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
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
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Jan30
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Feb23
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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 218Albert 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 218Albert 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 218Albert 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 218Management 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 218Albert 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 218Albert 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
Performance Dates: 23rd February - 10th March 2012
3 Days Of Rain
Written by Richard Greenberg and Directed by Doug Bennett
Performance Dates: 24th May - 9th June 2012
Calendar Girls
Written by Tim Firth and Directed by Alan Burrows
Performance Dates: 6th September - 27th September 2012
Secret Bridesmaids Business
Written by Elizabeth Coleman and Directed by Annie Blood
Performance Dates: 7th November - 24th November 2012
Audition Notices
Season Two 2012
3 Days Of Rain by Richard Greenberg
Directed by Doug Bennett
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
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THE POPULAR MECHANICALS
written by Tony Taylor,
William Shakespeare
and Keith Robinsondirected by Ewen Crockett
preview
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THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY
by Phyllis Nagy and adapted from
the novel by Patrica Highsmithdirected by Vicki Smith
preview
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LORD ARTHUR SAVILLE'S CRIME
written by Oscar Wilde
Adapted by Constance Coxdirected by Horrie Leek
preview
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THE LARAMIE PROJECT
written by Moises Kaufman
and Members of Tectonic
Theatre Projectdirected by Chris Baldock
preview
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
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Visit us
Building: cnr Wilson and Carpenter Streets,
Brighton, 3186
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Call us
Phone/Tickets: 1300 752 126 -
Email us
Tickets: Edda Dawson
Membership: Gail Bradley
Secretary: Gaynor Phillips
Mail us
Postal Address: Brighton Theatre IncPO Box 189, Middle Brighton, VIC, 3186
Links
VDL The Victorian Drama League
Auditions, Awards, Community Theatre Support, etc.
Samuel French
Hold the rights to many plays worldwide.
Dominie
Hold the rights to many plays worldwide.
Theatre Australia
Reviews, Auditions, Theatre Company Links.
Hal Leonard
The Australian internet home of the world's largest print music publisher! & Performing Rights Agents.

