Vale - Sue Hayward

Wed, 18 Aug 2010, 09:35 pm

Melz19 posts in thread

It is with great sadness that we farewell a wonderful lady of Perth theatre.

Susan Hayward passed away 2.55pm today - 18 August 2010.

Sue's daughter Jen said " Her passing was peaceful and painless, and she was surrounded by those of us that were privileged to know her best."

Sue Hayward has been known to tread the boards... but in most recent years has been recognised for her mammoth directorial tasks !! The Vagina Monologues, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Round and Round the Garden, Look Who's Talking, Second Samuel and so much more !!

Sue had planned to direct and produce "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf" this year at Playlovers.

There is no doubt we are all going to miss a great lady and an awesome contributor to Perth theatre... who touched just about every single Perth community theatre club in some way shape or form.

We're going to miss you Sue ! xoxox

Thread (19 posts)

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MelzWed, 18 Aug 2010, 09:35 pm

It is with great sadness that we farewell a wonderful lady of Perth theatre.

Susan Hayward passed away 2.55pm today - 18 August 2010.

Sue's daughter Jen said " Her passing was peaceful and painless, and she was surrounded by those of us that were privileged to know her best."

Sue had planned to direct and produce "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf" this year at Playlovers.

There is no doubt we are all going to miss a great lady and an awesome contributor to Perth theatre... who touched just about every single Perth community theatre club in some way shape or form.

We're going to miss you Sue ! xoxox

LogosWed, 18 Aug 2010, 10:10 pm

From a stranger

As effectively a complete stranger from a different state I sent her an unfinished script looking for feedback from a total stranger. She was honest (to the point where she was worried that she'd hurt my feelings) and incredibly helpful. She is a great loss and her family and the Perth Theatre world have my deepest sympathies. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

MelzWed, 18 Aug 2010, 10:18 pm

Honest Sue

Honest Sue !!

If she took the time to read your script !! kudos !!

If she gave you feedback ! Take that and take it in !

Sue was one of our most incredible souls !!! Honest and upfront !

I wish we'd chatted before you departed xoxo

Melz :-)

MusicalMumWed, 18 Aug 2010, 10:38 pm

I am so very sorry to hear

Sue & I only ever met in passing & never worked together. But I know how well loved and respected she is. It was less than 2 months ago we chatted via email re Virginia Woolf. I can hardly believe she is gone. My deepest sympathies to her family & friends.

jeffhansenThu, 19 Aug 2010, 12:24 am

Having worked with Sue on a

Having worked with Sue on a couple of shows, it was sad to receive this news after I got off stage tonight. I spoke to her in hospital a couple of weeks back, she was sounding very chirpy and she was most adamant that she would be back directing next year. Deepest sympathy to Jen from all of us at Melville. www.meltheco.org.au

calThu, 19 Aug 2010, 01:39 am

Deepest sympathy

Having been in Perth for such a short time, I feel blessed to have known this fine lady. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time. Carolyn

Paul TreasureThu, 19 Aug 2010, 09:15 am

May flights of angels...

The cast and crew of Earnest were deeply saddened by the news, which we received during our first interval last night. An announcement was made and tribute paid during our curtain call. We'll miss you, Sue, and we hope and pray you keep an eye on us from above.

Walter PlingeThu, 19 Aug 2010, 09:54 am

I shall remember her desire

I shall remember her desire to introduce the smell of a cooking roast lunch into the theatre during 'Look Who's Talking' and the copious amounts of champers I was required to drink... happy memories xxx

jmuzzThu, 19 Aug 2010, 10:52 am

Condolences

...to the family of Sue. One of my last encounters with Sue was when Martin Lindsay and myself rocked up to "Second Samuel" and found ourselves bailed up by her at interval demanding to know our thoughts on how it was going. Never able to resist winding her up I gave Martin a conspiratorial look and answered "Needs more zombies". "Oh! I don't know why I expect a sensible answer from either of you" she replied in her most exasperated tone. Sue was very encouraging to me as an amateur actor - she always wanted to talk to me about a part she may have in her next project. She demanded a lot from her actors and her passion for whatever project she was engaged in was always evident. She never seemed to rest and always had another play in mind. Sue could be formidable - "I'm not a nice, little old lady" she would say but her bark was far worse than her bite - she genuinely had affection for her crew and that shone through in spades. It's going to feel a bit weird at the next theatre soiree not to see her there, ciggy in hand, demanding to know if I'm going to audition for her next work in progress. I always liked a lady who wasn't afraid to swear and I suspect Sue used to drop a few F-bombs simply because she knew it amused me. I'll miss that too. Sue, despite your protestations, you WERE a nice little old lady and Perth theatre is the worse for your loss. Hugs and f__king hearts to you m'dear - travel well. I still think Second Samuel needed more zombies.

