Our History
Gigi
20 – 28 May 1960
Beverley Bates as Gigi
Courtesy Beverley Sealey née Bates
Venue
Albert Hall, Brisbane
Producer
Brisbane Repertory Theatre
Director
Babette Stephens
Playwright
Colette & Anita Loos
Cast
Beverley Bates
Doreen Cochrane
Jacqueline He Banka
Leonard Wintour
David Hunt
Doreen Griffiths
Joan Tanner
Costume Designer
Wardrobe Mistress Muriel Godfrey
Set Designer
Stage Management by Ronald K. Pidcock
Original Set Designs by Brian Blain
Lighting Designer
David Pugh
Brisbane Repertory's production of Gigi directed by Babette Stephens coincided with Maurice Chevalier's Brisbane season at City Hall of The Symbol of Parisian Gaiety, a touring J.C.Williamson production. Maurice Chevalier had starred, alongside Leslie Caron, in the film version of Gigi two years earlier.
Beverley Bates, who played Gigi in Brisbane Rep's 1960 production, was lucky enough to meet Maurice Chevalier backstage at City Hall. You can imagine how thrilled she was to then receive a telegram from him wishing her "the best of luck" for her opening night performance!
Writer: Christine Comans
Source: Beverley Sealey
#Gallery
Courtesy QPAC Museum
Beverley Bates & Maurice Chevalier
Courtesy Beverley Sealey née Bates
Telegram from Maurice Chevalier to Beverley Bayes, star of Gigi.
Courtesy Beverley Sealey née Bates
Courtesy Beverley Sealey née Bates
Courtesy Beverley Sealey née Bates
Beverley Bates backstage at Albert Hall with Jackie He Banka
Courtesy Beverley Sealey née Bates
Beverley Bates backstage at Albert Hall
Courtesy Beverley Sealey née Bates
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