Tom Dickins

Theatre Heritage Australia presented three successful public events during the 2025 spring season—one in Sydney and two in Melbourne.

The first, at the Seaborn, Broughton and Walford Foundation in Sydney in conjunction with THA titled ‘Actors with Wooden Heads’, was presented on Sunday 21 September.

Puppeteer Richard Bradshaw OAM presents ‘Actors with Wooden Heads’. Photo by Simon Dwyer.

The event featured an entertaining talk from leading Australian puppeteer Richard Bradshaw OAM. Richard traced the history of 19th-century puppetry in Australia, uncovering its roots, key figures, and evolution through mechanical theatres, Fantoccini, and marionette shows.

Richard’s extensively researched talk revealed the artform’s connections to British and European traditions, while also highlighting its uniquely Australian adaptations.

Photo by Simon Dwyer.

Richard Bradshaw OAM works with puppet friends. Photo by Simon Dwyer.

Drawing on deep connections with descendants of early troupes, Richard not only illuminated the people, but also the craft that spread across the English-speaking world with an Australian perspective. During Richard’s talk, his lively companion became an unexpected crowd favourite.

A few weeks later, on Saturday 4 October another Theatre Heritage Australia event was presented—‘An Afternoon with Ali McGregor’ in The Showroom, Arts Centre Melbourne.

Introduced by THA President Dr Simon Piening, Australian soprano and opera singer Ali McGregor, a Frank Van Straten Fellowship recipient, recent Australia Council Fellow and Helpmann Award-winning performer, shared her fascinating research and preparation for a series of podcasts on early Victorian actress and singer, Nellie Stewart.

Ali’s talk about Nellie Stewart was enlightening and well-received, and the audience was treated to a beautiful song backed by three singers and piano accompaniment.

Ali McGregor in ‘An Afternoon with Ali McGregor’ in The Showroom, Arts Centre Melbourne. Photo by Judy Leech.

The third and final THA 2025 spring event was presented on the evening of Thursday 6 November in The Showroom, Arts Centre Melbourne, and celebrated two significant Gilbert & Sullivan events. The first was the sesquicentenary when Richard D’Oyly Carte engaged WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in 1875 to create Trial by Jury. 2025 also marks the ninetieth anniversary of The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria. Now performing as Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria, the company continues to present the work of these masters.

The event opened with an address from Arts Centre Melbourne Creative Producer Tom Dickins.

Arts Centre Melbourne Creative Producer, Tom Dickins. Photo by Robert Wagner.

THA President Dr Simon Piening then welcomed everyone and introduced THA Vice-President and Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Victoria/UK director, Diana Burleigh.

THA President Dr Simon Piening introduces the Gilbert & Sullivan celebratory event. Photo by Robert Wagner.

Simon spoke of Diana’s international recognition as an authority on the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, and one of the most respected historians and custodians of G&S performance history in Australia. Over many decades she has worked not only as an actor, director, reviewer and radio presenter, but as a researcher and caretaker of the Savoyard tradition in this state.

She has directed every single one of the G&S operas, both here in Australia and at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in the UK, winning both Best Director and Best Production. Diana has also contributed countless essays, programme notes, talks and papers that have become a reference point for many who study or stage the G&S repertoire.

Diana Burleigh then presented an informative history and timeline of the Savoy Operas in Victoria. Photo by Robert Wagner.

At the end of Diana’s Talk, the empty chairs onstage filled with a cast of colourful characters, the music started, and members of Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria presented a delightful concert performance of Trial by Jury.

Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Victoria presents a concert performance of Trial by Jury. Photo by Robert Wagner.

Theatre Heritage Australia is proud to have staged these three successful events during spring, and look forward to announcing new events in 2026.