Beaumaris Theatre Inc. acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Beaumaris Theatre stands. We pay our respects to Victoria's First Peoples and their Elders past, present and emerging.
CONTENTS
Click on the headline below to jump through each section of the program.
ABOUT THE SHOW
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
CAST & CREATIVES
MEET THE TEAM
ABOUT BEAUMARIS THEATRE
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
Arsenic and Old Lace is a timeless and classic comedy that was a hit both on Broadway and in the West End.
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunt’s window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlour, they killed him!
Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police—not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage—it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding.
Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
Setting
The action takes place in the living room of the Brewster residence in Brooklyn, in the autumn of 1941.
There will be two 15-minute intervals between acts.
Arsenic and Old Lace has become a right of passage for people involved in community theatre. It’s one of those plays that everyone wants to have on their resume – and most of us do! At least four members of this cast have been in previous productions of the play over the years – some of them up to 30 years ago. Even the staircase has done the play before.
There are many good reasons why it’s a play that appears regularly in community theatre playbills. First of all, it’s so well written. The plotline is unpredictable, the comedy is fast-paced and the language has really stood the test of time.
Secondly, it’s so well known, having graced many a professional theatre stage. Even those who haven’t seen the play before will probably be aware of the classic 1944 film starring Cary Grant, Peter Lorre and a bunch of others.
Thirdly, it’s got great roles for actors to strut their stuff. The characters are beautifully drawn – with sweet but murderous old ladies, bumbling cops, pantomime villains and star-crossed lovers – it’s got everything a classic comedy should have!
I’m immensely grateful to Beaumaris Theatre for being willing to bring this classic to you. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the cast, crew and design teams for all the hard work. It has been a lovely way to round out our theatrical year – and we hope it is for you too.
Peter Newling
Director
Cast
Abby Brewster - Carol Shelbourn
Martha Brewster - Stephanie King
Mortimer Brewster - David Cowell
Teddy Brewster- Damian Coffey
Jonathan Brewster - Adrian Valenta
Dr Einstein - Andrew Wild
Reverend Harper - Garry Bertrand
Elaine Harper - Kate Thurkle
Officer Brophy - Roan Lubbe
Officer O’Hara - Greg Barison
Lieutenant Rooney & Mr Gibbs - Chris Kirby
Mr Witherspoon - Steve Morris
creative team and crew
Director - Peter Newling
Production Coordinator - Jenni Osburn
Co-Stage Managers - Fiona Williams and Steve Morris
Set Design - Sally Fleming and Chris Churchward
Props Coordinator - Sally Fleming
Costumes - Jenni Osburn and cast
Lighting Designer - Yaz Sesta
Sound Designer - Harrison Ewart-Dart and Peter Newling
Lighting & Sound Operator - Ruby Foxworthy
Set Construction - Chris Churchward, Debbie Keyt, Fiona Williams, Jenni Osburn, Lynda French, Sally Fleming, Steve Morris, Trevor Osburn, and Neil Barnett
Marketing & Program - Kristina Doucouliagos
Photography - Natasha Rayner, Stel Papoutsidis and Tim Tselepis
Flier Designer - Ella Creaton
Front of House Coordinator - Fiona Williams
Front of House Manager - Adam Solomon
Box Office - Beaumaris Theatre Committee Members
Front of House Staff - Beaumaris Theatre Members and Friends
Special thanks to Keith Hutton, Melissa Shinkfield, Janine Evans, Helen Ellis and Jan Newling for taking such great care of everyone during rehearsals!
Peter Newling - Director
This is the 38th full-length play Peter has directed, and his second with Beaumaris Theatre, having directed The Odd Couple back in 2013.
Over 30-odd years, Peter has directed at many of Melbourne’s leading community theatre companies - most recently Looped (The Mount Players), It’s Only A Play (Mordialloc Theatre Company), Around the World in 80 Days (Williamstown Little Theatre), Chancers (Brighton Theatre Company) and Witness for the Prosecution (Malvern Theatre Company - VDL Award, Best Director and Best Production).
He has also directed a number of one-act plays and shows for the Adelaide, Edinburgh and Melbourne Fringe Festivals.
Peter is the current President and Life Member of the Williamstown Little Theatre and a regular adjudicator for one-act play festivals.
Carol Shelbourn - Abby Brewster
This is Carol’s first time performing at Beaumaris Theatre since she appeared in The Buck Stops Here in 1997. She is delighted to be back, especially in this delightful play in which she appeared as Aunt Martha in 1994 with a (very young) Peter Newling!
