Carol Raye book launch, Mavis Bramston Show doco screening

A book on the career of the late great Carol Raye was recently launched at a function at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre by actress Sigrid Thornton.

Speaking at the event was one of Raye’s daughters, Sally Jane Ayre-Smith, who was also one of the producers of the first three seasons of SeaChange.

Raye was creator and producer of The Mavis Bramston Show, with credits such as Blankety Blanks, Number 96, The Make Walsh Show and more.

In attendance was Bramston star, veteran performer Maggie Dence AM, Diana McLean, Cecily Polson, Mark Lee,, Nancy Hayes, Noel Hodda, Lorna Lesley, former Bramston writer Richard Walsh, and actor Lex Marinos who first appeared onstage with Raye in 1980.

Mavis Bramston colleague Barry Creyton sent a message from the US, sad that he couldn’t be on hand to celebrate Raye’s life. While the author notes Raye was his primary source for the book, he was able to tap into her network of colleagues and friends who shared anecdotes and information.

Mediaweek noted author John Senczuk said  “this book doesn’t tell Carol’s full story: her family, her marriage, her children all belong to a private life that she safeguards. This, rather, is a chronicle of her public life, her business of ‘being funny’.”

Meanwhile the documentary Pushing the Boundaries: The Mavis Bramston Show is also screening this Sunday in Sydney.

Sunday December 17 at 3pm (Doors 2:30pm)
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace | 380 Military Road, Cremorne.
Tickets here for $25

This special event screening will be followed by a Q&A after the film featuring the below panel of guests.

Andrew Mercado (Moderator) – Film and TV historian
Maggie Dence AM – revered actress of stage and screen across seven decades and was Mavis Bramston (1965-1968)
Richard Walsh – Co-founder of Oz magazine and writer on The Mavis Bramston Show
Anthony Ackroyd – comedian, writer, musician and actor – a regular on The Big Gig and many other television programs
Bob Fitzgerald (Editor and Executive Producer) – Pushing The Boundaries: The Mavis Bramston Show
Stephan Wellink (Writer/Producer/Director) – Pushing The Boundaries; The Mavis Bramston Show

Updated.