About us

History

Brighton Theatre Company began its days as “The St Andrew’s Players” performing at St. Andrew’s Church Hall in Brighton. The company then moved on to St Peter’s Parish Hall, Were Street and were known as “Brighton Repertory Company”, later changing their name to “Brighton Theatre Company”. An invitation was received from Brighton Council to use the main auditorium of the Town Hall, and in 1984 we began operations on that site. With the redevelopment of the Town Hall as an Arts & Cultural Centre, the company moved to the former library and constructed our own “little theatre” – seating 84 patrons. In 2009, the Bayside Council made a number of alterations to the interior of the building including a new entrance and modern foyer for the theatre. We have installed new seating and now seat 93 patrons.

Productions

BTC stages four productions each year. Plays are selected by the Play Reading Committee from scripts submitted by its chosen Directors, as well as those suggested by members. The company aims to produce a range of theatrical experiences from comedy to drama, by a wide variety of Australian and international authors. Our directors are chosen from around Victoria, each one bringing new ideas and a wealth of experience to the company. Feedback from patrons is strongly encouraged as we like to produce the kind of theatre that audiences enjoy, as well as giving our casts and crew members the opportunity to extend their creativity and further their technical skills. BTC productions are always an entertaining night out, with highly enjoyable extras such as pre-show sherries, followed by supper after the final curtain and a chance to meet the cast and crew.

Current / Next Production

Season One 2012
Albert Nobbs

Written by Gordon Steel
Directed by Eric Heyes

  • Book Tickets: 1300 752 126
    or Email: Edda Dawson

    Session Details

    Thursday 23 February @ 8pm
    Friday 24 February @ 8pm
    Saturday 25 February @ 8pm
    Sunday 26 February @ 2.15pm
    Tuesday 28 February @ 8pm
    Wednesday 29 February @ 8pm
    Thursday 1 March @ 8pm
    Friday 2 March @ 8pm
    Saturday 3 March @ 8pm
    Sunday 4 March @ 2.15pm
    Tuesday 6 March @ 8pm
    Wednesday 7 March @ 8pm
    Thursday 8 March @ 8pm
    Friday 9 March @ 8pm
    Saturday 10 March @ 8pm

    News / Special Dates

    Albert Nobbs
    Set Build

    Starts at 10.00am.

    Email: Keith Francis, If you would like to come along and help out. Or call him on 0438 019 218

    Albert Nobbs
    Set Build

    Starts at 7.30pm.

    Email: Keith Francis, If you would like to come along and help out. Or call him on 0438 019 218

    Albert Nobbs
    Set Build

    Starts at 10.00am.

    Email: Keith Francis, If you would like to come along and help out. Or call him on 0438 019 218

    Albert Nobbs
    Set Build

    Starts at 7.30pm.

    Email: Keith Francis, If you would like to come along and help out. Or call him on 0438 019 218

    Management Meeting
    At The Theatre

    Starts at 7.00pm.

    Albert Nobbs
    Set Build

    Starts at 10.00am.

    Email: Keith Francis, If you would like to come along and help out. Or call him on 0438 019 218

    Play Reading

    Starts at 1.30pm.

    Email: Lesley Batten, If you would like to come along and join in.

    Albert Nobbs
    Set Build

    Starts at 7.30pm.

    Email: Keith Francis, If you would like to come along and help out. Or call him on 0438 019 218

    Albert Nobbs
    Opening Night

    Starts at 8.00pm.

    Albert Nobbs
    Performance

    Starts at 8.00pm.

    Albert Nobbs
    Performance

    Starts at 8.00pm.

    Albert Nobbs
    Performance

    Starts at 2.15pm.

    Albert Nobbs
    Performance

    Starts at 8.00pm.

    Albert Nobbs
    Performance

    Starts at 8.00pm.

