Down Memory Lane #3 - Stage Was Set For Robert's Career

This third installment for the "Down Memory Lane" series is a very special article about Robert and the rich heritage his family has with the Performing Arts. We will be privileged on Saturday night with the presence of Robert's mother, Ivy Dommet, who is an accomplished pianist. This is a MUST READ article before the weekend (well I think so)! While the exact date of the article is not documented it would appear to be June, 1977.


STAGE WAS SET FOR ROBERTS CAREER

"Genesis" director Robert Kingham seems to have had little option when it came to choosing a career.

A break with the theatre would have meant a break with a distinguished family tradition going back to the last century.

As Richard puts it: "With a grandfather in show business, uncles and aunts in music and acting fields, and a mother an accomplished pianist, the arts just seemed the natural course for me to take."

Now, the theatre, particularly directing and music, are his life, and according to him make it a very satisfying one.

Both Toowoomba and the theatre are a very strong part of Richard's background.

His grandfather, Leonard Dommett, now 82 and living in Brisbane, was well-known in the theatrical world in Toowoomba from the 1920's to the 1940's.

He married and settled in Toowoomba about 1925, and owned a general store at the corner of Herries and Neil streets, as well as a soft drink factory.

Robert said his grandfather "tried his hand at most things" - for example, he drove the first bus run from Toowoomba to Jandowae - but was best known for his theatrical shows.

He specialised in escapology and mind reading, performing under the names of Goldwyn or Harry Gold.

His wife made the costumes for his shows, and the eldest children took part in his acts and played musical instruments from an early age.

During World War II, Mr Dommett took his shows on tour to army camps around the Darling Downs and nearby areas, and recruited vaudeville artists from Brisbane to entertain the soldiers.

With their theatrical background, it is not surprising that the Dommett's five children all made the performing arts their careers.

• Ivy (Richard's mother) is an accomplished pianist and accompanist in Brisbane;
• Leonard, a violinist and leader of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, was awarded the O.B.E. last week for his services to culture.
• Alma is a singer, now living at Trentham, Victoria;
• Malcolm is a saxophonist in Melbourne;
• And John, one of the original directors of the television production "The Box," is now appearing in the television serial "Young Doctors."
  

Robert's father, Keith Humble, is professor of music at Latrobe University in Melbourne.

Robert, 27, has always wanted to be a director, and payed his way through Queensland University by acting for the Queensland Theatre Company.

He graduated with a double major in dramatic literature in 1970 but then "realised I had to learn a whole lot more."

Then followed a two-year period overseas, with work and study at the University of San Diego, California, in Paris, London and Poland.

"But I always wanted to come back to work in Queensland," said Robert.

"There is so much potential here - it's just that training facilities for directors are insufficient in Australia."

Now Robert is employed by the Queensland Theatre Company on such projects as helping organise arts festivals and drama workshops, and setting up groups such as the Darling Downs Youth Theatre.

"Genesis" will be staged for the last time on the Downs with performances at the old Empire Theatre, next Saturday at 5 pm and 8 pm.

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ALBUM - Michelle McIntyre - (News) - "Stage Was Set For Robert's Career"

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