(Jane Linley Thomas and KickstArt publicist Illa Thompson)East Coast Radio’s Jane Linley Thomas was given a box of astonishing hats collected from all over the world by avid listener Roy Bothma from Pietermaritzburg.
“I started to collect hats the same time that Dallas was on TV. Larry Hagman collected hats and that started me off as well. At the time I was in partnership in a travel agency in Broad Street and was lucky to do a lot of travelling since 1974. Hats were just a reminder to me where I had travelled to, there are no stories attached to the hats, but I do have many stories regarding my travels and adventures around the world,” explains Roy.
Roy sent the hats to Jane and asked her to pass them onto a worthy theatrical recipient. Jane has hosted a weekly theatre slot since 2004 so didn’t hesitate to contact top Durban theatre producers, KickstArt, to pass the hats onto them.
“I was so intrigued by Jane’s offer of a box of hats, and so overwhelmed with the treasures we found in it! We are constantly having to hire pith helmets and bowler hats from the State Theatre in Pretoria; now we are the proud owners of two such items in mint condition. To say nothing of the giant sombrero, authentic panama and denim Stetson. Honestly, for a theatre company, this is a mini treasure trove! Thank you so, so much! We accept the hats with much love and gratitude, and look out for the headgear on stage this year!” says KickstArt’s Steven Stead.
KicksArt is preparing for their first production of the year – Don’t Dress for Dinner, a nifty comedy farce about double adultery and gourmet cooking, which comes to the Elizabeth Sneddon theatre on UKZN campus from February 9.
A magnificent authentic-looking Roman helmet – bought while Roy was travelling in Italy – now enjoys pride of place in little Cooper Jet Thomas’s bedroom – a special gift to Jane’s family from Roy.
Jane Linley Thomas’s weekly theatre slot can be heard every Sunday morning at 09h40 on East Coast Radio.
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