The La Boite story - 90 years of not acting our age
- 23 Jul 2015
Artistic Director Todd MacDonald explains why La Boite Theatre which is celebrating its 90th birthday this year has survived and thrived for so long...
La Boite has survived the most turbulent periods of the 20th century – wars, depression, disasters, moving pictures, television, the internet, the smartphone and rugby league – all in a state far from being celebrated by the nation as a cultural capital. Yet La Boite is a gem for Brisbane and Queensland and stands alone in Australian history as an icon and a leader.
La Boite always lived in my mind as the home of cutting edge theatre in Brisbane – where risk is embraced and the new is celebrated. Nothing has changed on that front and it is fascinating to investigate this history – a history that is rich with change and embracing of the new.
The oldest continuously running theatre company in Australian history, La Boite is the only company in Australia to have journeyed from a repertory theatre model (The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society) to a professional structure (La Boite Theatre Company). It has the only dedicated purpose-built theatre-in-the-round in Australia. It is extraordinarily and profoundly Brisbane.
I am only seven months into my appointment as the most recent Artistic Director and CEO of La Boite Theatre Company and to say it is daunting to write this and be at its helm during its 90th year is a gross understatement.
I am reflecting deeply about the history, character and longevity of La Boite as we near the 90th Anniversary of its first performance on Friday the 31st July 1925 with a production of A.A. Milne’s English comedy, The Dover Road. On that very night this month we will celebrate this incredible milestone with a 1920’s themed party in and around the Roundhouse Theatre in Kelvin Grove – we hope anyone who has ever trod the boards, worked at the company or seen a show there will join us!
It is no surprise to me that La Boite has survived so long. On the one hand, I can say that simply looking at the adventurousness in the repertoire over the past 90 years that has included classical and popular works, right through to compelling new Australian writing – but I think it is much more to do with the people. The leadership, staff, members, artists and audiences are the reason it has survived and flourished. At its heart was a solid 20 year commitment by Barbara Sisley and co-founder Professor JJ Stables that created a foundation of passion and serious dedication, skill and daring which I suspect then attracted likeminded artists and audiences to its fold.
It also reflects some of the character of the city itself. Perhaps it is the fact that Brisbane is a tight-knit, smaller city that values the local and has never cared much for its southern detractors? Perhaps in recent decades the uniqueness of a theatre-in-the-round inspired artists to think outside the box? Perhaps the democratic quality of in-the-round theatre continues to capture the imagination of audiences? Maybe it’s the weather? But in the 42 years it spent as proscenium arch based amateur theatre society it was able gather a strong and loyal audience I believe because it told our stories. It told brave stories, entertaining stories, controversial stories and stories that sometimes were hard for us to hear but were better off for hearing.
I never knew its founders but I can guess (as it is for me) that adventure and a drive to affect audiences would have been at the heart of the choices made in programming, staffing and venue.
Love La Boite for its uniqueness, critique the works that are on if you don’t like them (passionate discussion is always good!) – but celebrate it for being here. For making a difference and for continuing to challenge and entertain us.
To understand more of the history of La Boite I urge you to look at our online archive and read Christine Comans’ comprehensive history of the company La Boite – the story of an Australian theatre company, and better yet, come to the party and meet the many who have made La Boite what it is today.
Todd is the Artistic Director of La Boite Theatre Company in Brisbane, appointed in January 2015. He is an actor, director and producer and previously worked four years with Queensland Theatre Company as Artistic Associate. Originally from Queensland, Todd spent 15 years in Melbourne, during which time he co-founded and ran The Store Room Theatre – an iconic independent theatre company in North Fitzroy. Todd recently directed Medea for La Boite and is about to commence rehearsals for Prize Fighter at La Boite for the Brisbane Festival.
Twitter- tmacD12