    Season 2012

    Albert Nobbs

    Written by Gordon Steel and Directed by Eric Heyes

  • After a life of hard graft, retirement isn't all that Albert Nobbs expected. Instead of relaxing and taking thing easy, Albert finds himself bored and nagged senseless by his wife Connie. Alberts' world is soon turned upside down by her sudden death. Albert struggles to carry on until Connie returns as a ghost and tries to sort out his life. A Blithe Spirit for the working class, set in England. (Comedy-drama)
  • Performance Dates: 23rd February - 10th March 2012

    3 Days Of Rain

    Written by Richard Greenberg and Directed by Doug Bennett

  • Set in New York, the play centres on Walker, his sister Nan and their childhood friend Pip who meet to settle their parents' estate. The two fathers were long-time friends and partners in architecture; their legacy is the brilliantly daring creation, the 1960's Janeway House. In this tense and brittle reunion, much more is at stake than who gets the house. Brother and sister discover their father's sparse diary, and use it to create a story for themselves that will explain away the present and make sense of their parent's passionless marriage. Over the "three days of rain" entered in the young architect's diary, the same three actors then play their own parents and reveal a romantic significance and creative dilemma that none of these children could ever have imagined. (Drama)
  • Performance Dates: 24th May - 9th June 2012

    Calendar Girls

    Written by Tim Firth and Directed by Alan Burrows

  • A group of extraordinary women, members of a very ordinary Yorkshire WI, spark a global phenomenon by persuading one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference! As interest snowballs, the calendar girls find themselves revealing more than they'd ever planned... A very British story, with a very British heart, Calendar Girls is based on an uplifting and very inspiring true story that is quirky, poignant and hilarious. (Comedy)
  • Performance Dates: 6th September - 27th September 2012

    Secret Bridesmaids Business

    Written by Elizabeth Coleman and Directed by Annie Blood

  • This is a funny Australian play about serious issues like truth, loyalty, denial, sex, love, the meaning of marriage, female friendship and the plight of modern woman with a biological clock that just won't keep up with the times! It's the night before Meg Bacon's wedding. She’s waited thirty-three years for this and she knows she's going to love every moment! She's gathered her mum and her bridesmaids together for one last night of girlie fun. While the bride prepares for the biggest day of her life and her mum Colleen fusses over ribbons and shoe fabrics, Meg's bridesmaids, Lucy and Angela, stumble upon some information that has the potential to shatter Meg's dream. Should they tell or not tell? In the hilarious yet painful push and pull that follows, Lucy and Angela discover that sometimes there is no right answer when it comes to doing what's best for your friend. (Comedy)
  • Performance Dates: 7th November - 24th November 2012

    Audition Notices

    Season Two 2012
    3 Days Of Rain by Richard Greenberg

    Directed by Doug Bennett

  • Performance Dates: 24 May to 9 June 2012

    Audition Dates: TBA

    Venue: The Theatre

    Roles:TBA






  • Synopsis: Set in New York, the play centres on Walker, his sister Nan and their childhood friend Pip who meet to settle their parents' estate. The two fathers were long-time friends and partners in architecture; their legacy is the brilliantly daring creation, the 1960's Janeway House. In this tense and brittle reunion, much more is at stake than who gets the house. Brother and sister discover their father's sparse diary, and use it to create a story for themselves that will explain away the present and make sense of their parent's passionless marriage. Over the "three days of rain" entered in the young architect's diary, the same three actors then play their own parents and reveal a romantic significance and creative dilemma that none of these children could ever have imagined.
  • NOTE:

    Past Plays

    Management Team

    Kim Ryan
    Artistic Director

    Kim has participated in community theatre all her life, first as a mesmerised audience member and later as an actor, taking her first steps on stage at Waverley Theatre in “The Clearing House”. Since then, apart from performing in over 20 plays, she has become more involved in behind the scenes work. She has participated as a Committee member at Waverley Theatre before joining BTC, first as Membership Coordinator and now as Artistic Director. She has also enjoyed working as Assistant Director to her husband Shane, an up-and-coming director known to BTC audiences for this year’s Blackbird.

