Belvoir (theatre company)

Belvoir
Formation 1984
Type Theatre group
Location
Artistic director(s)
 Eamon Flack
Website belvoir.com.au

Belvoir is an Australian theatre company based at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney, Australia. Its artistic director is Eamon Flack.

Belvoir receives government support for its activities from the federal government through the Major Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council for the Arts and the state government through Arts NSW.[1]

History

Belvoir began, in 1984, with a unique action taken to save the Nimrod Theatre building. Two syndicates were established, 'Company A' with shares at $1000 each, which would own the building, and 'Company B', with shares at $10 each.[2] 'Company B' aimed to stage theatre productions which were 'contemporary, politically sharp, hard-edged Australian theatre; to develop new forms of theatrical expression; work by and about Aboriginal Australians; work created by women; radical interpretations of the classics and work that is surprising, diverse and passionate'.[3]

Belvoir was officially launched in February 1985.[2] Later that year, Signal Driver, written by Patrick White and directed by Neil Armfield, was 'the first play produced from the ground up by Belvoir'.[4] In the lead roles were Kerry Walker and John Gaden.[4][5] The theatre poster was designed by Martin Sharp.[2] Armfield later recalled that White, who had purchased ten shares in the theatre, was its 'greatest shareholder'.[4]

From its foundation, Belvoir also instituted a 'parity pay policy' where all employees, from actors to stage hands, received the same hourly rate of pay.[6] This policy, which continued from 1985 to the end of the 2011 season,[7] prompted former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating to describe the Belvoir as 'Australia’s last commune'.[8]

In 2005, Belvoir temporarily moved to the Seymour Centre, Chippendale, while the theatre building underwent an $11.6 million renovation, and returned the following year.[9]

In January 2011, Ralph Myers took over from Neil Armfield as artistic director, stating 'There's a wealth of Australian playwriting and 2500 years of great plays to draw on, I don't see a need to import new plays from overseas.'[7] In July 2014, Myers announced that he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the 2015 season.[10] Myers said he had 'an "ideological" commitment to the regular turnover of artistic directorships'.[10]

Also in 2011, Belvoir appointed Simon Stone as the first director-in-residence.[11] Stone's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's The Wild Duck, with the Belvoir, went on to win both Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Awards, in 2011, before being taken to Oslo for a three night performance as part of the 2012 International Ibsen Festival.[12] Stone resigned from his position in 2013,[11] and was replaced by dual directors-in-residence Adena Jacobs and Anne-Louise Sarks.[13]

In 2015 Myers was succeeded as Artistic Director by Eamon Flack.[14]

2017 Season

2016 Season

2015 Season

2014 Season

2013 Season

2012 Season

2011 Season

2010 Season

Belvoir Education Program

The Belvoir's education program for students and teachers includes practical theatre workshops at the theatre or participating school, tours of backstage and behind the scenes areas of the theatre, technical tours led by a professional theatre technician and a Theatre Enrichment Program for 'senior English and Drama students in Western Sydney and regional NSW'.[15] In addition, Belvoir’s Outreach Program partners with local youth support organisations such as Youth Off The Streets, The John Berne School, Twenty10 and Regenesis Youth.[15] Through the Priority Funded Schools Program Belvoir also allows selected students to attend some performances free of charge.[15] Limited student work experience and work placement opportunities are also available.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Major performing arts organisations: Belvoir". Arts NSW. Government of New South Wales. 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Cousins, Robert (2011-06-04). "Belvoir St: coming of age". The Australian. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  3. ↑ Filmer, Andrew (6 July 2006). "A Place For Theatre: Performing At Belvoir Street". Backstage Space: The Place of the Performer (PDF). Department of Performance Studies, University of Sydney. p. 201. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  4. 1 2 3 Armfield, Neil (2012). "Patrick White: A Centenary Tribute". Meanjin. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  5. ↑ Blake, Elissa (2009-03-21). "Never far from home". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  6. ↑ Schwartzkoff, Louise (21 February 2009). "The theatre company where nobody gets top billing". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  7. 1 2 Boland, Michaela (2010-09-16). "Ralph Myers puts stamp on Belvoir St". The Australian. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  8. ↑ "Belvoir Annual Report 2011" (PDF). Belvoir St. Theatre. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  9. ↑ Jinman, Richard (2006-07-26). "Asbestos in the roof the latest drama at Belvoir Street". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  10. 1 2 Blake, Elissa (2014-07-22). "Final curtain: Belvoir artistic director Ralph Myers to leave theatre company". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  11. 1 2 Saxby, John (2013-04-08). "Director-in-residence leaves Belvoir home". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  12. ↑ Blake, Elissa (2012-04-24). "Award-winning Belvoir production chosen for Ibsen festival". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  13. ↑ Dow, Steven (2013-04-09). "Secret's out: Belvoir unveils a double bill". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  14. ↑ "Eamon Flack Appointed New Artistic Director". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 November 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Education at Belvoir". Belvoir St. Theatre. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
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