Cast: Sue Ingelton (“Adelaide Hills”), Evelyn Krape (“Fanny ‘Granny’ Hills”), Fay Mokotow (“Antigone Hills”), Max Gillies (“Fitzroy Hills”), Jack Weiner (“Bluey Hills”), Bill Garner (“Sandringham Hills”), Robert Meldrum (“Clifton Hills”) and Tony Taylor (“Winston Hills”). Jon Hawkes as “Albert Alps, manager”.
Presented by THE VICTORIAN ARTS COUNCIL, 31/5/76 – 26/6/76
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APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 1
APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 2
APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 3
APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 4
APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 5
APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 6
APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 7
APG newsletter, National Campus Tour, 1976, Winter/Spring, page 8
In 1976 the Australian Performing Group (APG) embarked upon another undertaking: the production of radio shows. The Minutes of the Group’s AGM on 29 March 1976 record that:
“Bill Garner presented a copy of the format for the first radio show and outlined his proposal. His program format will be “non-capitalist commercial radio”. Members interested in doing radio shows should approach him. He will soon be approaching members he would like to work with him. The first rehearsal and taping of the radio show will be on Saturday April 10 from 1.30 to 5.30, either at the Pram or the Playbox.”
The first radio show was called “Looping The Loop”. Below are copies of Bill Garner’s format and running sheet for the show, which was to be broadcast in late-April 1976: Continue reading
“Sisters” was staged by the Australian Performing Group in the front theatre of its Pram Factory theatre in Carlton from May 20 to June 23, 1976. Written by Robin Thurston, it was a prison show written by a man but with an all-female cast. They are pictured below in a copy of the poster.
(A videotape of “Sisters” – with Bob Weiss in charge – was made at the Pram Factory on 5th and 6th June 1976.)
Posted in Alternative theatre, APG, Australian Performing Group, Australian theatre, Pram Factory Theatre
Tagged 1976, APG, Bob Weiss, Claire Dobbin, Jane Clifton, Jenny Jones, Kerry Dwyer, Margot Nash, Ponch Hawkes, Pram Factory, Richard Murphett, Robin Laurie, Roz de Winter, Ursula Harrison, video
“The Hills Family Show” was arguably the most popular and critically acclaimed theatre production by the Australian Performing Group. (More memorabilia from this production will be posted on this site later.)
The fact that the APG recorded a version of the Hills Family Show for radio seems to have been overlooked in written accounts of the APG.
(Additional comment May 2020) Furthermore, I’ve searched the internet thoroughly but cannot find a copy of audio of the show.
The in-costume recording took place at the Pram Factory Theatre in Carlton on Saturday, 3 July 1976. (Max Gillies’ injured arm is real!) I believe the recording was aired on community radio station 3CR, Melbourne. Over the next few weeks I will be posting here my 20 exclusive photos of the event. (I’m almost certain that I was the only person at the event with a camera.) Peter J Keenan 25/6/2014.
Updated 22/10/2021: Max Gillies played Fitzroy Hills; Sue Ingelton played Adelaide Hills; Tony Taylor played Winston Hills; Fay Mokotow played Antigone Hills; Robert Meldrum played Clifton Hills; Evelyn Krape played Fanny ‘Granny’ Hills; Bill Garner played Sandringham Hills; and Jack Weiner played Bluey Hills. Jon Hawkes was Albert Alp, manager of the Hills Family.
Updated 22/10/2021: All of my photos are now posted. Number of photos posted to 8/9/2014 = 15. Number of photos posted to 22/10/21 = 20.
Photo 16 (below) – Max Gillies, Sue Ingleton, Tony Taylor, Fay Mokotow, Robert Meldrum, Evelyn Krape & Bill Garner
Photo 17 (below) – Tony Taylor
Photo 18 (below) – Robert Meldrum, Fay Mokotow, Jack Weiner, Evelyn Krape, Bill Garner & Max Gillies
Photo 19 (below) – Robert Meldrum and Bill Garner, making sounds
Photo 20 (below) – Sue Ingleton
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Posted in Alternative theatre, APG, Australian Performing Group, Australian theatre, Live theatre, Pram Factory Theatre, Theatre History
Tagged 1976, APG, Bill Garner, Evelyn Krape, Fay Mokotow, Hills Family Show, Jack Weiner, Jon Hawkes, Lloyd Carrick, Max Gillies, photos, Pram Factory, radio recording, Robert Meldrum, Sue Ingleton, Susy Potter, Theatre, Tony Taylor
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Double bill programme: page 1
Double bill programme: Page 2
Promotional photograph.
Review in Nation Review
