Theatre death touches Peninsula

The recent passing of Central Coast theatre stalwart and founder, Isobel Unsworth, touches the hearts of many Peninsula residents.

Along with Phyllis Bennett OBE, Isobel founded the Gosford Players in the 1970s. Gosford Players was the drama offshoot of the Gosford Musical Society and they performed in venues at Gosford till moving to Wamberal Hall in the 1980s.

There they continued till late 2001, then the theatre group disbanded.

Isobel and Phyllis guided and directed the group through many fine years and plays. From the great playwrights as Shaw, O'Casey, Lorca, Ibsen, Stoppard, and Noel Coward to comedies, farces and later on, the music revue Wamby Follies, directed by Peggy Freeman and Jill Bough.

Many local talents graced the Gosford Players, such as Brian and Margaret MacGowan, John Holt, Sandra Coldwell, Brenda Bryant, Don Smith and Dennis Ward.

For such great talent and enjoyment in local theatre, we owe so much to pioneers such as Isobel Unsworth.

Keith Whitfield, Woy Woy