Hobart Repertory and The Playhouse Theatre
Merlene Abbott takes Stage Whispers to The Playhouse Theatre, heritage home of the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society in the heart of Hobart, a delightful Italian style theatre and former chapel where even the walls exude the atmosphere of theatre.
The Hobart Repertory Theatre Society is 80 years young and still going strong. Or, if a person wanted to be pedantic, one could say the group is over ninety years of age. Most people count the time from Hobart Repertory Theatre Society’s move into the Playhouse Theatre in Bathurst Street, Hobart. And although the HRTS has existed since 1927, the two entities are inseparable. In the mind of the public, Hobart Rep and the Playhouse are one.
Founded in 1927, the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society immediately became busy, playing in any available venue (usually the Theatre Royal, Hobart). The first producer was Miss Olive Wilton. In the period from 1927 until 1938, when the HRTS moved into its own premises at the Playhouse Theatre, she produced at least thirty-six of its ninety or more productions in just over a decade. Since then, HRTS have produced over four hundred and fifty shows at the Playhouse Theatre.
Hobart Repertory has become an institution in amateur theatre in the south of Tasmania. “There have been a number of challenges along the way, and these have all been met with the determination and grit that has enabled the society to be in the great position it is today,” says the Playhouse website, modestly.
Located in the centre of Hobart, The Playhouse Theatre began its life as a purpose-built chapel for the growing congregation of a young and enthusiastic minister named The Rev. John Wilkes Simmons. Ordained in 1856, Simmons had been appointed Missioner to the Southern Seas in 1860. Ill health caused him to cease his journeys upon arrival in Hobart Town in 1861. He quickly realized the need for religious preaching amongst the working classes. By 1863 his congregation had grown to such a size that a chapel was built at a cost of £1484. The Foundation Stone was laid on January 5th 1864. Simmons preached there until his retirement in 1899. Shortly after his death in 1900, the chapel became the Helping Hand Mission, under the control of the Congregational Union. In July 1935 the building was sold to a small syndicate who then operated it as the Amuzu Cinema until 1938, one year after the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society purchased the building and renamed it The Playhouse Theatre.
Vice President of Hobart Rep, Adela Morton, says: “Theatre is community at its best – we are a community theatre which relies on volunteers to keep it going. When you think of the hours involved, it is pure dedication. Even the walls exude the atmosphere - the atmosphere and feeling [of theatre]. We are rare, in that we have a theatre of our own. Other companies don’t have that, and we are very proud [of our theatre and productions] … but it’s a double edged sword … in that we have our own beautiful heritage building in which to stage our plays and to let out to the community [for them to] stage their shows, and, we also have the financial burden of maintaining it.”
The Playhouse, being an old building, is subject to stringent requirements under the rules and guidelines of the Heritage Council. The other problem of owning and maintaining an older building is the need to upgrade facilities, within the confines of retaining heritage integrity.
For the last three or so years, plans and fundraising have been underway to install new flies. With the natty and slightly cheeky name - Help Us To Do Up Our Flies - an ambitious project to upgrade facilities at the Playhouse has been underway. HRTS has set itself a target - to raise $200,000 to install new flies. Already, stage 1 is completed. About $160,000, including fundraising money, a grant and a loan, has brought the project to this stage. The final stages will bring the theatre up-to-date, possibly in the next two or three years. Technical terms such as reinforcing, strengthening and motorizing the flies hide the basic fact: the Hobart Rep. is continuing to upgrade facilities, while still meeting all of their production targets.
How do they do it? According to Adela Morton, the formula is simple: love for theatre, passion for theatre, dedication to theatre and lots of hard work. “People think of the Hobart Rep. as the playhouse. The people are what bring it alive. Each year Rep. does five plays, plus a panto, plus a one act festival, and in between try to let the theatre out to other groups, as much as time and maintenance allow between shows. We are currently a venue for Ten Days on the Island, and we have other productions, by other groups, whenever we can.”
A production at the Playhouse is a trip back in time, to the way we all believe theatre should be. For a start, it’s a gorgeous little building of Italian design. One feels like one is in for a treat the second one walks in the door. I have attended productions when tourists have walked in off the street, enticed by the crowd waiting to book a ticket. One memorable occasion was at a show called The Candidate, a political satire which required audience participation. One lucky person, by dint of having their seat number called out, had to go on stage and collect the “prize.” On that night, the young Japanese IT executive, who had just walked in off the street, was thrilled to win the meat tray. His delight at the novel experience made me realise just how lucky we are – to be able to stage such a wide variety of shows and to please such a wide array of audiences.
The Hobart Repertory Theatre Society is not unique in the theatrical world in Australia. All over this country theatre groups are providing similar experiences, giving enjoyment, entertainment and pleasure. We are very fortunate to be able to continue to provide entertainment to so many. Live theatre, and other live entertainment experiences, is not just about entertainment. It is about people. It is part of the social glue which holds our society together. Oh. And it’s fun, too, for thousands and thousands of people. Here’s to another 80 years of the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society!
