Gypsy (Queensland Theatre Company)

Gypsy
The Queensland Theatre Company

GYPSY with music by Jule Styne, book by Arthur Laurents & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim from March 7 to 29, 1980, at the S.G.I.O. Theatre, Brisbane, for the Queensland Theatre Company.

Director John Krummel; Choreographer Jack Webster; Musical Director Brian Stacey; Designer Stephen Gow; Lighting Designer Derek Campbell; Stage Manager Ellen Kennedy; Assistant Stage Managers: Colin Wilson & Jamie Henson; Assistant to the Director Peter Duncan and Repetiteur Phil Robertson.

With my QTC Guild involvement, I was a general production assistant, mainly looking after John Krummels F&B needs through rehearsals and general production assistant for Ellen (Lenny) Kennedy and Colin Wilson through performances after an historic opening.

STARRING June Salter (Rose); Julieanne Newbould (Louise); Tereska Harbottle (Baby Louise); Suzanne Roylance (June); Susan Walsh (Baby June); Don Barker (Uncle Jocko / Herbie); Rodney Horton (George / Press Agent); David Atkins (Tulsa); Hazel Phillips (Electra); Lynne Porteous (Miss Cratchitt / Tessie Tura); Lyn Treadgold (Mazeppa / Maid); Grant Adams (Clarence / Newsboy); William Burke (Newsboy); Reginald Cameron (PA / Bourgeron-Cochon); David Clendinning (Kringelein / Cigar); Terry Walduck (Boy); Gary Hodgson (Boy); Peter Lowrey (Boy); Ken Kennett (Weber / Mr Goldstone / Patsey); Rohan McKenna (Newsboy); Kate Richter (Hollywood Blonde); Dale Murison (Hollywood Blonde); Fiona Murphy (Hollywood Blonde); Jamie Henson (voice of Mr. Granzinger) and Susan Wilkinson (Balloon Girl).

The Queensland Theatre Orchestra musicians conducted by Brian Stacey; Carmel Hakendorf, Valentina Abaza, Terese Sopinski, Anne Keightley, Marija Svilans, Joyce Jessop (Violins); Helen Poggioli, Olga Thorpe (Viola); Colin Fox, John Reichard (Cello); David Sandercoe (Bass); Teddy Wallace*, Martin Crook, Len Austin*, Peter Dart, Mick Morgan* (Reeds); Allan Wilkie, David Wellman, Irving Arnott* (Trumpet); Vic Cerezo*, John Tunny*, John Pyers* (Trombone); Tony Wood (Horn); Mick Monaghan*, Robert Clark (Percussion). *augmenting player

Understudies included: Kate Richter (female parts) and unofficially, Lynne Porteous was “unofficial” understudy for Rose, who had previously done the show for J.C. Williamsons and went on a few times, and Alan Edwards covered the role of Mr. Goldstone at least once.

And for the Queensland Theatre Company:
(collectively over my tenure)

Executive Staff: Alan Edwards, AM MBE (Founding Artistic Director); Joe MacColum / John Krummel OAM / Gregory Gesch (Resident Director); Peter Duncan* (Assistant Director); Arthur Frame AM (Production Manager); Gillian Coar (Executive Officer); Christine Walsh / Ken Kennett OAM (Public Relations & Publicity Officer); June Craw OAM (Finance and Business Officer); Lewis Savage (Ticketing & Subscriptions Officer); Helen Mayes (Clerical Assistant); Lloyd Nickson (Director, Theatre in Education); Richard Magnus (Fundraising Chairman); Diane Leith (Administration) and Susan Bonning / Jennie Lewis (Receptionist).

Production Staff: Graham Maclean / James Ridewood (Resident Designer); Bill Shannon / Beverley Hill (Design Assistant); Caroline Gyucha (Scenic Artist); James Henson (Lighting Designer); David Lees (Electrician); Michael Wormald / Gary Cameron / Paul Parkinson / David Palm (Properties); Howard Steele (Head Carpenter); Des Dougan / Peter Vosiliunas (Carpenter); Cornelis Boogaart* (Apprentice Carpenter); Marie Perry-Watson / Lexi Wright / Jay Mansfield-Askew / Cynthia Bowen (Wardrobe Supervisor); Ken Bushby / Thelma Cope / Meredith Fogg / Margaret Reeves / Danny Healy / Arlie McGill / Anne Long / Kerry Yates (Wardrobe); Ellen Kennedy / David McCrudden / Kit Oldfield / Patrick Whelan / Kristin Reuter / Jan Levi / Victor Ashelford / Colin Wilson / Barry Melville / Toby Simkin / Brian Barnes / Vito Arena / Peter Reeve^± / Sussanne Humphries / Julianne White (Stage Management); Vicki Birch / Yvette (Capt) O’Brien (Production Secretary); Dawn Grieg (Wardrobe Hire) and Ivan/Gloria Pierce, Gregory Gesch & Derrick George (Photographers).

Representation: Yolande Bird / Diana Franklin (London Representative); Michael Menzies / Stuart Thompson (New York Representative) and John Krummel OAM (Sydney Casting & Repertoire Consultant).

S.G.I.O. Theatre Staff: Jim Wright (Manager); Alban Riley / Don Fergusson (Assistant Manager); Peter Petrovich / Ray Calcutt (Head Mechanist); Patrick (Paddy) Teuma / David Malacari (Head Electrician) and Dallas Black / Kay Fifas (Booking Office)

Albert Park Theatre Staff: Wayne McKenna (House Manager); Margo Morris (Box Office)

Associate Artists: Bille Brown AM; Carol Burns; Reginald Cameron OAM, Ivar Kants; Joe MacColum; Warren Mitchell; James Ridewood, Cliff Simcox; Babette Stephens AM MBE and Geraldine Turner OAM.

QTC Guild: Magda Wollner (Coordinator); Alice Beacroft, Joan Chamberlain, Bobbie Glyn Evans, Maureen Fallon, Sonja Farmer, Beryl Foote, Neil Fulwood, Dolores Garland, Elaine Heath, Edna Heathwood, Margaret Hill, Ena Huppert, June Jamieson, Eva Klug, Irene Lefman, Patrick Mellick, Hillary Mosten, Maureen Mortensen, Barbara Nielsen, Joyce Nixon Smith, Gloria Phillips, Vivienne Reddy, Marea Reed, Melina Reed, Margaret Robinson, Grace Reynolds, June Sheedy, Ann Shevill, Toby Simkin, Sybil Simpson, Elaine Skinner, Anne Smith and Jess Yeowart (Volunteers)

* Salaries were assisted by a special grant from the Theatre Board of the Australia Council, a statutory body of the Commonwealth Government.
^± Services were provided by the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
^ Services were provided courtesy of the Queensland Theatre Orchestra

The Queensland Theatre Company acknowledged the financial assistance of the Queensland State Government and the Commonwealth Government through the Theatre Board of the Australia Council without which the continued operation of the Company would not have been possible. The Queensland Theatre Company was a founding member of CAPPA (Confederation of Australia Professional Performing Arts)