special production was staged to mark the end of
the course, as in previous years, but members were cast in two
one act plays which were publicly performed at the theatre's Night
of One Act Plays. One was under direction of Barry Lucas, the
other, Lys Bayer, who took the bold step to enter the play into
the 1993 State One Act Play Drama Festival.
Writing of original material by theatre members continued
to flourish. Two more musicals by Kim Martin were staged, 'Not
the Tricentenary' in 1990 and a sequel 'A Right Royal Commission'
two years later. A younger and newer member, Ken Stuart was co-writer
of a one act play 'Death By Cupboard'. It was written for the
New Theatre Challenge, Young Writer Award and was runner-up. It
was presented for the first time at the 3 one act play season
at Roleystone in 1992 and later entered in the State Drama Festival
with the author as director. Again in the 1993 festival, another
original play, by a Roleystone member, was presented titled 'Man
On A Roof'. It was written by Denton Elliot and produced for the
theatre under the direction of Mike Butler.
The Theatre's executive committee continued planning
to improve the facilities and amenities of the building. At long
last after many years of complaint from both members and public,
the decrepit and quite inadequate outside toilets at the back
of the theatre were demolished and replaced by a modern toilet
block which included facilities for disabled patrons. They were
opened for use in 1991 in time for the September production of
"Hobson's Choice"; before work had been entirely completed.
At the same time a new enlarged and much better appointed kitchen/kiosk
area was built off the foyer. for the opening of 'Guys and Dolls'
yet another much appreciated facility came into operation, 'The
Act One' bar.
In the early months of 1992, the foyer's interior
was painted and re-carpeted. Fans and strip heaters had been installed
in the auditorium by 1991; the heaters doing much to ease the
bitter cold of Roleystone's winter nights, which. patrons had
for so long bravely endured. The provision of all these facilities
was indicative of the desire to create a theatre complex of the
highest standard which would match the best amateur theatres in
the metropolitan area. At the same time this progressive upgrading
represented an expression of appreciation by the theatre for the
loyal support that had been given over a long period by the public.
This period, the early nineties, reflected a degree
of prosperity, unprecedented in the Theatre's history. The profits
from the shows (in 1991 there were six) were consistently high
and the finances were very healthy indeed. Guarantees of good
profits bred a high degree of confidence, certainly enough to
apply for a bank loan of $15,000 to help finance the building
of the $35,000 toilet block and kitchen. Again the Council assisted
by providing $17,000 in matching funds. The bank loan was repaid
within six months. Building additions didn't stop at that however.
In 1993 a room was constructed to accommodate the Theatre's now
considerable collection of costumes. Plans were also drawn up
for the erection of a new entrance to the Theatre and negotiations
were initiated with the City Council to have a lease drawn up
which would effectively give full responsibility of the running
of the building to the Theatre's members.
In 1992 another life membership was awarded, this
time to Kim Martin. The Theatre was fortunate to have in its ranks
a person of Kim's talent and expertise. His life membership reflected
not only 10 years of strong interest in fostering the artistic
and musical development of the Theatre, through organising many
internal nights and workshops but his aptitude in producing for
the Roleystone stage, a wonderful series of original musicals.
These, as well as other musicals and plays, he directed with flair,
precision and always with complete perfection as the main goal.
To mark the importance of its 60 years of existence
The Roleystone Theatre took on the momentuous and prodigious task
of hosting the 1993 State One Act Drama Festival. 22 amateur theatre
groups presented a total of 36 plays over a 12 night period from
Monday 26th September to Saturday 9th October. Roleystone entered
3 plays in the competition and was rewarded by winning Best Actor
award. This honour went to Ray Egan for a fine sustained portrayal
of the 'Man on a Roof' in the original play written by Denton
Elliot, a fitting achievement for a man whose great talent had
been demonstrated. on the Roleystone stage many times, much to
the delight of his audiences. His success provided a fine climax
to Roleystone's Diamond Jubilee year.
On October 16th, 1993, Roleystone Theatre officially
celebrated that milestone. On that night, members; current, past
and inaugural, together with distinguished guests celebrated 60
wonderful years of fun, hard work, excitement, disappointment,
exhilaration, frustration and friendship which was to make
THE MAGIC OF THE ROLEYSTONE THEATRE.
The Roleystone Theatre 1993 with its distinctive
fly tower, constructed in 1975-76.
