March 11, 2021
Bernard Esquilant, 1926-2021
(As published in the Otago Daily Times, 11 March 2021)
Bernard Leslie Esquilant – after a full and wonderful life, Bernard passed away, peacefully, at home, on March 2, 2021; aged 94 years, with his loving partner of 65 years, Bill Menlove, at his bedside. […]
A Memorial Service for Bernard will be held on Monday March 15 at 1pm at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Octagon, Dunedin. Flowers respectfully declined, however if you should wish to do so, donations to the Otago Community Hospice would be greatly appreciated. Messages to [Bill at] 3 Thomas Square, Brooklands Retirement Village, Mosgiel 9024.”
Bernard was the co-founder with Bill of the Southern Comedy Players (1957-1966), later the Southern Players (1967-68). These companies toured the South Island and, on some occasions, the entire country with a repertoire initially biased towards popular contemporary West End comedy and musical hits. After they converted a lodge hall into the 100 seat Playhouse Theatre in Albany Street, Dunedin, the repertoire broadened and included classics and dramas. The Players also had Quartets which toured to schools throughout the country.
Bernard acted in many of the companies’ productions and directed a number of them. In 1963 the Southern Comedy Players gave Bruce Mason the opportunity to direct, and act in, The Pohutukawa Tree at the Playhouse. Bernard Esquilant replaced him as the Rev Athol Sedgewick for the subsequent tour to Balclutha.
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