In the prevailing decades, she has appeared in many roles with numerous theatre companies. Some of her favourite roles include Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Sheila in Shoe-horn Sonata, Helen in The Architect, Mari Hoff in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Ouiser in Steel Magnolias (also directed by Peter), and Charlotte in Humble Boy, for which she won a VDL Award for Best Actress.
Rehearsals for this production have been hilarious. Please enjoy your evening.
Stephanie King - Martha Brewster
Stephanie is thrilled to be making her Beaumaris Theatre debut in Joseph Kesselring’s farcical black comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace. She’s delighted to work with the team bringing this play to the stage.
Stephanie’s other roles have included; Woman in Veronica’s Room (Mordialloc Theatre Company), Sheila Richards in The Shoe-horn Sonata, Tzawrah Shotsky in Chaim’s Love Song, Lady Millicent Metcalfe in Beyond Reasonable Doubt (all with 1812 Theatre), Shirley Valentine in Shirley Valentine (Williamstown Little Theatre), Patricia Highsmith in Switzerland (The Mount Players), and Susan/Mum in Ruben Guthrie (Sunshine Theatre Company and 1812 Theatre).
David Cowell - Mortimer Brewster
Well, he's back again for the third time. That's right David returns to Beaumaris Theatre for his third show in two years after having previously played Ernie Mac (amongst other roles) in Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic and Uncle Frank in Little Miss Sunshine.
Originally from Western Australia, David has trained with Acting Classes at Perth & Nicholson Academy of Screen Acting and The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA) under John Orscik.
David’s theatre roles include Mr. Green in Clue (Playhouse Players), ‘Allo ‘Allo and Witness for the Prosecution (Joondalup Encore Theatre Society). He has also appeared in Jasper Jones, Wog Boys Forever and Neighbours.
David is a filmmaker with his own production company called Emerald Swan. David is also a Fremantle Dockers fanatic, an avid squash player and an accredited referee as well as a self-described aviation enthusiast.
Damian Coffey - Teddy Brewster
Damian is thrilled to be cast in the iconic role of Teddy Brewster in his first production for Beaumaris Theatre.
Damian has performed for many companies around Melbourne over the past 35 years, including several with Peter as director – Don’s Party (Heidelberg Theatre Company), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Waverley Theatre Company) to name a couple.
Damian returned to the stage earlier this year after a lengthy hiatus, in Love Song (Brighton Theatre Company). He has also directed plays for Williamstown Little Theatre and Malvern Theatre Company.
Damian is a Beauy local, so if you see him on the Concourse, don’t forget to shout ‘Charge!’
Adrian Valenta - Jonathan Brewster
Adrian has been involved with theatre for the past 29 years. Some of Adrian’s favourite onstage roles include Ziggy in Sideman (Heidelberg Theatre Company), Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit (Essendon Theatre Company), Ted in Two Weeks With the Queen (Williamstown Little Theatre) and Jack Manning in A Conversation (Powderkeg Players).
This is the first time Adrian has appeared on the Beaumaris Theatre stage. It is also the first time he has reprised a role, having played Jonathan in 1996 with Croydon Parish Players.
Andrew Wild - Dr Einstein
Andrew has performed with numerous theatre companies in Melbourne but more specifically around Port Phillip Bay including Altona City Theatre, Williamstown Little Theatre, Williamstown Musical Theatre, Brighton Theatre Company, CLOC & PLOS to name but a few.
Andrew is delighted to be adding yet another Bayside Company to his resume making his debut with Beaumaris Theatre in this production.
Onstage credits include George Johnson in Hydra, Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days, Lane/Merriman in The Importance of Being Earnest, M. Firmin in Phantom of the Opera, CK Dexter in High Society, Pseudolous and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Adam Adam in Rough Crossing, Malcom in The Full Monty, Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Linus in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Amos in Chicago, Pippin in Pippin, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, and Paul in Company.
Garry Bertrand - Reverend Harper
Garry has been involved in community theatre for 27 years after joining the cast of a Gilbert and Sullivan show at MLOC Productions in 1997. Since then he has been involved in over 50 shows, including Annie in 2010 and Oliver in 2008.
These days he can usually be found down at the shed working on the set for whatever show MLOC is currently producing. Garry has also had the pleasure of working with Have You Seen It Productions a number of times including in A Good Man, Killjoys and most recently 12 Angry Men.
Garry has worked backstage for a number of shows at Beaumaris Theatre including Dreamchild: Alice’s Musical Adventures and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Garry is looking forward to finally being on the Beaumaris stage for Arsenic and Old Lace.
