When theatre people get together.............

Thu, 26 June 2008, 05:36 pm

David Ashton19 posts in thread

When theatre people get together we can talk for hours about the venues, old and new, actors, directors, scenery painters, stage managers and all the characters which made the business as fascinating as it is.However it is pretty much an oral tradition and would there be any support for a thread where the characters who founded this industry could be documented? A penny for your thoughts.

Thread (19 posts)

Threaded Flat

David AshtonThu, 26 June 2008, 05:36 pm

JoeMcThu, 26 June 2008, 07:35 pm

I know I'd support it!I'm

I know I'd support it! I'm positive that most of us have been influenced by many characters in this game. Besides boring the soul case off everyone with my waffle, even at the risk of being accused of name dropping, I rabbit on regardless! Invariably as most of us do, at the drop of a hat! Because of an unrelated comment or even some theatrical war story or other - which to me is simply a 'Wor [Geordie for 'our'] story'. Also which might be picked up for the Aunt ITA LINK Editor as a filler - They might get thier name in print? Which is as good as YOUR name in lights, which I get all the time - "EXIT"-

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.

SkybeFri, 27 June 2008, 11:29 am

Reader...

I know I wouldnt be able to contribute to the thread. But I would love to read it. Possibly a Blog would be the way to go? Skybe xxx

actorfromozFri, 27 June 2008, 12:46 pm

exciting...

as often as i get on here i would contribute, i know i have been impacted by men and women who lived and died long ago but worked and plied their trade with little or no recognition at the time...good idea :)

JoeMcFri, 27 June 2008, 06:46 pm

in 1960, after being

in 1960, after arriving here in WA, on my own. I walked down King street & the stage dock door were open of the Maj theatre. I stopped and & had a word with a bloke called Robert Sherman. Then a semi trailer pulled up & I got a job doing the Bump In for a show. when I mentioned to wally Wombat one of the Mechanist while having a smokeo That I had been a Ralph Reader Gangster in the UK & worked, as a kid, at a lot of theatres & Variety Halls in various City's. Bobby Sherman over hearing this, said they were doing the first Gang show in Perth shortly. So I performed in the first Gang Show at the south Perth civic centre. the next years Gang show was put on at the Capitol Theatre. they lost money on the first show, so it was shelved for a while. Anyhow then I met the next significant character, Coleen Clifford of the Guild theatre. I think she was going on for over 60 years old at that time. No matter what type of Musical, was being performed in Perth be it Opera or any thing else, at the Maj or the Playhouse. The Directors &/or Producers would call on her to put the cast thru their paces, for the Dress Rehearsals. So she could tighten up all the nuts & bolts of the show & those involved in it. She stood less than about 4' tall & yet could shake the timbers of the biggest person on or off the stage, from the rear of the Stalls. On Opening Nights at the Maj especially, she would ride her bicycle up to the front gates of the entrance of the theatre, While in full evening gown. Usually a pink silk dress, wearing a tiara & dressed up to the nines. Park her bike against the front gate railings & chain it up. Put her gloves on & limp straight up the red carpet to the foyer. {she had a gympy left leg, she sustained as young musical performer on the West End stage.} She would give all the royal waves to those whom she knew & those she didn't. No matter who they were or thought they would like to be. She would be treated like Royalty by all the Front of House staff. Invariably all this time she had forgotten to take her dress out of her bloomers, which she tucked up there while riding her bike. She would not normally take her dress out of her Pink bloomers [always colour coordinated] until she actually took her seat. First standing & looking around smiling to everyone. With her butterfly style bright red lipstick on, In full view from the Dress Circle or one of the Pigeon Holes [Boxes].

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.

David AshtonFri, 27 June 2008, 08:36 pm

A few random memories-In

A few random memories-In those days there were virtually no full crew in the theatres, they were part-timers and shift workers and shows were actually produced in the theatres, the Maj had a paint floor with a gap along one wall were flats were winched up and down to be painted, when I arrived in 1972 and knocked on the back door my first job was to sort out the new, high tech Strand 60 way lighting system, which had been mis-wired and was literally shocking the crew. The Nullabor had not been sealed at that time so when the Aus Ballet trucks arrived the whole theatre was filled with red dust, my first ballet had Robert Helpman and a host of stars and while I was a rock'n'roller at the time it had a major impact on me to be back stage in that environment. And now can others tell us some of their experiences?

