miss Wilkinson.....................................................................................Maria Buckler
The action of the play takes place in Mr and Mrs Markham's top floor London
flat on a summer evening from around 7.00pm. Joanna and Philip Markham,
now married for fifteen years, have settled down to a comfortable life together.
Joanna has engaged an interior designer to decorate their flat and Philip works
for a publishing firm specialising in children's books, which has its office
underneath the flat on the ground floor.
When Linda, the wife of her husband's boss, arrives hoping to use the
Markham's flat to meet a lover, Joanna is placed in a compromising situation.
Her husband finds himself in the same position when his boss, Henry, asks him if
he can use their flat for the same reason on the same evening. Philip becomes
alarmed when he finds a love letter down the side of his sofa and jumps to the
conclusion that it is addressed to his wife Joanne.
Thinking her lover is the decorator Alistair, Philip challenges him. When an
important author arrives to meet Henry and Phillip, everyone is soon brought
together to try to give a good, moral impression.
230

2010 MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM

EUROBEAT - Almost Eurovision, by Craig Christie. Music & Lyrics by Craig
Christie & Andrew Patterson. Directed by Rhylee Nowell. Performed at the
GCLT theatre, January 29 to February 26, 2011.
Hostess Boyka.........................................................................................Jess Papst
Host Sergei...................................................................................Andy Macfarlane
Contestants ................................Alex Burrie, Alicia Caruana, Frog Johnson, Jack
Harbour, Lara Boath,Matthew Hadgraft, Donovan Wagner, Morgan Garrity,
Brooke Caruana, Krista Young, Jordan Brinsley, Natalie Campbell, Laura Baker.
Ensemble -.................................................... Deanna Gonzales and Jodie Barnes.
Set in Sarajevo, Eurobeat is a musical that celebrates everything we love and
hate about the Eurovision Song Contest. Each country presents a musical and/
or dancing act in the style of the popular European contest.
With Sarajevo somehow winning the rights to host this year's competition,
every audience member is randomly assigned to one of the ten competing
countries.
Countries competing in the competition are Italy, Poland, Iceland, United
Kingdom, Hungary, Russia, Ireland, Greece, Germany and Sweden.
The outcome changes each night, when the audience votes on which act they
liked the best.
232

233

THE BOYS - by Gordon Graham, 1994. Directed by Noella Johnson.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 30 to May 21, 2011.
Brett Sprague......................................................................................Stuart Lumsden
Glenn Sprague......................................................................................Nathan Wright
Stevie Sprague.......................................................................................Jordan Schiele
Sandra Sprague - their mother...................................................................Del Halpin
Michelle..................................................................................................Amber Allum
Jackie.......................................................................................................Kate McNair
Nola....................................................................................................Carmen Trevino
Set in the backyard and living room of the Sprague home in an outer suburb,
Australia.
When Sandra Sprague's three sons are accused of a particularly vicious murder
and rape, she is force to see her dysfunctional family for what it really is. Together
with the girlfriends of the three young men, she holds onto the hope that they are
innocent of the crime.
Caught up in the crossfire, the women also find themselves victims, as they are
abused and threatened by police and the public. Sandra tries to rally them and
give justification for loving such violent men.
She never had the capacity to discipline or educate her offspring and is now too
unwell to do anything but offer support. Her sons , Brett, Glenn and Stevie, are
three of the most continually horrible characters anyone could have the misfortune
to meet. When Glenn admits to the crime, Sandra's mind finally gives way to the
cruel reality and she begins to lose touch with reality.
The play shows how there are many unseen victims when a person close to them
commits a heinous crime. Confronting, the text is filled with a barrage of
chauvinism and bad language.
234

THE BOYS - 2011

DIXIE SWIM CLUB by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten.
Directed by Jim Dickson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 25 to July 16,
2011.
Sheree..............................................................................................Cecile Campbell
Lexie.......................................................................................................Dawn China
Dinah .................................................................................................Marie Dickson
Vernadette.........................................................................................Virginia Leaver
Jeri ..........................................................................................................Lilias Davie
Set in a Beach House facing the Atlantic Ocean at the Outer Banks, North
Carolina. The action of the play spans thirty-three years.
Five women who originally met as members of a college Swim Team, have
remained friends for the rest of their lives. Each year they meet for a long
weekend in the same cottage which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The rules are -
No husbands, No kids and no talk about work.
The women have very different lives and personalities.
Sheree was the former Team Captain and she is very organised. Her challenge
is not becoming a grandmother.
Lexie loves to be glamorous and spends her time on plastic surgery and getting
married. she goes through four husbands. Her challenge is fighting breast
cancer.
Dinah is the career woman who never married or had kids. She enjoys too
many vodka screwdrivers. She is the first to pass away. Her ashes are spread
over the ocean by the other women.
Vernadette is always in crisis. Her husband keeps leaving her and her son is in
jail. Her daughter has run away to join some cult. She has no money and drives a
beat up old truck. She manages to acquire a couple of injuries over the years.
Her challenge also includes being senile toward the end. And incontinent.
Jeri is the former nun who decided she wanted to be a mother. So she had one
at the age of forty-two. She was artificially inseminated. She later finds a
237
husband.

238

BOMBSHELLS by Joanna Murray-Smith, 2004. Directed by Ruth
Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 10 to October 1, 2011.
Meryl Louise Davenport...............................................................Libby Bancroft
Tiggy Entwhistle.............................................................................Del Halpin
Mary O'Donnell...............................................................................Tara Page
Theresa McTerry.......................................................................Naomi Thompson
Winsome Webster.............................................................................Janet Thwaites
Zoe Struthers.........................................................................Anna Waters-Massey
Six loosely connected monologues showing the lives of six very different
women. Meryl Davenport is the mother who never thought she would give up on
her appearance, but has. Tiggy Entwhistle is feeling just a little unloved. Rejected
in love, she feels very alone and defensive. She likens herself, unwittingly, to the
cactus plants that she adores. They are boring to look at and don't have much of a
fragrance, but they are reliable and hardy.
Mary O'Donnell is a school girl who just loves performing in talent shows.
Forever comparing herself to the other girls, she claims to be the best dancer in
the school, by far. But can she win the talent quest with an unrehearsed
performance of Shaft? Theresa McTerry has married for security. Not wanting to
be left on the shelf, Theresa has accepted the marriage proposal of a man she
describes as being like a pot plant. With peer pressure to marry and have a white
wedding, Theresa very emphatically blames the dress for getting her into this
sticky situation. Winsome Webster is a widow.
Finding herself left off invitations because one is not an even number,
Winsome talks of how she receives pity from friends and family because of her
singleness and how awful being pitied is. Zoe Struthers is a fading musical diva
who, coming back from a breakdown, decides to resurrect herself by performing
again.
239

TWICE IN A LIFETIME a musical by Ray Cooney, music by Chris Walker &
Keith Strachan. Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Musical Director - Mary Walters.
Choreographer - Rhylee Nowell. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 5 to
December 3, 2011.
Johnny May/Steven Tancred.......................................................Matthew Hadgraft
Fingers/Vicar.....................................................................................David Edwards
Dr Patel...........................................................................................Michael Gallegos
Mr Gregory Pilsworth...........................................................................Hugh Brophy
Jeff Walters..............................................................................................Robert Hill
Barbara Pilsworth.......................................................................................Ali Wilby
Miss Dixon..........................................................................................Rhylee Nowell
Bugs Moran/Arnold Robertson.............................................................David Jones
Ruby/Linda Clarke...............................................................................Louise Harris
Mrs Daphne Pilsworth........................................................................Marilyn Culell
Mrs Emily Clarke...................................................................................Viviane Gian
Ensemble .........................................Jay Ahrens, Daniel Green, Miguel Clarke,
George Frame, Lisa Allen, Anita Tibbertsma, Victoria Jones, Karen Chaffey,
Andrea Crabbe, Helen Stretton, Anne Halliday, Gail Heeley, Laraine Keogh, Joe
Feeney, John McWatters, Ted Henderson,Graham Simpson, Austin Reid, Mike
Moynihan.
This play is set in both the modern day and the 1920's. The action reverts
backwards and forwards, allowing the character of law worker Steven Tancred to
travel back in time to the gangster era in Chicago. While under hypnosis, he
becomes the character of Johnny May. But although the gangsters all recognise
him as their get-away driver, Johnny has a lot of trouble coping with his new
career. He falls in love with Ruby, and needs to get them both out of there before
the the massacre of 1929.
242

243

COSI by Louis Nowra, 1992. Directed by Stuart Lumsden, assisted by Noella
Johnson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, January 28 to February 18, 2012.
Lewis.....................................................................................................Jack Harbour
Roy.........................................................................................................John Arthars
Cherry.....................................................................................................Kate McNair
Doug..................................................................................................Noel Thompson
Ruth...........................................................................................................Del Halpin
Julie/Lucy.........................................................................................Carmen Trevino
Henry.....................................................................................................Barry Gibson
Zac............................................................................................................Sasha Cuha
Nick.....................................................................................................Jordan Schiele
Justin.......................................................................................................Trevor Love
Lewis has not long been out of university when he takes the opportunity to
work with patients at a mental institution in Melbourne. When one of the
patients, the outspoken Roy, decides that they should do Cosi Fan Tutte, which
needs to not only be sung, but sung in Italian, Lewis has his reservations. Then
Doug, the pyromaniac, sets the toilets alight and social worker Justin tells Lewis
the experiment is over.
Then Roy hits on the idea of Lewis playing the lead. But this is only the
beginning of the emotive outbursts to come. Henry erupts when he learns that
would-be director and Lewis' friend, Nick, supports the communists in the
Vietnam war, Cherry sees red when her beloved Lewis is caught kissing fellow
inmate Julie, and Nick and Lewis have a falling out over girlfriend Lucy and also
Nick's left-wing ideology.
But the show goes on, regardless of a few technical difficulties.
244

245

246

247

248

DAUGHTERS OF HEAVEN by Michelanne Forster, 1992. Directed by Pam
Sexton. Performed at the GCLT Theatre, April 14 to May 5, 2012.
Juliet Hulme.............................................................................Courtney Bell
Pauline Parker.........................................................................Alexandra Nel
Bridget O'Malley..........................................................................Pam Barber
Hilda Hulme..........................................................................Deborah Coulls
Dr Henry Hulme........................................................................Paul Walters
Honora Parker/Police Matron...............................................Janet Thwaites
Herbert Rieper..............................................................................Joe Feeney
Alan Brown.....................................................................John Rees-Osborne
Walter Perry/Dr Medlicott........................................................Doug Harvey
Mr Gresson/Snr Sgt Tate/Prison Officer.............................Noel Thompson
Based on a true story, Daughters of Heaven explores the 1954 murder of
Honora Rieper by two 15 year-old girls. The girls, her own daughter Pauline and
her friend Juliet Hulme, shared an unnaturally close relationship and spent their
spare time inventing a world of make believe.
Pauline's mother Honora, suspects that their friendship is not healthy and tries
to encourage her daughter to spend less time over at the Hulme's. The Hulme
household, though not as intolerant of the girls' over-close friendship, is
dysfunctional in its own way. Mrs Hulme is having an affair with friend Walter
Perry. She intends leaving her husband for him.
When Pauline learns that Juliet is moving overseas with her family, she decides
that she must go too. But her mother tells her that that is not possible, and that
the Hulme's do not want her to live with them. Feeling as though her mother is the
obstruction to their happiness, the two girls conspire to kill her by bashing her
over the head with a brick. Many times.
249

KEY FOR TWO by John Chapman & Dave Freeman. Directed by Cecile
Campbell. Performed at the GCLT theatre, June 16 to July 7, 2012.
Harriet..........................................................................................................Viv Gian
Gordon.................................................................................................Nathan Schulz
Alec.........................................................................................................Mark Randle
Ann..............................................................................................................Gai Byrne
Mildred..........................................................................................Nicola Den Braber
Magda.............................................................................................Sarah Harrington
Richard............................................................................................Graeme Stucking
Harriet maintains her lifestyle by being mistress to two different men.
Entertaining them in her stylish flat in Brighton(UK), she prevents the two men
from meeting each other by inventing a mythical, puritanical mother who would
die of shock if she knew Harriet had one lover, let alone two.
Her well ordered life starts to unravel with the arrival of her childhood friend,
Anne, whose alcoholic husband is in hot pursuit.
Things get even hotter when one of Harriet's lovers twists his ankle and refuses
to leave Harriet's bed. Then, Harriet's other lover arrives and a couple of wives
turn up . They are astonished to find themselves in the most unlikely nursing
home imaginable.
Hilarity ensues as Harriet and Ann join forces to stay one step ahead of the
chaos.
250