danni_skyeThu, 19 Aug 2010, 12:16 pm

I will always remember you

I will always remember you Sue. One of the best casting directors in Perth. The WA theatre community will miss your kindness, support and passion for theatre xxx

playloversThu, 19 Aug 2010, 12:26 pm

A great loss!

Sue was a delight!

Her passion for theatre, her talent, her humour, her all-abiding cheerfulness were constants on the Perth theatre scene. She will be sadly missed.

On behalf of Playlovers, I extend condolences to Jen and the family.

Marie Corrigan

Walter PlingeThu, 19 Aug 2010, 01:02 pm

Your Brick

Dear Sue, You took faith in me and cast me in the role of Brick in The Cat on a Hot Tin Roof many years ago. It was such a wonderful opportunity and privilege to work with you. Thank you. Rest in peace. xx

Walter PlingeThu, 19 Aug 2010, 01:04 pm

Unfair

Had no idea that she was so sick. Such a waste and unfair. What was she suffering from?

breevreeThu, 19 Aug 2010, 01:38 pm

We all love you Sue

It's difficult to imagine the Perth theatre scene without Sue popping up here and there and often. My favorite memory of Sue is one where she came to see a show I was in to judge it for the Finlays, and when I asked her what she thought, she said, conspiratorially "Well, actually, it was crap!" I laughed and said "I know!" We'll miss you Sue. The prospect is a little less bright without you there.

Kat13Thu, 19 Aug 2010, 07:50 pm

You will be missed

Sue, you were such a wonderful person to work with, you will be missed. Your passion was inspiring, your passing a sad loss for us all.

ozzieparkerFri, 20 Aug 2010, 08:30 pm

'She Who Must be Obeyed'

She never mentioned zombies, but I most certainly would have considered it had she done so. I changed a couple of things after a late night of her and me drinking adult beverages. “Oh, good God, Pamela! Would you shut up and listen to what I’m telling you instead of you telling me what you think! I’ve only been doing this for a hundred years! See the shirt and obey!”

jeffhansenSat, 21 Aug 2010, 12:53 am

That does sound a little

That does sound a little bit like Sue. :) www.meltheco.org.au

Robert J WhyteSat, 21 Aug 2010, 08:28 am

Goodbye to my dear friend Sue

I have taken a few days to deal with Sue's passing. I first met Sue around 1993 at Pit Theatre when it was in the Midland Arts Centre, we were both members of the cast in Black Comedy.(Yes! She used to act once upon a time believe it or not!) I liked Sue from the start, at that stage she still had a fiery tangle of red hair, she was open and honest, and loved a drink, a smoke and a naughty joke. We were to direct Virginia Woolf for Playlovers, which for various reasons had to be postponed, but Sue was adamant she would be back in 2011 to direct it. Sue had a tough life, but she always had time to talk, and on more than one occasion was a listening ear when I needed it. I will never forget going to Northam to adjudicate a play, we drove past a house in Northam with a huge bonfire out the front of it with a very sad person looking morose sitting and staring at it. Sue's comment was "You could take a picture of that and call it 'Contemplation by Fire'" in her usual dry humour. I still laugh when I think about it. I will miss you very much Sue, I am glad we got to spend some time together before you passed away. My deepest sympathies to Jen, my thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Rest in Peace my friend. Robert xox

Tim ProsserWed, 25 Aug 2010, 04:08 pm

At long last I have my

At long last I have my internet back and can express my awful sorrow here at the news of Sue's passing. I still can't quite believe that she really is no longer with us, but I'm off to farewell her this afternoon with a lot of other people who knew her and were her friends, so it must be true.

Yes, she could be quite formidable and even difficult to deal with at times, but beneath the uncompromising exterior was actually a really nice person...even, dare I say it, a vulnerable one. I'll never forget the smile of genuine pleasure on her face when I saw her no longer using that stick to walk with and I told her she looked fabulous. It was a glimpse of the soft little girl within.

I'll miss seeing her around.

Per Ardua Ad Astra

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