Tag Archives: Pram Factory

“Radio Active Horror Show” – preview – The Age, 5/7/1977

The Radio Active Horror Show has been described as “An Australian anti-nuclear musical by John Romeril and the A.P.G. (Australian Performing Group). “Things are crook, just take a look, we’re in more pooh than Winnie”.” (Source: AusStage.) It played at the Pram Factory from 7 July to 21 August 1977. The APG members involved were Kerry Dwyer, Ursula Harrison, Wilfred Last, Richard Murphet, Margot Nash, Hellen Sky, Carol Porter, Greig Pickhaver and John Romeril (writer).

(The play was also performed in Sydney, at the New Theatre, Newtown, opening on 29/4/78. The Sydney cast and crew were not from the APG.)

Below is a copy of a PREVIEW by John Stevens of the APG production. The full title of the preview is “See this and freak out”.


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“Phar Lap …” brochure (Turf Notes) – 1977

The Australian Performing Group staged “Phar Lap – it’s Cingalese for lightning, y’know”, written by Steve Mastare) (aka Stephen Mastare, Stephanie Mastare and Ess Mastare), at the Pram Factory theatre in March and April 1977.

Director: Paul Hampton. Cast: Susy Potter, Claire Dobbin, Phil Motherwell, Alison Richards, Wilfred Last, Greig Pickhaver. Design: Micky Allen, Carol Porter. Lighting: Ian McKenzie. Original Music: Andrew Bell. Poster: Bob Daly. Props :Ursula Harrison. Costume: Freda Rowed. Sound Operator: Margot Nash.

Below is a copy of “Turf Notes”, a publicity brochure for the programme.

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APG Meetings: A few Minutes and Reports – early 1976

  • Agenda 22/12/1975
  • Executive report 22/12/1975
  • Minutes of Collective Meeting 22/12/1975
  • Minutes of Collective Meeting 29/1/1976
  • Minutes of Special Collective Meeting 9/2/1976
  • Minutes of Collective Meeting 16/2/1976
  • Agenda AGM 29/3/1976
  • Executive Report 29/3/1976
  • Format for radio show “Looping the Loop’ 29/3/1976 (Bill Garner)
  • Proposal by Jon Hawkes “To set up a limited liability company which will make low budget films” – 29/3/1976
  • Minutes of AGM 29/3/1976.
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“The Perambulator”- APG Newsletter – January 1979

Contents:

  • “New Economic Policy for 1979” by Bill Garner
  • “Gang of Three Report” by Kerry Dwyer, Wilfred Last and Richard Murphet
  • “New Space” by Bill Garner
  • “The Pram Social Club” by Bill Garner
  • “Circus Oz at National Gallery” by Robin Laurie
  • “Films at The Pram” by Kerry Dwyer
  • “Dimboola: the film” by John Timlin
  • “100 Artists”
  • “Nightshift on the move”
  • “On not being treated like a minority” by John Romeril
  • “The Young and the Jobless” by Alison Richards
  • “Comings ….. and Goings”
  • “Radio Run Out” by Greig Pickhaver
  • “The Originators”
  • “The APG: Ten years ago”
  • APG Records
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APG tries its hand at radio – “Looping The Loop”

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

“Back To Bourke Street” poster from the APG (for the September 1977 season)

“Back To Bourke Street” was staged by the Australian Performing Group on several occasions and at several venues. (More information to come.) This poster advertises a return season of 7 late-night shows, three at La Mama theatre and four at the Pram Factory, in September 1977. The show was devised by Claire Dobbin, Libby Drake, Eveyn Krape and Tony Taylor.

Poster Back To Bourke St Sept 1977

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Third post re The Dimboola Banner’s stories and pictures about the making of “Dimboola” the movie

The following images and articles are from The Dimboola Banner, TUESDAY, June 13, 1978

Most of the filming of “Dimboola” took place in and around the small Victoria township of Dimboola. For those few weeks the people of Dimboola took a great deal of interest in the filming, with some even taking part as extras in the movie. The local paper, The Dimboola Banner, published several articles about the event which were accompanied by photos taken by the film’s stills photographer, Ponch Hawkes.

This is the THIRD of four post on this subject. Continue reading

Post two re The Dimboola Banner’s stories and pictures about the making of “Dimboola” the movie

The following images and articles are from The Dimboola Banner, Friday, June 2, 1978.

Most of the filming of “Dimboola” took place in and around the small Victoria township of Dimboola. For those few weeks the people of Dimboola took a great deal of interest in the filming, with some even taking part as extras in the movie. The local paper, The Dimboola Banner, published several articles about the event which were accompanied by publicity photos taken by the film’s stills photographer, Ponch Hawkes.

This is the SECOND of four post on this subject.

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“Sisters” poster from the APG

“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.)

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Dressed up and recording the “Hills Family Radio Show”: exclusive photos

“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 1 – Max Gillies, Sue Ingleton, Tony Taylor, Fay Mokotow, Robert Meldrum, Evelyn Krape and Bill Garner, July 1976

All dressed for recording

Photo 2 (below) – Evelyn Krape and Fay Mokotow, July 1976

Hills Krape Mokotow

Photo 3 (below) – Jon Hawkes, juggling on radio, July 1976

Jon Hawkes juggling

Photo 4 (below) – Susy Potter, making sounds with her feet, July 1976

Susy Potter

Photo 5 (below) – Jack Weiner and Sue Ingleton tickle the ivories, July 1976

Weiner and Singleton

 

Photo 6 (below) – Sue Ingleton, July 1976

Sue Ingleton by herself

Photo 7 (below) – Fay Mokotow and Robert Meldrum, July 1976

Fay and Robert dancing

Photo 8 (below) – Tony Taylor and Max Gillies, July 1976. (In background: Lloyd Carrick, sound recordist, Sue Ingleton, Robert Meldrum and Bill Garner.)

Tony and Max

Photo 9 (below) – Fay Mokotow and Max Gillies, July 1976.
Fay and Max

Photo 10 (below) – Evelyn Krape, July 1976

Evelyn Krape at mike

Photo 11 (below) – Robert Meldrum, Sue Ingleton, Evelyn Krape, Tony Taylor, Max Gillies and Bill Garner, July 1976

Several at mikes

Photo 12 (below) – Tony Taylor, Jack Weiner, Bill Garner and Max Gillies, July 1976

Four Hills

Photo 13 (below) – Max Gillies, July 1976

Max Gillies

Photo 14 (below) – Bill Garner, July 1976

Bill Garner

Photo 15 (Below) – Fay Mokotow and Robert Meldrum, July 1976

Fay and Robert

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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