Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I want to pay tribute to a stalwart of northern Tasmania's theatre scene, Marcus Bower, who recently passed away after a long illness. Marcus was loved and appreciated for his support for and involvement in local theatre as an actor, writer, director and committee member. He first joined the Launceston Players in 1974 for The Sound of Music. He'll be missed by students and staff at Scotch Oakburn College, where his teaching career saw him direct over 40 performances. As well as the Launceston Players, Marcus worked for a number of local theatre companies, including CentreStage, Three Rivers Theatre, the Old Nick Company and the Encore Theatre Company, and played a role in launching the first Tasmanian Theatre Awards in 2014. In 2019, Marcus himself was recognised with a lifetime achievement award for his work.

Marcus was a film critic for local newspaper The Examiner for more than 25 years and was the driving force behind the popular annual review at the Royal Oak pub, a tradition to end the week before Christmas. For other well-known identities in the theatre scene, Marcus was a valued mentor. Belinda King, president of the award-winning Encore Theatre Company, told The Examiner:

When Encore first emerged he was forthcoming with honest reviews and knowledgeable critique, which helped to shape the company we've become.

Above all, Marcus was a husband and father, and my thoughts are with his partner, Suzie, and his two children. Vale, Marcus Bower.