Murray Bridge Players and Singers celebrates turning 40
Members of the local amateur theatre company have celebrated its birthday with songs and shared memories.
This story was contributed by Andrew Broadbent.
It was April 11, 1983 when Murray Bridge Players and Murray Bridge Singers amalgamated into what we know today as Murray Bridge Players and Singers, and formed a new committee to oversee it.
On December 2, more than 100 people gathered at Murray Bridge RSL to celebrate.
Current president Benjamin Gallasch said Murray Bridge had clearly shown itself willing to support the performing arts, with ticket sales across this year’s three productions equal to 15 per cent of the local population.
Guests were privileged to hear the memories of the OG “front and centre” trio – Di Walton, Pam Burgess and Ann-Marie Garrett – as they took those present on a trip down memory lane across the past 40 years, finishing with a parody chorus from MBPS’ first musical production: Oklahoma.
Life member Ian “Wally” Walton reminded all that just as many fond memories were made behind the scenes by stage managers, directors, costume teams, photographers, ushers, set builders, lighting designers and so forth.
Closing out the formal proceedings, everyone joined in a lively round of Happy Birthday before Mr Gallasch cut a cake.
In attendance were MPs Tony Pasin and Adrian Pederick; Mayor Wayne Thorley; past mayor Allan Arbon; original committee members Lesley Mableson, Pauline Read and Ms Garrett; other company members from various eras; and current company members, who were eager to hear the many memories shared in conversation by members from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.
A warm thank you went to MBPS’ current committee for making the event possible, Lorelle Barton for leading its coordination, Murray Bridge RSL for the opportunity to use their space, the Painted Cake for baking the desserts everyone engulfed, Green Wall Customs for the merchandise that was available for sale on the night, and Jason McCullough for the supply of the karaoke system which allowed guests to let their hair down and relish their favourite songs to round out the night.
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