General articles
Written by Morgan McMahon; with endnotes by Rob Morrison
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Morgan McMahon; with endnotes by Rob Morrison AustraliaWith a background in science and biophysics, Rob is equally at home in the Performing Arts having performed in over 70 stage productions since 1975, including plays, revues and musicals for a number of amateur theatre companies based in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
As a broadcaster, Rob has been heard on Melbourne community radio 96.5 Inner FM since 1992 contributing to the Local Theatre programme and as the host of the weekly light-music Kaleidoscope and Musical Theatre Melodies programmes. (A selection of Rob’s past interviews from the latter with noted theatre composers and/or lyricists, Leslie Bricusse, Frank Wildhorn and Sheldon Harnick, plus musical theatre historian and author, Miles Kreuger can be accessed on the THA website under Digital Collections – audio.)
Since early 2023 Musical Theatre Melodies has also been available as a podcast, which may be heard at https://www.innerfm.org.au/shows/musical-theatre-melodies/ and recently earned the distinction of being ranked amongst the Top 10 Australian Theatre Podcasts by Feedspot, as listed at https://podcasts.feedspot.com/australian_theatre_podcasts
Rob has also contributed information and articles to the on-line Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, Gilbert and Sullivan Discography and Edward German Discography websites.
Past articles published in the print editions of On Stage include:-
- ‘Are There Any More at Home Like You?’ (Summer 2009, p.30)
- ‘W.S. Gilbert Makes the Music’ (Autumn 2009, p.7)
- ‘Sir Seymour Remembers Dame Nellie’ (Autumn 2010, p.8)
- ‘Remembering Nichols Remembering Melba’ (Spring 2011, p.9)
In addition Rob collaborated on the research into the background of local Music Hall singer, ‘Syria Lamonte’ (Summer 2010, p.5), as outlined in ‘The Search for Syria’ (Autumn 2010, p. 17); provided the footnotes to ‘Richard Watson: “a molasses of a bass”’ (Spring 2009, p.35 & Summer 2010, p.40.) and researched the discography for ‘Richard Watson’s Recorded Legacy’ (Spring 2011, p.18.)
Written by Peter Burgis
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Peter Burgis Australia
Performing arts historian, author, and sound archivist, concentrating on activities of Australians on record prior to 1960. Employed at the Centre for Advancement of Teaching, Macquarie University, 1972-1974; founder and director of the National Library of Australia’s sound archive, 1974-1984 and the National Film & Sound Archive, 1984-1989. Recipient of inaugural ARIA Jack Davey Pater Award for professional excellence in the broadcasting arts and science (1984). Founding chairman of Australian Country Music Foundation & Museum, Tamworth, 1989-1993. Starting in 1970 has conducted over 150 oral history interviews with Australian musicians, entertainers and composers. Vice-president of the International Association of Sound Archives, 1981-1987 and chairman of the Australian branch, 1979-1984. Has produced or contributed to over 500 sound recordings of reissues of historic Australian sounds. Co-author of “Peter Dawson (The World’s Most Popular Baritone)”, Currency Press, 2001, and “Tex Morton (From Australian Yodeler to International Showman”. The University of Tennessee Press, 2023. Currently preparing a discography of Australians who recorded in the acoustic period. ARTICLES published in On Stage: include : “Thanks For The Memory” (2GB Musical Comedy Theatre, 2002) “Welcome ‘Mr. C’ “ (Finlay Currie in Australia, 2002) “Voices of the Past: Kathleen Lafla” , 2004) “The Fabulous Friedmans” (Jake Friedman, 2003) “Bless ‘Em All” (Fred Godfrey, 2003) “Starring John Barrymore, Gregory Peck, and Roland Hogue” (2003) “Probing the Proboscis” (Nosey tunes, 2003) “I’ve Been Everywhere (Or Have I)” (2002)
Written by Brendan Kelly
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Brendan Kelly AustraliaBrendan Kelly is a self-confessed evocator of Australian history. He takes an off-centre approach to the examination of the past. His essays seek to describe the little corner occurrences, less noticed, but just as important as mainstream history. Brendan explores everyday people. His passion for the Perth amateur entertainers 1875-1895 leads him to explore the human condition, as much as it is now, as it was then. [email protected]
Written by Kevin Coxhead
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Kevin Coxhead AustraliaKevin divides his time between restoring JCW costumes and writing for social media groups on theatre history, mostly on Betty Pounder and her life and career and The Firm itself. 'Part of my life mission is to try and keep our theatre history alive for as long as I can.'
A former dancer for Williamson's, he has also worked as an accompanist for various Melbourne ballet schools and Lead Set Decorator for the television series, Neighbours. Kevin has run his own interior design business for the past twenty-five years.
Written by Judy Leech
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Judy Leech AustraliaJudy has had a twenty-two year career at the ABC Television Studios as a graphic designer, with occasional forays into children's book illustrations. This was followed by ten years working with the Rex Reid Dance Company on costume, set and props design. Since the late 1990s Judy has been closely involved, in a design capacity, with many of the annual musicals presented by Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson's Schools.
Written by Judy Leech
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Judy Leech Australia
Judy has had a twenty-two year career at the ABC Television Studios as a graphic designer, with occasional forays into children's book illustrations. This was followed by ten years working with the Rex Reid Dance Company on costume, set and props design. Since the late 1990s Judy has been closely involved, in a design capacity, with many of the annual musicals presented by Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson's Schools.
Written by Ted Chapin
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Ted Chapin USTed Chapin was president of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization for more than thirty years, having been hired by the two families shortly after Richard Rodgers passed away. His career has ranged from assistant director on the original production of Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys to being one of the founders of the Encores! series at New York City Center. He sits on several boards and is the co-chairman of the American Theatre Wing and chairman of the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. Producing two well regarded seasons of Lyrics & Lyricists at 92Y, and three seasons of NJTV’s American Songbook for NJPAC, he is a frequent speaker at colleges and has made several film and television appearances.
Written by Robert Taylor
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Robert Taylor AustraliaRobert Taylor is a NIDA graduate (Technical Production) who was Playbox Production Manager from 1987–90 and Administrator from 1991–5. His Lighting Design for The Mourning After (1996 Beckett Theatre) toured extensively in 1997. From 1995–2014 he was General Manager of The National Theatre in St. Kilda.
Written by Diana Burleigh
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Diana Burleigh Diana is a well-known actor, director, reviewer and radio presenter. She is particularly recognised for her work directing Gilbert & Sullivan operas. Forthcoming and recent productions include Iolanthe (2017) and Pirates of Penzance (2013) for G&SOV, Utopia Limited (2016) and Yeomen of the Guard (2013) for Savoynet at the G & S Festival, Harrogate.
Written by Diana Burleigh
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Diana Burleigh
Diana is a well-known actor, director, reviewer and radio presenter. She is particularly recognised for her work directing Gilbert & Sullivan operas. Forthcoming and recent productions include Iolanthe (2017) and Pirates of Penzance (2013) for G&SOV, Utopia Limited (2016) and Yeomen of the Guard (2013) for Savoynet at the G & S Festival, Harrogate.