This year, Jacob will have his directorial debut with George Bernard Shaw’s classic play, Pygmalion. ‘I’ve spent a lot of time being directed during my time in theatre and I wanted the opportunity to try it for myself,’ Jacob explains. ‘I always want some new experience that will challenge me and directing seemed like the next big step I could have taken’.

Each month we like to spotlight one of the members of the Limelight Theatre community. This month, meet Jane Anderson, the Wanneroo Rep’s acting Secretary!

Jane has been involved in the Perth performing arts scene since childhood. Her first memory of dancing is being back stage at His Majesty’s Theatre with the ‘big girl’ dancers stretching with their legs up against the wall. Her mum enrolled her in ballet when she was five; Jane then tried Callisthenics for a while before starting theatrical dance with Shirley Halliday where she felt right at home!

As well as dancing, Jane is a talented singer who performs as part of the folk trio, ‘The Folkin’ Bogans’, ‘I don’t remember when I started singing,’ says Jane, ’but I used to sit and listen to Dad’s records of Peter, Paul and Mary and the Mamas and the Papas, picking out and singing the different harmonies from a very young age. In Grade 3, I sang ‘If I had a Hammer’ to the class for show and tell!’

Jane started performing in musicals at high school, where her school principal was a director for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Jane was involved in two G&S productions during this time – ‘Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘The Mikado’ – playing the lead in both.

Performing in musicals didn’t stop when Jane left high school. Her first show with Wanneroo Rep was in 1984 with ‘Company B Blues’. ‘I was one of the Andrews Sisters, along with my sister Gillian. We sang Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. We also did a tap dance number and the stage was so slippery, I fell on my backside in the middle of the routine! I did get up and finish the dance.’ A true professional!

In the mid-1980s, Jane married Mal Anderson, after which they left Perth for some time due to his work commitments. Jane and Mal, along with children Jacob and Peter, travelled all over WA for fifteen years before settling back in Perth when Jacob started high school. During these years, Jane worked with the Northam Theatre Group, Wickham Amateur Theatre Society, participated in the North West Drama Festival, and the Albany Light Opera & Theatre Co.

In 2009 Jane returned to the Limelight Theatre, playing the maid in ‘Out of Order’ and she hasn’t stopped since! You may have seen her on the stage as Sister Mary Hubert in ‘Nunsense’ and ‘Nunsense II’, Florence in ‘Chess’, Chelsea in ‘On Golden Pond’ and Helene in ‘Sweet Charity’ amongst others. Of these roles, Jane found Sister Mary Hubert was a lot of fun. ‘It is quite freeing to wear a habit!’ she says. Helene in ‘Sweet Charity’ was also wonderful opportunity for Jane to sing and dance. ‘I wish I was 10 years younger or 20 kilos lighter playing that role,’ reflects Jane, ‘but I relished the chance to actually dance properly. I think I am coming to the end of my dancing career.’

Jane also loved playing Florence in ‘Chess’. ‘It is an extremely challenging musical and I took on the role with 6 weeks to opening night,’ Jane explains. ‘I was learning the complicated harmonies of the chorus, when I was asked to replace the original Florence. The musical is very dramatic and I loved that I could act through singing. I was very pleased with the outcome despite ‘Chess’ not being to everyone’s taste. It is a dream role for a singer.’

As well as being on stage, Jane is one of the Wanneroo Rep’s behind the scenes stars, working as the acting committee secretary, behind the bar during performance seasons and organising events at the theatre including this year’s awards night. What else would she like to do at the theatre?

‘I would like to do a musical with an age appropriate role for me, that requires a big sing. Perhaps a small 6-hander with intricate harmonies. I love a challenge. I would also like to direct, just building up the courage to start.’ Sounds like a great goal to work towards!

Each month we like to spotlight one of the members of the Limelight Theatre community. This month, meet Gwen Browning, one of the Wanneroo Rep’s longest serving current members!

Gwen was born in the UK and was introduced to theatre “as soon as she could sit in a seat”. Her parents were both avid theatre goers and Gwen recalls the enthralling visits to the Bristol Hippodrome to see the pantomimes at Christmas and later to The Old Vic.

She joined the Weston-super-Mare Players and the Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society and was involved in many productions before emigrating to Australia in 1982. “When I arrived in Perth, I wanted to find a club to join. I asked around and a friend of a friend gave me Murray Dearle’s phone number. I rang him and Wanneroo Rep were holding auditions in the shed on that Sunday. So, I went along and got into the chorus of “Puss in Boots”.

Never a one to do things by half, Gwen became a member of the Committee, a position she held for nearly every year until taking on the role of Publicity, then Secretary and then President for four years. “I think I’ve participated in every aspect of the theatre over the years both on and off stage, except lighting, which terrifies me!”

Gwen’s been involved with too many productions to list. Her favourites include The Anniversary, Calendar Girls and Noises Off. More recently, 2016’s Old Time Music Hall was the best fun she’s had in years. At the annual Limelight Awards, Gwen has won three Best Actor Awards for Sister Bonaventure (1992), A Pack of Lies (2004), Calendar Girls (2013) and two Best Supporting Actor Awards for Gigi (1996) and The Darling Buds of May (2015). Gwen also won the Best Actress Award at the State Theatre Drama Festival in 1995.

Although Gwen originally started as a performer, in more recent years she has explored other theatrical positions – in particular, directing. ‘As you get older there are fewer roles available,’ she explains. ‘So, I turned to directing and was surprised to find how rewarding it is.’ Gwen won Best Production for Talking Heads in 2012 and Best Technical Award for Speaking in Tongues in 2015.

In the future, Gwen hopes to keep performing. ‘I really enjoy cameo roles which require solid characterisation. I am sure I will return to directing when I find the right play.’

Gwen has found the theatre has been a wonderful source of friendship over the years. ‘I love the way it provides a vehicle for interaction between all age groups. And it’s great to watch the young talent develop and grow!’

2017 brings about new and exciting challenges for Tim, who will be directing his rst show – next month’s Let the Sunshine. ‘I wanted to direct because it seemed the next natural step,’ he explains. ‘Much as I’d like to have the lead role Jean Val-Jean in Les Mis, I’m probably past that. So if I want to put my stamp on a play and bring to life characters as I see them, then directing is the obvious path.’

And if he enjoys the experience? ‘I would like to direct a musical next. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of musicals, the camaraderie, the teamwork, the working together to create something enjoyable for an audience. I want to have a go at bringing something like this to life!’

Taking on the role of Theatre Maintenance Manager this year is another personal achievement for Pat. He claims he is still easing into the role, but with Wally Fry to guide him he feels he couldn’t have a better teacher. “The most challenging thing about the role is finding interested volunteers to complete necessary maintenance on a building as old as the Limelight. The small band of the “Tuesday Workforce” is amazing, nothing is too much trouble for them to do, but with such a small group things do take time.”

Wanneroo Repertory has provided Pat with many years of enjoyment as a pastime and hobby, “I don’t know how many hours I have spent there, must be in the thousands, it has literally become part of my life!” He has enjoyed good and bad times, (but mainly good), met some good and bad people, (but mainly good) and hopes his involvement continues for many years into the future.