Musicals

50 GOLDEN YEARS

1977 - 1987

Another comedy opened the 1977 season, "A Bird in the Hand" directed by Marj Ford. This was followed soon after by Jenny Strickland's production of "Don't Just Lie There, Say Something" by Michael Pertwee. Again, this was staged at the Victoria Theatre, Sovereign Hill. This was followed by Noel Coward's "This Happy Breed" produced by Thelma Walker and Marj Ford. Another successful comedy followed, "Chase Me, Comrade", with production by Laurie Lane of Melbourne. At the BTV6 Bruce Jackson Memorial Acting Awards dinner in February, Joy Smith had received an Honorary Life Membership for her years of service to the theatre. Geoff Tunbridge and Marilyn Chestnut were pronounced "best actors" for the season.

The 1978 season opened with the drama, set in a court-room, "You, the Jury". Production was by Jenny Strickland. In June the drama "Children of the Wolf" was presented, with direction by Ron Boon. September marked Doug Sarah's debut as director in his production of the comedy "Billy Liar", which was to earn an acting award for Peter Bromley in the title role. A successful innovation during this production was a smorgasbord dinner in the foyer, held before the performance on the final night. The December production was "Move Over Mrs Markham" by Ray Cooney and John Chapman, with production by Marj Ford. Again Marj produced an award-winner in Val Sarah, adjudged the best actress for 1978 for her portrayal of "Mrs Markham". In December, the committee regretfully took the decision to suspend the Green Room Night, due to lack of support. During the year the committee mourned the deaths of two valued members, Russ Carey, who was a tireless backstage worker, and Marjorie Drew, who had been Secretary since 1963.

March 1979 saw the production of the comedy "My Three Angels" written by Albert Husson, and directed by Jenny Strickland. This was followed in June by a season of one-act plays produced by the Wendouree Arts Council. These were, "The Dear Departed", "Fumed Oak" and "String Trio". Next came Doug Sarah's production of "Goodnight Mrs Puffin" and "On the Bridge at Midnight" directed by Ron Boon. Charity nights continued to be popular as a practical way of aiding community groups and it is noted in the Annual Report that "recipients have usually been able to clear amounts of up to $450". As in other years, the Annual Awards Dinner was the highlight of the social calendar, and the award winners were: Best Set Design, won by Mary Glenane for "My Three Angels"; Best Supporting Role, Graeme Day for "Goodnight Mrs Puffin"; Best Actress, Elizabeth Joll for "Mrs Puffin" and Best Actor, lan Buerckner for his role in "On the Bridge at Midnight". This was the first year that the "BJs", the handsome bronze statuettes, depicting the actor taking a bow, were presented. These had been designed by Roy Alen of BTV6's graphic arts department, and sculpted by Ken Palmer.

Jenny Strickland's production of "Mountain Air" by Donald Wilkinson opened the 1980 season, and as with all of Jenny's productions was well-attended. June saw another "first-time" director in Roger Lemke for his production "I Do, I Do". This was a delightful musical, with a two-handed cast, Wendy Holgate and John Williams. Roger Lemke went on to great success in opera, working extensively overseas, and on returning home to Australia, achieved success in musical comedy, Victorian State Opera and the Australian Opera. The third production of the year was Ray Lawler's "The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" which was directed by Alan Wakeling. This was Alan's third try at "the Doll", two previous attempts at the production had been cancelled due to the withdrawal of the Rights for amateur companies. The final production for the year was by another first-timer, Peter Adams, who presented "Butterflies Are Free" by Leonard Gershe.

During the year beautiful antique furniture was restored at the cost of around $1,000 and placed in the foyer for the comfort of patrons. This year, for the first time, the Theatre's Constitution provided for the appointment of an Executive Officer; this position was filled by Doug Sarah until his resignation from the committee in 1984. Award winners for the year were; Pat Earnshaw for the Best Performance in a Supporting Role for her part in "Butterflies Are Free", Best Set design was won by Ian Page for the same play; the Best Actress was Wendy Holgate for "I Do, I Do" and Best Actor, lain Christie for "Butterflies Are Free".

The first play in the 1981 season marked the debut of Ray Riordan as director. The play was" A Taste of Honey" by Shelagh Delaney. This was followed in June by Jenny Debney's production of "Miss Adams Will Be Waiting" by Arthur Lovegrove. This was also Jenny's first production as director with BNT. The final production for the year was a "whodunnit" by Sam Bates, "Murder at Deem House", directed by Alan Wakeling. During the year Honorary Life Memberships were conferred upon Geoff Richards, past President and a member of the 1938 committee, and Doug Sarah, who had been President twice, and a long-time worker for National Theatre. Improvements to the theatre during the year included new carpeting for the vestibule; a TV monitor in the foyer during productions so that late-comers could watch the play in comfort until being admitted to the auditorium during a suitable break in the action; and the recovering of more antique chairs for the foyer. BJ Award winners for the year were Val Sarah and Geoff Nott for their roles in "Miss Adams Will Be Waiting" and Sonja Kinnersley awarded the Best Performance in a Supporting Role for "Murder at Deem House".

