Janette has appeared in musical comedy in Leeds, England,and Gilbert & Sullivan  with the Melbourne  Savoy Opera company.
She has studied at the National Theatre and Victorian College of the Arts, together with voice training under Jacques Pottier (former principal tenor with the Paris Opera) and Peter Mackay.

In 1999 she performed the solo cabaret show Distant Voices : Still Lives at Capers, featuring songs of the 20's, 30's and 40's.
Under her stage name, Mercy Welles, she has released the CD Mercy Beaucoup, a selection of music from Distant Voices.
She first appeared in  Fringe 2001 in S.N.A.P. Sensitive New Age Platypus with the Footscray Adult Cabaret Theatre.

Her long-held goal of developing a  wartime- themed cabaret crystallised when she was invited in August 1999 to perform a specially written anthem at the official dedication ceremony by the RAAF of a restored Liberator bomber - an occasion recorded on an episode of the ABC's  Australian Story program.
 
 

Geoffrey Baird (Performer and Musical Director) 

Geoffrey has had an extensive career ranging from musical comedy, cabaret and light opera to film and television roles. Currently he works as a singing teacher, vocal coach and musical producer. At his website, SONGRISE, he maintains a database of song lyrics, including many  from the period covered by  Renata at the Rubens.

Eugene Schlusser 

Eugene is an independent film-maker, freelance director and actor. His recent credits  include directing and performing in Art on Trial at the Arts Centre and a tour to Sydney and Newcastle and performing in the confronting docu-drama Rainbow Bird and Monster Man for SBS Television. Currently he is developing a documentary on wartime  events based on his own Russian family background.