ONE of the special guests at the birthday celebrations concert on August 12 will be Perth actor and archivist Ivan King (pictured).
King will read the Ode, written by Falcon poet Dave Bowen, at the official opening
TWO centuries now our hist’ry has been written on every page
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READ NOWAnd acted out in word and deed upon a world-wide stage
Australians have trod the boards from ships to shearing sheds
Thespians, musicians all, from Perth to Sydney heads.
From the Alice in the Outback to Mandurah by the sea
We’ve entertained with song and dance, with drama, comedy
The spirit of our country’s grown from international roots
Our heritage, our culture then is what this night salutes.
In Perth, 100 years ago, The Theatre Royal rose
And brought here to the Golden West the best Australian shows
Now right upon our foreshore we’ll continue that tradition
Of entertaining all who come in joyful expedition.
For we celebrate the opening of the Boardwalk Theatre here
Now that Mandurah’s come of age in this centennial year
The building’s bold and beautiful, in a setting that’s unique
As befits the best conventions of performing arts mystique.
Let players come from near and far to entertain us all
May we find joy and great delight in every curtain call.
And tell the world in word and deed, in all our daily talk
That the future now in theatre is the Man-du-rah Boardwalk.
King is curator of the Museum of Performing Arts at His Majesty’s Theatre and organised more than 50 exhibitions at the Maj.
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the general division last year for services to the performing arts.
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