RANDALL Jr,

Brett

Aged 74, passed away in Melbourne, July 16, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

Born April 1, 1950, Brett’s successful career in theatre in Australia and overseas continued a distinguished family tradition. Remarkably, he was the fifth generation continuously involved in theatre. His great-grandfather was a light-opera singer (in England) who created the role of Mr. Blushington in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Utopia, Limited.

Brett Sr, his grandfather, immigrated from England to Australia and was a popular stage actor and director. He established St. Martin’s Theatre ( known then as the Melbourne Little Theatre [1931] ), and his father Peter would serve in WWII and then returned to work in the family business as one of the Little Theatre’s producers and directors.

As children, Brett and his older sisters Jaqueline and Christine were accustomed to being around actors and Australian acting royalty including George Fairfax, Frank Thring, Zoe Caldwell, and John Truscott. His mother Trixie also was a talented actress and accomplished pianist. From an early age Brett understood the practical side of theatre. He recalled, “My dad would take me down to the theatre at the end of a show, give me a hammer and I’d help him knock the set down.”

Brett’s education at Geelong Grammar School introduced him to a different kind of royalty—English royalty. He always chuckled recalling the moment at the Timbertop campus when the future King of England Prince Charles commanded him as a lowly junior student to bring him a cup of tea with the words, “White with one.”

At this early age, Brett was learning the communication and diplomatic skills which would serve him throughout his career. In 1984, he was appointed Company Manager for the Australian national touring production of Camelot starring Richard Harris. When he was asked about the leading man, he admitted that he did not have much time for the temperamental star.

Following in his grandfather and father’s footsteps, he moved into theatre management. As the General Manager of Canberra’s Jigsaw Theatre, he oversaw a remarkable increase in box office revenues and audience attendance. After moving to Toronto, Canada, in 1989, he cemented his outstanding professional reputation and would be appointed to important leadership roles including General Manager of the Pantages Theatre, General Manager for the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, and General Manager for the North York Performing Arts Centre.

In 1996, when he announced his return to Melbourne in the role of Chief Executive Officer for the Victorian Arts Centre, his colleagues in Canada wrote that they were very sorry to lose him as “an exceptional theatre manager” and for his “strong leadership and management style.”

Brett’s return to Melbourne was a natural nexl step given his deep theatrical and family ties to Victoria. He reunited with his oldest daughter Anna, and was able to bring his considerable skills to the Victorian Arts Centre. After two years, it was time to return to Toronto with his wife Elizabeth Leszczynski, originally from Canada, and their daughter Olivia. After initially working as an independent theatre producer, he was appointed Production Manager for The Corporation of Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall in Toronto.

But his appointment, in 2006, as General Manager for the historic Elgin Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto was certainly the pinnacle of his career. This venue hosted a star-studded roister including Christopher Plummer, Barry Humphries, Paul McCartney, Yo-Yo Ma, k.d. laing, Leonard Cohen and Tony Bennett. During the annual Toronto International Film Festival, he could be found behind the scenes at the theatre rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars like George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to name a few.

Brett was a consummate professional and an outstanding achiever but always a quiet one. He valued his relationships with people far more than being noted for his success. He left an indelible impression on many of the people he worked with and remained close friends with associates from his earliest days in Australian television and theatre up until the present. He was held in the highest esteem and will be remembered with great affection by all who knew him and worked with him.

Despite the challenges, he and his wife returned to live in Melbourne from Canada during the Covid pandemic to be close to his family. Brett’s love of Australia never wained and one of the highlights of his return was being able to barrack in person for his beloved football team St. Kilda regardless of their variable position on the AFL ladder. He spirit of adventure never slowed down and in the last year, he enjoyed a memorable trip with his daughter Olivia on the Ghan Train to Darwin and travelled to Adelaide for his daughter Anna’s 50th birthday celebration.

Brett’s life and values reflect the deep influences from his early childhood experiences as part of a theatrical family and witnessing the inner workings of the Little Theatre. Here he learned that professional survival depended on being collaborative and creativity could be a shared experience. He understood the power of theatre to bring a community together and never lost his passion and respect for the people on the stage, backstage and front of house.

For all of his many professional achievements, Brett’s love for his wife and family were the mainstays of his life.

A celebration of Brett’s life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 10:30am at St. Martins Theatre in Melbourne.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Martins Theatre to support in preserving the legacy and history of the theatre. Donations can be made at https://stmartinsyouth.com.au/donate/

Elizabeth Leszczynski – Olivia Randall – Anna Randall – Christine (Randall) Sykes – Erin McMillian – Jade Hansen – Liam Hansen