Life Membership is awarded in recognition of their 20 plus years involvement with the theatre guild in a range of areas: on stage, directing, writing, in production roles and serving on committee.
Julie-Ann Clark
At our 2024 AGM on Tuesday, the Esperance Theatre Guild awarded Life Membership to one of our fellow thespians and dearest friends, Julie-Anne Clark.
Julie-Anne has been involved with the Bijou since 1993. She has directed 9 productions over that time- including 3 fantastic plays she wrote herself- and appeared in many shows, including her most memorable performance as the indomitable Mrs. Slocumbe in “Are You Being Served” (2017). She has served on the Committee and was Licensee for the theatre for 5 years.
Her kindness and consideration towards others has shone through at the theatre throughout the past 30 years.
Thank you for sharing your considerable talent and love of performing arts with us, JA!
Derek Clarke
10 September 2016 – Barry Wroth
Tonight as President of the Esperance Theatre Guild I had the honour of presenting two Life Memberships at the Bijou Theatre 120th function
Tracey Schlink
Sincere congratulations to Tracey Schlink and Derek Clarke. You are both superb troupers of the Guild and very deserving of the recognition It is a pleasure working with you both on Committee
Victoria Brown
A member of the Esperance Theatre Guild since 1984, Victoria made her debut at The Bijou Theatre in Cheap at Half the Price that same year. Involved since in the following productions; Bijou Music Hall (1984), The Christmas Dragon (co director for ESHS production 1984), Absurd Person Singular (1985), Norman is That You? (1986), The Starz Awards (ETG review, 1986, actor, co writer and co director), Cheap at Half the Price (1988 actor and co director), Emerald City (1989), Daylight Saving (1994), The Importance of Being Earnest (2005), It’s My Party….and I’ll Die if I Want to (2006), Wake Up! (ETG review 2008, actor and co writer), The Bijou Monologues (2010)and Captive Wives (Co-director 2010).
My Great Uncle Bill, William Hartnell, was the first actor to play Dr Who, so theatre and the performing arts have been in my blood since I was born.”
During her time as President, Victoria Brown oversaw the heritage listing of the Bijou Theatre onto the WA Register; instigated live simulcasts with the Black Swan Theatre Company; instigated the touring of the “Outa Fringe Festival” to the Bijou Theatre; steered Lotterywest funding into the installation of air conditioners throughout the theatre.
Lyndel Taylor
Lyndel Taylor is especially recognised for the enormous time and effort given to Youth in theatre through the Bijou and also her many community roles; mentoring new directors & producers; innovative directing & set design; her passion for the nurturing and telling of local stories.
Elaine Siemer
Elaine joined the Esperance Theatre Guild in 1978, appearing in “South Pacific”. She has been henceforth known by her nickname “Nellie” – the character she played in that first production.
She has served on Committee for 9 years between 1979 and 2000, being President between 1994 and 1995 and Secretary in 1986 and 1997. Elaine has starred in over 20 productions, revues such as Wake Up and she co-wrote and directed her favourite, the Centenary Production of “The Bijou Merry Moments” in 1996.
She has co-written, directed and starred in the enormously popular satires of Esperance in “The Starz Awards” 1984, “Street Theatre” 1992, “In Too Deep” and “Wake-Up” 2008. In addition she has provided accommodation and transport for visiting Directors and continues to support the Theatre Guild in spite of currently living in Perth.
In 2011 she was very honoured to be made a life member of the Guild. Nellie has written, performed and directed many shows including South Pacific (where the name ‘Nellie’ was born),. Nellie took a different path 3 years ago, leaving for Perth to study. She is now happy to be home and excited to return to her much loved Bijou as a committee member.
Jane Ratten
Jane Ratten was secretary / treasurer when the Esperance Theatre Guild first started in 1968 and was a committee member for 11 years.
Her artistic abilities started in make-up, then continued into stage management, directing, and an occasional appearance on stage.
Jane’s forte in later years was set design and this she continues to do in Perth. Jane was delighted to be invited back to Esperance to open the “John Crawley Extension” in 1986 and designed the set for the 1999 production “On Our Selection”.
Heather Timms
Heather Timms – our dedicated pianest and musical director since the beginning of the Esperance Theatre Guild in 1968. What would we have done without her?
Nearly every musical production in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and even some in the 90’s was supported (every rehearsal!) by Heather playing her piano; watching and waiting for cast errors; ready to compensate with her amazing musical ability.
The composer also of the score for”Cheap at Half the Price” – the very popular (and oft repeated) musical production telling the story of the history and boom times of Esperance. Her talent also extended to the occasional use of a paint brush colouring the backdrop!
Heather was a committee member for at least 30 years and her involvement still continues into the new millennium.
Flora Yetman
Flora first became involved with the Esperance Theatre Guild in 1981. She has been a dedicated member since that time with her special love of costumes and accessories.
Flora has researched, designed, cut, made (and supervised the making of) many costumes in our much admired Theatre Guild wardrobe. She has also assisted with stage direction and choreography.
