VALE ROBERT BROADLEY

Robert Broadley, founder of Strathfield Light Opera Company (SLOC) and member of the Association of Community Theatre (NSW) Hall of Fame passed away on December 18, 2012.

Stage Whispers thanks Christopher Hamilton for sharing this eulogy, which we’ve edited to emphasise Robert’s theatrical life.

Good Morning folks – it’s OK I am not going to sing.

This will be a tough gig for me; you are a pretty tough audience, so please bear with me if I go a little “off key”.

I would like to talk to you today about Robert’s four families. There is of course what we would call the traditional family, and for Robert his travel family, his theatrical family and his newest family at the (Courtlands Retirement) village.

You will find as we remember and celebrate Robert’s life that there are overlapping circles that join all these families together.

TRADITIONAL FAMILY

So as Rodgers and Hammerstein said - Lets’ start at the very beginning … because.. That’s a very good place to start!

Robert John Broadley was born on 15^th May, 1940 to Joyce and James Broadley at the Englewood Private Hospital Burwood, a brother for Jim or as Robert would always call him “Jimmy”.

Robert’s father Jim Broadley Snr was president of Lakemba Musical Society so there is no doubt that this was one of the influences on Robert’s love of the theatre.

Tragically in 1957 Robert & Jim’s father was killed in a motor boat accident at Forster; a devastating event for the family to deal with.

Robert’sfirst job was at Anthony Horderns in the men’s wear department where he worked for many years. Clearly Robert’s eye for fashion and his own personal dress sense and style were enhanced by working here.

But another profession was beckoning and Robert left the world of fashion for the glamour of “travel”.

TRAVEL FAMILY

As Cole Porter said - There’s no cure like travel, to help you unravel the cares of the day!

Robert commenced his travel career at P&O and worked for a number of different agencies during the ensuing years. I am reliably informed that in the days of the WOMEN’S WEEKLY WORLD DISCOVERY TOURS – the ad would read – for bookings ring Robert Broadley.

Robert developed a great love for cruising and for creating and designing his “own” unique tours. These tours were meticulously planned and he would escort groups all over the world; needless to say that his clientele would follow him wherever he was working. He earned the nickname amongst his peers as “Captain Cruise”.

THEATRICAL FAMILY

As Irving Berlin said - There’s No Business Like Show Business, like no business I know.

There is no denying that next to travelling Robert’s greatest passion was the theatre.

Early escapades with community theatre groups like The Hordernians, Chastwood Musical Society, Bankstown Theatrical Society, Eastwood Musical Society and Parramatta Musical Comedy Company saw him eventually establish the STRATHFIELD LIGHT OPERA COMPANY.

In 1968 with an inaugural season of The Land of Smiles, Orpheus in the Underworld and Goodnight Mrs Puffin, Robert was to produce shows for the next 18 years. As the name implied Robert focussed on producing “operettas” and established what we would affectionately call the Strathfield Stable of Stars! Each year the seasons were comprised of usually 3 productions, one of which would usually be a play.

Now Robert very rarely auditioned folk for these productions – you were “invited” to perform. Like a true talent scout he would go to other productions with other societies to “check you out” and if he liked what he saw, you got the call.

Whilst some might think his programming was “safe”, Robert knew his target audience and once the reputation of the company was established audience numbers grew and remained solid during his tenure.

In 1972 he introduced his classic Christmas Celebration – Joy to the World which he would produce 4 more times in later years.

Robert was also not afraid to produce “unknown” or less popular shows. Shows like Robert and Elizabeth, Follies, The Good Companions, Shenandoah and By the Beautiful Sea.

He resurrected many an operetta that had not been produced for many years like – The Three Musketeers, The Chocolate Soldier, Viktoria and her Hussar, The Land of Smiles and The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein.

The author of the great Australian musical The Sentimental Bloke  Albert Arlen had written another musical Stars In Your Eyes. Mr Arlen could not get any of the professional managements to produce the show, so Robert stepped as the true impresario he was and produced the show.

Robert took great delight in teasing us each year of what the coming shows would be. I remember during The Chocolate Soldier he told us the three shows for 1984 all contained – religion, revolution and romance! Those 3 shows turned out to be Carousel, The Vagabond King and The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein.

Robert himself rarely took to the stage during the SLOC years. He played in Charley’s Aunt, Irene and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; he was totally devoted to managing the society. He had no committee, he didn’t think it necessary and besides “they would only get in the way”. Many of you know and understand the effort involved mounting a production, to do this on your own is certainly no mean feat! Not that he didn’t have many willing helpers; including of course his Mum, our beloved Mrs B., selling the tickets.

Costuming of shows was extremely important to Robert and it was nothing for him to fly off to Melbourne to JC Williamson’s to hire the necessary costumes. It was quite common to put on a costume and see not only the JCW label, but that you were wearing something that had once been worn by the likes of Suzanne Steel, June Bronhill or the like.

In one program he wrote -  the model gowns used in this production are from Joyce Broadley’s 1950 spring collection! The hats are form her extinct collection that she gathered during her travels through the Smith Family bag!

He always ensured that everyone was recognised and thanked after each production. No one was left out when it came to the traditional “show gift”, a practice he would continue right up until 2 weeks ago. I will explain that later.

In recognition of his work and contribution to community theatre Robert was inducted into the Association of Community Theatre HALL OF FAME in 2008.

Many of you here today performed for Robert during these wonderful years and whilst we all have performed elsewhere as well, I am sure that these shows will always hold special and happy memories – I know they do for me.

Robert of course loved going to the theatre as much as producing it. I don’t think there was an opera, a musical, a play or theatrical event that he did not attend; amateur or professional – he has a garage full of programmes (all neatly catalogued and filed) to attest to that!

VILLAGE FAMILY

As Sigmund Romberg said – when I grow too old to dream

Three years ago Robert moved himself – very wisely – to Courtlands retirement village in North Parramatta, where he would meet his latest family. He quickly established himself, and soon had acquired a reputation! He got involved with the library and also the book reading club. And I would like to tell you about an “event” he produced just 3 weeks ago.

The book club meets monthly and they would have different themes and topics.

Robert decided that he would create a piece based on Nursery Rhymes, the object being that the group would explore the true meaning of these nursery rhymes. Robert researched and wrote an entire script of some 40 pages, delegated poems and rhymes to the various members of the group and “staged” (albeit seated) the whole production. The room was packed to capacity (there was even traffic jam as we tried to manoeuvre all the walkers). At the end of the performance in true Robert fashion, everyone who took part was given a thank you gift!

When we got back to his unit I asked him why he had never asked any of us to perform there for him – he said he didn’t want to bother anyone! Gosh I said – there would have been a line down the street of folk just itching to get into the spotlight again!

In summary we all have our memories of Robert. He was generous and cheeky and he loved to tease you! He could be stubborn and very single-minded and he did not suffer fools gladly. If he liked what you did on stage he generally left you alone or you might get “yes that was good” – but you knew if he was unhappy.

As much as Robert was gregarious and surrounded by his various families he was still a very private and independent person. He was the one who liked to me a fuss – but he did not like being made a fuss of.

So in true theatrical style (and with your indulgence Reverend) will you all please stand and give Robert the standing ovation he truly deserves.