Newcastle Theatre Company

In May 1957 Newcastle Repertory Club (Rep) was formed to mount a production of a classic of English repertory theatre, Harold Brighouse’s "Hobson’s Choice", at historic Blackall House in Newcastle. Very soon, the venue proved to be inadequate for the audiences attracted by the flow of new Rep productions. Shows were then staged in various church halls over a couple of years, ending up at St Peters in Hamilton until 1968.

To build audiences in these venues, Rep offered tickets at a 50/50 split to various church and charity organizations that responded enthusiastically, and still do. Newcastle Theatre Company (as Rep is now known) continues to give something back to the community in this fashion. An early example of corporate social responsibility in action. Rep also toured those early productions, and school P&C’s, Scouts and community groups with a hall, took up this offer.

By 1967, at the point of exhaustion, and bursting at the seams, Rep either found a suitable home or disbanded. Serendipity intervened and the old Rechabite Hall in De Vitre Street, Lambton was purchased from accumulated funds and borrowings from members and thereafter stood in the name of worthy trustees. Richard Beynon’s moving Australian classic about Italian migrants, "The Shifting Heart", was Rep’s first production at Lambton in 1968. The temporary stage (provided by the ABC), was balanced on drums, and backsides were balanced on bare benches. Despite the lack of facilities and parking, the audiences came – the church and charity groups being the bedrock of these audiences. But the relationship with these many charitable and community organizations was more than that; it gave Rep a wider exposure to the Newcastle public, many of whom had never experienced live theatre. Parking problems were solved when the Lambton Business Community, with a financial contribution from Rep, purchased the miners’ cottages that were opposite the theatre and the parking lot that serves Rep and the business community so well, was established.

Development of the physical facilities at Rep (including a new green room) was being matched by artistic output. Rep employed an Artistic Director for six months. This was a significant financial commitment for a non-professional company, and the first time this had been done in Australia. Exposing members to professional talents and expectations raised those of the membership and our patrons in a way not thought possible. This practice has continued for individual productions to the present day. Rep and now NTC has been a nurturing ground for many theatre practitioners. The likes of film, TV and stage actresses Susie Porter (2007 AFI Award winner), and Celia Ireland ("All Saints"), and actor, author, playwright ("Love’s Triumph") and theatre academic Terence Crawford, playwright Pamela Whalan, who will direct a world premier of one of her own plays in 2008 at NTC, as well as local actors Barry Shepherd and Lawrence Aitchison all have fond memories of their association with NTC. NTC also enjoys the patronage of one of Australia’s leading theatre directors and practitioners, Aarne Neeme, who regularly visits and offers advice and assistance and sometimes directs productions (most recently in January 2007).

In 1990 the unincorporated association was incorporated as Newcastle Repertory Club Inc, which now owns the name "Newcastle Theatre Company". The coffers continued to grow from fundraising activities and careful management of income from productions by an active, responsible committee so that in the early 1990s the land comprising the old church hall behind the little stone historic Bethel Chapel (1868) in Dickson Street and the two weatherboard buildings facing De Vitre Street adjoining the present theatre were purchased. These buildings continued to be used as rehearsal and storage space, costume making and set construction.

However, the dream always was that the site would one day be developed into a new theatre facility. Just as in 1967, almost 40 years later in 2006 it seemed that the theatre must move to another level or face decline in an ever-changing world. For the theatre it was "Hobson’s Choice" all over again…no choice. With the added enthusiasm created by the new project, productions continue to be undertaken at a consistently high standard. The July 2007 production run (an off-Broadway small-cast musical) was the highest grossing income producer and most attended show in the 50 year history of the theatre.

In a major city like Newcastle where there has not been a professional theatre company with its own home theatre since the days of the now defunct Hunter Valley Theatre Company, NTC stands ready to fill the void with a professional-standard repertoire of theatrical productions season after season, year after year.

Following a lengthy approval process over several years, work was finally able to commence late in 2006 on what will be a state-of-the-art live performance space with seating for 150 people and a centre for cultural and artistic activities (musical and poetry recitals, art shows, play readings, and so on). The new theatre is expected to be at lock-up stage by the end of 2007. Newcastle Permanent Building Society has shown great faith in the project by not only providing a loan of $200,000.00, but, through its Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, by making a grant of $150,000.00. To fit out the new theatre more funds must be raised and a three year sponsorship program was initiated in May 2007 with the appointment of sponsorship managers under the theme of "friend-raising" with a view to establishing long term relationships with businesses, patrons and supporters. Productions will continue throughout the new building program from the present NTC theatre at 90 De Vitre Street, Lambton with "passion, performance and panache."

Prepared from material provided by Life Member and foundation member Shirley Bloomfield.