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The show quickly became the entertainment
Mecca for tens of thousands of Australians and many
overseas visitors to the Gold Coast. It was also a popular
night out for the “locals” and was televised
nationally throughout Australia and six countries overseas
for four years.
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In June 1982 Paul moved his Music Hall
show to the handsomely appointed Theatre Restaurant
at the Iluka Quality Inn in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
In June 1982 the show celebrated 3000 performances on
the Gold Coast.
In 1984 Paul took his Music Hall on a
Queensland Arts Council Tour to celebrate its 20th Birthday
and the show played 32 nights in outback Australia to
bring entertainment and fun to those suffering from
one ofthe countries worst droughts.
When Paul decided, in 2001, to accept
a long standing offer to produce television in Hollywood
the final curtain fell for Music Hall Follies . With
the farewell show the cast celebrated its 26th. Birthday
at the Gold Coast Arts Centre. This performance followed
a sold out national tour with packed audiences of 1300
people at many venues.
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The stars
of Music Hall Follies appearing on THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN,
Oct. 25, 2000. From left: Romano Dragoni, Paul Sharratt,
Sue Defara, Sheila Bradley, Peter Moselle and Kirri Adams.
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The cast of this final show was a who’s who of Australian
vaudeville and included:
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PETER MOSELLE
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One of the Gold Coasts veteran entertainers,
Peter came out of retirement for just one show to join
his friends on stage and to delight his many fans. Sadly
Peter passed away in 2003 and will be missed by audiences
around the country. |
SHEILA BRADLEY
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One of the great stars of the musical theatre both
in Britain and Australia. Sheila’s wonderful career
includes “Kismet” at the London Palladium.
She was the original Nancy in the Austra;ian production
of “Oliver” and also starred in “Charlie’s
Aunt”,” The King and I”,” Mame”,
“Hello Dolly”, and “Me and My Girl”.
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ROMANO DRAGONI
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The complete International cabaret entertainer, with
a huge repertoire covering all manners of music. He
has performed classic opera, was trained at the Sydney
Conservatorium but is equally at home with popular classics.
His contribution to the success of the Music Hall over
many years has been enormous. He has been a close personal
friend of Paul for more than 30 years and his fabulous
voice just gets better and better.
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KIRRI ADAMS
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One of Australia’s most popular singing stars.
She has starred on all of the top TV shows and has played
with success every club in the country. Kirri spent
many years working overseas and returned to the land
of her birth to continue her successful career. She
is at equally at home with popular music, the evergreens
or a Music Hall favourite.
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SUE DEFARA
(SHARRATT)
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Sue has been with the show since 1976 delighting audiences
with her songs and dance. She is what we call in show
business “ the soubrette” which means she
takes many parts in the traditional show playing in comedy
bits, sing-a-long and dancing with the music hall Ballet.
Sue’s numbers with Sheila Bradley especially their
hilarious “ Grass is always Greener” were
always show stoppers for the music hall audience.
Paul and Sue have just celebrated their 21st Wedding Anniversary.
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EDDIE TRUEMAN
at the piano
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The words “Eddie Trueman at the piano”
were a part of the show for many years. Eddie was a great
friend to all the music hall casts and always ready to help
with arrangements and a little bit of patter with Paul.
His own solo spots were very popular and he was a fine entertainer
in his own right. He joined host Paul nightly to render
the popular favourite “Suzie, Suzie, Sitting in the
Shoe Shine Shop” and it usually ended with the expected
laughs and chaos.
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Enjoy the following pictures which recall
some favourite music hall moments:
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