Welcome to the new look Pymble Players’ newsletter!

Issue 2 2021

In this issue:

First play for our 2021 season

Upcoming play

AGM 2021

President’s Report 2020-21

2022 season

Reminiscing

Your COVID-19 safety

First play for our 2021 season

Pack of Lies 17 February – 14 March

Directed by Jan McLachlan

Covid or maybe covert productions at PP

Jan McLachlan writes:

In 2020 The Shoehorn Sonata miraculously completed its full season just as Covid-19 restrictions began, then at the end of 2020 Pack of Lies, within the bounds of a safe Covid-19 environment, was cast and rehearsals started. Having exclusive use of the Hayward Hall was a bonus with only the holiday period and a cast member under lockdown to work around. It was amazing how quickly restrictions eased once performances began and over the four-week production period, masks became optional, seat allocation was relaxed, ten seats added per show though contact tracing remained imperative. Most available seats were sold, and it felt like a sell-out season. Patrons enjoyed their return to the theatre and were generous with praise for both Pymble Players and this production.

There were three Whole of Theatre bookings – Hornsby Scout Fellowship, St Ives Lions Club, and the Sydney Opera House Ladies Committee. During interval at this last Whole of Theatre night, David Barker spoke to me about his amazing connection to events connected with this play and I invited him to speak to the group at the end of the play. Those who were present that night enjoyed the play but were amazed by his revelation as were the cast who listened via the internal sound system. I would like to add that he was not the only patron to comment about being in London or even Ruislip during the early 1960’s and remembering the event.

The Portland Spy Ring story, espionage, covert behaviour, and Soviet agents provided content for Hugh Whitemore’s original BBC play Act of Betrayal which went to air in 1971 and was factual. He found it difficult to forget this story, so he embroidered the facts with his own ideas to create Pack of Lies. It was interesting that Bill and Ruth Search became Bob and Barbara Jackson but the Krogers, who were the Cohens, remained with their undercover names.

I endorse this thought from Rachael Rifkin of The Signal Tribune: “POL” is the kind of play that stays with you long after you’ve left the theatre. 

A Pack of Lies connection with audience member

Emeritus Professor David Barker AM writes:

I was present at the Bow Street Magistrates Court when Peter and Helen Kroger were charged with espionage on (I believe) Monday 9 January 1961. I was working in the Town Clerk’s Department of the Westminster City Council and attended the court on another matter. On arriving at the court, the Krogers, whose real name was Morris and Lona Cohen were sitting in the court.

In 1981-1986 I was an academic, later Dean at the Law Faculty of the Central London Polytechnic, later the University of Westminster. During that time in the Faculty of Arts and Languages at the Polytechnic’s Euston Campus was a senior lecturer teaching Russian, Gerald Brooke. He had been arrested in 1965 for spying in Russia and in 1969 was exchanged along with Michael Parson and Anthony Lorraine for the Krogers.

Pack of Lies an amazing connection with Sarah Lovesy

Dr. Sarah Lovesy writes:

When I read Pack of Lies and heard Jan McLachlan talk about this fabulous play at the Play Preview in 2019, I had shivers up my spine as I am so closely connected to that story.

Way back in 1961, as a child of 10, my Dad, who was a Barrister spoke to me and my siblings at length because he had been appointed by the Old Baily to defend the Krogers. I think he did this because to be a spy in Britain during the Cold War was one of the most despicable and odious things people could do – spying was about traitors and an act of betrayal against the UK population.  So, Dad (Warren Lovesy) wanted to forewarn his children in case there was any backlash from society. I don’t really remember much from the case, except that the Krogers gave my father a beautiful, illustrated book on Canada for us all, and of course we only lived a couple of villages away from the Krogers in Ruislip.  What memories that play brought back! (And … they were not Canadian!)

Blithe Spirit 2-26 June

Directed by Sarah Lovesy

Sarah Lovesy writes:

It is wonderful to be given the chance to direct Blithe Spirit for Pymble Players and I am making the most of it with a fabulous cast and crew. We are working really hard in rehearsals but also having lots of fun and laughter. So, the play is coming together in an edgy and mischievous fashion!

I have been involved in the theatre all my life; one of my first memories is being taken to The Palladium in London to see Peter Pan, and when they called out ‘Do you all believe in fairies?’ I shouted back ‘YES’, and my older brother shouted back ‘NO’, which promptly made me burst into tears as I thought he would have such an unhappy life not believing in fairies!

Since coming to Australia in the 1970’s I undertook a Performing Arts Degree, worked as Head Drama Teacher at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Santa Sabina College Sydney, and as a Drama Lecturer and Tutor at the Universities of Western Sydney, Wollongong, and New South Wales, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students to become drama teachers.

I have directed many plays over the past years, but only got involved in Community Theatre six years ago and have enjoyed every minute!

AGM 2021

The Pymble Players Inc. 64th Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 20 April at 7:30pm. The committee decided to repeat last year’s protocol of a virtual AGM with primary considerations being participants’ safety and convenience. The meeting was successfully set up and facilitated by Secretary Melissa Abrahams and 18 members participated which formed a Quorum.

The report presented by President Warren Blood (see below) gives a comprehensive account of the theatre’s 2020/21 year.

Twelve nominations had been received prior to the AGM, one for each of the twelve Committee positions, and circulated to all members. There being no necessity for election, the new Committee for 2021/22 was announced as per the nominated list.

