Page 1934 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 15 June 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
commitment to the theatre, Ralph Wilson shared his love across all art forms, including Australian cinema, German romantic poetry and Australian painting, such as those by Boyd and Nolan. He is survived by his widow Toni, son Kyle, daughter Harriette, daughter-in-law Judith Loy and grandchildren Sophie and Sam. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
MR MOORE: In rising to speak to this motion, Madam Speaker, I speak also on behalf of Ms Szuty. I acknowledge the assistance provided for me by Tina van Raay in helping to prepare for this condolence motion. In the world of theatre, not known for its positivity or encouragement to others, Ralph Wilson shone like a beacon. Wherever he went he listened, observed, took notes - he was always, and most disconcertingly, taking notes - and always said something warm, encouraging and positive. Many of his actions and comments were the building blocks of theatre activity in Canberra. His evaluations were always passionate and well informed. As a principal at Canberra High School, many of his ex-students will remember this man for his humanity and his extraordinary gift for igniting enthusiasm and love of literature and theatre; but all of them will remember him for his uncanny memory for names and people. Ralph had the ability to commit enormous amounts of detail to memory. Once you had met Ralph you could bet on Ralph remembering.
He was one of those rare artists in that he had a theatre named after him while he was still alive. He was embarrassed at this action, which so delighted everyone else. The theatre named after him at Gorman House saw many theatre pieces rehearsed and staged by Ralph over the years. These were done with budgets that made shoestrings seem oversubsidised, with lighting that reminded all of us of Fellini, and with passion and dedication known to very few. Ralph Wilson was Canberra's undisputed leading authority on Beckett. I have been told that one of the most momentous, yet understated events in theatre history in Canberra was the night that Ralph Wilson met Samuel Beckett at the Playhouse Theatre. Halfway into the first act of Waiting for Godot - I believe that that was the play - both Beckett and Wilson were fast asleep in the front row.
I believe that this condolence motion would embarrass Ralph, who would not be able to ascertain what all the fuss was about. I wondered whether or not we should make a fuss over a man who would have scoffed at this attention. I knew that Ralph would have agreed to this condolence motion as just some notetaking in Hansard. Although one cannot grieve for the peace finally gained by one who was so ill for so long, no doubt those directors, performers and playwrights who desperately needed nurturing and a gentle guiding hand will miss him enormously.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of my Liberal colleagues to support this motion also. I am greatly relieved to hear Mr Moore's comments about Ralph Wilson and Samuel Beckett sleeping through one of these more famous plays. I think all of us who have been through experiences like that would understand that sometimes even the most inquisitive mind, the most appreciative artistic temperament, fails in certain circumstances.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .