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A
Tribute to Rob Constable
20th July 2008
Compiled by Sarah Cliff
On the 28th of June, Melbourne theatre lost a most highly
admired friend, supporter and performer – the inimitable Rob
Constable - after a long battle with cancer. Here, some of Rob’s
closest colleagues and friends pay tribute to him with memories of
his life on our stages.
Rob in one of his last roles, as Maurice in
Whitehorse Musical Theatre's
Beauty and the Beast -
Picture by Gavin D. Andrew
From a fellow actor, director and friend
Rob Constable – A wonderful memory
He was about the same age as me, he had a son the same age as my
son, we had a mutual passion about theatre and he loved football! I
knew we were going to get along.
Our first conversation at an after show party in 1979 after a
production of “Cabaret”, by a group called Former Q, was about all
of the above. He had just played Herr Schultz opposite would you
believe, my mother! Rob was an exceptional character actor, able
from a young age to be believable as an older man. Just ask Bruce
McBrien who played Rob’s counterpart when they played the fathers in
a 1980 production of “The Fantasticks”, together with Donald Cant as
the narrator.
At this time Rob seemed to have boundless energy. He had a full-time
teaching position, yet found time to appear in many TV commercials
and the mini series and soaps of the time and he did perform with
Theatre in Education for a short time also. During the early 80’s
he was a solid supporter of me and my theatre partner Kel Pearson as
we tried to establish Aquarius Theatre Company with a niche market
for smaller musicals. He featured or starred in “The Fantasticks”,
“The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd”, “Promises,
Promises” and “Dames at Sea”. About this time I also introduced him
to the Athenaeum Theatre at Lilydale, where he did several
productions, including “Cactus Flower” with a very young Cath Carr.
Rob’s obvious talent for the featured character actor in a musical
is now legendary, from Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls” at
Whitehorse (the first production), through Hines in “The Pajama
Game” and Benjamin Franklin in my production of “1776” for CLOC and
his award-winning performance for Chris Bradtke in Whitehorse’s
production of “Candide” as Dr Pangloss are performances we all
remember with affection and admiration.
Rob was about the piece and the character and it didn’t really
matter if it was a straight play or a musical. Rob has a legion of
fans and friends in repertory theatre where he appeared at Malvern
Theatre Company in “A Chorus of Disapproval”, “All about Eve”, with
Vicki Smith (Secretary of the VDL) and “I Do, I Do”, a musical under
my direction. He also did several plays at Lilydale, including
“Happiest Days of You Life”, “Stage Struck” and the chilling
“Sleuth” with a wonderful set designed by Chris White. His greatest
triumph however came in 2004 when he played Salieri in “Amadeus”
directed by Chris Baldock at Waverley Theatre Company. This
production provided the vehicle for Rob to demonstrate the full
range of his talents as an actor and we all applauded.
Rob was a true friend and if I asked he would help me out and
perform no matter how small the part. We tried the “Blue Garter
Music Hall” and even “Dracula the Musical” all very forgettable but
wonderful times together. When I needed “mature” actors for the
smaller parts, to make “42nd Street” work properly at
CLOC, he was in like a shot.
From early on in our friendship we had teaching in common. We
swapped stories about our various school productions; we even went
to see each other’s productions. Rob had a wonderful rapport with
his students, never more evident than at his funeral when his
school, Camberwell Girls Grammar did him proud. My wife, Christine,
and I have had the privilege over the years of being invited to
adjudicate at his school’s house drama festivals and we have
marvelled at the esteem in which he was held.
Life for Rob was about making the best of the present and looking
forward. If you talked to
him he was always involved in something or planning for the future.
Even during his illness he looked forward. He was determined to
continue performing and we were all thrilled when he
returned for “Beauty and the Beast” as Belle’s father with
Whitehorse Music Theatre. We even planned “Educating Rita” at
Lilydale for the start of 2007 for him and Angela Glennie and were
all devastated when he told me that he had to endure another bout of
chemotherapy and therefore could not do the part.
Rob was a very private and proud man. Few knew of the sacrifices he
made to provide chiropractic education for his son Danny in America
and how proud he was of his son’s success. Few really knew much
about his wonderful partner Anne who lovingly nursed him through
those difficult final months. Yet I am sure we would all agree that
Danny and Anne did him proud in the way they performed for him at
his funeral.
The theatre in Melbourne has lost a wonderful person and actor, the
girls at Camberwell Grammar have lost a wonderful teacher and
mentor, Danny has lost his father, Anne, her life’s partner and I’ve
lost a true friend.
Alan Burrows
From a fellow actor and friend
I
had the pleasure of performing twice on stage with Rob – CLK’s
Sweeney Todd and Whitehorse’s Disney’s Beauty & the Beast.
During these shows and throughout the years thereafter, I grew to
know Rob not only as an accomplished performer and brilliant actor,
but also as one of the most genuine and supportive individuals in
the musical theatre community.
Speaking from my own experience, Rob had a way of making you feel
confident on stage and composed backstage. His wicked
tongue-in-cheek humour always made for an enjoyable performance
experience; however it was his poise and in-depth character
understanding that I learned from the most. Rob truly did master his
craft, and earned the respect of all performers who worked
along-side him as well as the audiences whom he entertained.
Rob’s passing is a tragic loss to the theatre community. He offered
more than just compelling portrayals onstage; he inspired others
with his passion.
Rob, your infectious smile, warmth and presence will be deeply and
wholeheartedly missed.
A
true gentleman, I’ll remember you always.