Kate Thurkle - Elaine Harper
Kate is a classically trained actor with great zeal and love for Elizabethan, Restoration, and Romantic theatre.
She received her ATCL in Speech and Drama from Trinity College London and her Associate of Arts in Acting from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles. Kate has worked as a dialect coach for 21Accents and thoroughly enjoys using her skill in accents throughout her daily life, whether that be at home, painting the town, or on the stage.
Some highlights in her acting career include Baroness Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music, Savannah in Freaky Friday, and Zorah in Ruddigore.
Kate also works as a botanist and is a deeply passionate and emphatic individual who enjoys using these qualities in both her professions.
Kate is delighted to be in Beaumaris Theatre's season of Arsenic and Old Lace and she would like to thank the director Peter, Jan (for all the yummy baked goods), the company, and her loved ones for their generosity and support.
Roan Lubbe - Officer Brophy
Roan is a computer programmer with an interest in acting. During his last year of university, he was the Vice President of the Monash Shakespeare Company. His previous roles include The Man in Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone and a Nokia 3310 cellphone in a solo performance. Yes, really.
He returns to the line of duty as Officer Brophy in his Beaumaris Theatre debut.
Greg Barison - Officer O’Hara
Greg is so excited to be performing at Beaumaris Theatre for the first time… and to be working with Peter Newling – also a first!
No stranger to community theatre, Greg has performed many times at Mordialloc Theatre Company, Brighton Theatre Company, Peridot Theatre Inc. and Encore Theatre Company. Some of his more memorable shows included The Club, The Sunshine Boys, Cactus Flower and Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks.
Greg knows you will enjoy this old-time classic as it is performed by a team of well-seasoned community theatre professionals.
Chris Kirby - Lieutenant Rooney & Mr Gibbs
Chris last appeared on the Beaumaris Theatre stage in a production of House Guest in 1990 and is thrilled to be back in one of his favourite plays having played the character Jonathan in a production with Frankston Theatre Group in 1999.
Since 1990 Chris has appeared in many Frankston Theatre Group productions as well as Adephi Players, Rosebud Theatre, Mornington CEF Players and earlier this year played Mr. Rogers in And Then There Were None (Mordialloc Theatre Company).
Chris hopes you enjoy this fun show which is a great way to finish the theatrical year.
Steve Morris - Mr Witherspoon & Co-Stage Manager
After 30 years and over 50 productions, Steve thought the time had finally arrived to retire from theatre activities but the call of the stage was too strong.
Based at Beaumaris Theatre since 2003, he has appeared in numerous productions including The Castle, Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Black Rock, Charlotte’s Web, To Kill A Mockingbird, Nobody’s Perfect, Remember Ronald Ryan, Dimboola and Christmas Revues to name a few.
His favourite role was as Mr Beaver in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. He has also worked backstage on multiple memorable productions.
Steve has also appeared with Malvern Theatre, MOTTS, Ace Theatre, Kismet Productions, Jewel By The Sea and LOTS for which he has also written several short aviation plays.
Steve is delighted once again to be sharing the backstage with Fiona Williams as we bring you the hilarious dark comedy Arsenic And Old Lace.
But will it be his swan song? Who knows.
Fiona Williams - Stage Manager
Fiona is an excellent stage manager and has worked as a part of numerous backstage crews at Beaumaris Theatre, most recently as Stage Manager for Steel Magnolias.
From time to time, she has crept out of the shadows and into the spotlight as Frau Schmidt in The Sound Of Music, a party guest in The Great Gatsby, Connie and Anne Welberg in Flowers For Algernon, Johnna in August: Osage County, and a village person in Cinderella- A Panto and Jack in the Beanstalk: a Pantomime, and E6 in Beaumaris Theatre’s 70th Anniversary Christmas Panto- Revue.
Jenni Osburn - Production Coordinator & Costumes
Jenni joined Beaumaris Theatre in 2007 and has been our costume guru ever since working on almost 30 productions!
Just some of her recent credits include The Little Mermaid JR; Avenue Q; SNOOPY!!! Anne & Gilbert- the Musical, Jack & the Beanstalk- a Panto, PUFFS or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, Little Miss Sunshine and A Year with Frog and Toad.
Jenni is a hard-working member of the Beaumaris Theatre Committee, currently serving as Treasurer. Jenni a very proud Life Member of Beaumaris Theatre.
Sally Fleming - Set Designer & Props
Sally has been a friend of Beaumaris Theatre for over 15 years. This year, Sally painted the backdrop for A Year with Frog and Toad. Not wanting to miss out on all the fun she stuck around until the final curtain, contributing props and substitute crew. It was the best show/cast/venue to return to her love of Theatre. When asked if she would step in at the last minute and design the set for Arsenic and Old Lace she agreed without hesitation. It has been a delight to work with Peter Newling and the cast/crew.
