Vale Lorraine Bayly
Vale Lorraine Bayly
“I was once going to be interviewed for TV about an Ensemble Theatre anniversary, filmed at the theatre on stage. It was me and Lorraine Bayly. I did my bit sitting in the seats and then Lorraine, with the energy of someone half her age, did hers. On stage, she did a little dance, some tennis moves, funny stories explaining, amongst other things, how she painted the floorboards of the stage she was standing on as a founding member of the theatre. She joked, laughed that contagious laugh, and stole the show as she had done many, many times over her long career. On TV I was rightfully edited out. There was only one deserved star that day.
I worked with Lorraine on stage only once but saw her many times and had many conversations over the years. She was particularly supportive of me as I was nurtured by Sandra Bates to finally take over as Artistic Director. Lorraine was there with Hayes Gordon and with Sandra all those years ago, so I was particularly thankful I had her support and blessing. Joining such a well-established theatre with all these great talented people and long history was a huge privilege and her kindness and support was very welcome.
I once admitted to Lorraine when I was young, I had a crush on her as Mrs Sullivan, when I watched The Sullivan’s, midday on TV, while unemployed in the UK – never knowing of course Lorraine and I would be friends. She thought that was wonderful and I could tell those appearances on television, juggling with stage work, kept her interested and happy. She liked to work. She loved Ensemble Theatre and was very proud of all the work there. Bayly’s Bistro is named after Lorraine.
I didn’t hang around particularly socially with Lorraine. She had a tight circle of friends, and our paths mostly crossed when she came to see shows or an event. But whenever I saw her, she had that great habit of making you feel you were part of her world – laughter, jokes, mad acting and tennis stories, fun. Lorraine wore her talent lightly, but she was a terrific actor, detailed, truthful, and when she could show it, had lightning comic timing.
Lorraine will be missed and we all owe her a debt of gratitude, not just for her work helping to establish Ensemble, but by showing us you can be all those great and talented things and still be generous, kind and true to yourself and to others. We will all miss her. “ – Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry
Lorraine Bayly was a founding member of Ensemble Theatre, and a remarkable performer whose distinguished stage career spanned decades.
She appeared in 35 Ensemble productions, beginning in 1960 with THE MAN by Mell Dineli, directed by Hayes Gordon. This production marked a milestone as the first to be staged in the round at Ensemble.
Over the years, Lorraine performed in 18 productions directed by Hayes Gordon and eight under the direction of Sandra Bates. Her final appearance on the Ensemble stage came in 2015 in THE SHOE-HORN SONATA by John Misto.
Lorraine’s talent, dedication, and generosity of spirit will forever remain part of Ensemble’s story. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Vale Lorraine Bayly.
Photos:
- Lorraine Bayly
- 1959 Building Ensemble Theatre Reg Livermore, David Crocker & Lorraine Bayly
- 1964 THE REHEARSAL by Jean Anouillah with Lorraine Bayly & Don Reid
- 1987 THE GINGERBREAD LADY by Neil Simon with Lorraine Bayly & Frank Garfield
- 1994 Lorraine Bayly, Teo Gebert, Michael Ross & Brian Young
- 1997 DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller with Max Cullen & Lorraine Bayly
- 2000 David Williamson’s TRAVELLING NORTH with Lorraine Bayly & Ron Graham
- 2007 RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire with Lorraine Bayly & Georgie Parker
- 2007 RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire with Queenie van de Zandt, Georgie Parker, Lorraine Bayly & Mark Kilmurry
- 2015 THE SHOE-HORN SONATA by John Misto with Sandra Bates & Lorraine Bayly