KEY FOR TWO
251

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock & Sheldon
Harnick, 1964. Directed by Julanne Shearer. Musical Direction by Mary
Walters, Choreography by Tess Burke. Performed at the GCLT theatre,
September 1 to September 29, 2012.
Tevye & Golde.......................................Stuart Lumsden & Sue Randazzo
Lazar Wolf...................................................................Terry Fitzpatrick
Yente & Hodel........................................Jane Irvine & Chantelle Wright
Chava & Avram..........................................Sarah Haynes & Hugh Brophy
Motel Kamzoil & Russian Singer.......................................Michael Gallegos
Perchik & Russian Singer......................................................Jack Harbour
Fyedka & Jewish Son...............................................................Dean Mayer
Shprintze & Bielke................................Terri Woodfine & Rochelle de Snoo
Fruma-Sarah & Mordcha...........................Del Halpin & Matthew Maguire
Mendel & The Constable.......................Patrick Monteath & Mike Myerson
The Rabbi & Shaindel.................................Khalil Elgayar & Sally Orpwood
Nachum & Jewish Son..............................................................Ian McKellar
Russian & Jewish Sons................................Jordan Schiele & Justin Treloar
The Mamas & The Papas......Helen Stretton, Marie Peterson, Fran Dean,
Diana Dureau-Steenhuis, Graham Simpson, Henk Steenhuis, Bruce Shearer
The Daughters.........................................Angel Emanuelli & Kira Alexander
The story of a poor Jewish milkman and his family in Tsarist Russia.
They are forced to emigrate to another land, America, in order to begin a new
life for themselves and their descendants.
The story highlights the plight of Tevye and his dreams of fame and
fortune, and the hopes he has of good marriages for his five dowryless
daughters.
Problems arise when the daughters prefer partners of their own choosing
rather than the husbands their father has chosen for them.
252

253

Dolphin Awards
2012
254

CALENDAR GIRLS by Tim Firth. Directed by Helen Maden. Performed at
the GCLT theatre, November 17 to December 8, 2012.
Chris...........................................................................................................Del Halpin
Annie.......................................................................................................Dawn China
Cora........................................................................................................Jodie Barnes
Jessie....................................................................................................Laney McLean
Ruth........................................................................................................Audrey Todd
Celia..........................................................................................................Lilias Davie
Marie..........................................................................................................Val Beattie
Brenda/Elaine................................................................................Nicola den Braber
Lady Cravenshire.......................................................................................Jan Alcorn
John.......................................................................................................John Arthars
Lawrence..............................................................................................Craig Nicholls
Liam.......................................................................................................Doug Harvey
When Annie's husband John dies of Leukaemia, she and best friend Chris
resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They
manage to persuade four fellow Womens Institute members to pose nude with
them for an alternative calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and
amateur photographer, Lawrence.
The news of the womens' charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hoards
of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorksire Dales.
The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test
under the strain of their new-found fame. Based on the true story of eleven
womens Institute members.
255

256

257

258

INTO THE WOODS by Stephen Sondheim, 1986. Directed by Joshua
McCann-Thompson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, February 2 to March 2,
2013.
Granny / Giant.............................................................................Tess Burke
Cinderella..........................................................................Heidi Enchelmaier
Jack.......................................................................................Shaun Kohlman
Wolf / Cinderella's Prince.....................................................Ethan Samuel
Jones
Baker's Wife..............................................................................Louise Harris
Little Red Ridinghood ..............................................................Kylie Loveday
Baker.........................................................................................Stephen Hirst
Witch...............................................................................................Jess Papst
Rapunzel/ Cinderella's Mot..................................................Clare Finlayson
Jack's Mother........................................................................Kim Hartill-Law
Narrator/Mysterious Man.....................................................Cameron Rollo
Rapunzel's Prince........................................................................Sean Curran
Cinderella's Step-Mother..........................................................Debbie Tanna
ASM/ Steward.....................................................................Donovan Wagner
Lucinda........................................................................................Olivia Hardy
Florinda...........................................................................................Sara Comb
A fractured fairytale involving an ambivalent Cinderella, a blood-thirsty
Little Red, a prince Charming with a roving eye, a beautiful witch and
others. When a Baker and his wife learn they have been cursed with
childlessness by the witch next door, they embark on a quest and go Into
The Woods for the special objects required to break the spell.
The other characters have wishes they want granted as well, and by the
end of Act One they all have them. But at a price.
The beans given to Jack by the Baker for his white as milk cow, grow into
a beanstalk. When Jack goes up the beanstalk and steals from and then kills
the giant, the giantess causes much destruction on the land and a couple of
the woodsfolk die.
Knowing that the giantess wants the life of Jack to appease her husband's
murder, she tries to find him, but the others protect him.
Eventually, the woodsfolk decide to work together.
259

MACBETH by William Shakespeare, 1606. Directed by Stuart Lumsden.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, April 20 to May 11, 2013.
Duncan, King of Scotland & Cawdor........................Hugh Brophy & Sean Curran
Malcolm & Donalbain...................................Patrick Monteith & Dominic Bradley
Macbeth & Lady Macbeth........................................Stuart Lumsden & Tara Page
Banquo & MacDuff......................................Jimmy Odenbreit & James Anderson
Lennox & Ross jnr & snr.................Jack Harbour, Noel Thompson & Joe Feeney
Menteth & Angus................................................Ian McKellar & John McWatters
Caithness & Fleance.........................................Dean Mayer & Declan Thompson
The Doc & Porter...................................................Kevin Johnson & Joel Beskin
Nicholas & Sergeant.............................................Daniel Green & David Whebel
Donalbain & Jess MacDuff......................................Dominic Bradley & Lara Rix
Lady MacDuff & Harley MacDuff..............................Jess Westhead & Ben Oxley
Three Travellers......................................Kate McNair, Tess Burke & Sasha Cuha
When Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, comes across three travellers while on
a ride with his comrade, Banquo, he is told that he will be Thane of Cawdor and
King of Scotland. But Macbeth is concerned at the prophesy that although
amazed to hear of himself becoming King, he is most concerned about the
traveller's prophesy that Banquo's children will be Kings.
Lady Macbeth embraces the idea of her husband becoming King, and plans
to action it by convincing Macbeth to murder King Duncan when he stays
overnight at their castle. Macbeth is convinced to do the deed, but it is Lady
Macbeth who has to finish the job and retrieve the daggers. She also
incriminates the guards who are later blamed for the deed.
Macbeth knows he must kill Banquo, and so he hires murderers to kill him.
He tried to have his son Fleance killed too, but Fleance escapes. At the dinner
that night in front of his men, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo. Troubled, he
goes back to the witches and asks what the future holds. He is told that no man
born of woman can harm him.
Made bold by that, he becomes fearless, only to find that he has not
understood the prophesy. He is killed by MacDuff.
260

