Oldest Perth Theatre

Can anyone tell me who it the oldest Community Theatre still performing in Perth?
Thanks.

Ciao
Rob (not the mayor!) Tagliaferri

University Dramatic Society has been running since 1912.

t

PS - don't know if that's the oldest - probably not - but that's the age of my old company!

But is UDS considered 'community theatre'? It would strike me more as student/uni theatre since productions are largely staged by (and aimed at) the student population of UWA.

It is pretty old tho'... Grads must be pretty ancient as well then, and hasn't Garrick been around a while

I'd say Garrick, can anyone there confirm/?
Old Mill Theatre (starting life as the South Perth Dramatic Club) is possibly a contender, if not for the oldest then certainly up there with the "seniors"! (Started 1948 I think)

To confirm, Garrick Theatre was founded April 16th 1932.
See our web site for further info: www.garricktheatre.asn.au

I suppose so - but auditions are open to non-students and productions are aimed at a broad-cross section, and are advertised as such... They are mainly the University club because they are based at UWA, but get very little funding or help from the University itself, so have to rely on fundraising and sponsorship like many of the smaller companies in Perth...

I still think it's the oldest though!! ;)

Toby

wasnt harbour started early too?
or was that just a fremantle thing.... I vaguely remember reading something and being told something a long time ago.

-bec

Harbour theatre was set up in the sixties by Joyce Birch, Norma Parr, Jimmy Quinn and Neil Smith and someone else that my mother ( a very early member and performer of Harbour) can remember.

I'm proud to say I grew up watching Harbour theatre productions.

Cheers

Dave R

It's the strangest thing, I was having this very discussion last night during a rehearsal (and no it wasn't prompted by this board). The general opinion was that Garrick was the oldest, with Roleystone perhaps being second. However, if Garrick officially started in 1932, I think Roleystone might be older. Can anyone from the club confirm?

Melissa

Harbour was started in 1963 by (as David said) Joyce Birch, Norma Parr, Jimmy Quinn and Neil Smith and I believe 4 others, but I don't know their names. Jimmy Quinn was the founding director.

Thanks everyone for the lively debate on this. I've often been asked by people, especially newspaper/radio reporters, as to the oldest club in Perth, and I wasn't sure, so I thought I would ask the ITA. Hence....

Ciao
Rob (not the mayor!) Tagliaferri

Roleystone Theatre was founded 1933, see their history website:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~terrye/RolyTheatre.html

I have a feeling that Northam (I know, it's not "Perth") is older than Garrick as a continuously performing theatre group; have the info somewhere but will have to dig it out - think this was discussed in an old ITA Newsletter quite a lot of years ago!

BarbZ

Roleystone's Honour Boards go back to the early 30s (even before I was born)

If Perth is WA - the oldest is Bridgetown Rep, as a continously run AmDram in The State {so I beleive Garrick and Northam closed down during the War} and Australia.
Although there is a group in South Australia who boast this, but I would say this has yet to be proved.

I remember a Plaque to that effect from the Bridgetown Roads Board on giving the land. the theatre stands on - but if you check with them they could give you the dates.

Joe