Playhouse Theatre, Dunedin

The Playhouse Theatre is a theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand. It was converted from a lodge into a 100-seat theatre by the Southern Comedy Players in 1962. Since the late 1960s it has been home to the Dunedin Repertory Society, who regularly perform youth productions for children.

Playhouse Theatre, Dunedin
Location31 Albany Street, Dunedin
OperatorAncient Order of Foresters Friendly Society (1876–1960)
Southern Comedy Players (1961–1969)
Southern Theatre Trust (1969)
Dunedin Repertory Society (1969–present)
Capacity130-seat
Website
https://www.playhousetheatre.co.nz/

Southern Comedy Players

The building, at 31 Albany Street, dates from 1876, and was converted from the Foresters' Lodge Hall in 1962 by William Menlove and Bernard Esquilant for theatre company Southern Comedy Players.[1][2] When opened the theatre had 100 seats, and the "Stage Set" cafe and a craft exhibition space on the top floor.[1]

The repertoire for the Southern Comedy Players included contemporary West End comedy, musicals, classics and dramas.[3] The Southern Comedy Players became the Southern Theatre Trust which folded in 1970.[4]

Dunedin Repertory Society

The Playhouse is home to the Dunedin Repertory Society, which was formed in 1931 but has been based at The Playhouse since the late 1960s.[5][6] The Society currently specialises in youth productions, and regularly performs youth productions for children in the school holidays. Recent productions have included The Hunting of the Snark, adapted from Lewis Carroll by Diane Dupres, in April 2021,[7] and Treasure Island; Sleeping Beauty is an up-coming production for July 2021.[8] The Playhouse also hosts an annual adult production, past productions have included a professional production of Aristophanes' The Clouds, directed by Harry Love in 2019, and Never the Sinner, by John Logan, directed by Lewis Ablett-Kerr.[6][9][10]

During 2020 the society had to move productions to Logan Park High School due to a leaking roof. The roof was subsequently replaced using a grant from the Dunedin Heritage Fund, which was the first renovation work since the conversion in the 1960s.[2] In April 2021, the Society's President Jemma Adams called for public input into the future of the building, which is in need of significant further renovation.[11]

Musical Theatre

Some of Dunedin Operatic Inc.'s early productions [now Musical Theatre Dunedin] were staged in the Playhouse Theatre.[12]

Notable alumni

Ryan O'Kane began his acting career performing with Playhouse Theatre, aged 5.[13]

Awards

At the 2019 Dunedin Theatre Awards, the Playhouse was awarded Outstanding Contribution to Children's Theatre.[14]

References
  1. McDonald, Alister (16 April 2021). "BERNARD ESQUILANT OBITUARY: PIONEER OF NZ PROFESSIONAL THEATRE". www.theatreview.org.nz. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  2. MacLean, Hamish (14 April 2021). "Playhouse upgrade probably too much for Repertory". Otago Daily Times Online News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  3. "Bernard Esquilant, 1926-2021 (As published in the Otago Daily Times)". www.theatreview.org.nz. 11 March 2021. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  4. Smith, Charmian (17 July 2014). "Theatre of Fortune". Otago Daily Times Online News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  5. "Theatre Aotearoa". Theatre Aotearoa database. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  6. Harwood, Brenda (1 September 2019). "Playhouse looking to play greater role". Otago Daily Times Online News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  7. "The Hunting of the Snark — Dunedin City of Literature". www.cityofliterature.co.nz. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  8. "Playhouse Theatre Dunedin". Playhouse Theatre Dunedin. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  9. Fox, Rebecca (29 July 2019). "A tragic education". Otago Daily Times Online News. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  10. Fox, Rebecca (25 May 2017). "No easy answers". Otago Daily Times Online News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  11. Harwood, Brenda (22 April 2021). "Opinion sought on Playhouse future". Otago Daily Times Online News. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  12. "History - Musical Theatre Dunedin". mtd.org.nz. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  13. "Ryan O'Kane - Class of 2000". Otago Daily Times Online News. 9 August 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  14. "New Zealand Theatre: theatre reviews, performance reviews". Theatreview. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

45.86618°S 170.50904°E / -45.86618; 170.50904

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