2021/2022 Committee:

Our Committee receives valuable support from Fran Etheridge (Social Media), Carolyn Martin (Whole of Theatre), and Jan McLachlan (Props and lots of other stuff!).

President’s Report 2020-21

Dear Present and Past Members

Well, what a year we have had! PP has faced challenges never experienced in its history. I would like to extend the utmost appreciation to our generous and loyal subscribers, our faithful patrons and of course our hard-working committee and volunteers all of whom have successfully steered us through these extraordinary challenges.

I would also like to make special mention of our landlord the Uniting Church for ongoing support and cooperation and to the cast and crew of Blithe Spirit who have been on hold for 12 months and those of Pack of Lies for their flexibility and willingness to adapt to the ever-changing Covid challenges.

The Covid curtain descended immediately upon the conclusion of our production of The Shoehorn Sonata on 14 March 2020. This 1995 Australian play by John Misto is a story primarily about Australian nurses and civilian women and children, incarcerated by the Japanese following the fall of Singapore in World War II. Director Racquel Boyd noted that the play had four key elements: the humour in devastating situations; characters that engage; quintessentially Australian; and importance.

This latter element, importance, certainly hit home to our audiences. The story of Bridie and Sheila and the women who survived the Japanese camps in Malaya during World War II represent the thousands of women that this play celebrates and honours. A definite hit with PP audiences. PP was proud to dedicate the season of The Shoehorn Sonata to fundraising for the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter in keeping with our objectives of community participation and engagement.

Having made the decision to cancel the remainder of our 2020 season, all subscribers and patrons who had prepaid for tickets for the remaining three shows were notified. During the Covid downtime our management policy was to abide by all New South Wales Health Covid rules in cooperation with our landlord the Uniting Church.

The process of managing the cancellation of the remainder of the season was led by the tirelessly dedicated Linda Young, along with Pam, and Mel our ticketing agent at TAZTix. Once that was done, we learnt that Seat Advisor, our previously used ticketing system was to cease operation. It was replaced by TicketSearch. Again, Linda managed the whole process of data conversion and subsequently the establishment of our new shows. This new system is based in Australia and Linda is continuing to explore the enhanced functionality it affords us.

Then after a stop start revival, we were finally able to welcome back our audiences with Covid restrictions and ‘welcome back’ pricing for the opening of Pack of Lies in February this year. In the words of director Jan McLachlan, “it has been a delight to work with this talented and committed cast and crew who have managed during some very difficult times.” 

As you will recall the December/January period was in a state of constant flux due to the ups and downs of the Covid situation. The director, committee, cast, and crew worked through all obstacles to produce a play to full (Covid) houses and very appreciative audiences.

Special mention must be made about our terrific front of house staff, ably managed by Jill Klopfer, and our cooperative audiences in adapting to conform with New South Wales health requirements.

This production was dedicated to the memory of Patsy Templeton who sadly passed away in November 2020. Patsy was a former PP president, life member, talented actress and director. She will be missed by PP and all who knew her. 

Our next production is Blithe Spirit directed by Sarah Lovesy. This production was originally scheduled for May 2020. It has been in a holding pattern since then but will finally touch down on 2nd June 2021. Tickets will be on sale soon, again at ‘welcome back‘ pricing as a thank you to subscribers and patrons. 

Despite the Covid challenges, your association can report a minimal operating deficit for the 2020-21 financial year. This excellent result is largely due to the generosity of our subscribers, the majority of whom donated the remainder of their 2020 subscriptions. Other factors were frugal management and the ongoing volunteering of valuable services.

Due to the prevailing circumstances, the PP committee has taken the decision to produce three major productions in 2021 and 2022 whilst being open to producing a children’s play on an ad hoc basis. The PP website contains the complete information pack. 

In closing, I would like to emphasise to all members and patrons the value of the PP website. We on the committee are often asked questions, the answers to which are easily accessible on our website, so it seems apparent that this excellent information resource is underutilised.

Our website, pymbleplayers.com.au contains quick links with information about:

• Current and future productions

• Covid safety

• How to buy tickets

• Auditions

• Membership

• Past productions

• About Us (including great photos of past productions)

• Calling directors including information pack

• Contact details (with even more photos)

• Facebook connection

• and more

This information is constantly updated, and I encourage all to utilise this valuable information resource.

We are looking forward to welcoming you all to the season of Blithe Spirit for which tickets will soon be available. 

Best regards,

Warren Blood
President

2022 season

Calling all directors

Would you or someone you know like to direct a production for Pymble Players in 2022? Our Play Selection Committee is now inviting submissions or expressions of interest. 

The download is a Word document. If you are using an Apple device, you may not be able to fill out the form on your device. Instead, you can just print, complete, scan and email. Or just send an email with all the relevant information as requested on the form.

The deadline is Friday 7th May 2021 so please act now!

Reminiscing

Life and long-time members at Patsy Templeton’s celebration of life on 25 November 2020.

Pack of Lies was dedicated in memory of Patsy.

Do you have any PP stories or any other contributions? Then send them to theatre@pymbleplayers.com.au with Noises Off Contributions in your subject line.

Your Covid-19 safety

It’s great to back in 2021 as we share our love of live performance on the Pymble Players’ stage. The health and safety of our members, audience and volunteers is paramount. Pymble Players continues to follow the guidelines provided by New South Wales Health, and industry peak bodies such as Live Performance Australia. We monitor and update our procedures in line with these guidelines. These measures aim to reduce the likelihood of spreading Covid-19 via our theatre. For information on what we are doing to keep you safe click here.