Look back on amateur performers’ past

AN upcoming talk at the Eureka Centre will offer a deep dive into the history and development of amateur theatre in Victoria.

Early next month, Dr Cheryl Threadgold will guide attendees through the less-supported corner of performing arts with her presentation History of Theatre in Victorian Communities as part of the centre’s Talking History forum.

Dr Threadgold, whose free talk will trace amateur performance from the mid-1800s to the modern era, said there’s a rich history of it to be found in the region.

“From 1788 with the European landing, convicts staged a play on a ship called the Scarborough before they’d even landed,” she said.

“Theatre is such wonderful escapism. There were no professional productions in Australia then. There were small productions until by about 1800.

“Victoria’s first theatre was established in Bourke Street in 1842 where amateur actors actually opened in that show. They’ve really made their mark over the years even into Ballarat with the goldrush.”

Dr Threadgold will draw on her 2019 thesis Amatorem: The History and Culture of Amateur Theatre in Victoria, which was completed over a four-year period at Swinburne University of Technology.

She expanded on the piece with a 2020 book year called In the Name of Theatre: The History, Culture and Voices of Amateur Theatre in Victoria, drawn from more than 70 interviews.

She said the aim of the talk is to raise awareness in Victorian communities about the importance of their local amateur theatre companies.

“I hope they walk away with a greater appreciation of our amateur theatre theatrical arts industry,” she said.

“The unpaid theatre-makers do wonderful work. They’re dedicated and passionate event though they’re not paid. For the individual it’s so good for their mental and physical health wellbeing.

“They’re so rich to our community history. I represented every amateur theatre company represented in my book and at the time there were 148 active in Victoria.

“I’ll be bringing this up to date talking about companies in Ballarat and reaching out to them for any latest news I can incorporate.”

Talking History – History of Theatre in Victorian Communities will run from 5.30pm at the Eureka Centre on Thursday 5 October.