In addition to many years of creating props and painting sets, Sally has been on stage as well, as Miss Hannigan in Annie, Martha Watson in White Christmas (Guild Commendation), Hattie in Kiss Me, Kate and the Rose Seller/Ensemble in Oliver (all MLOC Productions).
Chris Churchward - Set Designer
Chris has been involved with theatre for many years, onstage, backstage, set design and construction for which he has received a couple of awards. Chris has worked with several companies on and off stage including MOTTS, ASPECT, MLOC, Beaumaris Theatre and The 1812 Theatre.
In addition to designing and constructing sets at Beaumaris Theatre for productions such as The Great Gatsby, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Death by Fatal Murder, and A Year with Frog and Toad, Chris is also frequently on stage including playing Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music, Bob Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird, Mr Leeman in Fawlty Towers and David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley.
Yaz Sesta - Lighting Designer
This is Yaz's first show with Beaumaris Theatre.
Over the past 18 years, she has worked with various theatre companies such as Players Theatre Company, Phoenix Theatre Company, PEP Productions, Fab Nobs, Aspect and MLOC in various roles as Lighting Designer, Dome Operator, and Stage Manager.
Yaz has received Lyrebird Awards for her Lighting Design of Chicago (Phoenix Theatre Company), Assassins and Disenchanted (PEP Productions).
Ruby Foxworthy - Lighting & Sound Operator
Ruby has been an enthusiastic student with D.K Productions for five years and over that time participated in numerous end of term productions and assisted with lighting and sound and completed work experience helping out with all the classes earlier this year.
At Beaumaris Secondary College, they performed in the productions of High School Musical, School of Rock and Alice in Wonderland.
Recently Ruby operated follow spot for The Bridges of Madison County and enjoyed the tech aspect of production and was very keen to learn more about lighting and sound operation.
Harrison Ewart-Dart - Sound Designer
Harrison has been studying music and theatre for the last eight years, with a focus on Classical Singing and Opera.
He has performed with the Victorian Opera in their VOYCE program and the Young Australian Broadway Chorus in productions such as Les Misérables and Cats.
Having recently completed a Bachelor of Film and Television, Harrison has moved into production by conducting his first musical as the Music Director for the Australian Premiere of Anne & Gilbert: The Musical (Beaumaris Theatre) and The Last 5 Years (Peoples Playhouse) and last year made his directorial debut with Little Miss Sunshine.
Beaumaris Theatre was founded by Bill and Angela Martin in 1953. Bill and Angela were thespians who built a theatre in the attic of their home. It housed about twenty audience members and had a small stage and dressing room.
Soon the demand for tickets for these productions far exceeded the space available, so the Martins along with other members of the Beaumaris Players, worked very hard to have the theatre space we now know in Wells Road.
For the last 70 years, thespians from all walks of life and various backgrounds have been treading the prestigious boards laid by Bill and Angela. We are delighted to continue their legacy of producing theatre for the Bayside community and beyond.
BEAUMARIS THEATRE COMMITTEE
President - Debbie Keyt
Vice-President - Dan Bellis
Treasurer - Jenni Osburn
Secretary & Public Officer - Lynda French
Marketing Manager & Membership Secretary - Kristina Doucouliagos
Committee Members - Adam Solomon, Camilla Klesman, Deb Carpenter, Fiona Williams, Georgy Charles and Harrison Ewart-Dart.
BEAUMARIS THEATRE LIFE MEMBERS
Bill Martin; Angela Martin; Roger North; Esme North; Roy Baldwin; Bea Beckwith; Anne Lowe; Jean Freer; Beth Kelsall; John Rees-Osborne; Nancy Sutch-Taylor; Edda Dawson; Barbara Franks; Annie Laurenson; Jenny Mullholland; Stephen Mulholland; Don Strong; Taffy Strong; Michael Coultas; Graham Eddie; Derek Curd; Janine Chugg; Debbie Keyt; Robyn Morris; Steve Morris; Neil Barnett; Rhonda Vaughan; Vince Vaughan; Danny Forward; Jenni Osburn; Trevor Osburn; Kristina Doucouliagos; Fred Pezzimenti and Camilla Klesman.
2025 SEASON
Thank you to our supporters and sponsors for continuing to support Beaumaris Theatre.
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
By Joseph Kesselring | Directed by Peter Newling
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (www.dramatists.com).