Centenary Theatre Celebrates 40th
Centenary Theatre Group Inc. celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday 18th June at its home, Chelmer Community Centre (at the Cnr. Queenscroft & Halsbury Streets, Chelmer). All past and present members are invited to attend – at no cost. For catering purposes, please RSVP by Monday 13th June to Secretary Rhyll Bucknell email: rhyllbuc@bigpond.com or phone 0435 591 720
This Queensland community / amateur Theatre Group (originally known as Centenary Players) has been creating and providing the residents of Brisbane’s western suburbs with social and cultural enrichment through a huge diversity of plays (thrillers, comedies, classics, Australian), musicals, melodramas, children’s theatre and theatre restaurant shows since 1976. Founding members were Barry Jacka, Penny Murphy and Roni Davies. Their first production, No Time for Fig Leaves was performed at the Warana Festival in 1976.
Their 2016 season reflects this variety: the season opened with David Williamson’s When Dad Married Fury - about estate squabbling families (picture above); followed, most recently, by the murder mystery spoof, Agatha Crispie; next in July/August is the theatre restaurant Roman romp Up Pompeii; in contrast,for September/ October, is the Brisbane playwright Errol O Neil’s taut psychological thriller, The Mayne Inheritance; and, for November/ December, witty dialogue and a slapstick comedy, A Little Murder never hurt anyone.
Former Queensland Government Minister, Dr Denver Beanland, in his Foreword to Gail Burke’s Theatre in The Suburbs - Centenary Theatre Group, 1976-2007, acknowledged that “we owe a debt of gratitude - to all the volunteer actors, directors, designers, backstage crews, front of house personnel and committees - for the cultural enjoyment that they bring us. The fact that Centenary Theatre Group has survived when so much has and is changing around it, is an indication that it continues to meet community expectations.”
These community expectations have been met due to the dedication and variety of talents of several hundred members, past and present. In addition, we are most grateful for the on-going support of our current Patrons, Hon. Jane Prentice and Cr. Nicole Johnson.
The 40th anniversary party starting at 6pm will have food and refreshments as well entertainment including the reading of excerpts of scripts from past shows, for both old and new faces and voices.
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