Issue 1 2023
Image credits:
Daniel Ferris
Joy Sweeney
David Allsopp
Jan McLachlan
Contact us:
Our mailing address
Pymble Players Inc.
PO Box 203, St Ives 2075
E: theatre@pymbleplayers.com.au
W: pymbleplayers.com.au
F: facebook.com/PymblePlayers
“The rapture of an ‘innocent moment’ or an ‘unsuspected instant’ can overwhelm us at any time, throughout our lives, and surprise us with a storm of liberating waves of good vibrations...”
— Erik Pevernagie (Artist, 1939- )
Rapture; noun
1 an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion
2 a: a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
b: a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things
3 often capitalized: the final assumption of Christians into heaven during the end-time according to Christian theology
Meriam-Webster Dictionary
From the President
Happy New Year to all members past and present and here’s hoping for smooth sailing in 2023. It was great to see so many of you at our Christmas Mingle and to enjoy the festive cheer with friends old and new.
Bloody Murder
Our final play of 2022 was an outstanding success. Feedback from the 90% capacity audiences was full of praise for the laughs, clever writing, the acting, set design and decorations. Congratulations to Director Margaret Olive and our excellent cast and crew. Further acknowledgments and the link to the Stage Whispers review are included later in this newsletter.
2023 Season
Our 2023 season of intimate theatre has something for everyone with a wide range of the human experience full of heart and soul. We are delighted to be able to reintroduce both a 4-play season and a subscription season. A full description is included in this newsletter.
Rapture
Our first play for 2023 is Rapture directed by David Allsopp. Written by Joanna Murray-Smith, this play is brave, wise, sad, and funny. In the words of The Age review: Murray-Smith has produced a challenging, entertaining, engaging and beautifully written play for our times. How strong are our values and beliefs when fully tested?
The season is 22 February to 19 March 2023. Tickets will go on sale on 18 January 2023. See you all there!
Best wishes to all.
Warren Blood
President
2023 SEASON
Welcome to the Pymble Players 2023 Season. In our 66th year of making theatrical magic we are delighted to be able to reintroduce both a 4-play season and a subscription season. Perhaps the clouds brought by the pandemic really are finally parting.
The 2023 season is full of heart and soul. We celebrate the power and triumph of the human spirit.
Our first play Rapture, by internationally acclaimed Australian playwright, Joanna Murray-Smith, explores what happens when a tightknit group of friends are confronted with a change of heart by two of those friends. This urban comedy will make you laugh and squirm as truths and life choices are challenged and pulled apart. This play will be directed by David Allsopp who, although a familiar face over recent years on stage in The Odd Couple (Female Version) and assisting the directors of both Blithe Spirit and Moonlight and Magnolias, is making his directorial debut with Pymble Players.
Our second play, directed by regular Pymble Players’ director, Racquel Boyd (The Shoe-Horn Sonata; The Blonde, The Brunette & the Vengeful Redhead; Sylvia) is a heart-warming family drama/comedy by internationally revered Australian writer Andrew Bovell. It is the remarkable play, Things I Know To Be True. This heartfelt, beautiful and moving play follows the life of a family through a year of change and awakening.
For our third play, we have a complete change of pace with the British comedy by the legendary Alan Ayckbourn, the first play in the Norman Conquests trilogy, Table Manners. This fun romp involves affairs of the heart and how the veneer of respectability can ensnare those you least expect! This will be directed by Gavin Critchley in his debut production for Pymble Players. Gavin is an award-winning director who comes to us from the Central Coast where he has been the driving force behind the Gosford Theatre Company. We are delighted to welcome him to the Pymble Players’ family.
The final play for 2023 is the ageless, heart-stopping thriller, Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton. This brilliant, taut Victorian play about emotional abuse is more significant and relevant today than ever and will be directed by Pymble Players’ regular, Joy Sweeney (Moonlight and Magnolias, The Odd Couple (Female Version) and Dial M for Murder). It will have you on the edge of your seat!
So, there you have it, a wonderful mixed season of four fabulous plays to mark the beginning of the return of the sunshine and the clearing of the clouds.
We look forward to seeing you at the theatre – we’re sure you will enjoy yourself!
IT’S A WRAP! – BLOODY MURDER
By Arrangement With ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL, On behalf of Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois
5-30 October 2022
Written by: Ed Sala
Directed by: Margaret Olive
As anyone involved in community theatre will tell you, not all shows are created equal for various reasons. For me, it’s a people thing. There are not enough superlatives to describe the extraordinary people involved in Bloody Murder.
I had the best cast and crew that any director could ask for.
Thanks firstly to the Play Selection Committee, chaired by Wendy Morton, for choosing Bloody Murder in the first place. Thank you to the encouraging committee members of Pymble Players for giving me the opportunity to make my directing debut at Pymble and for all their support to bring this curious play to fruition.
The incredible crew of designers and operators – Ian Ackland, Wayne Chee, Geoff Jones, Marisa Newnes, Jan McLachlan, Dianne Stinson, Rob White and George Trippis, I cannot thank you enough for your contributions. I could not have done it without you.
