The year 2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the Ipswich Little Theatre and the amateur company are hoping it will also mark a season of sell-out performances.

Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions last year led to a ‘wipe out’ season but the driving forces behind the scenes have been hard at work getting the perennial Little Theatre company, ‘back on the boards’.

Such is their determination that they have flagged their intentions by naming the first of the season’s productions, ‘Back on the Boards’. It is scheduled to run from March 6 to 14, with two Saturday night performances and two Sunday matinees.

In discussing how the Ipswich Little Theatre has pivoted the 2021 performances to meet Covid Safe regulations, publicity co-ordinator, Robyn Harm and Presidents and Life Members, Helen and Ian Pullar, outlined the new approach to theatre productions at the Incinerator Theatre in Burley Griffin Drive.

“Instead of presenting a full-length play, we will be presenting seven short plays in two venues within our theatre complex, the Incinerator Theatre and the Jean Pratt Auditorium,” Mr Pullar said.

In explaining the plans, Mr Pullar said both venues will house an audience capped at 45 and after the interval, audience members will be invited to relocate to the second venue. 

“All plays are comedies with a common thread of relationship, part of our drive to remain light-hearted after the trials of a Covid-19 ravaged 2020,” Mr Pullar said.

“The concept evolved at the time when the ever-changing Covid-19 restrictions would allow 50 percent capacity in theatres. 

“A major consideration in this presentation is that if restrictions are again tightened, we will have a much better chance of being able to comply with distancing requirements with half audiences.” 

Mrs Pullar said this was their way of reinventing the amateur theatre company after the challenging year 2020 threw their way. 

“It was absolutely imperative that we should get ‘back on the boards’,” she said.

“For the past eleven months, with no performances possible, we have had virtually no income while the outgoings have continued. 

“We were certainly not too far-off insolvency. 

“Our greatest asset, our own permanent home, had suddenly become a liability.”

And so the Pullars and everyone involved in the production are urging theatre enthusiasts to support an amateur company that presents very professional productions, to buy their tickets now. 

“Ipswich Little Theatre has operated continuously since 1946 providing quality entertainment to audiences and invaluable theatrical experience to thousands of would-be thespians,” Mr Pullar said. 

“We are important to Ipswich for our contribution in entertaining audiences, providing a creative outlet for performers, training for young people and people with special needs and supporting charities,” added Ms Harm. 

“Our efforts in saving and managing the Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator is a major contribution to the city and the State,” Mr Pullar said.

And Helen Pullar added the final words of encouragement with: “Come and attend our shows, bring your friends and families, audition for our plays, join our group of volunteers and promote our plays to others.”

A Little Theatre with a big history

The Ipswich Little Theatre’s annual drama festival is the longest running of its kind in Australia and quite possibly, the Southern Hemisphere.

The amateur theatre company was established in August 1946 and was sparked by the post-war revival of the Arts.

Its name grew out of the tradition of, ‘big theatre,’ meaning ‘professional’ and ‘little theatre’ meaning amateur. 

Initially, the company staged around four plays per year in the Ipswich Town Hall however, in 1955 when Ipswich Little Theatre staged its first annual drama festival where groups from across South East Queensland competed in one act plays. 

“This Festival is the longest running one of its type in Australia and we believe in the Southern Hemisphere,” Publicity Co-ordinator, Robyn Harm said. 

Eleven years later, the company initiated their junior theatre program in order to foster the young talent in the city. That same year, the Ipswich City Council closed the town hall in order to begin construction of the Civic Centre.