Susie’s Theatrical Career
The Wonderful Story of ~The Adventures of Iskybibble
When I was 18, I set off on my first overseas adventure. My boyfriend at the time, Stewart Smith ~ who later became my first husband and the father of my twins, Barnaby and Shelly ~ was staying with my parents while I was away.
During his stay, he discovered some of my old school exercise books. Like many children, I had filled the margins with scribbles and little doodles, and one tiny character was on all of my schoolbooks and caught his attention. His name was Iskybibble.
Inspired by that simple sketch, Stewart developed the drawing further and created a story around the character. None of us could have imagined where that little doodle would eventually lead.
The story first became a spoken-word record narrated by entertainer Chris Kirby. It then grew into a delightful album filled with colourful characters and songs, all written by Stewart. Before long, Iskybibble was transformed into a weekly cartoon strip in the children’s section of the Sunday Mirror, beautifully illustrated by Allan Stoman, who later became Head of the Art Department at the ABC.
Stewart then teamed up with Martin Erdman, Executive Producer at Festival Records, and together they developed Iskybibble into a full-scale children’s pantomime.
In 1976, history was made when Iskybibble became the first children’s pantomime ever performed at the Sydney Opera House. Such was its success that we were invited back for a return season in 1979.
I had always dreamed of being an actress and had performed in amateur theatre for many years. When I auditioned for the role of one of the three witches and was offered the part, I was absolutely over the moon.
Looking back, the pantomime was well ahead of its time. At its heart was a story about caring for the environment and restoring balance to the natural world.
The story began in a world that had fallen into chaos. September arrived in May. The sun forgot to rise, and the moon forgot to put the stars away. Concerned, the Wizard went to the King and asked what could be done.
“I have only one chance,” he said. “I can create someone who can restore balance—but who should I choose?”
With laughing eyes, the King replied, “Me! Me! Me! Why not me?”
And so Iskybibble was created. This is why he wears a tiny crown upon his head, while carrying a paint pot and paintbrush. His mission was to help nature return to harmony by repainting the world.
But dark forces were determined to stop him. The evil Mr Dark, together with his mischievous companions ~ the bumbling three witches Izzy, Dizzy and Lizzy ~ did everything they could to throw the world further into disorder. What followed was a magical battle between light and darkness, told with humour, music – funny fabulous songs, laughter and plenty of audience participation.
During the school holidays we performed four shows a day ~ 10.00 am, midday, 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm. The cast were professional actors, while the children’s dancers and the two witches including me (Lizzy had been turned into a frog), came from amateur theatre. Joining Actors’ Equity and spending time backstage in the famous Green Room at the Opera House felt like stepping into another world.
To promote the production, we performed excerpts centre stage at Westfield shopping centres in Roselands and Blacktown. In those days, live entertainment was a regular feature of shopping centres, and it was enormous fun performing for families who had simply come to do their shopping.
Following our successful Opera House seasons, Iskybibble moved to the local theatre in Kogarah (now a cinema complex), where we enjoyed another season during the school holidays.
The success of the cartoon strip spread even further. It was syndicated in the United States, and before long both Disney and Westfield expressed interest in purchasing the rights. Disney saw the potential to develop the character internationally, while Westfield envisioned Iskybibble becoming the face of regular children’s entertainment across their shopping centres.
In the end, Stewart and Martin chose not to sell. Sometimes I wonder what might have happened if they had said yes.
But regardless of the path not taken, I will always treasure those extraordinary years. To think that one little doodle I drew in the corner of my school books led to records, cartoons, songs, the Sydney Opera House, and a lifetime of wonderful memories still amazes me.
