The next production of the Rhodo Theatre Group was a play by Eleanor Witcombe entitled Smuggler’s Beware! A review of this play by L. L. Woolacott had appeared in The ABC Weekly on 05 Aug 1950, and began with the following – clearly a perfect fit for a play in Blackheath!

Eleanor Witcombe, I think, should be arrested under some regulation or other as a Dangerous Person.

I have now seen and revelled in three plays of hers, all of them for children aged from eight to 88. In not one of them could I discern any signs of a Moral. Neither are there
any Fairies who succour Good Children when in Danger. Respect for One’s Elders is not inculcated, and instead of teaching children How to be Holy, the Witcombe technique is certain to make every healthy child long to be a Holy Terror. In a word, Eleanor Witcombe knows her Australian children...

The second production by the group in 1983 was the Revue Ringbarkarhodo. This was a revue published during the performances:

Specially trained Blackheathen cockatoos!

With two shows still to go and with tickets still available, the Rhodo Theatre’s current hit production of “Ringbarkarhodo” is said to be doing for Blackheath what The Sound of Music did for Austria!

That’s what the Theatre’s officials claim – and there wouldn’t be a Blackheathan who’d disagree.

This year’s revue is in fact all about the local shops, their keepers and their customers.

It is filled with the song, dance, humor, excitement, pathos and tragedy that fills a typical day in the Blackheath shopping centre.

Not to forget the local wildlife, a specially trained group of yellow- tailed black cockatoos has been performing each night.

Ringbarkarhodo has been written specially for the Blackheath Festival by five Blackheathens, Lesley Wright, Henry Lohse, Kay Lohse, Wayne Kelly and Jennifer Ross.

Music is provided by Julie Cooney and J. J. Smith. Local talent shines through with Jean Walsh singing, and John Mills whistling and dancing.

The last two performances are tonight and tomorrow. The show starts at 8.15 p.m., but doors open at 7.30. The audience is encouraged to bring food and drink to make a night of it, and coffee will be provided.

Tickets are available at Elizabeth’s Dress Shop in Govett’s Leap Road, Blackheath. But hurry. They’re going fast