HISTORY
The Darlinghurst Theatre Company was originally based at the Wayside Theatre in Kings Cross. The 1999 Sydney hailstorm destroyed its roof and the search for a new home began.
In 2000, the South Sydney Council kindly provided new lodgings at the Reginald Murphy Hall and many fittings from the sadly closed Her Majesty's Theatre were salvaged and put to use in our theatre. These included theatre seats, dressing room mirrors, theatre lighting, and bar equipment including the original bar top.
With support from The NSW Ministry of the Arts, The Grosvenor Club and many individuals, $500,000 worth of internal renovations was completed and a new Sydney Theatre opened its doors in 2001.
BUILDING THE DARLINGHURST THEATRE
Darlinghurst Theatre Company very gratefully acknowledges the wonderful people, who participated during the building of the theatre.
Darlinghurst Theatre Director, Glenn Terry and designer Peter Vassallo worked closely over a period of two years to convert the Reginald Murphy Hall in Potts Point into the new Sydney theatre venue. Their cooperative effort led to the creation of a unique and highly sought-after theatre space and produced a working theatre environment complete with offices, dressing room, foyer, bar, terrace and a large, open and modern stage. It is a commendable achievement for both Peter and Glenn.
Darlinghurst Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges Glenn Terry for his theatre expertise, resourcefulness and his extensive work as Project Director. Glenn initiated the project, raised the project funds, managed the renovations, chose, sourced and organised interiors and technical equipment and was even foreman on site. The conversion from the original premise was a difficult one and Peter Vassallo's design expertise made it possible. Darlinghurst Theatre Company very gratefully acknowledges Peter Vassallo for his extensive efforts, his indispensable design skill and his sound professional advice. Peter's biography can be read below.
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is also indebted to builder John Raffe who donated countless hours and loaned his boundless skill to the project. John gave generously of his time and his enthusiasm and his ingenuity was certainly a saving grace that kept the building work on track. Craig Leonard also gave above and beyond the call of duty and through his generous donation of time and effort he certainly helped to make the project a success. Darlinghurst Theatre Company also thanks Grant Terry for his plastering work; virtually all interior walls were replaced.
Behind the scenes, our original General Manager Matt Stewart provided invaluable support and kept the company in order during very difficult times, and amazingly volunteered his spare time to help out at the site. Cristalbel Sved brilliantly directed Darlinghurst Theatre's inaugural production of "The Woolgather" giving selflessly of her time to make it a great success. Many thanks also to Phil Terry for organising of two very successful launches. Much thanks also goes to Mark Bullock, Michael Coyne, Ladislav Luzinsky and Fuji Teodosio who worked numerous hours on site. And finally a special thanks to all volunteers who turned up to wield a sledge hammer, a screw gun or a paint brush and particularly thank you to Darlo Drama Members and volunteers.
Peter Vassallo - designer
Peter Vassallo graduated in Architecture from the University of Canberra in 1995 having completed in 1991 a B.App.Sc. in environmental design. Aside from the design programme, Peter wrote two theses on – “Hegelian logic and the built environment” and, “Ethical implications of the designer as expert in the client / architect relationship”.
Peter brought to the Darlinghurst Theatre Project a wealth of experience which he accumulated in Sydney, Amsterdam, Munich and, briefly, Penang / Malaysia. His experience cuts across the design / project delivery process. It includes commercial, large-scale projects – such as three high-rise residential / commercial buildings in Sydney, as well as community-based projects – such as facilities for disabled persons in and around Munich.
Peter refers to his design work as a response to the problem at hand. He seeks to drive the design concept from issues and relationships that emerge out of his interaction with the end-users. An example is his set design for the “Office Jerks” production at Darlinghurst Theatre. There, he expressed the dynamics of power relationships in an office environment with an abstract, back-lit corridor wall running into the CEO’s office through an oversized pivot door. Peter continues to maintain interest in both the theory and practice of his work. He completed an M.Comm at the University of Sydney and is presently pursuing a Ph.D. research programme at the University of Technology – Sydney, on theory of agency.
Peter can be contacted on 9331 0767 or at peterbv@netspace.net.au
The Theatre's renovation in the year 2000 was supported by:
BENEFACTORS:
Kings Security
The Rex Hotel
PV Solar Tiles (click to see web site)
Blue Spinach Recycled Designer Clothing
Spring Espresso Bar
SPONSORS:
Hullabaloo
Many thanks to our generous donors:
Producers
Sydney Aussie Rules Club
The Grosvenor Club
Peter Vassallo Design and Management
Grant Terry Plastering
STARS:
Dr Rodney Seaborn, Greg Eccleston, Mark Gable, John Mullins, City of Sydney RSL, Darlo Bar, Mackenzie Deane, Lennox Australia, Bernard & Lisa Harper, John Mullins.
DIRECTORS:
Chris Forrest, Daniel Gerathy, David Ronalds, Iva Vrljic, Jack & Sally Mackenzie, Martin Armstrong, Natasha Gordon, Peter Erling, Cesar Esterman, Greg Kennedy.
DESIGNERS:
Amelia Shan, Janet Taylor, Peter Marsden and Judy Roth, Steve Sheppard, Ross Henderson, Fiona Mackenzie, Jason Graham-Nye, Margaret Bell.
BENEFACTORS:
Jacinta Tynan, Edwina Saunders, Shoba Singh, Rebecca Weir, Steve Sheppard.
PERFORMERS:
Artemiss Keyhani, Bronwyn Mathew, Cherilyn Price, Claire Dixon, Con Ghitgas, David Ronalds, Kathrin King, Chris Murphy, Drew Fairley, Margaret Bell, John Bryant, Joan and Peter Gerhing, George Sved, Mick Everett, Oscar Knight, Cathy Sugar, Jules Nagy, Steve Sheppard, Dr Don Drover, Felicity McDowell, Fuji Teodosio, Ian Bolland, James Moir, Jennifer Thommeny, Alan Hanson, Jenny Bowen, Julia Featherstone, Justin Bunt, Kathrin King, Kay Edwards, Laura Hacche Doran, Matthew Stewart, Maurie Barlin, Michael O’Brien, C for Casting, Natasha Davis, Patrick Tracey, Peter Carnell, Pip McKay, Soda Bremner, Stephen Holland, Susan Ryan, Suzanne Stott, Taras and Alison Misko, Tiffany Palmer, Thelma Thames-Fitsimon, Kay Edwards, Chistine Paull, Jason Crosson, Chris Weymouth, Merideth Clark, Mick Everett, Oscar Knight.
SPONSORS:
Bettina Holmes, Alex Lycon, Belinda Bennet, Bill Tucker, Cathleen Dannsey, Eva Sitta, Fiona Press, Georgia Haege, Kylie Lawrence, Madeline Shaw, Pauline Gardener, Raphael Cohen, Rob Floyd, Robert King, Shirley Larkin, Sue Mason Cox, Susan Ward, Tonje Akerholt, Yasmin Barr, Alistar Gerard, Bremner Advertising, C M Regan, Cressida Mort, David Malek, Deanne Murphy, Eva Sitta, Jacqueline Bryant, , Kate Fisher, Ken Dunlop, Leah Wright, Lindsay Moss, Michael Ballard, Pat Turner, Peter Bruce, Sarah Epstein, Sean Finn, Debbie Tilley, Janet Martin