Above – Raymond Simms, Technical Producer (left), Dr Cheryl Threadgold and Kevin Coxhead. Photo – Malcolm Threadgold
Kevin Coxhead
Kevin Coxhead is a J C Williamson historian, historic costume collector/restorer and author, having written Betty Pounder's biography to celebrate her centenary in 2021. Last year he wrote a book covering notable JCW theatre managers, musical directors, choreographers, scenery and costume designers, stage managers and the JCW owned theatres throughout Australia and New Zealand.
As well as running his own interior design business for over thirty years, Kevin has worked in most areas of professional theatre, as a dancer for Williamsons in the 1970s and in front-of-house positions and backstage as a dresser.
His costume collection has been displayed at The Sydney Opera House, QPAC, Melbourne's Regent Theatre and Sydney's CapitalTheatre, as well as a four-month display throughout the historic home of JCW senior manager, Sir George Tallis.
Kevin, along with fellow pianist Barrye Dickinson, have presented a series of piano duet recitals for the Victorian Arts Council, and Kevin was lead set-dresser on the television series, Neighbours, for five years.
Running the highly successful social media group devoted to Betty Pounder and JCW takes a lot of Kevin's time, and he recently took over as administrator of the group honouring the old Her Majesty's Theatre in Sydney.
Keeping Australia's theatrical history alive is an absolute passion for Kevin. He is also a contributor for Theatre Heritage Australia and organises regular get-togethers for people from the old Williamson days in an effort to keep the memories, stories and friendships alive.
Dr Cheryl Threadgold OAM
Cheryl researched and wrote Beaumaris Theatre's full-length 50th and 70th Anniversary Christmas Panto-Revues (2003/2023) and in 2006 the 90-minute The Jewel by the Sea, a 150th anniversary production for Black Rock House, which has since enjoyed five seasons. Her 2019 PhD thesis researched the history of amateur theatre in Victoria, and her award-winning 2020 book In the Name of Theatre: the history, culture and voices of amateur theatre in Victoria is based on the award-winning thesis. At Arts Centre Melbourne, Cheryl was guest speaker at Theatre Heritage Australia's event in 2018, and also in 2023 joined Barry Dickins in conversation. Cheryl has been honorary theatre writer for the Melbourne Observer/Local Paper since 2005 and convenes the Bayside U3A Writers Group, directing radio plays written by members for broadcast on 88.3 Southern FM, or as radio theatre. She presents public talks about Victorian theatre history, enjoys writing articles for Theatre Heritage Australia’s Onstage magazine and conducting Australian theatre-related oral history interviews. Cheryl thanks Kevin Coxhead for sharing his story for the THA Oral History programme.