The support stalwarts, Kevin Green and Helen Hunter-Lee as well as our Stage Managers Mel Brooker and Wendy Knight, you are all so generous and fabulous.
I had The Dream Cast – Faith Jessel, Liz Lynch, Sandra Bass, Dave Kirkham, Tim Burt and Todd Beilby. From the first read through to the closing performance you were so great to work and play with. Your professional, friendly contributions were true delights. It was great hanging out with you.
When you have the amazing experience that I had during Bloody Murder, I cannot imagine any other show coming close. Perhaps I should quit while I am ahead. If only I could bottle it!
Margaret Olive
Cast/Production L-R back – Kevin Green (Assistant to the Director), Tim Burt, Todd Beilby, Dave Kirkham
L-R front – Liz Lynch, Margaret Olive (Director), Sandra Bass, Faith Jessel
OUR NEXT PLAY – RAPTURE
By Arrangement with the author
Winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Drama 2003
22 February – 19 March 2023
Written by: Joanna Murray-Smith
Directed by: David Allsopp
What happens when a group of smart, educated city people whose cynicism, complacency and self-absorption carry them through life until their values and principles are challenged by some of their own? When one couple in this close-knit group undergoes a spiritual epiphany, the fallout is shocking, revealing and highly entertaining.
How strong are our values and beliefs when truly tested?
Cast in rehearsal: L-R back – Daniel Ferris, Karen Pattinson, Lliam Gregory
L-R front – Kate Kelly, Rob White, Louise Deibe
Diary Date
Final Dress Rehearsal – 8pm Monday 20 February 2023
Pymble Players extends an invitation to all financial and Life members to come to the Final Dress Rehearsal of Rapture at 8pm on Monday 20 February.
AUDITIONS – Things I Know To Be True
Exclusively licenced by HLA Management Pty Ltd
Written by: Andrew Bovell
Directed by: Racquel Boyd
SEASON: 17 May – 11 June 2023
AUDITIONS: Monday 6 February 2023
7 pm – scripts will be available for review
7:30 pm start time. The Audition is closed to only those auditioning. Please register your interest in attending the audition to the Director, Racquel Boyd, kyro11@ymail.com, including the role(s) for which you want to audition.
AUDITION PACK: Additional details of the production, including performance dates and rehearsal schedule, as well as additional information for auditions, are included in the audition pack.
QUERIES: For any queries about the play, production or audition, please contact the Director, Racquel Boyd, on kyro11@ymail.com.
MEMBERS NEWS
Over the next two editions of Noises Off we will be illuminating the two people who have been instrumental in PP’s technological transformation.
We are fortunate enough to have two experts in the fields of lighting and sound guiding us into state-of-the-art equipment with enormous benefits for our productions. Why not become part of the team that operates lights and sound? Those of you interested in lighting and sound design can be taught by experts!
In this edition, we feature Casey Moon-Watton, whose debut with Pymble Players was in Moonlight and Magnolias. The following Noises Off will feature Wayne Chee.
Casey Moon-Watton
What is your performance/theatrical background?
I discovered theatre at the Brisbane Arts Theatre, where a friend was Stage Managing a production and needed someone to move a couch during a scene change.
I quickly realised this was a place for me, learning as many things I could that were off stage (I have been on stage, but it wasn't good). Stage Crew, Tech Crew, Stage Management, Set Construction, Set Design, Prop Design and Construction, Lighting and Sound Design, Directing, Production Management, Committee, Newsletter Editor, Festival Coordinator, and Treasurer for a number of different groups in Brisbane and Sydney.
What is/was your occupation?
I'm an Enterprise Architect for The Star, where I design technology systems that centre around the customer, supporting things like the Loyalty Program, sales and marketing teams, and now starting to get into more regulatory and responsible gambling areas.
Who have been some of your professional/personal role models?
I’ve been lucky enough to work both professionally and in community theatre with some wonderful people who I’ve learnt a lot from and try to model myself after.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Celebrate the successes more, don't be so eager to jump to the next bit of "work", and saying "no" occasionally is OK!
What would be your theme song?
That’s a great question... I don’t know, maybe the Baby Elephant Walk?
Perhaps Geoff Jones could write one for me! 😊
Tell us about some achievements (theatrical/performance and/or personal) and what’s ahead for you?
I’ve worked on a lot of shows over the years that I am proud of. Some of the highlights are:
Producing three shows with some friends in Brisbane in the early 2000’s
Working with Act/React on their Sydney Festival Shows Speed: the movie, the play, and Titanic: the movie, the play
Sound design on Amadeus and The Woman in Black, and Stage Managing and Lighting Design for The Talented Mr Ripley for Brisbane Arts Theatre
My first ever directing gig, After Dinner for N@sh Theatre in Brisbane
For Hunters Hill Theatre: Lighting, Set and Stage Management for Death Knell, Set for Murder on the Nile, Directing: Proof, It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want To, Goodbye Mrs Blore
Lighting design for Nell Gwyn and Entertaining Angels at Castle Hill Players
I’m looking forward to working with Pymble Players again this year on specifically Gaslight with Joy Sweeney. For Hunters Hill Theatre I’ll be designing the set for Jennifer Willison’s production of the Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race, and for Castle Hill Players I’ll be teaming up with Jennifer Willison again coordinating the technical production and doing the sound and lighting designs for 33 Variations.
