Musicals

50 GOLDEN YEARS

1938 - 1945

The Ballarat Courier, 23 March 1938

THEATRE MOVEMENT
BALLARAT BRANCH
Enthusiasm at Meeting

Ballarat enhanced its cultural reputation last evening when an enthusiastic assemblage of over 100 people unanimously passed a resolution to form a branch of the National Theatre movement.
It is the first branch to be formed outside the metropolitan area. The Mayor (Cr J. H. Trekardo) and the Mayoress (Mrs Trekardo) were the first to become foundation members. The Bishop of Ballarat (Rt. Rev. W. H. Johnson) and Archdeacon F. P. Morgan-Payler were among others to become foundation members at the conclusion of the meeting.
The meeting had been convened by the Mayor. Miss Gertrude Johnson, the founder of the movement in Melbourne, and Mr William Carr, a producer, gave interesting addresses on the aims and objects of the movement.

FOUNDER GIVES REASONS.

Miss Johnson said that she had founded the movement two years ago in Melbourne, the idea originating with her when she was in London. She had come in contact with many young Australians seeking fame abroad, who had set out with bright hopes of making their fortunes, onmly to experience a long struggle and hard times. Often enough it had meant great sacrifices on the part of their parents to raise the necessary money for fares, merely for the adventure of their children to end in shattered hopes. She had had the honour of singing at the "Old Vic." In London with the late Dame Nellie melba. The late Lilian Bayliss, who was a woman whose noble qualities were an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact, provided for the poor residents of the locality Shakespearean plays and opera at the "Old Vic." The presentations were of an excellent standard, yet the seats were made available for patrons for 4d. each. It was after witnessing these presentations that an idea took concrete shape. When she came back to Melbourne she had set about the establishment of the National Theatre movement. Fifty people had attended her first meeting, but in two months the membership had expanded to 800. After two years the membership now stood at 3000, and as they were very ambitious they were hopeful that in another two years it would be 10,000 strong. (Applause.) The object of the movement was to foster talent among the members so that entertainment could be provided in the four branches of the art. It served a treble purpose. Firstly, it eliminated the need for the youth of Australia to leave this country to obtain proper training; secondly, it made them ambassadors when they left these shores as capable artists; and thirdly, it kept within Australia the credit for the success they achieved abroad. The movement provided entertainment for its members, and gave free tuition by proved teachers to young talent in drama, opera, gesture, diction, and physical culture.

LOCAL ARTIST PRAISED.

The world-famed South Street Competitions was sufficient indication of Ballarat's interest in artistry, and in "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," which was to be presented by the movement in Melbourne, the part of "Henrietta" would be played by Miss J. Parkinson, of this City, who she was quite certain would fill the part admirably. She had had the pleasure of hearing Miss Parkinson sing, and considered she possessed a delightful voice. The members of the proposed branch would not only be able to receive tuition, but members would also be given the opportunity of seeing the Melbourne artists perform in this city, and the Ballarat branch would be invited to present their own entertainments to Melbourne audiences. Whatever money was raised by the proposed Ballarat branch would remain the property of the branch and would not be taken away from them by Melbourne.
Mr William Carr said Miss Johnson was an idealist, and that was the reason why she had been able to obtain the co-operation of others who were prepared to work in an honorary capacity to foster the talent of young Australians. He was a member of the staff, and perhaps with that one exception he could say it was an extremely competent one. (Laughter.) Mr Carr spoke at some length on the work undertaken by the movement, and the assistance it was giving in developing the talents of members.
The Mayor called upon the Bishop to move a resolution. The Bishop them moved -
"That this meeting of citizens of Ballarat affirms the desirability of forming branch of the National Theatre movement in this city."
He said he did not wish to start an argument, but it was very serious indeed that the Ballarat public had to content themselves with moving pictures and did not have the opportunity of witnessing opera and drama.
The motion was seconded by the Rev. H. P. Fewtrell and carried unanimously.
A further motion was carried, "That all present pledge themselves to do all in their power to form a branch of the National Theatre, and give their names to the secretary to be appointed."
The following office-bearers were elected: President, Dr R. Davidson; deputy president, Mrs R. H. Ramsay; vice-presidents, Mesdames M. Exell, M. Bruce, and Dr Graham Roberts; secretary, Miss H. Moodie; assistant secretary, Miss H. Morshead; treasurer, Mr Neil Kellas; organiser, Miss J. Parkinson.

This article, which appeared in the Ballarat Courier on 23rd March, 1938 marked the beginning of the fifty-year history of Ballarat National Theatre. The inaugural meeting of the National Theatre Movement, Ballarat Branch, was attended by Miss Gertrude J ohnson, who had founded the National Theatre Movement in Melbourne two years previously. The Ballarat branch was the first. established outside the metropolitan area, and is the only one of several regional branches which is still operating.

Miss Johnson, an opera singer of international renown had initiated the National Theatre Movement for the purpose of establishing a national theatre, including a children's theatre, and to make the theatre the home of drama. music and dancing. In addition the movement sought to assist Australian artists. writers and composers, and to produce the best possible entertainment at moderate prices.