Flora has also been a committee member for many years and has demonstrated her artistic talent both on and off stage
Raleigh Sellars
Raleigh Sellars joined the Esperance Theatre Guild in 1971 and became a committee member in 1972. He has been president of the Guild on three occasions, last in 1996.
He has served as a committee member for many more years. Raleigh has participated in many facets of the theatre and in some twenty seven plays and revues, while also being heavily involved with the purchase, maintenance, upgrading and expansions of “The Old Bijou”.
VALE- Raleigh Sellars
On Wednesday 27th May, our dear friend, Life Member, Founding Member and long-time Bijou stalwart, Raleigh Sellars (Ral-Pal) took his final curtain.
A role in the 1972 production of “The Boyfriend” was Ral’s first involvement in the Bijou, soon after he and wife Sandy, with their young sons Simon and Angus, arrived in Esperance. As a young man Ral had been involved in amateur dramatics in the eastern states and was excited to find a thriving theatre community to join when he arrived in the new town that was to become his home for the rest of his life.
Looking through the long list of Esperance Theatre Guild productions from 1968 until recently, the name Raleigh Sellars features prominently, but the stage was not his only interest in the theatre. He and Sandy were exceptional members of the Guild, always at busy bees, behind the bar, serving food and generally helping-out, plus Ral had more than one stint as President of the Guild.
Timing was Ral’s great forte. He starred at comedy, having the innate sense of timing that makes comedy work and that makes actors great to work with. He also fitted musicals very well, with a more than passable singing voice and great sense of whimsy. He was a reliable and generous cast member who always saw the value of allowing his fellow actors to shine to make the show a success.
Personally, I loved working with Ral and most of the plays I directed had him in the cast- usually as the leading man. The character of Marcus in “Cheap at Half the Price”, was written with Ral in mind and he was the glue that held that production together. When casting a play, it was reassuring to have Ral in the cast, knowing that he would turn up, learn his lines, give the best performance he knew how and be a delight to have around.
In November 2014, Lyndel Taylor and I wrote and directed “Heaven Forbid” a revue about death. Ral did a solo performance, sitting on a stool centre stage, wearing a tux, and lit by a spotlight. It was a Ral favourite, the great Frank Sinatra classic “I Did It My Way” and every night, many in the audience were moved to tears. For the younger in the audience, seeing someone they had watched growing up, obviously older and frailer, singing those words was the catalyst for their tears. For those of similar age it spoke of coming to a remote part of the world and making lives, building businesses and being part of the vibrant community that Esperance has become in the past 50 years. Ral has kept us laughing, singing, and thoroughly entertained during that time.
You did it your way Ral. Take your final bow and receive a standing ovation.
Dale Johnson
June 8, 2020
Andrew Bounds
Andrew first became involved in the Esperance Theatre Guild in 1986. There would be very few people who have spent more time behind the scenes at the theatre than Andrew.
He is a man of few words, but is extremely knowledgable when it comes to all things theatrical. Primarily the “lights man”, but also backstage worker extrordinaire and dedicated set builder. Andrew has been a committee member for 11 years and his involvement continues into the new millennium.
Andrew Dean
Andrew first joined the Bijou in My Fair Lady in 1987 with 5 small song & dance numbers.
He has since acted in numerous shows but mostly he became Andrew Bound’s understudy in set construction but also specialised in special effects for shows like Little Shop of Horrors, The Lion, Witch & Wardrobe and Peter Pan. He is also able to throw around paint with an artistic twist with help from the likes of Phil Shelton.
Andrew first directed a One Act in 1987, then went on to Direct Santa In Space in 2000, A Christmas Carol in 2009 along with Julie-Anne Clark and Jayne Arnold, and most recently No Sex Please, We’re British in 2011.
Andrew has spent many years on committee along with a year as Vice President.
Andrew cites acting in Guys & Dolls & A Midsummer Nights Dream as his favourites, but his greatest pleasure is working with the wonderful, amiable, pleasant members of the ETG over the years.
Andrew Dean’s strength lies in set building having built nearly every set for the past 20 years. Andrew is also acknowledged for the many shows he has directed and, very importantly, his tireless commitment to the upkeep and maintenance of the 118 year old Bijou Theatre.
24 March 2020
With heavy hearts we learned that valued Life Member, Andrew Dean, passed away peacefully in Sir Charles Gairdner hospital today after a long struggle with illness. Andrew has been a member of the Esperance Theatre Guild since 1987 and served on the committee for 17 years in roles including Vice President and Maintenance Manager. Andrew built many of our stage sets over the years and directed six productions: “Santa in Space” (2000), “A Christmas Carol” (2009), “No Sex Please, We’re British” (2011), “The Unexpected Guest” (2011), “Curtain Up on Murder” (2012) and “Black Comedy” (2015). The Guild extends it’s deepest sympathies to Andrew’s family. May he rest in peace.