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Habeas Corpus

1996
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About Habeas Corpus

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Nov 29 - Dec 7, 1996

  • Venue: The Courthouse Theatre
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Playwright: Alan Bennett
  • Director: Julian Oldfield

About the Director

JULIAN OLDFIELD has had an extraordinary career in theatre and television in Britain, Europe and the USA.

As Director, Artistic Director, Stage Manager and Casting Director he worked for over three decades with the likes of Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Peter O Toole, Derek Foulds, Lotte Lenya, Joan Plowright, David Suchet, Michael Caine, Penelope Keith, June Bronhill ... the list is far too long for this brief note.

After an apprenticeship in the Theatre as Assistant to many top Directors and Stage Managers, and training in TV Production and Direction with the BBC, Julian Oldfield enjoyed a career in plays, opera, festivals and TV productions that took him all over Britain and Europe.

He directed over 200 productions on stage, directed opera for the Sadler's Wells company, founded and ran his own Theatre Company, was Artistic Director for the Chester Biennial Music Festival, co-ordinated pageants for the Queen and Prince Charles and, immediately prior to coming to Australia, was Casting Director at Thames Television for RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY and THE BILL.

In Melbourne he was Program Manager for the Victoria Arts Centre before coming to live in Ballarat, where he continues his long and active contribution to theatre.

Julian's previous production for Ballarat National Theatre was the highly acclaimed THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK in 1995. We are pleased to welcome him again as director of this production.

Cast

Fred Fargher

Fred is perhaps Ballarat's best known entertainer through his work in stage acting, directing and in television. Recently he has directed the multi-award winning The Merry Widow andMe and My Girl for BLOC and his most recent directorial work for National was the highly successful The Odd Couple. He has fond memories especially of appearing in Noises Off with National
Arthur Wicksteed

Jenny Bedney

returns to the stage after an absence of 16 years. She has acted and directed for National and was previously with the Colac Players for many years.
Muriel Wicksteed

Mark Meyer

appeared in National's most recent production as Alfred in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and has previously worked with Creswick Amateur Theatre.
Denis Wicksteed

Marilyn Chestnut

has appeared in comedy, drama and musicals on the Ballarat stage for many years and is widely regarded as one of Ballarat's most accomplished actors. She last appeared for National in The Odd Couple and works also as a professional actor.
Constance Wicksteed

Pam Maiden

played Mrs Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and audiences will clearly recall her splendid Mme Thenardier in Les Miserables. Of her many appearances for National, Steel Magnolias and Noises Off are her favourites.
Mrs Swabb

Barry Breen

directed No Time On for National earlier this year and played The Player in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. He tells us he has taken part in 12 productions, both professional and amateur, already this vear.
Canon Throbbing

Jill Dunne

last appeared for National in The Odd Couple. She is an experienced and able actor well known in the Ballarat theatre scene, having appeared regularly in National productions, including the Encore Award winning Noises Off.
Lady Rumpers

Sarah Thorne

is a newcomer to National Theatre. She has most recently performed in Fred Fargher's production of Me and My Girl and studies singing with Constance Coward-Lemkie.
Felicity Rumpers

John Daykin

this year played Hamlet in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. His other recent stage work has been with Theatre Movement and he is the fourth member of this cast to have appeared in Noises Off.
Mr Shanks

Ron Hedgcock

has extensive experience in theatre and radio acting in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. He has recently directed Hotel Sorrento for Theatre Movement and presented a one-man show, Brief Lives, for National last year.
Sir Percy Shorter

Gerry Goularis

appeared in National's A Hard God several years ago and has appeared in various productions here and in Creswick. Recently he has directed a short play and appeared in Victims for Theatre Movement.
Mr Purdue

Bob House

BobHouse is a Board member of National and has appeared in many shows, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for National and Dimboola for the 3BA Christmas Appeal. And we welcome Simon Jees, a newcomer to Ballarat National Theatre.
Orderlies

Simon Jees

Orderlies

Crew

  • Director & Designer
    Julian Oldfield
  • Sound Operator
    Lisa Hall
  • Sound Recording
    Michael Zala
  • Props
    Ann Savage & Peter Zala
  • Lighting
    Frank & Leon Hanrahan
  • Wardrobe
    Lesley Hale
  • Publicity
    John Watson
  • Poster
    Andrew Seeary
  • Program
    Laura Fazzalari
  • Set Builders
    & Painters
    Julian Oldfield, Frank Lilley, Gary Hall, Bob House, Andrew Seeary, Barry Breen, Wendy Hall, Lisa Hill, Ann Savage, Lesley Hale, Ron Hedgcock, Fred Fargher, John Watson, Andrew Hall, John Stuchbery
  • Front of House
    Yvonne Downing and BNT Members

Program