Trial By Jury & Varity Concert- 1956

It all began in 1956 when a couple of enterprising folk at Jordanville’s tiny Methodist church – deaconess Ruth McGregor and Les Malseed – thought it would be a good idea to form a church choir.

To foster interest in singing, they decided to put on Trial by Jury in aid of church funds. To get a full cast, friends and relatives were co-opted, and with Ruth in the role of Plaintiff, Les as Producer (and also the Judge) and Desma Sisson as Conductress, an entertainment was presented on 24th April, 1956, consisting of Trial by Jury, plus musical items and sketches. From photographs, there must have been about 30 on stage. By popular request, the programme was repeated on 20th – 21st July, and later by invitation at several other church halls.

From this effort The Babirra Players came into being.