Tony publicity photo July 1992

Me, July 1, 1992. Photo: Robert Roach

Coward and his leading lady inspiration for play

January 14, 1992

Noel and Gertie tells of the fascination and love between English playwright Noel Coward and actress and comedienne Gertrude Lawrence since they met at the age of 13.

The stars of Noel and Gertie, Kate Peters and Ian Croker

Although their relationship was not sexual, their performing partnership was fuelled by his private fascination with her.

She inspired him endlessly and he wrote some of his most magical work for her to perform - Private Lives, Blithe Spirit and Still Life all echoed some part of her.

Noel and Gertie is an entertainment devised by Sheridan Morley with words and music by Noel Coward.

The show recreates some of the most famous moments of their lives and the productions the couple starred in.

The show is presented by Kate Peters and Associates and the Canberra Southern Cross Club.

The songs, dance, humour, unforgettable characters and razor sharp repartee are all a feature of this new show which will be held at the Southern Cross Club on Friday and Saturday nights February 7 and 8, February 14 and 15 and February 21 and 22.

The show is $14 or $32 with dinner. Bookings 281 5755.

Noel once said of Gertie, “I wish so deeply, so very deeply, that I could see her just once more playing in a play of mine; from the time we started together as child actors in Liverpool, we have been integrally part of each others lives. “No-one I have ever known, however gifted or however brilliant, has contributed quite what she contributed to my work.”

“Her quality was to me unique and her magic imperishable.”

First published in The Canberra Chronicle, January 14, 1992

February 20, 1992

Canberra Times ad, February 20, 1992

Editor's note: An extra performance was added due to audience demand: Saturday February 29, 1992

Social: Inside back - Canberra, with Mike Colman

by Mike Colman

Canberra’s famous Singing Waiters entertained the throng at the Australian Health Insurance Association Ball at the Old Parliament House on Wednesday night. Clockwise from bottom left, they are: Nick Begbie, Chris Woods, Greg Stott, Andrew Bisset, Tony Magee, Dean Salonga and Craig Schneider.

Originally published in The Sunday Telegraph, April 26, 1992

Tony Magee and Gabrielle Bermingham 1992

 

Myself with Gabrielle Bermingham (and Antonio Vivaldi on right). Photo: Robert Roach

Article: 'Bush' talent for Sydney

by Helen Musa

SYDNEY’S Tilbury Hotel has been basking for some weeks in the description of itself in The Canberra Times as “the mecca of cabaret”.

Now it seems the Tilbury is to be a real centre of pilgrimages, but what an unlikely bunch of pilgrims - Gery Scott, Kate Peters and Tony Magee, three of the stars of the Queanbeyan School of Arts Cafe have been invited to bring their musical entertainments to Sydney.

They are joined by a young group of outstanding talent - pianist Peter Casey and actor-singers Mark Fuller, Queenie van der Zandt and David Pearson will perform two recent successes, The Mere Male on Broadway and Three’s Company. School of Arts cafe maestro Bill Stephens can count this invitation a major coup.

Since 1986, the Tilbury has become a showcase for Australian theatre talent; its minuscule stage has seen the likes of Kerrie Bidell, Lorrae Desmond, June Bronhill and Toni Lamond.

Gery Scott, fresh from her current Cole Porter program, is a giant of a performer at any time. Magee is constantly in demand as a pianist and singer. And Peters, acknowledged Queen of Cabaret in Canberra, is flushed with the Canberra Southern Cross Club’s decision to run Noel and Gertie for an extra night tonight.

Originally published in The Canberra Times, February 29, 1992.

Review: Providence grant us the joy of more concerts like this

by Michael Foster

PROVIDENCE grant us the joy of more concerts like this. The Singing Waiters finish a Queanbeyan School of Arts Cafe season on Sunday. They are part of a flourish of jazz-oriented entertainment at the cafe.

Photo: Robert Roach

The Waiters are a male a cappella group drawn from Gery Scott’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble of the Canberra School of Music’s Jazz Studies Course. They are Nick Begbie, Andrew Bisset, Tony Magee, Dean Salonga, Craig Schneider, Greg Stott and Chris Woods.

Scott herself is singing Particularly Porter for six nights tonight, tomorrow and Saturday (February 20, 21, 22) and next week, February 27, 28 and 29. Tony Magee is to accompany Scott on keyboards.

Another very good Canberra talent, Linda Hansen has sung Empress of the Blues, “an evocation of the life and career of … Bessie Smith”, backed by the piano of Erol Richardson and bass of Roger Morelli.

Hansen’s background as a band, including rock, singer of covers and originals has led to jazz and blues. Belief that these better suited her voice and a fascination with The Empress inspired the show.

It is directed by Bill Stephens, costumed by Mark Glaser against a backdrop by Rose-May Swann with makeup by Lorraine Francis.

From The Canberra Times, Feb 20 1992

Article: Good year for local talent 'showcase'.

Thursday, January 2, 1992

By Gordon Sheldon

Kate Peters and Tony Magee

Kate Peters returns to Queanbeyan’s School of Arts Cafe on January 29, with her evening of comedy and song. She will again be accompanied by associate artist Tony Magee, who established an enviable reputation as an outstanding cocktail pianist and rapidly became one of Canberra's most sought-after and accomplished accompanists.

He has previously appeared at the cafe with Gery Scott in her Noel Coward program, with Trish and Doug Williams in Farce Meets Class and with Wendy Ann Hart. On New Year's Eve he ended a packed season with the Bull 'n' Bush Christmas Party, one of the few Cafe shows to run each week from Wednesday to Saturday.

Magee will appear with Judy Burnett and David Cox in From Pakistan With Love for Sunday evening shows on January 12 and 19, which kick off the 1992 season.

David Cox, a diplomat when not on stage, last appeared in Canberra in Rep's Bicentennial Music Hall. In the same year he played in Rep's production of Coward's Present Laughter.

From a portion of an article first published in The Canberra Times, January 2, 1992