JoeMcFri, 27 June 2008, 10:44 pm

I'd just like to add, then

I'd just like to add, then I'll get back in my box & close the lid! A lot of the crew were either working at the local picture houses [projectionist] or were Firemen. I think Bobby was with Berger Paints full time & the only theatre work was at the Maj, Playhouse or the Capitol. J C W's would bring in large Musicals occasionally, at that time. which came by train, except they had to keep changing trains, because of the different Rail Gauged systems, between States. The roads were hopeless & the ones that attempted it, would not always make it across the plains. Your right the vast majority of shows, were mounted by local theatrical societies & there was a vibrant competition between the Capitol & Maj. Playhouse did mainly plays, as it does today, so was not in the same competition as such. Although people like Jimmy Punch & Bobby Sherman were gainfully casually employed doing the Scene painting. also another was Ray Ormadea [spelling ?] did a few sets casually. i think the only ones employed full time, did the Box Office, besides the Management. This was before my time, but apparently old man Edgley, who also owned the Maj Hotel, adjoined to the Theatre. Fifteen minutes before the the Hotel pubs closing time, no matter what show was happening on stage at the time. He would Lean over the Balcony in the centre of the House & ring a hand bell. Calling out repeatedly "Last Drinks gentlemen - please"! Then the show would carry on & most of the male punters left the auditorium, for their last quick swill.

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.

SHI SymbolSat, 28 June 2008, 08:55 pm

preserving those memories

Can't help thinking that if there is just a thread happening to 'record' the stories, people, events and places that it may be lost somewhere along the way. Have you ever thought of yes, having the thread, but then doing something with the info and no doubt the millions of photos and posters etc that have been stashed by various members of the public and theatre groups over the years. For example DVD compilations, Photobooks to name a couple of ideas. I do not do this type of work so please don't think I am plugging for work for me, but I think it would be a brilliant way of keeping these memories alive forever and you could even use these avenues as methods for fundraising or whatever you need to do to help get shows up and running! Sorry, I love theatres, shows and going to them, but haven't been involved in the behind the scenes stuff so can't be 'technical'! Anyway, if ever you want to pick my brains for what they are worth, I'm happy to sprout forth and help get your ideas happening in a number of different ways. Good luck - Jan

JoeMcSat, 28 June 2008, 09:42 pm

[Opens lid & sticks head

[Opens lid & sticks head out of the box!] That's a good idea! Actually this was something David & myself were yakking about, last week. So your idea is rather apt & inline with what David started, in the subject of this thread. May be Grant &/or Aunt ITA could take this on board. You never know it could work in with the theatre memorabilia, that Andy King has archived at the Maj Theatre. If you ever would like to dip your toe, to test out the pond, we black ducks paddle in. Knock on any stage dock door, I guarantee you would be more than welcome.

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.

JoeMcSun, 29 June 2008, 10:31 am

A few other characters

A few other characters knocking about in those days, which a lot on the forum would remember.

Like David Cran at old Patch, when it was in William street Perth. Ken Smith of Garrick theatre. Also Frank Baden - Powell who started up the 'Hole In The Wall' which launched the 'Old Time Music Hole. Dirty dick's, Diamond Lil's . as well as assisting a lot of community theatre groups. Alisa Travers would remember that back in ACTA days here. He sponsored their first Drama festival held at the Dolphin Theatre, by providing the Bronze Statue for the main Drama award.

As you were at the Maj David in the 70's, I wonder if you remember the Great crash of the 'peckerwood' set, during the Tech Run of 'MAME' [JCW's]? Luckily only 2, Bernie who had his arm ripped open, from the crashing counterweight cradle.Bob Wegman who dived to save the TD[JCW's] from being speared by the broken head batten, which pinned his leg to the stare.were hurt & ended up at the Hospital. Besides the SM & her ASM having to rush off to powder their noses & change their wet draws!

Also the cricket matches held on stage, by the Bump In crew, while awaiting the inevitable delays of the truck to arrive with set. Because the train line & road was washed out, on the Nulabor plains.