261

262

CORPSE by Gerald Moon, 1984 . Directed by Nathan Schulz. Performed at the
GCLT theatre, 29 June to 20 July, 2013.
Evelyn & Rupert Farrant.......................................................................Dean Mayer
Major Powell...........................................................................................Thian Sykes
Hawkins......................................................................................... Darren Campbell
Mrs McGee.......................................................................................Cecile Campbell
Set in London in 1936. Struggling actor Evelyn Farbrant has a twin brother,
Rupert. He hates Rupert because he was always more popular and inherited
their deceased parents' money. He plans to have Rupert killed so he can then
take on his identity and spend his money. He enlists the help of long-term
criminal, Major Powell. The Major is on the run from Eddie Chan and needs
money to stay safe.
Evelyn has planned the crime in infinite detail. He tells Powell to lure Rupert
to his flat on the excuse that he is dying. Powell arrives, sees Rupert and shoots
him. Then Evelyn arrives, saying that he is Rupert.
Powell despairs thinking he has killed the wrong brother.
Pretending to be Rupert, Evelyn strings Powell along, threatening to call the
police. When the body of Rupert comes back to life, Powell shoots Evelyn
because he said he was going to the police and not give him any more money.
Evelyn then appears and explains to him that the first time he shot Rupert and
himself, he used theatrical props.
But Powell is in for a shock when Evelyn tells him he is the father who
abandoned them. Evelyn plans to kill Powell in revenge of his mother and he
stabs him. Now pretending to be Rupert, Evelyn thinks all has gone to plan until
a police constable knocks on the door advising him that he has left his car lights
on. All seems to be well as they leave to fix the car, until the body of Powell falls
down in front of them.
263

264

265

THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams, 1952. Directed by
Noella Johnson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 7 to September
22, 2013.
Amanda Wingfield..............................................................................Laney McLean
Laura Wingfield..............................................................................Chantelle Wright
Tom Wingfield.........................................................................................Sasha Cuha
Jim O'Connor......................................................................................James Fitchett
Set in St Louis in the 1950's. Mrs Amanda Wingfield lives in a squalid
tenement building in a poorer section of St Louis. Her husband left her and the
children sixteen years ago, and she has now fallen on hard times.
Fortunately, her adult son Tom works full time at a shoe wharehouse and can
support the family by paying for most of the household costs. But he is not happy
there and plans to join the Merchant Navy just as soon as they accept him. He
does not plan to tell his mother and sister about his plan to leave, but rather, will
just leave in the same way that his father did.
His sister Laura is the only attachment he will miss when he leaves. Born with
one leg shorter than the other, Laura's personality and confidence have been
severely shattered to the point where she is unable to function in the outside
world. Having been enrolled in a Secretarial School, she was to learn some skills
that would equip her for the life of an unmarried woman. However, her acute
shyness and nervous disposition have made taking the dictation tests impossible
for her. So she leaves the School without telling her mother.
Her mother, Amanda, is a fading Southern Belle whose preoccupation is to find
Laura a husband. Not wanting her to live the life of a dependant spinster, she
encourages Tom to bring home any friends he may have at work so they can be
introduced to Laura. Known as Gentlemen Callers, these potential beaux harken
back to a bygone era when Amanda herself was feted by large numbers of young
men admirers.
But all comes unraveled when the Gentleman Caller Tom brings home
announces that he is engaged to be married.
266

267

268

269

DON'T JUST LIE THERE, SAY SOMETHING by Michael Pertwee, 1973.
Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 16
to December 7, 2013.
Barry Ovis MP....................................................................................David Edwards
Jean Fenton.....................................................................................Ruth Henderson
The Rt Hon. Wilfred Potts, M.P............................................................Brian Wilson
Gisele Parkyn.......................................................................................Maria Buckler
Sir William Mainwaring-Brown, M.P.................................................Eric Summers
Inspector Ruff...................................................................................Bruce Alker Jnr
Damina.................................................................................................Grace Lennox
Wendy.......................................................................................................Clare Ryan
A Caretaker...........................................................................................Hugh Brophy
Barry Ovis MP wants to pursue a relentless battle against the forces of
corruption and falling moral standards which threatens the very fabric of life in
Britain at that time. He wants to pass the new Law and Order Bill.
As a result of his zealousness, a group of political anarchists kidnap him and try
to implicate him in an orgy. He manages to escape when the police arrive to raid
the house he is held captive in, by coshing them over the head. He is now
considered a Wanted Man and a dangerous criminal. He makes his way back to
his apartment, accompanied by a young woman by the name of Damina, who
hopes to photograph him in a compromising position.
Meanwhile, his boss, Sir Mainwaring-Brown MP who is also keen to implement
the new laws, is not as moral as he tries to pretend he is. He has eyes for his
secretary, Miss Parkyn, even though he is married.
When Barry's fiancée, Jean, finds him disheveled and hiding from the police,
she does what she can to help him. They not only have Inspector Ruff to have to
contend with, but also an old adversary by the nickname of Potty. Potty is staying
in the apartment and also hoping to get some dirt on the MPs.
When Potty catches Barry and William with four women, he believes he has
ousted a political scandal. But he is shocked to find that one of the women is his
very own granddaughter.
270

Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
271

272

273

THE UNEXPECTED GUEST by Agatha Christie, 1958. Directed by Andrew
Trump. Performed at the GCLT theatre, January 31 to February 22, 2013.
Laura Warwick.............................................................................Marja-Lisa Rintala
Michael Starkwedder.....................................................................Jimmy Odenbreit
Miss Bennett...............................................................................................Lisa Shah
Jan Warwick.......................................................................................Mitchell Walsh
Mrs Warwick.....................................................................................Cecile Campbell
Henry Angell......................................................................................Grant Eberling
Detective Sergeant Cadwallader..........................................................Megan Frener
Inspector Thomas............................................................................Terry Fitzpatrick
Julian Farrer....................................................................................Martin Jennings
A man stumbles into a remote country home, seeking to use the telephone
following a car accident. He finds a dead body and a beautiful woman with a gun.
After hearing her story and sympathising with her plight, he takes control of the
situation.
He assumes she was the one who fired the gun and she makes no attempt to
dispute it. However we soon learn that she thinks she is protecting her lover.
However, her lover is horrified at the suggestion that he did it, as he believes that
she did it. He breaks off the relationship with her, as being associated with a
murderess would be bad for his career.
Meanwhile, suspicion is thrown onto a man, Michael Starkwedder, whose
young child was killed by the dead man. The child had allegedly run into the
oncoming path of the car, but the dead man was drunk and was not capable of
stopping in time.
His live-in carer backed up the dead man by saying he was not under the
influence and that the child had run out and that nobody could have prevented
the accident.
But when detectives discover that Michael Starkwedder is dead, their whole
investigation begins to unravel.
Young Jan Warwick is caught firing a gun and is taken into custody, some
people believe he is the killer.
Just as Laura believes the nightmare is nearly over, Michael Starkwedder
reveals himself as the father of the little boy and the killer of her husband.
274

275

THE REMOVALISTS by David Williamson, 1971. Directed by Patrick
Monteith. Performed at the GCLT theatre, March 29 to April 19, 2014.
Sergeant Dan Simmonds.................................................................. ......Jack Henry
Constable Neville Ross.............................................................. ....Patrick Monteith
Kate Mason............................................................................................Kate McNair
Fiona Carter....................................................................................Candice Dittman
Kenny Carter..........................................................................................Sean Curran
Rob the Removalist.................................................................................Bruce Alker
The play begins in a small suburban police station in Melbourne, Australia.
Constable Neville Ross has just finished his police training and his first placement
is with Sergeant Dan Simmonds.
Fiona Carter is married to a violent man named Kenny. He has recently beaten
her. When Fiona tells her sister Kate, Kate insists that she lodge a complaint with
the police. So the two of them go to the police station, where Simmonds instructs
Ross to take photographs of the bruises on Fiona's legs. He also advises Fiona to
leave the home she shares with Kenny and he arranges for a Removalist to move
her furniture to the new flat that sister Kate is helping her to organise.
Meanwhile, Kenny is back at the flat and is drunk. When the Removalist
arrives and starts to pack furniture up, Kenny becomes agitated and violent.
Simmonds and Ross burst in and handcuff Kenny to a table. Kenny provokes the
two policemen and Simmonds encourages Ross to beat him up to teach him a
lesson.
Kenny lies beaten on the floor, unable to defend himself. The two policemen
think that they may have gone too far and are concerned that he is dead. It comes
as quite a relief to them when he regains consciousness and begins to negotiate a
deal with the two of them. But while he is talking, he dies suddenly of a brain
hemorrhage.
The two police officers are then left with the problem of explaining their
actions.
276

277

278

SHUT YOUR EYES AND THINK OF ENGLAND by John Chapman &
Anthony Marriott, 1978. Directed by Dorothy Henderson. Performed at the
GCLT theatre, June 21 to July 12, 2014.
Sir Justin Holbrook.............................................................................Robert Fallon
Stella Richards.....................................................................Amanda-Lee Weatherby
Arthur Pullen......................................................................................David Edwards
Lady Valerie Holbrook............................................................................Dawn China
Rt. Honorable Sir Frederick Goudhurst..........................................John McWatters
Sheik Marami ...................................................................................Noel Thompson
Mrs Joyce Pullen ...........................................................................Nicola den Braber
Mr Rubenstein.......................................................................................Brian Wilson
Dr Cornish ..........................................................................................Denis Watkins
When accountant Arthur Pullen comes to the office on a Saturday to finish the
books for audit, he is astonished to find his employer, Sir Justin Holbrook, in the
penthouse flat with a Call girl named Stella. Arthur is dismayed to learn that the
prostitutes have been paid for under the misleading account of Mount Street
Secretarial Agency. He voices his disapproval, but is strongly encouraged to
forget about it and leave things as they are.
When Sir Justin's wife arrives unexpectedly, he tries to convince her that Stella
is Arthur's second wife. In order to explain a few things, Sir Justin also adds that
she is a nurse and was helping to resuscitate him.
Things are starting to settle down, when Sir Fredrick Goudhurst arrives with
some bad news about Sheik Marami, who is on his way to obtain a signature from
Sir Justin. Sir Frederick has explained that the British economy depends on
Arabs such as Marami, investing their money there. But with Sir Justin out to it
on the bed unable to sign, Arthur Pullen has to impersonate him.
When the real Mrs Pullen arrives, the sheik is instantly smitten and wants to
take her back to his homeland. She is at first, horrified at the thought, but when
her husband is forced to disregard her as part of the ruse, she succumbs to the
Sheik's charms. Meanwhile, Valerie Holbrook is falling for Arthur Pullen, who
has taken over the identity of her husband, his former boss. The two plan to
escape to South America.
279