Mrs Jenny Strickland, better known then as Jenny Parkinson. was the first organiser of the branch and it was mainly due to her energy and interest that the movement became firmly established in Ballarat. While she was organiser, and during the first year of its inauguration, monthly meetings were held at the Wattle. well known for many years for its teas and receptions.

At the Wattle a small but satisfactory stage was available, and the branch installed front and proscenium curtains. At the monthly meetings readings of well-known three-act plays were given, to the great enjoyment of members. These included "London Wall", "A Bill of Divorcement", "The Admirable Crichton", "The Lady with the Lamp", and many others. In addition, numbers of one-act plays, scenes from Shakespeare and musical items were presented.

The first public performance in Ballarat by the movement was given in June 1938, when "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" was presented in the Alfred Hall by the Melbourne players. This was produced by Mr William P. Carr and proved to be a great success. In April 1939, the Ballarat branch produced "Smilin' Through". Again Mr Carr directed the production and the play firmly established the branch's reputation. It should be noted that it is recorded in the minutes that Mr Carr, although a well known and respected professional director, was happy to work for the Ballarat branch for "the cost of a quarterly train ticket and should the production be financially successful such a share of the profits as the committee should decide as appropriate". (minutes 12/12/38)

One of the branch's most successful productions was A.A. Milne's "Mr Pim Passes By", with J. Beresford Fowler as producer. This was presented in the Plaza Theatre for a two-night season in April 1940, and later staged in the Horsham Town Hall. These two seasons were responsible for raising a considerable sum for patriotic funds, namely The Red Cross and the Australian Comforts Fund. In December the highly popular farce "Take My Advice", produced by Thelma Morton and Ronald Mann was presented in the Plaza Theatre and at Horsham. In addition both plays were presented in country district towns. That year proved a most successful one for the Ballarat branch and at the annual meeting in March 1941, it was reported that no less than £193 had been raised for patriotic funds. The branch's activities did not cease with these two major productions however, and numbers of smaller works were presented in Ballarat and several towns in the district.

"Berkley Square" was the most notable production of 1941, and there were numerous one-act plays and play-readings presented, but due to war conditions the branch was unable to continue its large-scale activities of the previous year. However, "World Without Men" a one-act play directed by Thelma Morton was taken to the camps to entertain the troops.

1944 saw a marked revival in activities, and members found their meetings enlivened by play-readings, much of the work marked by the general enthusiasm and ability of the actors and producers. In addition some entertaining. programmes were provided for the men of the services in No. 107 Convalescent depot and No. 108 Hospital.

In the early years of its history the Ballarat branch were fortunate in having several very able producers and productions were noted to have been of an excellent standard. Mr William Carr was well known throughout Australia for his theatrical work; other producers included Ronald Mann and Frank Turner, Miss Thelma Morton (later Mrs Thelma Walker), Mrs Nunn and Mrs Nixon.

One of the greatest handicaps the branch had to overcome was the absence of a suitable hall for rehearsals and productions. For a time the branch used the Wattle; then it secured an excellent room at the Returned Soldiers' Institute. Later three different venues were used, the City Hall, Christ Church Hall and Miss Frizzelle's dance studio rooms in the Mechanics' Institute. It was to be June 1949 before the branch found its first permanent home in what was known as the Theatrette in Camp Street. For many years this was known affectionately to Ballarat audiences as the Little Theatre. At the official opening of the theatrette the Mayor, Cr F.C. Wray commended the Ballarat National Theatre Movement for giving real public service, "I clearly recollect the wonderful job the branch did during the war. It raised several hundreds of pounds for welfare funds as well as entertaining troops in camps. This was meritorious service for which the city is grateful, and I hope this will be the beginning of many fine performances. I ask that this movement be given the assistance of Ballarat people, including financial help". (Ballarat Courier 9.6.49). The Little Theatre held around 100 patrons and was Ballarat's first and only intimate theatre. Sadly, it closed in 1984. The first production in the new theatrette was George Bernard Shaw's "Candida" produced by Austin McCallum.

In a fifty-year history of continuous community theatre, the list of productions is long. The latter years of the war saw a renewal of enthusiasm among the Ballarat branch's members. In 1944 "The Late Christopher Bean" produced under the direction of W.P. Carr by Thelma Morton, was performed at the Plaza Theatre in aid of The Benevolent Home, as the Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre was then known. In the same year Thelma was also responsible. for another production at the Plaza Theatre, "Woman Bites Dog".

1945 proved to be the Ballarat branch's most successful year with three major productions - J.B. Priestley's "Dangerous Corner", produced by Norah Nixon; "Night Must Fall" by Emlyn Williams, produced by Jenny Strickland and staged at the Trades Hall, and "George and Margaret" by Gerald Savery, production by Thelma Morton and presented at the Alfred Hall. Also in 1945 NTM Melbourne. under the direction of W.P. Carr, brought the production of Terence Rattigan's "French Without Tears" to Ballarat, where it was staged at the Alfred Hall.