WE WENT TO A MARVELLOUS PARTY
It was a sold-out house for Cause Celeb, the ABF 80th birthday celebration on Sunday 3 August. Enthusiastic party goers braved rain and a closed Harbour Bridge to be part of another fabulous night with the stars of music theatre and the host of hosts, Tony Sheldon.
Elaborate picnics were spread on trestle tables, patrons sipped Oatley wines from the bar while a fabulous line up of stars entertained in the Joan Sutherland rehearsal room at the Opera Centre. The sparkling event was directed by Beth Daly and Musical Director and national treasure, Michael ‘My Ty’ Tyack.
Tony Sheldon with the graduating students from the Conservatorium of Music, opened the cabaret with a production number worthy of Billy Flynn in ‘Chicago’ - only minus the feather fans.
Tony Sheldon with the Graduating Class from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Photo by David Hooley.
There were highlights from two new musicals soon to open at The Hayes; ‘Bright Star’ with lead Hannah McInnerny accompanied by cello and bass and ‘Phar Lap’ with Justin Smith and composer Steven Kramer at the piano.
Justin Smith and Steven Kramer with Phar Lap. Photo by David Hooley.
In a political moment Paul Keating (Jonathan Biggins), sent a birthday message, ‘The Dismissal’ was revisited by one of the creators Blake Erickson, and Julia Gillard (aka Mandy Bishop), roused a cheer with a sung version of the misogyny speech.
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Julia Gillard (aka Mandy Bishop) wows the crowd. Photo by David Hooley.
Enthusiastic applause greeted opera singer Daniel Sumegi who took a stunning break from the classics to embrace ‘Mack and Mable’, Daniel Belle and Rob McDougall brilliantly mashed up ‘Les Mis’ and fabulous Paul Capsis channelled Janis Joplin in a halo of pink feathers.
Paul Capsis. Photo by David Hooley.
Tony Sheldon threaded the early history of Actors Benevolent Fund through the night along with theatre highlights of the war years. With the irrepressible Donna Lee, they sang a very showbizzy medley of the great musicals of 1944.
Donna Lee. Photo by David Hooley.
A parody of ‘Marvellous Party’ written by David Mitchell was suitably irreverent about being 80 to the amusement of confessed octogenarian presenters, Noeline Brown, Maggie Dence and Bruce Spence. Two were both former ABF Chairs and Maggie Dence was one of the longest serving committee members at 23 years. Both Noeline and Maggie are fondly remembered for playing Mavis Bramston, the title role in the satirical 1960s TV show.
Noeline Brown and Maggie Dence. Photo by David Hooley.
The recipient of The Mallos Grant which supports culturally diverse artists in the development of their careers, featured NIDA Music Theatre graduate Jenny Guigayoma. The grant was established by actor Tessa Mallos and her mother Chrysanthy and is administrated by ABF. Jenny’s song from ‘Amélie’ confirmed her promising future.
Jenny Guigayoma. Photo by David Hooley.
The dazzling line up also included Joel Granger who took a trip down the Yellow Brick Road, Katrina Retellick with a moving Joni Mitchell song, Eleanoa Rokobaro wowed with ‘Moulin Rouge’, Raphael Wong asked the world to be kinder, and Blazey Best was sending in clowns. Rachel Beck became the mother from hell with her song from ‘Tangled’ forbidding Rupunzel to leave the tower.
Katrina Retallick. Photo by David Hooley.
The night would not have been complete without Garry Scale and his ‘Nunsensical’ art appreciation class. It was classic Garry from the Tilbury days, for those who remember.
The thunderous tap dancing of the mighty ‘Tap Dogs’ received equally thunderous applause. The legendary Dein Perry, son Reid, Jamie Reisin and Jonah Endy brought the bootmen back with raw energy and a touch of the larrikin. One of the longest running shows to ever come from Australia, ‘Tap Dogs’ toured the world for 24 years following the Sydney Festival premiere in 1995. Only the pandemic could break the run. It is rumoured Dein will be remounting the show soon. Bring it on we say!
Tap Dogs Jonah Endy, Dein Perry, Jamie Reisin and Reid Perry. Photo by David Hooley.
The night not only celebrated the 80 years since the founding of Actors Benevolent Fund in the closing months of WW II, it was also a fundraiser. ABF receives no government support and relies entirely on donations and fundraisers like Cause Celeb to support the performing arts community in times of crisis.
All the artists and the creators of the night donated their time and we cannot thank them enough. The smooth running of the event was in part due to three people who stepped in at the last moment when illness struck the company; Jason Langley, Ben Hieatt and Penny Martin.
This Cause Celeb felt like a huge family gathering of artists and theatre lovers and we were thrilled to share our marvellous party with everyone in the room. As they say ‘there is no business like show business and no people like show people’.
ABF Chair Valerie Bader, Garry Scale and Tony Sheldon draw the raffle. Photo by David Hooley.