Bishop Blesses New Genesian Theatre
David Spicer reports on a new home for Sydney’s beloved amateur theatre.
When the word Bishop is used in the same sentence as actresses – there is usually a ribald punchline on the way.
But for Sydney’s Genesian Theatre the entrance of a Bishop to their brand-new theatre heralded not a naughty laugh, but a new beginning.
After decades of performances, the amateur theatre company loosely affiliated with the Catholic church and named after St Genesius the patron saint of actors, has left its beloved Gothic church in Kent Street in Sydney’s CBD.
Famous alumni who trod the stage include Baz Luhrmann, Bryan Brown, Peter Carroll and John Bell.
On Sunday Bishop Danny Meagher officially opened the Genesian’ s new 130 seat venue – built in the parish hall of St Joseph’s Rozelle, next to the Sydney Community College.
“Bless all those associated with the theatre, enlighten and inspire them with your divine wisdom, may they be messengers of truth, and may those who attend the theatre be touched by spirt by God,” declared the Bishop, before he proceeded to sprinkle holy water on the audience and onto the stage for good measure.
The company, which has been going for 80 years, required a new home when their Kent Street venue was sold by the Catholic Church to a property developer in 2017. They kept performing there since then.
Constructing the new facility cost more than two million dollars – with money raised from the proceeds of earnings over the decades, a substantial bequest and a loan from the Catholic Development Fund.
Barry Nielsen, Genesian Theatre Director, said “It’s been a long seven years. It’s not often that something is more beautiful than you could imagine. We are really happy.”
“We opened in 1944, someone who actually saw our first production has sent a letter of support.”
The Mayor of the Inner-west Council Darcy Byrne congratulated the company on what he described as a stunning and beautiful venue.
“What could happen in this neighbourhood over the next few years is very special. The White Bay Power precinct has enormous potential.”
“We have lost about half of our artistic venues in Sydney over the last ten years. We must do something to reinvigorate the sector.”
“That is why the Inner-west council is opening up our town halls for free to performing arts groups for performance and rehearsal.”
At the launch actors from the Genesian Theatre performed the first scene of their inaugural production An Inspector Calls.
For detail and the rest of The Genesians 2025 season visit their website.
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.