    Edda Dawson
    Box Office Manager

    Edda has been involved with theatre since she was eight years old when she played a cabbage in "Peter Rabbit". She was involved with Beaumaris Theatre for 22 years where she took on various roles including President and Ticket Secretary. She has been with Brighton Theatre for 10 years after being "poached" from Beaumaris and has fulfilled the role of Ticket Secretary during this period.

    Vicki Smith
    Newsletter Editor

    Vicki’s theatrical career started out in Western Australia some thirty odd years ago. In 1998 she relocated to Melbourne and since then has acted, directed, stage managed and operated lights and sound for various groups. She has previously served on the committee at Waverley Theatre and the Victorian Drama League and joined the Brighton Management Team in 2010. She has performed on the Brighton stage twice and directed for the group four times and will direct the final season for 2011.

    Ewen Crockett
    FOH Co-ordinator

    Ewen became involved in theatre in Melbourne late in 1972 when he auditioned for Malvern Theatre’s production of “Romanof and Juliet”. Although this was not his finest hour, he was hooked and, to date, has been involved in one way or another, with well over 100 productions at many different companies. He went on to become involved with The Moomba Festival of Theatre for 10 years - 3 years as Chairman, and later became an adjudicator with The Victorian Drama League. He served on the board at Malvern in the 1970’s and 80’s. He was introduced to Brighton Theatre Co in 1988 and subsequently joined the committee and assisted with re-establishing and re-locating BTC to the new space in 1999. He acted as President for 3 years and has been awarded Life Membership.

    Gail Bradley
    Membership Co-ordinator

    Gail joined BTC in 2004 and worked backstage as ASM then SM while she learned the ropes. Taking a deep breath she stepped onto the boards at Peridot Theatre in 2007 and since then, has not stopped working as an actor at various theatre companies, nor will she for the rest of her life. Her speciality is accents. She has been a minor, a support, a lead and a dog. She has been a Board Member at BTC since 2006.

    Gaynor Johnson
    Secretary

    Gaynor joined Brighton Repertory Company in 1981 when the group were resident at St Peters Church in Moffat Street. They later moved on to the Town Hall at the Council’s request, during which time, Gaynor acted as Secretary. Gaynor directed three of BTC’s melodramas and has appeared on stage many times and assisted backstage. Musicals are her first love. She remembers BTC as a “family company” with the children working alongside parents all having a jolly time. Members took on many roles – if you weren’t selected in the next production you would do lights, wardrobe, backstage etc. She retired from acting about 15 years ago but recently appeared in a production at Peridot Theatre last year. She rejoined the BTC committee in 2005 as Secretary.

    Lesley Batten
    Social Events and Activities Co-ordinator

    Lesley's involvement in community theatre has been spread over many years and with a number of Melbourne based companies. During this period she has directed, stage managed, designed and helped construct sets, adjudicated, worked front of house, served on a variety of committees and has made an appearance on stage on one or two occasions. Lesley has been a member of BTC for seven years and has served on the Management Team in the position of Social Events/Activities Co-ordinator for the past two years.

    Annie Blood
    Staging Director

    Annie has only been with BTC since 2008 since arriving back in Melbourne after many years living, studying and working in Adelaide. During that time, Annie has been a Director, Actor, Stage Manager, Designer, Company President and Artistic Director even scoring a couple of professional stage crew gigs with “The Boy from Oz” and “Hello Dolly” at the Festival Theatre. Since joining BTC, she has taken on the role of Staging Director and also works as one of the technical crew – operating lighting and sound for a number of productions. Annie will be directing BTC's final production in 2012.

    Margaret Baxter
    Theatre Administration

    Margaret started at Malvern Theatre in 1993 as a complete novice but it didn't take long to realise that anyone was welcome to work backstage. She was soon doing props for a production of "Same Time Next Year". From there she begged, borrowed or stole props for the next couple of years. She then joined the committee, firstly as Membership Secretary and then as Secretary, a position she held for about 10 years. She has also worked as Stage Manager on a number of productions. She was Secretary with Brighton Theatre for some years, then took time off and is now back on the Management Team. Her other great love is food and over the years she has made more sandwiches and quiches than she could possibly count as well as providing afternoon tea for various functions at both Brighton and Malvern.