Chris Buchanan
 From
a dresser and friend
To rehearse and perform for one role in Musical Theatre is
challenging, but a unique role in the 1989 Whitehorse Musical
Theatre production of ‘Candide’ saw Rob playing the roles of
Voltaire, Dr. Pangloss, Westphalian soldier, South American, Father
Bernard, Host and Sage. Along with the accents and
characterisations there were very different ‘looks’ for Rob to
conquer – a dresser’s menagerie. Every time he was offstage (never
time to return to the dressing room downstairs) facial hair, wigs,
hats, cloaks, boots, sandals, shirts and uniforms were at the ready
for Rob’s very quick changes. Who would have thought that so much
can be unsaid – aside the odd radio microphone malfunction-
undressed and dressed in the wings in timed perfection.
It’s a humbling experience for any dresser to work with a master of
disguise and stage presence, as well as a genuine gentleman. Thank
you Rob.
“……all is for the best, in the best of all possible worlds”
Jacinta Wilson
Rob in
rehearsal for Beauty and the Beast with Lauren Selway
Picture by Adam Rafferty
From a fellow Guild judge and friend
It is with
sadness that I farewelled our friend Rob Constable at "A Celebration
of his Life" on Wednesday 2nd July.
Rob was a very
special and talented artist of the theatre. Whether performing or
directing, he produced the special magic of theatre that created a
legacy of many memorable performances. These he achieved in a
modest, unassuming style which, along with his warm friendly manner,
gained him the many friends who admired and regarded him as an
artist of special note.
In latter
years I particularly enjoyed working with Rob on the Music Theatre
Guild of Victoria's Judging Panel where he brought his expertise
to bear. Always able to support his views, negative or positive,
with pearls of wisdom, I shall miss him as a friend, colleague and
valuable supporter of the non-professional theatre to which he gave
so much of his talent.
Vale, Rob.
Val Pagram
From a director, choreographer, fellow actor, set designer and
friends
Our friendship goes back to the 80’s when co-opted to fill roles in
Melbourne Music Theatre’s Gilbert & Sullivan productions. We
immediately recognised Rob’s versatility as a character actor who
literally “stole” the show with his foppish comic portrayal of The
Duke of Plaza Toro and Major General Stanley.
He and I were both teaching in eastern suburban high schools while
producing annual musicals giving us continual contact and swapping
of favours. Later when producing ‘Sweeney Todd’ for CLK, Rob was
our ideal choice for the Judge – a role he devoured with great
presence and character. That role and later, Belle’s father in
‘Beauty and the Beast’, I don’t believe have been done better in
Melbourne.
Over the past years I have been designing his sets for CGGS
productions and so we’ve been in one another’s lives consistently.
Rob was generous in nature, rare in ability and a thorough gentleman
in all dealings. I clearly recall the day he told me of his
condition, and we naturally embraced for a time, much to the passing
amusement of the schoolgirls running to class.
Lynette and I will greatly miss our friend.
Chris and Lynette White
 From
a student and friend
Rob Constable injected his passion for the art of performing into
all of his students, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them.
And it was this passion that carried over into his love for
teaching; Mr. C adored “his girls”, and his girls adored him. My
Drama and Theatre Studies teacher throughout high school, Rob was
not only a constant source of support and guidance, but a friend and
mentor who would later encourage me to share and broaden my talents
within Melbourne’s musical theatre community.
Encouragement, however, only skims the surface of Rob’s qualities as
a teacher. An infectious and affable character, he would enlighten
us with stories of his “adventures” as a performer, forever
attempting to translate the more irksome aspects of drama into
theatrical delights. He would dedicate whatever time he had to his
students; an extra minute, another hour, was never too long for Rob
to sit with his girls and help them through their workloads.
But there was also an elegance about Rob that evoked the love and
respect
With Lauren Selway in Beauty and the Beast
of those who had the pleasure of working with him, all of whom held
him in the
Picture by Gavin D. Andrew
highest esteem, and who will continue to do so.
Mr. C – on behalf of all your students, thank you for your
unyielding support, inspiration and friendship. Your spirit and
courage will long be remembered. Sing sweetly with the angels, your
girls will miss you.
Julia Szondy
From a fellow actor and friend
I
have known Rob Constable for nearly 25 years. After meeting Rob for
the first time, at the first rehearsal for ‘Dracula the Musical’ at
the Athenaeum Theatre in Lilydale, I went home and told my parents
that I was working with “that really famous guy from the
television!” Rob was certainly a regular face on TV at the time and
I was so excited that he was a member of the cast. We became great
friends from that day and went on to do numerous shows together.
He really did have a wicked sense of humour and we used to play
‘make the other person laugh’ any time we were on stage together.
During the play ‘The Happiest Days of our Lives’, set in a boarding
school, we both played teachers (just for something completely
different!) who were required to read the letters that our students
had written home to the parents. I had the line “I’ll lick your
envelopes for you” which sent us both into hysterical laughter all
throughout the rehearsal period. He only had to smile or lift an
eyebrow for me to lose all control and giggle. The scene was always
a struggle to get through and inevitably a guaranteed way to make
each other laugh every night during the 3 week run of the show.
We worked on many projects together, often with Alan Burrows as our
Director. I often saw him at our local shops and in many theatre
foyers. He always remembered my husband and my girls and was always
complimentary after a show. I shall miss him and his wicked sense of
humour. I will treasure the times spent working with Rob, a
wonderful friend and performer.
Jennie Kellaway
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