ROMEO and JULIET by William Shakespeare, 1595. Directed by James
Anderson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, Southport, August 30 to September
20, 2014.
Romeo & Juliet ...................................................Jack Harbour & Stephanie Toft
Mercutio & Tybolt .................................................David Todman & Clay English
Benvolia & Nurse....................................................Kelty McKenzie & Tara Page
Capulet & Lady Capulet ...................................... Noel Thompson & Susan Cary
Prologue & Apothecary ......................................................................Joel Beskin
Friar Lawrence & Montague .............................................................Rob Horton
Paris ..........................................................................................Michael Gallegos
Prince ...............................................................................................Kate McNair
Balthasar...............................................................................................Ben Oxley
The Montague and Capulet families hate each other. Both live in the town of
Verona. They regularly meet and fight. When Romeo, a Montague, falls in love
with Juliet, a Capulet, they both realise that what they have is a Forbidden Love.
With their families against them, the only chance they have of being together is
for them to marry as soon as possible before their respective families can stop
them.
The next day, Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them in private in the hope that
their love will bring the two families together. However Romeo was seen at the
Capulet party where he met Juliet, by Tybalt, Juliet's cousin. He took Romeo's
presence there to be disrespectful and so he challenged him to a fight. By this
time, Romeo is married to Juliet and doesn't want to fight with her cousin.
But Tybalt continues to pursue him. When Romeo's friend, Mercutio, joins the
fray to protect Romeo, he is killed by Tybalt. Romeo is so angry, he goes after
Tybalt and kills him. Amazed that he has killed his wife's cousin, he is eaten up
with remorse. When the authorities learn of the deaths, they banish Romeo.
Meanwhile, Juliet's father has betrothed her to local man-about-town, Paris.
She is already married to Romeo, but is unable to tell her parents and yet can't go
ahead with the wedding. She goes to Friar Lawrence who gives her a vial of
poison to suspend signs of life in her for twenty-four hours. He tries to get word
to Romeo that she will wake from her tomb, but word does not get through to
him.
When Romeo discovers her dead, he takes what is left of the poison and dies
himself. Juliet wakes and sees Romeo dead and so she stabs herself. When the
two families discover their dead children, they reconcile with each other.
282

THE PAJAMA GAME by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Book by George
Abbott and Richard Bissell. Directed by Stuart Lumsden. Musical Director -
Mary Walters. Performed at the GCLT theatre, November 8 to December 6,
2014.
Hines & Prez .........................................................Leigh Harrison & David Todman
Gladys & Mabel........................................................Becky Morgan & Lee Patterson
Sid Sorokin & Babe Williams.............................Chris Catherwood & Louise Harris
Charlie & Mae ...............................................Daniel Green & Katie Stewart-Robins
Brenda & Poopsie ..................................................Lucia Grant & Jemmah Peacock
Max & Pop ...............................................................................................Mick Beard
Chorus .............................Ian McKellar, Meagan Heuston, Jodie Barnes, Lara Rix,
Helen Stretton, Nytara Buckley, Anne Haliday, Shelley Filen, James Flett, Teagan
Miller, Tracey de Vries.
The story takes place in a small town in the Mid-West region of the United
States.
The action involves the workers and bosses at the Sleep-Tite Pajama factory.
Underscoring the romantic twists and turns is the dissatisfaction the workers
have when their boss, Mr Hasler, won't grant them a pay rise.
The workers hear from others in the garment industry, how their bosses have
complied with the increase. This creates an atmosphere of disunity when
the Union President (Prez) and leader of the Grievance Committee, Babe
Williams, decide to put in place a go-slow, encouraging the workers to work
slower and even sabotage the garments in order to get what they want.
This causes a lot of pain for Foreman Sid Sorokin, as he is in love with
Babe. When he catches Babe deliberately meddling with the machinery, he sacks
her. He hopes that it won't affect their relationship, but of course, it will.
When Sid gets hold of the Boss's ledger accounts, he finds out that the
designated pay increase had been added to the cost of the pajamas six months
ago. Hasler threatens to tell the police, but Sid argues that if he doesn't pass on
the price increase in the form of a raise, he will tell the Board.
Hasler asks the workers if they will accept the pay rise, but not retrospectively.
So Sid and Babe are reunited in their adoration for each other.
285

286
PAJAMA GAME

287

SIGNAL DRIVER by Patrick White, 1983. Music by Carl Vine. Directed by
Noella Johnson. Performed at the GCLT theatre, January 24 to February 7,
2015.
First Being ...................................................................................Shane Caddaye
Second Being ....................................................................................Jann Alcorn
Theo Vokes .................................................................................Noel Thompson
Ivy Vokes .....................................................................................Jacki Simmons
Set in a public shelter from around 1920.
Theo and Ivy are married. But Theo is not happy. He wants to quit his job
and his life and become a carpenter. Theo always wanted to be a carpenter,
but his mother wanted him to be a Church Minister, and now his wife wants
him to be a businessman.
Neither is mother nor his wife have ever understood him. He feels trapped
and frustrated with his life, and so decides to do something about it.
He packs a bag, leaves his house and wife and makes his way to the tram stop.
He is still a young man and he knows that it is not too late to chase his dream.
His dream is to have a bare room with a work bench that overlooks the ocean.
But when he gets to the tram stop and stands on the platform, his attempts
to hail the tram are half-hearted. Does he not really believe in his dream or
does he not have the courage?
Ivy Vokes has noticed her husband has left the house and has run after him.
She arrives at the tram platform, flushed and out of breath. She is the
practical one. She tries to placate her husband and talks him into returning
home with her. But she has dreams herself. She is not satisfied with just her
husband and marriage, she wants children. She also wants the stability that a
husband with a steady job can provide.
She has herself, started a small business to help pay the bills. .
As the years roll on, there is a switch in the Vokes relationship. They have
had two children, one of whom died. They also have grandchildren, but find
that they do not enrich their lives in the way they thought they would.
It is now Ivy who wants to escape on the bus. But she is old and arthritic.
Theo comes to the bus stop to give her her coat and tell her she is too old.
288

SIGNAL DRIVER
289

ABIGAIL'S PARTY by Mike Leigh. Directed by Dawn China.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, March 14 to March 28, 2015.
Susan Lawson.......................................................................................Helen Maden
Beverly Moss .................................................................................Natalie Campbell
Laurence Moss......................................................................................Peter Maden
Tony Cooper......................................................................................Michael Denny
Angela Cooper....................................................................................Amy Anderson
Beverly and Laurence Moss are hosting a drinks party at their home.
They invite neighbours Tony and Angela Cooper and Susan Lawson. Susan has
come over because her fifteen year old daughter Abigail is having a party of her
own. With loud music and a house full of young people, Susan probably feels a
quiet evening sipping drinks with adults is the preferable option.
But the chain-smoking Beverly takes her task as hostess seriously, and straight
away begins to ply her guests with drinks. She bosses husband Laurence around
and sends him off to the off-license to get more beers just in case one of her
guests wants to chase their whiskey down with a pale ale. She belittles and
berates Laurence in front of the other guests and also behind his back.
On his return, she insists on he and Tony going past Susan's house to keep an
eye on the goings-on of Abigail's party. Laurance is not keen on doing this, but
Beverly's nagging makes doing the request the preferred option.
Tony goes with him, but does not return with him. We don't know where he goes
or what he does, but he finally makes it back to the party, looking a little
disheveled.
At one point, Beverly flirts shamelessly with Tony Cooper.
Laurence is by now, so angry with his wife that he begins to raise his voice and
airs his frustration by shouting. This prompts him to have a heart attack and die
right there on the lounge room floor. Nurse Angela tries to resuscitate him while
husband Tony holds her hair back. She then gets a cramp in her leg, which Tony
rubs for her. Meanwhile, wife Beverly hops about impotently waving fag ash.
290

