Page 2: Pocket Playhouse Personalities

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John Cooper

John Cooper as ‘Algernon’ and Kathleen Kennedy as ‘Gwendolyn’ in “The Importance of Being Earnest”

John Cooper was a member of the small acting company directed by Robert Findlay which joined forces with the Pocket Playhouse in 1957.

Over the years he played leading roles in ‘Antigone’, ‘Marching Song’ and the ‘The Confidential Clerk” to name just a few.

Prior to his Pocket Playhouse appearances he had appeared with the Sydney Repertory Theatre, the Metropolitan Theatre, the Independent Theatre and the John Alden Shakespeare Company in numerous plays.

An actor of considerable ability he left Australia in 1961 to join Robert Findlay in London where he appeared in plays in repertory theatres. He returned to Australia and retired from theatre activities.

John Gillies

John Gillies as ‘Abelard’ and Sylvia Stephens as ‘Heloise’ in their leading roles in the Norman McVicker production of “Heloise”

John Gillies first came to the Pocket Playhouse as a young man to play a 'Munchkin' in 'The Wizard of Oz' for the Pocket Children’s Theatre in 1964. He continued to play roles in the juvenile theatre on Saturday afternoons as well as in the seasons of adult plays.

His roles included the role of Hansel in “Hansel and Gretel”, “Colombe”, “The Teahouse of the August Moon” to name just a few and notably the role of ‘Abelard’ in “Heloise” for which he was recipient of the 1971 Beatrice Tildesley Pocket Award for the most worthwhile acting performance.

A keen student of the life and times of Joan of Arc in 1972 he produced “The Lark” with considerable success for the Pocket adult theatre.

John Gillies was a school teacher by profession retiring in 2009. He directed several productions for School and Higher School Certificates for both State and Private Schools.

John was the co-author original concept, ABC’s TV children’s drama series “Top Mates” the series recipient of Logie and Penguin Awards in 1979.He specialised in teaching hearing impaired students and wrote and directed a video on hearing impairment, causes and educational possibilities for the Department of Education and Training.

Kevin Peatfield

Kevin Peatfield as he appeared in “Gods and Warriors” (The ‘No’ plays of Japan) 1971.

Kevin Peatfield was a member of the resident company of the Pocket Playhouse from 1964 until the theatre closed in 1973. During this time he was an actor and also a stage manager.

Prior to joining the Pocket Kevin had acted in musicals with the Kogarah Musical Society. At the Pocket he enjoyed the Saturday afternoon performances with the Pocket Children’s Theatre. In 1964 the played the leading role of the piper in “The Pied Piper” to be followed by many roles in adult plays as well as those in the children’s theatre.

Leading roles were in “Our Town”, “The Limelighters”, “A Mass for the Theatre”(in the crypt of St Mary’s Basilica, during a Sydney Festival), “Gods and Warriors” “Heloise” and in “Spoon River” which also toured professionally for The Arts Council of NSW to 28 country towns.

In 1966 Kevin Peatfield was the recipient of “The Constance Robertson Memorial Award” for backstage work. Kevin was a man of the theatre undertaking many of the tasks backstage such as building and painting sets, making props and helping young actors achieve their own goals.

As manager of the Universal Record Club and later with Festival Records his knowledge of music was invaluable when background or musical segues were needed for a play.

After the Pocket closed in 1973 he continued to act with Opera Australia in a number of productions and notably played the role of the "maitre’d" in “The Merry Widow” with Joan Sutherland in two seasons.

Kevin has retired from both daily work and theatre activities but keeps himself informed of the latest productions and trends.

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Page 2: Personalities

During his years in the theatre Norman McVicker was fortunate to meet many theatre personalities from ‘top of the bill’ actors, directors and technicians to those who worked on the sidelines as playwrights, musicians and mechanists. Here are some of their stories:

Connie Robertson

Cartoon by Benier of Connie Robertson sitting on top of the Herald building was a retirement farewell gift.

Connie Robertson was a newspaper editor (in those days editress) for over forty years. The daughter of A. G. Stephens the legendary editor of the Red Page of the ‘Bulletin’ she was a woman of style and great determination. I was privileged to know Mrs Robertson (only Connie to a few chosen ones and I was one) for some twelve years. Her career sounds like a who’s who of Sydney society and the literary world. I have written more in Wallaby Track No: 1027 dated May 25, 2009.

Noeline Brown

Noeline Brown first appeared at the Pocket Playhouse, Sydenham in “Roundup on the Moon” in 1961 for the Pocket Children’s Theatre. This role was quickly followed by roles in “Major Barbara” (1962), “My Sister Eileen” (1962), “Hansel and Gretel” (1963) and “Bell Book and Candle” (1963.

In 1961 Noeline Brown was acclaimed for her leading female role in “The Sleeping Prince” at the Pocket Playhouse, Sydney’s Unique Little Theatre, and her professional career began the next year. Since then Noeline has become a renowned actress and comedienne winning both popular and critical acclaim including a Logie award in 1978 for the most popular NSW female personality.

Noeline Brown

She is married to writer/producer Tony Sattler. Together they run a production company -Wintergreen Productions, live in the Southern Highlands and Noeline continues to write, act and do community work. She has been interested in social, political and community issues throughout her career and has worked for arts organisations and institutions including the Actors Benevolent Fund.

In 2006, she received a “Children's Week Community for Children Award” for “volunteering to improve the
lives of children”.

On 12th April 2008 she was appointed Ambassador for the Ageing. Also in 2008 she was the recipient of The Glugs Norman Kessell Memorial Award for her performance in “Glorious”.

In 2005 she wrote her autobiography, Noeline Brown – Longterm Memoir.

For further information her web site is www.noelinebrown.com.au