Doug Sarah's production of "The Secretary Bird" opened the 1982 season, and this was followed by the comedy-drama "The Killing of Sister George", directed by Ray Riordan. Doug Sarah's second production for the year was Joe Orton's farce "What the Butler Saw", and the year's final production was "The Good Doctor" written by Neil Simon and based on the stories of Anton Chekhov. This was produced by Michael MacNeill from Geelong. An exciting venture for the year was the introduction of a $1,000 Drama Award for a full length two or three-act play. A total of 44 entries was received from interstate and New Zealand as well as local entries. This was run in conjunction with the Begonia Festival and the award was made after a performance of the Festival's production of "MASH" at the Mount Clear Technical High School Theatre. The winning entry was "Now and Then" written by Leonard Radic. Mr Radic granted National Theatre the option of producing the World Premiere of the play. Two special commendations were made - to Peter Nethercote for "The Wisdom of Begetting" and to an Adelaide entry for "Daughter of the House". Domestic improvements for the year included new illuminated mirrors in the dressing rooms; new flooring, painting and general updating in the kitchen, including the relocation of the stove and refrigerator and the building of new cupboards. The" season's award winners were Liz Gurrie, for the Best Performance in a Supporting Role for "The Secretary Bird"; Best Set Design won by Lionel Curtis for "The Killing of Sister George"; and the "Bls" for Best Acting Performances were won by Bill Horrocks and Michelle Coxall for "The Good Doctor". During the year members were saddened to learn of the death of Mary McLeod, a past President and long time supporter of the theatre.

The 1983 season opened with Robert Bolt's "A Man for All Seasons", directed by John Williams. Following this, "Confusions" by Alan Ayckbourn was staged, with joint production by Sonja Kinnersly and Bill Horrocks. The third production for the year was A. A. Milne's popular "Toad of Toad Hall" directed by Ray Riordan. This was an ambitious work in that most of the large cast were children. The season closed with Oscar Wilde's comedy of manners "The Importance of Being Earnest" directed by Kenneth Hemmens of Geelong. Although it was not known at the time, this was to be the final production in the Little Theatre. Award Winners for the year were, Ian Page and John Williams, who shared the Best Set Design award for "A Man For All Seasons"; Made Lyons, the Best Supporting Actress for "Confusions" and John Garland, the Best Supporting Actor for "A Man For All Seasons", The "BJs" for the season were won by Marilyn Chestnut for her role as Mr Badger in "Toad of Toad Hall" and Bruce Widdop for "Earnest". At the Awards Dinner the opportunity was taken to acknowledge the generous support given to the theatre over a number of years by John Stapp, who was retiring as Managing Director of Associated Broadcasting Services.

In 1984 the closure of the Little Theatre, which had been home for 36 years was a sad blow to the committee and members, and the task of moving an accumulation of nearly fifty years was particularly daunting. However, the committee, under the Presidency of Sonja Kinnersly responded to this challenge and after finding new storage premises began the task of planning the year's productions around the availability of performing-venues. Ironically, this meant a full-circle return to the earliest days of the National Theatre, when productions were staged in a variety of venues, and much talent and energy must go into choosing suitable venues or adapting unsuitable ones. These efforts have met with varied success, and many faithful friends and members of National Theatre still mourn the loss of the Little Theatre. Due to the closure of the theatre the proposed opening play for the 1984 season, the World Premiere of Leonard Radic's "Now and Then" was cancelled. However, in July, a successful production of Neil Simon's "Come Blow Your Horn" was mounted at the Victoria Theatre, Sovereign Hill. Production was by Doug Sarah. The next production, Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" with direction by Dennis Griffin, was also staged at the Victoria Theatre. The final play for the season was Kenneth Hemmen's production of "Charley's Aunt" by Brandon Thomas. This production broke new ground in that it was not performed in a theatre, but in the beautiful and spacious student Common Room at Aquinas College. This proved to be an intimate and comfortable performing space. During 1984 a successful One-act Play Festival was held at the School of Mines Auditorium. The festival was held for the purpose of allowing new directors to show their skills, and each play was evaluated by a panel of experts. Award winners for the year were; Elise Brown and Adrian Rowell who won the Best Set Design award for "Charley's Aunt"; Julie Harris, who won the Ballarat Arts Council's award for the Best Performance in a Supporting Role for "Charley's Aunt" and in the same play, Colin Yates won a "BJ" for Best Actor. Bruce Widdop won the other "BJ" for his role in "Come Blow Your Horn".

