stagesetting

In early April 1913, the citizens of Marburg, 60km west of Brisbane, were eagerly anticipating the upcoming amateur performance of operetta Beauty and the Beast, with a cast of locals (pictured). Staged to raise funds for the All Saints Anglican Church, the event was arranged by the Reverend T. Hely-Wilson, who oversaw the entire production from stage management and coaching of the amateur performers to costuming and scenery. On April 16, the wait was over as a 400-plus audience crammed into the School of Arts building. Within minutes of the doors being opened all the seats had been taken, with latecomers relegated to standing at the back. Local newspaper the Rosewood Register and Marburg Mail captured the mood - "the huge audience was on the tip-toe of pleased anticipation" - and went on to praise the performance: "The choruses were strong, tuneful, well-balanced and of fine tempo, whilst the ballets were enchantingly appealing." The two leads were Mr Arthur Dance (playing the Beast/Prince), who "spoke his lines with praiseworthy enunciation and distinctness", and Miss Grace Collins (as Beauty), who, "although considerably nervous ... acted well and sang charmingly". 0The remaining cast members were all lauded for their performances, while the children portraying the Prince's "frog court" were audience favourites for their dance. Another tireless performer was Miss McLoughlin, the pianist who accompanied the performance. Her contribution to the success of the operetta was publicly acknowledged at the All Saints church annual picnic a few weeks later, where she was presented with a gold bangle. Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/beauty-and-beast-marburg-style

Theatre Royal, Brisbane From 1949 to 1959 at Brisbane’s Theatre Royal, comedian George Wallace Junior hosted a weekly variety show with a weekly change of title, such as Grin and Bare It (1951), Nudes and Blushes (1952), New Year Nudes (1953), Eves without Leaves (1953), Couldn’t Wear Less (1953), Teasy on the Eyes (1954), Peep Show (1956), Watch the Curves (1957), Don’t Give Up the Strip (1957), Hips Hooray (1958), Bareway to the Stars (1958) and Don’t Point, It’s Nude (1959). Source: jonathanbollen.net/2011/04/03/theatre-royal-brisbane/

In 1875, six years before women were admitted to universities in Australia, Brisbane Girls Grammar School opened—initially as a branch of Brisbane Grammar School—to provide girls the same educational opportunities as their brothers. Miss Sophia Beanland was appointed Lady Principal in 1882, having been recruited from Bradford Girls Grammar School in the UK. During her time as Lady Principal, Miss Beanland witnessed and championed significant changes, including the separation from Brisbane Grammar School in 1882. This was followed by the relocation of the School in 1884 to its current premises on Gregory Terrace. Miss Beanland was convinced that girls should receive a holistic, rather than a narrow, education. To this end, a number of subjects were added to an already extensive curriculum. Source: www.bggs.qld.edu.au/about-brisbane-girls-grammar/our-hist...