Theatrical shock: Stephen Pike dies of heart problems

The Canberra and Queanbeyan theatre communities have been saddened and shocked by the news that theatre identity Stephen Pike has died overnight in a Sydney hospital following heart surgery.

Pike, who would have turned 70 in November, was artistic director and program director of The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Center from the opening of The Q in March 2008 until July 2020, was widely credited with bringing this new theater regional on the map. .

He used his many connections in the theater world to book companies from across the country, and his astute programming style blended popular shows with avant-garde theater in a subscription program that attracted audiences , not only in Queanbeyan but also in the surrounding areas of Canberra and the region.

He also staged smash hits for The Q, such as his 2012 revival of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical and the musical Blood Brothers.

It was Pike who alerted Pigeonhole Theatre director Jordan Best to the possibility of presenting a Q show, Playhouse Creatures, in Monaco at the 16th Mondial du Théâtre in 2017.

A legendary figure in local theatre as both a producer and director, before taking up his post at The Q he ran his own theatre businesses at Bellows Restaurant, Hippo’s Restaurant and Tarzan’s, and was also commercial director for Canberra Rep for six years.

As a performer with a fine tenor voice, his own leading roles include Jean Valjean in Colin Anderson’s 1996 production of Les Miserables for the Canberra Philharmonic.

Pike had long suffered from heart problems and had undergone extensive surgery before being transferred to Sydney for further surgery, from which he did not recover.

When I visited him at the Canberra Private Hospital in late May, he told me he was at peace with his likely fate and had been both consoled and delighted by the many visitors about life and whose theatrical career he had had an impact.

While I was visiting him, he received a call from musical theater star Billy Bourchier, one of the many people who attribute their success to his influence and support.

Funeral and memorial details will be released as they become available.