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Our next “Great Thing” about Whyalla is a truly great and fantastically entertaining institution in our city.
Whyalla Players has been thrilling audiences here and throughout the Eyre Peninsula and beyond for more than 60 years.
The merry band of theatre enthusiasts had a humble beginning as a play-reading group in 1956 before developing into a group that continues to produce musicals, plays, pantomimes and theatre restaurant performances. Celebrating its 60th anniversary last year, Whyalla Players has been bringing quality entertainment to thousands of theatre-lovers in Whyalla and surrounding areas for many years
The group continues to produce magnificent productions from its base of hard-working volunteers who do everything from building the sets, making the costumes, finding sponsors, organising venues and putting on some of the best stage performers you’ll see on a regional, or a metropolitan, stage.
It is pride in what they do and the sheer joy of performing and entertaining that motivates members of the group.
“We are very proud of what we do,” Whyalla Players president Robyn Payne said.
“We try to bring something different to Whyalla and surrounding districts and get as many people involved as possible.
“The feedback we get is awesome and it is full houses, or close to it, whenever we put on a production.”
The society has given many aspiring young actors, singers, dancers, musicians and technicians the opportunity to develop their particular talents to levels they otherwise thought were out of reach.
The Whyalla Players’ repertoire includes musicals of the many different genres of famous and well-loved productions that have been popular with community theatre groups everywhere over the years. Its first, back in 1956, was Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury. The first pantomime was Santa in Space in 1992 followed by its first theatre restaurant Bail 'em up Cobbers in 1999.
The society has been well supported wherever it performs. In the early days it was at the city's former institute building, then at the Middleback Arts Theatre and at various other venues within Whyalla and at regional towns.
Some of the most enjoyable performances and experiences for the group and the actors is when they travel. Whyalla Players has performed from Roxby Downs to Port Lincoln with plenty of performances in nearby towns like Cowell.
“We’ve got a loyal following throughout the Eyre Peninsula and many of our actors come from out of town to be involved,” Robyn said.
“We were recently able to help Cowell with a fundraiser for their kindergarten by dropping our performance price.
“That makes it even more enjoyable.”
The Whyalla Players are proud of all their productions but are especially chuffed with their blockbuster shows such as The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, Grease, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and Mary Poppins.
And while it is an amateur acting group, there’s nothing amateur about the performances or the production budget on many occasions. With the help of sponsors, volunteers and fundraising, the non-for-profit group can spend up to $100,000 on some of its productions.
That doesn’t mean the actors just get to rock up, walk the red carpet and perform though. For their next production, Jungle Fever, one of the performances will be at the Whyalla Golf Club in a theatre restaurant capacity.
Golf club fundraiser and co-ordinator for the performance on October 28, Glenda Clayton said she was in awe of the work the group puts in.
“I don’t think people realise how much work goes into these shows,” Glenda said.
“They’ll come here, lug all their equipment up the stairs, organise all the sets and then perform.
“It’s a lot of work but, hell, they are good.”
The Whyalla Players are now putting the final touches on the rehearsals for Jungle Fever. Directed by Kylie Tonkin, it is about two retired British army colonels who stumble across a bracelet in a stall in the old bazaar in Casablanca.
The bracelet belongs to the long lost missing heiress of Mumulgum Castle, who happens to be the niece of one of the colonels, so they decide upon a quest to find and rescue her.
It’s a hilarious spoof with plenty of corny one-liners and innuendo for the more adult audience.
Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Whyalla Players, becoming a member or sponsor can contact the group via email at secretary@whyallaplayers.org.au.
Jungle Fever dates:
Friday October 20 at the Left Hand Club. BYO Supper - $20 a ticket ($15 for Whyalla Players Members)
Friday October 27 at the Left Hand Club (special Fundraising event with Bec's Girls Night in) Supper Provided. $30 a ticket available by contacting Bec Marks on 0410 076 672
Saturday October 28 at the Whyalla Golf Club. BYO Supper - $20 a ticket available by contacting Glenda Clayton on 8645 8623.
Friday November 3 at the Left Hand Club. BYO Supper - $20 a ticket ($15 for Whyalla Players Members)
Tickets also available at Ann's Florist, Westlands Shopping Centre and Sandy's Gift Baskets, George Avenue or at the door on the night for some performances.
Photos: Val Van Genderen