1985 was a year of consolidation for BNT. It was a year in which it was seen to be possible for stability to be maintained even without a theatre or a home base from which to operate. The first production was an original work by Joy Weidersatz entitled "Astonish Me". Production was by Paul Rose, and it was the first full-scale production to be staged at the new Wendouree High Technical School Theatre. "A Ghost on Tiptoe", a comedy by Robert Morley and Rosemary Ann Sisson followed. This was directed by Elise Brown in her first major production. It was also staged at Wendouree. Moliere's "The Reluctant Doctor" was the final offering for the season. This was staged at Aquinas College, the ideal setting for this 17th century farce. Production was by Karl Hatton. Once again, a One-act Play Festival was held; the setting this time in the theatre of the BaUarat North Senior Citizens' Clubrooms. Again, new directors benefited by the evaluation of a panel of experts. During the year, in keeping with the National Theatre Movement's original objectives, the committee were able to offer training to actors and directors in the form of workshops. The first of these was held at the fours Company Studio, and conducted by Chris Dickins and Barry Tudor. Awards for the year were won by Margaret Baum - Best Performance in a Supporting Role for "A Ghost on Tiptoe". This play also netted the Best Set Design for Elise Brown, and the "BJ" for the Best Actor for Garry West. The HBJ" for the Best Actress went to Marilyn Chestnut for her role in "Astonish Me". In May, the committee were saddened to learn of the death of Thelma Walker, a member of the original 1938 committee, director and long-time supporter of the theatre.

The first production for 1986 was Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf'!" directed by John Williams. This was staged at the School of Mines Auditorium. This was followed by "Macbeth" directed by Kenneth Hemmens and staged at the Gay Gough Theatre at Mount Clear Technical High School. Again, students of the text were able to benefit by seeing the work produced live, and hundreds of secondary school students attended. In September, Neil Simon's comic fable "Fools" was presented to capacity audiences at the Wendouree High Technical School Theatre. Production was by Sonja Kinnersly. The final production for the year was "Accommodations" by Nick Hall. This was directed by Stephen Butler and staged at Aquinas College. Early in 1986 a Directors' Summer School was held over five days. This was made possible through the financial assistance of the State Ministry of the Arts. The workshop was conducted by Richard Hayes-Marshall, an internationally trained actor, director and teacher. Later in the year a weekend voice-production workshop was conducted by Rona MacLeod, Melbourne actress and teacher at the National Theatre Drama School. Both of these workshops were well-attended and fulfilled the aims of providing expert tuition in specific areas of theatre. In March members participated in the Begonia Festival Procession. Several members dressed in costume walked beside a decorated car and handed out hundreds of pamphlets to the crowds who lined the procession route. It had been many years since National Theatre had participated in the Festival in this way ,and at this time of temporary homelessness, this was felt to be a successful exercise in public relations. The "float" was organised by Jew and Adrian Rowell. Two new awards were added to the "BJs" during the 1986 season. One was for the Best Director, to be sponsored by BNT itself and the other, sponsored by Wendouree Arts Council was for another Best Performance in a Supporting Role, which allowed for both a male and a female winner in this category. Awards were made to Mark Fry and Gavin Watt for the Best Set Design for "Fools"; Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Elise Brown for "Fools"; Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Bob House for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", and the Best Director's award. was shared by Sonja Kinnersly and John Williams. The "BJs" for the best acting performances of the year were awarded to Geoff Tunbridge and Sonja Kinnersly, for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

1987 was a quiet year production-wise. In April, Ira Levin's psycho-drama "Veronica's Room" was staged in the auditorium of the Ballarat East High School. Production was by Elise Brown. The production following, "Traitors" by the Australian writer Stephen Sewell, to be directed by Paul Tolton was indefinitely postponed, due to illness. However, the committee were kept busy planning future productions and workshops, and most importantly, following up leads to possible new premises. In August, Richard Hayes-Marshall conducted the second of his workshops for BNT, again with the generous support of the state government. The workshop took the form of intensive all-day sessions on characterisation, with the participants exploring several characters within their own persona and others developed from the stock characters of the traditional Commedia dell'arte. The result of these workshops was a production, "Mixed Doubles" which was presented to the public in December in the form of theatre restaurant. The combination of comedy production plus dinner proved to be very successful with patrons, and the committee were encouraged by the very favourable audience-reaction to plan another such production for the pre Christmas season in the coming year. Direction was by Sonja Kinnersly.

Plans for 1988 are centred around the 50th anniversary of National Theatre in March. The Annual General Meeting to be held in February will take the form of a dinner dance at Sovereign Hill, and the Guest Speaker will be Geoff Richards, Honorary Life Member, member of the first committee and BNT's fourth President. Later in 1988 it is planned that a reunion of past members will be held. Aside from this publication, a pictorial history of BNT's "Fifty Golden Years" in the form of a large poster, has been printed and offered for sale to members and to members of the public. A commemorative calendar has also been offered for sale; this features a different scene from a play for each month of the year. The earliest play featured is the 1940 production "Mr Pim Passes By". Productions planned for the year include a 'nostalgia trip' with Elise Brown's production of "Chase Me Comrade" which was first staged by BNT in 1977.

Members of Ballarat National Theatre continue to be active both on- and backstage in the productions of the other major theatre companies in Ballarat; Ballarat Theatre Company, Victorian Regional Theatre Company, Ballarat Light Opera Company, Lyric Theatre and the Begonia Festival. Members also acquit themselves well in the annual Encore Awards which were instigated by the Ballarat Courier and 3BA in 1985.

In fifty years many thousands of dollars have been contributed to charities, through the proceeds of opening-night houses, and this continues to be a practical way in which the theatre can make a return to the community for its generous support.