A cabaret in the Bell Shakespeare brand new rehearsal room The Seed, celebrated a new beginning for our artists as they start to put the pandemic woes behind them.
Above: Nancye Hayes
Photo: Victoria Wildie
Three stars of the Australian music theatre world, Nancye Hayes, Philip Quast and Chloe Dallimore delighted the guests with show songs accompanied by Anne-Maree McDonald at the piano. The thrill stakes were upped by Chloe turning daring cartwheels among the cabaret tables while Philip offered $50 for every high kick and cartwheel she turned.
Above: Chloe Dallimore and ABF Chair Bruce Spence
Photo: Victoria Wildie
The room was packed with major donors and supporters as Actors Benevolent Fund Chair Bruce Spence thanked them for their generosity. Through their support ABF had been able to distribute over 1.2 million dollars to actors, dancers, creatives, technicians and theatre workers over the nearly three years of the Covid crisis.
Above: Philip Quast
Photo: Victoria Wildie
The night was also a fundraising opportunity with an auction of theatre memorabilia and artworks donated by theatre professionals. Auctioneer Andrew Tighe, oversaw highly spirited bidding which became especially enthusiastic over the possibility of having a portrait painted on toast by actor Heather Mitchell. A three cornered competition resulted in ABF Ambassador Ros Horin emerging victorious over Bell’s Gill Perkins and composer Katie Reid.
Above: Graeme Gherashe, Victoria Wildie and Brett Franzi
John Bell reminded the audience of the value of the performing arts in our society and how we had relied on their talents through watching films, television and streaming services, to get us through the dark days of lockdowns.
Above: Justin Smith, Anthony Smith, Matt Doyle and Rupert Reid
Photo: Victoria Wildie
Bruce Spence stressed that there were many in the industry still needing ABF assistance to get through the current challenges presented by a rising cost of living and the emotional and financial damage caused by more than two years of being unable to work.
Above: Neil Hunt, Julie Lynch and Kim Carpenter
Photo: Victoria Wildie
The delighted audience ate canapés and sipped G&Ts, negronis and delicious wines supplied by sponsors Four Pillars Gin and Hand Picked Wines as they enjoyed the show and the auction. Many were successful in taking home a special prize from the live and silent auctions.
Above: Jay James Moody and Christine Dunstan
Photo: Victoria Wildie
Auction items were all donated to ABF and included an original poster from Nicholas Nickleby signed by the cast and Martin Sharp’s iconic poster for Kold Komfort Kaffee; costume and theatre designs by Kim Carpenter and Terry Ryan, pottery by Barry Blight, a corporate presentation course at NIDA and a party at Event Cinemas. John Howard offered to paint a portrait of a pet, there were paintings by Julie Lynch, Margarita Georgiadis and Marina Finlay and a special copy of the London edition of the play Prima Facie signed by star Jodie Comer, director Justin Martin and playwright Suzie Miller, and much more.
Above: Merran Regan, Sandra Bates and Jamie Oxenbould
Photo: Victoria Wildie
The evening was a huge success and raised over $52,000 to support ABF’s programs. Actors Benevolent Fund was particularly grateful for the support of the sponsors for the night that included staff from Stedman’s Hospitality, Mason Rose Catering and technical sponsors Crystal Productions and Show Support and of course, Bell Shakespeare. Without our loyal sponsors we would not have been able to provide such a splendid event.
Above: Rebecca Bourne Jones – Four Pillars Gin and ABF Technical Manager Sean Clarke
Photo: Victoria Wildie