291

292

JERRY'S GIRLS by Jerry Herman and Larry Alford, 1981. Directed by
Kate Peters. Performed at the GCLT theatre, May 16 to June 13, 2015
Cast -
Elisa James, Kirri Adams,Katrina Lardner, Deborah Leigh Russell, Beccy
Morgan
Katie Grace, Eryn Lardner, Abby Marchwicki, Teagan Beetham
All-female cast recreates scenes and songs from Herman's hits, including
Just Leave Everything to Me (Hello Dolly!)
Wherever He Ain't (Mack & Mabel
We Need a Little Christmas (Mame)
Milk and Honey (Milk & Honey)
It's Today (Mame)
I Don't Want to Know (Dear World)
Just go to the Movies (A Day in Hollywood)
Time Heals Everything (Mack & Mabel)
La Cage aux Folles
Bosom Buddies (Mame)
Shalom (Milk & Honey)
293

294

295

PRIVATE LIVES by Noel Coward. Directed by Roger McKenzie.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, July 25 to August 15, 2015.
Sibyl Chase...................................................................................Jessica Stansfield
Elyot Chase .................................................................................Chris Catherwood
Amanda Prynne ..............................................................................Jacki Simmons
Victor Prynne ...........................................................................Christopher Hartley
Louise ...............................................................................................Maria Buckler
Socialites, Sibyl and Elyot Chase, are on their honeymoon in the South of
France. All is going well until Elyot discovers that his ex-wife Amanda is
honeymooning in the apartment next door.
When he tries to persuade Sibyl to leave and travel to another hotel, she flatly
refuses. Elyot considers her behavior to be stubborn and churlish, and tells her
so.
When Amanda tries to persuade new husband, Victor to leave, he likewise,
refuses to budge.
This causes great disharmony between the two pairs of newlyweds.
It is inevitable then, that Elyot and Amanda would join up to console each
other about their rather mismatched marriages. The pair decide to run away
together to Amanda's flat in Paris, where they can hide out until they sort
themselves out.
But it is not long before Amanda and Elyot are themselves, at loggerheads.
When Victor and Sibyl arrive to confront them, Amanda and Elyot find that they
can't go back to their respective spouses, and so quietly escape, leaving the
arguing exes to fight it out between themselves.
296

297

298

DIMBOOLA by Jack Hibberd, 1969. Directed by Dorothy Henderson.
Performed at the GCLT theatre, September 19 to October 10, 2015.
Musical Director, Mary Walters. Choreography Denis Watkins
Bride & Groom ............................................. Lachan Mitzherson & Stephanie Toft
Bridesmaid Shirl & Best Man Dangles...............Jacinda McLauglin & Beau Jones
Father of the Bride & Mother of the Bride.................Bob Fallon & Wendy Spencer
Father of the Groom & Mother of the Groom...................Jo Feeney & Linda Furse
Father Patrick O'Shea & Aggie McAdam..............Brian Wilson & Ruth Henderson
Astrid McAdam & Johnnie McAdam.....................Tia Thompson & Jye Thompson
Horace & Mavis McAdam.................................Bruce Alker Jnr & Hendrika Koster
Bayonet & Muton........................................................Michael Denny & Petar Zabic
Leonardo Radish, Reporter...................................................................Bob Mussett
The Band........................................................Lionel Driftwood and the PileDrivers
Dimboola is a celebration of the wedding of Protestant Morrie McAdam and
Catholic, Reen Delaney, in the Mechanics' Institute Hall in Dimboola, Victoria.
No holds are barred as the two families come together for the wedding which
Jack Hibberd calls 'The testing of strengths of the newly conjugated tribes.
The family members try to preserve social grace and dignity in the face of
impending disasters. And disasters there are aplenty!
After the drink has flowed a little too freely, mayhem and humour ensues when
the families exchange insults and punches, as they resolve to come to terms with
the situation.
The play uses audience participation to a very high degree; audience members
are greeted by the Father of the Bride and the new arrivals are announced to the
audience.
The auditorium is set up with tables and decorated with balloons and streamers.
Audience members are assigned characters and actors improvise with them
during the play's fights and shenanigans.
299

300

SOCIAL CLIMBERS by Roger Hall, 1996. Directed by Helen Maden.
Performed at the GCLT theatre,
Susan.............................................................Suzanne Grant
Annie .............................................................Susan Cary
Kath ...............................................................Laney McLean
Emily .............................................................Amy McDonald
Maxine ...........................................................Del Halpin
Sinead ............................................................Camille Chorley
A group of female teachers, plus one reluctant, surly, rebellious art student
daughter, embark on a week of bushwalking in the mountains to get away from it
all.
However, torrential rains wash out the bridge back to civilisation and the
group is forced to stay put in the rustic bush hut.
Forced by circumstance to stay together in the one small room for days at a
time, the women begin to unravel. Resentments surface and insults are hurled
Tea bags are rationed and the outhouse toilet is becoming scarier by the day
When the rain continues to fall and the chances of them getting home any time
soon diminishes, the cask of red wine and the dollops of vodka help to free up
peoples inhibitions and by the third day, their souls are laid bare and open to
inspection.
Will the hut-ghost appear to them during the seance? Will the women be there
so long, their PMT cycles will screech into menopause. Will they scratch each
others eyes out? Or will they find out what true friendship really means by the
time it stops raining.
An insightful comedy about truth, consequences and unexpected revelations.
301

302

Aerial View of GCLT theatre and surrounds,
2013.

