The world of Australian theatre has lost one of its brightest stars with the passing of Toni Lamond at the age of 93. A performer whose career spanned an incredible eight decades, Lamond's legacy is felt by generations who found joy, inspiration, and a deep connection to the stage through her work.
A North Star Found on VHS
For many, discovering Toni Lamond was a transformative moment. For theatre critic Cassie Tongue, that moment came not in a grand auditorium, but in her grandmother's living room in central west New South Wales. There, a lovingly recorded VHS tape of the Essgee production of The Pirates of Penzance, filmed live in 1994 at QPAC in Brisbane, became a portal to a new world.
This production, directed by Craig Schaefer and created by Simon Gallaher, took the Gilbert and Sullivan classic and infused it with a uniquely Australian spirit. It was packed with slapstick, irreverent humour from Jon English's Pirate King, and a playful, pun-filled script. They called it a "poperetta," and it was performed with startlingly high calibre.
At its heart was Toni Lamond, playing Ruth, the pirate maid-of-all-work. Lamond, with her impeccable timing, twinkly charm, and effortless command of the stage, held the entire production together. Her performance of numbers like When Frederic Was a Little Lad was a masterclass in balancing narrative exposition with sheer entertainment, making the pirates—and the audience—hang on her every word.
A Legacy Forged on Stage and Screen
Lamond's career was a tapestry of Australian entertainment history. She was a vaudevillian on the famed Tivoli circuit, a star of major musicals like Anything Goes and Gypsy, and a familiar face on television in shows like Number 96 and countless variety programmes, even hosting her own.
Her influence extended far beyond that single recorded performance. For Tongue, Lamond became a "north star" in her career as a critic. The production taught her to value bold artistic swings, precision, and the integrity of maintaining a work's heart while making it joyously accessible. It showcased what it meant to have a cast of artists at the peak of their powers, radiating joy.
An Enduring Presence in Australian Culture
The power of Lamond's presence was undimmed by time. When Tongue finally saw her perform live at the Sydney Cabaret Festival in 2019, the experience was profoundly moving. Lamond remained "funny, starry, powerful, holding us all up with her voice and presence."
While the performer has passed, her artistry persists. A remarkable digital archive on YouTube, curated by her son, performer Tony Sheldon, allows future audiences to discover her talent. For those already touched by her, these recordings are cherished treasures.
Toni Lamond represents a vibrant, unbreakable link in the chain of Australian performance. Her career, spanning from vaudeville to modern cabaret, is a testament to the enduring power of live theatre—a form that persists through all challenges because of the unique magic created when people gather in the dark to share a story, a song, and a moment of collective wonder.
