Gryphon Gallery: Judith Ann Treloar (Bradshaw)

November 3, 2023

Alumni

Stuart Brambley, Archivist Stuart Brambley, Archivist photo

A long-time drama teacher at Norfolk House School and GNS, Judy Bradshaw (later Judy Treloar) passed away peacefully on November 29, 2021. She started her career as a young actress in New Zealand, and during the course of her theatrical career taught and directed stage plays in England, Australia, New Zealand and Victoria. Judy arrived in Victoria in 1973, being cast in five major roles with four different companies in her first three years. She began acting at Langham Court Theatre as Alison in Look Back In Anger. She then played Lucy Brown in The Threepenny Opera, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing at the McPherson, Caitlin in Dylan, also at the “Mac” and Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire back at Langham Court.

It was in 1976 that Miss Bradshaw started work at Norfolk House School and directed Cinderella, Antigone and Web of Murder over her first three years. The zest for directing took hold and between 1978 and her premature retirement in 2014—as she returned for a much-publicized curtain call in 2017 with Les Belles Soeurs—she directed 26 plays at Langham Court, while also serving a term as president of the Victoria Theatre Guild. She returned to GNS in the mid-90s and continued her magic that included Cinderella (again), Dark of the Moon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Outsiders, Oliver, The Curious Savage, The Miracle Worker, Romeo and Juliet, The Sound of Music and Grease until 2009 while still plying her craft at Langham Court.

Judy loved working at GNS, successfully developing the acting talents of many, many appreciative young students. Testament to this was her return at many alumni gatherings to ‘check in’ on many former students who attended just to connect with her. It was best said by Andrea Harris, friend and colleague at GNS, “The great thing about Judy was that she dared to be herself—dynamic, vibrant and powerful. There was never a dull moment when you were in her presence! She enriched the lives of so many young people, many of whom realized how privileged they were to be directed by her. She demanded the very best and expected 100% commitment, as she herself gave to each and every production.”

Judy’s spirit and passion for her work will no doubt be remembered by many of those she connected with and will also be remembered by the school when each year “The Judy Treloar Passion for Theatre Award” is presented at Year-end Ceremonies.