Geoff Jones, Membership Manager
PP’s CHRISTMAS MINGLE 2022
A White Christmas mood room (aka Hayward Hall) was the setting for PP’s Christmas Mingle Cocktail Party held on Wednesday 7 December. Santa’s sleigh pulled by a baby reindeer was a great attraction for guests having their photos taken in the tradition of Mark Foys or David Jones. What a great cocktail party evening!
Thank you to Joy and Tom Sweeney and the team for organising such a fabulous party that has received much praise from our PP member partygoers.
A WALK THOUGH HISTORY – ST JOHN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, GORDON
Pymble Players at St John’s
During 2022, St John’s Church in Gordon, celebrated their Sesquicentennial, (150th Anniversary). A number of special events were held to mark this milestone and the celebrations concluded on 30th October with A Walk Through History held in the church cemetery as this is the oldest part of its history.
A group of Pymble Players’ members contributed to the occasion, by taking the roles of a selection of notable characters who are interred there. Parishioners, members of the local Historical Society and interested locals were invited to wander through the graveyard and listen to these stories. The audience heard fascinating tales of some of the early settlers, discovered links between the families who resided in the area, learned about the naming of many of the streets and suburbs and what happened to Abbotsholme, a well-known school for boys, as well as the impacts of war and disease on the community.
The event was well received by those who attended, and people were amazed by the talent of our great storytellers. The church was most grateful to all those who took part in bringing the history alive.
Joining the PP actors was a non-theatre actor, Philip Bradfield, who wanted to share the story of his Grandfather JJC Bradfield well known for engineering work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Jan McLachlan
Cast
| undefined | |
|---|---|
| JJC Bradfield | Philip Bradfield |
| Sir Alfred Livingston Parker | Reg Lunn |
| Linda McIntosh | Diane Abbott |
| Ruby Pymble Bromley | Charlotte Pearson |
| Mary Wall | Joy Sweeney |
| Frederick Eccleston Du Faur | Kevin Green |
| Henrietta Dean | Jill Klopfer |
| Eliza Edwards | Jan Johnson |
| Jane Baker | Helen Hunter-Lee |
| John Brown | Warren Blood |
| Joseph Maiden | Ross Alexander |
| Olive Knock | Bronwyn Watkins |
| John Fitz-Maurice | Tom Sweeney |
ACTORS REQUIRED
Gordon-Pymble Uniting Church (GPUC) are looking for VOLUNTEER ACTORS.
For 20 consecutive years, GPUC is transformed into Jerusalem 2000 years ago. The place comes alive with people from ancient times telling the story of Jesus’ last week on earth, in a production called “The Easter Experience”.
This is told to the community and local schools. For many children it is their first experience of the Easter story, and they walk through the scenes of the Last Supper, The Garden of Gethsemane, the Trial of Jesus in the courtroom scene, and then experience the impact of the empty tomb, with Jesus re-appearing to assure them that he is alive. Props and costumes provided.
Easter Experience - Sunday 26 March to Wednesday 29 March 2023. 9-11am each day at our Gordon site (18 Cecil Street Gordon). A volunteer working with children check required for all volunteers.
If you would like to get involved in a part, setting up, helping with craft, please contact courtney@gpuc.org.au.
ACTORS AWAY
Todd Beilby is appearing in A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Annette Van Roden with Castle Hill Players at the Pavilion Theatre Castle Hill, 3-25 February 2023.
Book tickets here: https://chp1.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/sales
Ross Alexander will appear in The Dog Logs by CJ Johnson and directed by Maggie Scott at Hunters Hill Theatre – 17 March to 2 April 2023.
Head to their website to book tickets: https://www.huntershilltheatre.com.au
Congratulations to Dianne Abbott who was in the sell-out Radio Active Live Christmas shows on 11 and 18 December.
REVIEWS
Bloody Murder - Characters are literally dropping like flies!
Characters are literally dropping like flies in the Pymble Players latest production, Bloody Murder. Only six actors bring to life a vast array of characters as the murder-mystery-comedy twists and turns like an unpredictable roller coaster.
Gathering for a weekend party at a fabulous country estate that is conveniently isolated, the six stereotypical English murder mystery guests arrive.
It is always a visual feast at Pymble Players and this play is no exception to the rule.
Bloody Murder will play at the Pymble Players Theatre, Cnr Mona Vale Rd and Bromley Ave), Pymble until October 30th. Get along if you can.
Published 16 October 2022 by Stage Whispers
