Musicals

50 GOLDEN YEARS

1945 - 1952

1946 was another busy year, and again three major productions were presented. These were "Gaslight" produced by Jenny Strickland at the Alfred Hall; "Jane Steps Out" by Kenneth Home, produced by Geoff and Elaine Richards and "Rebecca" produced by Thelma Morton. The following year Thelma produced "Rebecca" at the National Theatre Movement Drama Festival in Melbourne where it gained first prize. "Jane Steps Out", a comedy which delighted audiences, nevertheless offended the moral sensibilities of Archdeacon Morgan-Payler, the branch's president of six years, and he tendered his resignation, which was received with regret.

In 1947 "Rookery Nook" by Ben Travers was produced by Jenny Strickland and played at the Alfred Hall; "Claudia" was produced by WiUiam Bates at the Trades Hall, and "The Crime at Blossoms" by Mordaunt Shairp was presented at the Alfred Hall, production by Norah Nixon. A fourth production "Victoria Regina" produced by Thelma Morton was staged at the Alfred Hall. Also in 1947, NTM Melbourne, brought its production of "The Merchant of Venice" to Ballarat where it played at the Alfred Hall. William P. Carr directed and played the lead as Shylock, and it is interesting to note that "Ray Lawler, as Launcelot Gobbo, acted with zest, and imparted much vigor into Jhe humorous part of the play". (Ballarat Courier 11.8.47)

In 1948 Jenny Strickland produced the Australian premiere of "Duet for Two Hands" by Mary Bayley Bell. The Ballarat season was staged at Her Majesty's Theatre in May, and in July it was taken to Melbourne where it played at the National Theatre, to rave notices. Three more productions completed the 1948 season; Ivor Novello's "Full House" produced by Geoff and Elaine Richards, who also produced Priestley's "I Have Been Here Before", and "Lady Precious Stream" by S.I. Hsiung, with direction by Hal Porter, who also made the. elaborate head-gear worn in the production. The Ballarat Courier (30.11.48) notes that "Bob Lemke gave a good performance as the condemned General Wei". Before the opening of its Ballarat season, "I Have Been Here Before" won second prize in the 2nd annual drama festival of the National Theatre Movement.

In April 1949 "Quiet Weekend" by Esther McCracken was produced by Thelma Morton at the Alfred Hall. The noted British director Tyrone Guthrie had attended a rehearsal of the production as the guest of the Premier, T. T. Hollway. Between scenes he told a Courier reporter "I think the amateurs are doing a fine job of work in Australia. Keeping the theatre alive, arousing interest, and so on". (Ballarat Courier 28.3.49)

In June, the first production in the Little Theatre was staged - Austin McCallum's production of "Candida". This was followed in August by Jenny Strickland's fine production of "Therese Raquin" by Emile Zola. This production won first prize in the NTM Melbourne Drama Festival and Peter James was pronounced Best Actor. The production also won unstinting praise from the drama critics in the Melbourne press. In November of that year Geoff and Elaine Richards produced "Truant in Park Lane" by James Parish. Also in November, audiences enjoyed scenes from '''Macbeth'' produced by John Alexander Scott, who later went on to fame as a stage and television actor in Britain, and who returned to the Melbourne stage for a season with the Melbourne theatre Company in the early 1980's.

In February of 1950 Jenny Strickland was awarded a £500 scholarship by the National Theatre Movement to study 'production in Britain. This was to have been financed by the State government. However, owing to family commitments Jenny was not able to accept this opportunity to travel, but was content to develop her talents and love of theatre at home. In April of this year, "Or Angelus" by James Bridie was produced by Austin McCaUum, and in July Austin won a competition for playwrights run by the Ballarat branch. This competition attracted entries from all Australian states and New Zealand. Austin's winning entry was based on his experiences as a prisoner of war of the Japanese and was entitled "When Grief Hath Mates", a quotation from Shakespeare's King Lear. Third prize in the competition was awarded to Mary Hewitt of Maryborough, for her play "One Afternoon", which was produced later in the year by Ingrid Ellison. Proceeds from performances of both plays went to the Ex-POWs Association. Also in July 1950, Ibsen's "A Doll's House" was staged, with production by Jenny Strickland. Later Geoff Richards' production of "Fumed Oak" Ly Noel Coward was successful at the Royal South Street Competitions, being awarded second place in the one-act play section.

During the latter part of 1950 the theatre was threatened with closure by the Health Commission due to inadequate ventilation, and during 1951 the appropriate equipment was installed.

In April 1951, "Written for a Lady" by Leo Marks was produced by Jenny Strickland and once more she carried off first prize in the NTM Drama Festival in Melbourne. Visiting actor Mr Clifford Mollison had attended a rehearsal of "Written for a Lady" offering suggestions and general assistance. July saw the production of "Great Day" by Lesley Storm. For this production a professional producer, Mrs Veranne Irving was engaged at a fee of fifty five guineas plus expenses. An account from Craig's Hotel show that these totalled twenty four pounds, sixteen shillings and one penny. Her room cost one pound one and sixpence per night, telephone calls amounted to around eleven shillings, and on 24th July it was recorded that two dinners had cost thirteen shillings.

In September, Austin McCallum's production of "Wasn't it Odd?" by Kenneth Horne was presented at the Alfred Hall for the Gold Centenary in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Rotary Conference. This performance was attended by 700 people. It is recorded in the minutes that "in appreciation of the efforts of the Ballarat Orchestra with the play, a donation of five guineas be made to the orchestra."

1952 was a busy year with Jenny Strickland's production of "The Late Edwina Black" which was repeated later in the year at the Alfred Hall for the South Street Competitions where it gained second place. The branch also performed the work of a local writer Mrs Elvie Williams, whose play "The Vengeance" was staged in Daylesford to financially benefit the Daylesford Kindergarten. In November members enjoyed "The Shining Hour" which was the first production by Miss Pam Skinner. Early in 1952 the committee had adopted a plan of sponsoring productions by other local drama groups. The first of these was in April when the Theatre Guild under the direction of Mr William Bates, staged "Rope" by Patrick Hamilton. In June Mr Bernard D' Arcy's Yarrandoo Players presented "The Chiltern Hundreds" for a six-night season. Also in June Mr G.F.J. Dart's group performed "My Last Duchess". During 1952 also, Miss Maureen Christie was responsible for starting a Shakespeare study group. Apart from theatrical activities emanating from Camp Street, the Australian Qpera brought three different operas to BaUarat; "The Barber of .Seville", "The Consul" (starring Marie Collier prior to her overseas successes) and "Madame Butterfly". It is also recorded that the eminent British actor John Casson gave a performance at the Trades Hall in September.