And when the top Fly floor at the Capitol theatre broke away from the wall during a bump in set up. The fire brigade couldn't find a big enough ladder to get to the 3 fly mechanist's clinging to the flooring, to get them down to safety. They finally did it by striking the cloths from the head battens, which nearly all the Fly Pack was on the stage deck, with the fly floor tethered & floating about 70' up in the Fly Loft, as if it was a counter weight.

TOI TOI CHOOKAS
[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.

Walter PlingeThu, 24 July 2008, 07:12 am

Frank Baden Powell

Does anyone know anything personal about Frank Baden Powell? Was he an American? I am looking for a gentleman born in 1911 in the US by that name and wondered if this one who emigrated to Australia is the same... Many thanks, Kelly

Don AllenThu, 24 July 2008, 09:31 am

Do you mean the Frank Baden

Do you mean the Frank Baden Powell that started the Old Time Music Hall in Perth ? http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/mn/mn1501_2000/MN1693.pdf

Don CallisonThu, 24 July 2008, 10:00 am

When theatre people get together

i just posted a notice about joey Leonard and then realised it belongs in this thread.Joey belongs firmly inthe category of,interesting characters of Perth Theatre and it would have only been a matter of time before his name came up as part of a story in this thread anyway. Being from the same era as gaafa I am enjoying the stories,keep them coming. don callison

JoeMcThu, 24 July 2008, 01:48 pm

Frank was most defiantly a

Frank was most defiantly a POHM [British] although having worked with & for him & Colarie, with frank it could be highly possible. That he he may have born a yank? He didn't give too much away of his past, before he came here. Probably as a 10 quid Phom? Sorry Kelly not much help. Although the WA Maritime Museum has records of Emigrants, as he believe he would have landed here in Fremantle via boat, back in the 60's.

JoeMcThu, 24 July 2008, 02:06 pm

Don you bring back memories

Don you bring back memories of the show we were in with Joey. 'Alfie' at Titan in the top end of Hay Street Perth [Old Guild Theatre venue}

from memory Colarie Condon Directed it, but that's all another story, which you might remember wel Don! Joey had the signature tune line of the show "Wot's it all about Alfie?". Unfortunately as he was saying it, his false teeth, popped out & they bounced off the stage into the audience. What he ended up saying was something like "waphs ith's all abowth Lefthy" - which almost brought the house down!

Thanks Don for letting us know about Joey, Joyce & myself appreciate it mate.

how are you going Don, long time no hear.

Don CallisonThu, 24 July 2008, 10:56 pm

more memories

Joey wasn't the only one to have an embarrassing moment.There was a scene where a door was used held between the curtains by two stagehands I pulled the curtains the wrong way and left martin ford and I think Tom Lovegrove grinning sheepishly at the audience I dont think many stages have had an alfa romeo on them,I also remember having to compete with the sounds of mark 4 etc from the Whisky a go go night club opposite the theatre.

JoeMcFri, 25 July 2008, 09:23 am

I wasn't going to mention

I wasn't going to mention that about the tabs Don!

Also that damned Gold House curtain, which would jump it's chain on the electric motor & jam up. Many is the time Bob Wegman or myself would dive off the lighting box platform & swing down to the stage on the main cable to raise the curtain.

I'd forgotten about the whiskey A Go Go - but what I do remember is those Spring Rolls we would get from the Chinese Palace opposite. The sports car was a bit innovative for the time & it amazed me how it was not damaged, with all the pushing & shoving to get into place.

Titan [Old Guild] was a great venue & we even had a Royal Command Performance there, well it was only for the Leftenant Governor anyway!

David AshtonMon, 28 July 2008, 10:43 pm

One story I was told

One story I was told concerned a previous show with Sir Robert Helpman during which a "prop" crown was stolen, vanished without trace, until some years later at the electricians house in Narrogin it was on his mantlepiece with an engraved plate "Many thanks for all your help, Sir Robert Helpman" Another rogue nicked a heap of patt 23's and sold them around the south west town halls, I remember a pair at Kattaning town hall.

Walter PlingeTue, 29 July 2008, 12:08 am

Just Checking

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