Desley has been performing with various community theatre groups in Brisbane for more years than she cares to remember, playing a variety of roles. Some of her favourites include Madame Arcarti in Blithe Spirit, Mrs Drudge in The Real Inspector Hound, Mrs Appleyard in Picnic at Hanging Rock, Marie in Calendar Girls and Lavinia in The Heiress. Although musicals are not really her forte, she has been involved in a couple, including My Fair Lady just last year. 

Once again, it’s a joy and a privilege to be working with Jacqueline Kerr and the talented cast of new friends and old in Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced.

Phillipa has been an active member of the theatre community in Brisbane and Sydney for over thirty years. With Villanova Players she has performed as Colombina in The Venetian Twins, Maise Treagrove in Summer Rain and Mother Margaret Lord in High Society. Some of Phillipa’s other recent roles include Aunt March in Little Women, the Broadway Musical with Phoenix Ensemble, Marmee in Little Women and M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias with St Lukes Theatre, Mrs Paroo in The Music Man and Widow Corney in Oliver! with Savoyards Musical Theatre, Ruth in Marvin's Room with Ad Astra Theatre, Duchess of Berwick in Lady Windermere’s Fan and Duke Senior in As You Like It with Nash Theatre. Phillipa loves a good murder mystery murder and there's none better than Agatha Christie, and her creation, the intriguing Miss Blacklock.

Lorraine is a late-comer to theatre and can usually be found behind the scenes or at front of house but over the past few years she has ventured on stage for VPs,  Theatre Redlands and Dolphin Studio Choir. Notable appearances for VPs include as ensemble member in Snapshots From Home (2022) and as Gwen in Gwen in Purgatory (2023). Lorraine has very much enjoyed being part of the team for 'Murder' and hopes you relish the twists and turns this Marple mystery takes.

Siobhan has been involved in theatre since a young age as her family was a part of the art/theatre scene in Mackay. She grew up doing singing, dancing and acting lessons. She has continued to enjoy performing and has relished performing in My Fair Lady in 2024 and now as a suspect in A Murder is Announced.

Reece is a recognised film, television and stage actor. His screen credits include the acclaimed Australian drama Home and Away (as Tank Snelgrove), the Indigenous-focused series The Warriors (ABC), the supernatural teen drama Alien Surf Girls, and the feature film Rise, where he played the pivotal role of Ben Swindle. Reece also appears in Season 2 of the hit comedy-noir Deadloch (Prime Video), the iconic legal dramedy Rake (ABC), the musical political drama In Our Blood (ABC), and features in the crime/comedy series Good Cop/Bad Cop (CW).

Classically trained for theatre, Reece is a graduate of the Queensland University of Technology’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) program.

Isabelle is delighted to return to the Villanova Players stage in A Murder is Announced. She previously appeared with the company in My Fair Lady (Ensemble) and Picnic at Hanging Rock (Edith Horton). Offstage, Isabelle works as a paediatric occupational therapist and loves bringing creativity into both her work and her performances. She would like to thank her partner for his constant encouragement and support.

Steven first started theatre by operating the lights and sound for shows from back in 2012. He loves being in musicals as ensemble, and has taken part in shows such as High Society, Beauty and the Beast and Kinky Boots. He especially loves all the wonderful people that work in theatre, especially in this show. The leads are all wonderful to work with, and goofing around with the other cast members has been amazing fun. He would like to thank the wonderful director Jacqueline Kerr, for inviting him into such a great cast and putting on such a fantastic production.

Jill has been with Villanova Players for many years and has both directed and acted in numerous plays. Her favourite directions include Great Expectations, the first play of 2024, as well as The Kursk, Anne of Green Gables, To Kill a Mockingbird and some Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde.

Her recent acting roles have been Jean in Quartet, numerous roles in Letters to Lindy and Mrs Higgins in My Fair Lady. (She jumped at the chance to play in a musical as long as she did not have to sing or dance).

This is Robyn’s first play with Villanova Players. To practice for her role, she has enjoyed snarling at small fluffy animals and children. It is a hobby she might continue to practice.

Leo has been involved in theatre for many years, first as a designer of sets and costumes, then as a director, and occasionally as an actor.

He has become known for the innovative set design of shows such as Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, The Shifting Heartand Secret Bridesmaid's Business. Other memorable designs were the hysterically funny costumes for A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Regency costumes for The Busybody. One of his fondest memories was working on Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus and King John both at the old Boggo Road gaol.

Leo has also directed a number of plays and musicals for companies in and around Brisbane.
Some of his favourite productions include Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, As You Like It, Over the Top with Jim, The Gondoliers, Alone It Stands , The Importance of Being Earnestfor BTG, I Love you you're perfect Now Change for BTG , and Seven Little Australians, Ladies in Black and The Venetian Twins, Jasper Jones (BTG 2023) and My Family and Other Animals (VPs 2023).
Leo is also the current director of the Iona Passion Play.

On stage, Leo has played many character roles, often involving weird accents and the copious consumption of alcohol. Perhaps his more dramatic roles were The Inspector in An Inspector Calls, and Gabriel in James Joyce’s The Dead.

John has been in a number of roles in VP, including playing Sir Peter in The School for Scandal and the role of a common dustman”, Alfred Doolittle, in My Fair Lady (2024). He loves this opportunity to play this roguish character.

Having been a teacher, has meant that John has held positions in various places including Gladstone, Mackay, Ingham and now Brisbane. He has been fortunate to be involved in theatre wherever he has lived; in roles from Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof at 18, lead roles in musicals such as “Guys and Dolls” and the title role in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”. John has also been involved off-stage in numerous productions as Stage Manager, Producer, set construction, makeup and on the ropes flying scenery flats. John has on occasions helped with sewing costumes.