    Deborah Fabbro
    Treasurer

    Deborah has been involved in theatre since childhood. She has enjoyed many roles over the years with a number of companies. She also performed at many of the One Act Play festivals in the 1990s. Her love of antiques and old wares lead to a passion for Properties and she has spent many hours scouring shops for just the right prop, while also adding her own collection of antique china. In recent years she moved to the other side of the footlights and has directed for Brighton, Malvern and Peridot Theatre Companies. She has adjudicated for ‘in-house’ awards at Malvern and Beaumaris theatre companies. She first came to BTC in 1989 and became part of the committee in April 2000 as Treasurer, a position she still holds. From 2005 she also held the position of Acting President until the change in the Management Structure of the company in 2007. Away from BTC, though still connected to theatre, she works as a volunteer and Treasurer for The Victorian Drama League.

    Keith Francis
    Workshop Co-ordinator

    Keith joined BTC in 2004, unsure about what he was getting into. He enjoys building things and playing with tools so set building was an obvious outlet. Although retired from normal working life he is nearing the end of a 3 year degree course at Melbourne University, majoring in Art History. Art is a significant interest in his life and together with his wife Gail, they have put together a modest collection of Australian pieces. A 1971 E-Type Jaguar consumes much time and even more money but the enjoyment is returned in spades. Same for their Guide Dog puppy, although far less in money and a great deal more in time. He has appeared on stage with Gail, the most surprising and unlikely event of his life and all thanks to being a member of BTC.

    Gordon Boyd
    Technical Director

    “Working, Living and Breathing Theatre since 1985” Gordon hails from Shepparton and first started performing on stage at primary school, moved to high school and then community shows… the theatre world became his life. The last 2 years at high school he performed in 8 shows, and was involved in another 2 backstage, in and out of high school. He completed a theatre course at the University Of Ballarat and, never shying away from it, swiftly shifted to the dark side and completed another course in Lighting, Sound and AV. He performed in Peridot’s 2010 production of ‘Time of My Life’ directed by Ewen Crockett and was then asked to do lighting for his next show at BTC, ‘The Popular Mechanicals’, and then for the next show ‘Iron’. Gordon didn’t want to leave the theatre, so when asked he jumped at the role of Technical Director with the advisory words “There will be changes” Gordon is new to the BTC Management Team in 2011 but he has plans to improve the technical aspects of the theatre.

    Tickets

    Ticket Prices are as follows:

    FULL PRICE: $20
    CONCESSION: $18
    Concessions are applicable to Seniors, Pensioners and Students.

    Our evening performances commence at 8.00 pm sharp and matinee performances at 2.15pm sharp.

    Sherries are served in the foyer 30 minutes prior to curtain up.

    Doors will open 20 minutes before the commencement of all performances.
    Patrons are asked to be in their seats at least five minutes before the advertised start time to ensure a prompt and undisturbed commencement of the play.

    Out of courtesy to both performers and audience, latecomers will be admitted only when there is a suitable break in the performance.

    Please ensure that mobile phones, pagers and watches with automatic alarms are switched off as these disturb other patrons and the performers.

    To purchase tickets for our productions, please contact Edda Dawson using the following details:
    Phone: 1300 752 126 or Email: Edda Dawson

    Contact us

    • Visit us

      Building: cnr Wilson and Carpenter Streets,
      Brighton, 3186
    • Mail us

      Postal Address: Brighton Theatre Inc
      PO Box 189, Middle Brighton, VIC, 3186
    • Call us

      Phone/Tickets: 1300 752 126
    • Email us

      Tickets: Edda Dawson
      Membership: Gail Bradley
      Secretary: Gaynor Phillips

    Get in touch

    To send us a message or just to say hello, please complete the form on the right or contact us via details listed above. We'll get back to you asap.

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