FOR more than half a century Clovelly’s John Morrison has poured all his thespian passions into the Waverley Lugar Brae Players and he is back again in 2012 reprising the role of Major General Stanley in the local production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, “The Pirates of Penzance“.
Morrison, a former Waverley mayor and police commander, starred in Players’ first theatre production 53 years ago and confessed a preference for the villainous roles, or at least a character with a “bit of get up and go”.
Kingsford’s Chloe-Anne McKenzie also has a long history with the Players, she may be only 21 but she is the third generation to attach her name to the group. McKenzie’s grandparents John and Margaret first graced the Players stage in the 1960s, with Margaret later becoming the musical director.
Their son and McKenzie’s father, David appeared in the 1977 production of Oliver! (he went on to marry soprano Marie-Celine from the 1995 The Mikado production).
Chloe-Anne inherited her mother’s soprano voice - a great asset for the lead role of Mabel in the all-singing, all-dancing musical.
“My grandparents were friends with John Morrison when they performed at the company,” she said. “It’s great having a mixed cast of young and more experienced actors.”
“It keeps things fresh.”
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Saturday, May 19 at 8pm
Sunday, May 20 at 2pm
Wednesday, May 23 at 8pm
Friday, May 25 at 8pm
Saturday, May 26 at 2pm and 8pm
Coleman Auditorium, Church in the Market Place, corner Newland Street and Oxford Mall, Bondi Junction.
Tickets $17-$28, and are available by calling 9389 5361.
- Emma Norris, Southern Courier
