Vale Steve J Spears

Actor, writer and all-round charismatic chap Steve J Spears died yesterday in Adelaide at the tender age of 56 of a brain tumour. He will be sadly missed by many, both in and outside showbiz circles. Steve came to prominence in the 1980s for his one person play 'The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin' which also revived Gordon Chater's career. More recently, Steve has made a mark as a writer of crime novels, notably 'The Pentangeli Papers'. I crossed paths with Steve at U of A Law School in 1971 and numerous times at various places around the country thereafter. Once, at the bar of the Adelaide Festival Playhouse, he 'sold' me the performing rights to several of his songs for the price of a round of drinks. As a tribute to Steve, I hope to direct one of his plays in the not too distant future. PeteN