Written in the lead-up to the centenary of Thespian Lodge No 268 of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, The Show Must Go On tells the history of a Freemasons Lodge founded in Brisbane at the end of the war years primarily for people involved in the performing arts. As Stig Hokanson notes in his Foreword, 'Freemasonry had to this point been out of their reach due to evening and night work in which these men were engaged' (p.9).
Records indicate that the early members of the lodge included vaudeville entertainers and musicians, dramatic and comedic acts, and members of Queensland's symphony orchestra. The author goes on to note in his foreword: 'Thespian Lodge changed over time as actors gave way to newspaper workers. Journalists, compositors, proof readers came to dominate later decades. These professions later still gave way to retires, a cohort which today dominate its membership' (p.9).
A number of the thespian biographies included in The Show Must Go On were first published by the author in newsletters to the Lodge members.
Dr Clay Djubal talks about his fascination with the mysterious world of Freemasons courtesy of a Freemason grandfather, and explains the problems he later had in attempting to explore the possibility of connections between the vaudeville industry and Masonic movement as an outsider. Dr Djubal also reflects on how meeting Stig R. Hokason finally opened the doors to this area of research which has now begun to shed light on the important role that Masonic fellowship played in the lives of travelling showmen (and their families) and in supporting the industry itself (through the wide-spead building of Masonic Halls).
Retitled 'The Unforgettable Pat Hanna.'
Stig Hokanson looks at the Australian career of American variety entertainer, actor and producer Edward de Tisne. The biography includes some information on de Tisne's association with Freemasonary and his wife, Yvonne "Fifi" Banvard.