Abigail's Party ..................................................................p 290
Accidental Death of an Anarchist ....................................p 98
A Chorus Line ..................................................................p 144
A Chorus of Disapproval .................................................p 188
A Christmas Carol .......................................................... p 84
A Murder is Announced ..................................................p 153
An Ideal Husband .......................................................... p 168
Annie Get your Gun ........................................................p 190
Anything Goes ................................................................ p 166
Arsenic & Old Lace ..........................................................p 226
Auntie Mame....................................................................p 156
Barefoot in the Park ........................................................p 127
Billy Liar ......................................................................... p 99
Biloxi Blues ..................................................................... p 101
Bombshells .................................................................... . p 239
Brighton Beach Memoires............................................... p 77
Broadway Bound..............................................................p 122
Busy Body ........................................................................p 59
Calendar Girls ..................................................................p 255
Camelot .............................................................................p 119
Carnival............................................................................ .p 38
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ...................................................... p 163
Caught in the Act.............................................................. p 74
Caught in the Net ............................................................. p 171
Chicago ..............................................................................p 143
Communicating Doors ......................................................p 105
Corpse ............................................................................... p 263
Cosi ....................................................................................p 244
Daughters of Heaven ........................................................ p 249
Daylight Saving ................................................................. p 104
Deadly Nightcap ............................................................... p 135
Death & The Maiden ....................................................... p 88
Deathtrap ......................................................................... p 193
Dial M for Murder ........................................................... p 222
Dimboola ....................................................................... p 299
Dixie Swim Club .............................................................. p 237
Don's Party ...................................................................... p 128
Don't Just lie there, say Something .................................. p 270
Equus ............................................................................... p 181
Eurobeat .......................................................................... .p 232
Falling from Grace .......................................................... p 96
Fiddler on the Roof ..................................................... p 252
Guys and Dolls ............................................................. p 91
Hamlet .......................................................................... p 173
Hay Fever ...................................................................... p 159
High Society .................................................................. p 206
Hobson's Choice ............................................................. p 73
Hotel Sorrento .................................................................. p 100

I Hate Hamlet ............................................................. .p 170
Inheritance .................................................................. .p 177
Into the Woods .............................................................p 259
It's my party (and I'll die if I want to) ..........................p 148
Jerry's Girls ...................................................................p 293
Jury Room .....................................................................p 208
Lipstick Dreams .............................................................p 117
Key for Two ....................................................................p 250
Look Who's Talking........................................................p 55
Lost in Yonkers ..............................................................p 109
Macbeth .........................................................................p 260
Money and Friends ........................................................p 110
Move over Mrs Markham ..............................................p 230
Murder by Misadventure ...............................................p 165
Murdered to Death .........................................................p 184
My Three Angels..............................................................p 47
Noises Off ........................................................................p 82
No Sex Please, We're British...........................................p 43 & p 186
Oh What a Lovely War ...................................................p 182
Orphans...........................................................................p 87
Our Country's Good ........................................................p 194
Our Town ........................................................................p 137
Pardon Me Prime Minister..............................................p 50
Peggy for You ..................................................................p 155
Picasso at the Lapin Agile ...............................................p 136
Private Lives.......................................................p 64 & p 296
QE11 The Abdication of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd..........p 68
Rebecca ............................................................................p 49
Red, Hot & Cole ...............................................................p 176
Remembrance ................................................................p 121
Ring Round the Moon .....................................................p 78
Romeo & Juliet ................................................................p 54 & p 282
Rough Crossing................................................................p 86
Run for your Wife ...........................................................p 164
Salonika............................................................................p 42
Seasons Greetings............................................................p 58
Sherlock's Last Case.........................................................p 40
Show Boat .................................................................. .....p 224
Shirley Valentine .............................................................p 150
Shut Your Eyes and think of England .............................p 279
Signal Driver.....................................................................p 288
Social Climbers .................................................................p 301
Someone Who'll Watch Over Me .....................................p 111
South Pacific ............................................................... .....p 126
Steaming ...........................................................................p 129
Stepping Out .....................................................................p 218
Strippers ...................................................................... .....p 140

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll ..............................p 179
Sylvia ........................................................................ p 134
Ten Times Table ........................................................p 172
The Anniversary.........................................................p 52
The Boys ....................................................................p 234
The Boyfriend ............................................................p 178
The Children's Hour...................................................p 83
The Club .....................................................................p 199
The Elephant Man......................................................p 51
The Family .................................................................p 154
The Glass Menagerie .................................................p 266
The Herbal Bed....................................................... ..p 149
The Hound of the Baskervilles...................................p 66
The Importance of being Ernest ............................. ..p 204
The Kidnap Game.......................................................p 72
The Last of the Red Hot Lovers..................................p 44
The Lion in Winter......................................................p 61
The Merry Widow ................................................... .p 152
The Night of the Iguana ........................................... p 70
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie ................................ p 48
The Pajama Game .................................................... p 285
The Removalists ........................................................p 276
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice ...............................p 157
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole...............................p 123
The Sleeping Beauty ................................................. p 69
The Sound of Music ...................................................p 158
The Three Musketeers............................................... p 113
The Unexpected Guest ...............................................p 274
The Venetian Twins ...................................................p 151
Tom, Dick & Harry ....................................................p 200
Top Silk ......................................................................p 71
Travelling North ........................................................p 228
Twice in a Lifetime ....................................................p 242
Waiting in the Wings. ................................................p 212
Wind in the Willows...................................................p 133
Wuthering Heights ....................................................p 90
You can't take it with you ..........................................p 146
84 Charing Cross Road .............................................p 83

The curtain closes on another chapter in the history of the theatre.
A BIG Thankyou! to all of the back stage crews and front of house staff who
have contributed their time, talent and energy to help make all of these shows
possible and certainly make the experience more enjoyable.
It has been a joy to be a part of this theatre for the past 28 years.
I have enjoyed creating this book, although, as in life, there have been many
ups and downs. It has taken many years to acquire the material, locate and
read the scripts, watch the shows and beg members for photos.
I struggle with technology at the best of times, and have had two computers
breakdown on me mid-sentence, experienced significant data loss and have
been locked out of the software programme with only a couple of plays left to
go.
But it is all worth it when we can share the knowledge and history and enjoy
the precious GCLT memories all over again.
I hope that I will still be around long enough to write the next book, GCLT
Volume 3,
2016 -
Maria Buckler

Now that the book is finished and the
audience and guests have gone home,
Louise the Maid poses with some of
the stage props.
Private Lives 2015
Photo courtesy of
Murray Rix