Richmond Players… This is Your Life

Apr 12, 2023

Theatre group Richmond Players are celebrating 70 years of producing more than 260 theatrical performances for western Sydney audiences and beyond with a special This is Your Life style production opening from this coming Saturday.

The young ones – Richmond Players Mitchell Taylor, Riley Taylor, Jay O’Keeffe, Hayley Phielix. Pic: Penny Johnson

The Richmond Players are one of Australia’s oldest dramatical societies, and some of the group’s performers and supporters from over many years will join some fresh faces to reminisce in a different way – borrowing the format from successful TV show This is Your Life.

Richmond Players have performed an wide range of shows since 1952 to audiences from all over Sydney. Last year the season included a dramatic version of To Kill a Mockingbird followed by musical fun with The Boy Friend.

For their anniversary, the Players have put together a show that pays tribute to as many shows as possible, intertwined with sketches and tweaks of some of the songs we know well.

Memorable performances – from left to right: Hayley Phielix, Miss Dorothy Phipps OAM, Sally Winsor and cast, Hayley Phielix, Leisel Hussey, Kiara Hussey, and Life Member Berinda Karp. Pics by Penny Johnson…

This production will be filled with music, singing, drama – maybe even a tear or two – but plenty of laughter and fond memories, as the Players remember some of the most popular performances – some of which may have run more than once.

Making her directorial debut, long-time member Lauren Cole said her production team has spiced up the formula for the traditional anniversary shows to provide patrons with something new but familiar.

“Getting 70 years of stage and community history into a two-hour show is quite a challenge,” Ms Cole said.

“People can expect a celebration of community and theatre. There are songs and skits, old and new faces on stage, hopefully some laughs – or groans at a few dad jokes – and maybe a few tears as we remember those we have lost over the years.”

Richmond Players president, Martin Crew, said the show has provided an opportunity for many past members to return to the stage and he hopes people come along to enjoy, “a couple of hours of light-hearted fun”.

Performances are at 2pm and 7.30pm on Saturdays, April 15, 22 and 29, at the Richmond School of Arts, corner of West Market and March streets, Richmond.

All performances include a tasty treat, tea and coffee.

Ticket Prices:

General admission tickets $35

Concession tickets $30.

Group bookings of 10 or more, $25 per ticket.