Genesian Theatre Company Finds New Stage in Rozelle
- neighbourhoodmedia
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
After seven decades in the CBD, the Genesian Theatre is raising the curtain on a brand-new chapter in Rozelle.
After putting on theatre classics in the tiny repurposed church on Kent Street for more than 70 years, the Genesian Theatre Company (GTC) has moved to a new home with new possibilities in Rozelle.
Neighbourhood Media spoke with theatre manager, Alice (Ali) Bendall about the past, present and future of GTC.
“It was such a happy/sad moment,” says Bendall. “The new venue was stunning, but we had a fair few teething issues, especially making all the tech sing and dance how we needed for our productions. And we had a very short turnaround from getting the keys to the first curtain going up on An Inspector Calls. We were essentially handed an empty venue, so our incredible team from the first play were so patient and helpful as we built dressing rooms, furnished the space and took time to work out the best way to do things.”
History of Gensian Theatre Company
The GTC is actually 80 years old, created by a Catholic Youth Organisation in 1944 and named after St Genesius, the patron saint of actors. They performed in various venues before finding a permanent home in the deconsecrated St John the Evangelist church on Kent St in the CBD.
In 2017, the company was asked to vacate the premises by the landlords, the Catholic Church. After negotiating a two-year reprieve, GTC got another stay of eviction thanks to the pandemic. In the meantime, they managed to secure a new venue: the old school hall next to St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rozelle.
“It’s a beautiful 130-seat playhouse with all the mod-cons!” says Bendall. “We have air-con that doubles as heating in the winter. Two large dressing rooms, a large Front-Of-House area with space for punters to sit and enjoy a drink before the show as well as at interval.”
Bendall joined the GTC in 2021, bringing with her a wealth of talent and experience as a writer, choreographer, performer, director and now manager. She adapted Jane Eyre for the stage as the swan song performance for the Kent St venue — oh, and she also directed and co-designed the set and costumes.
Mixed Emotions
Reflecting on the move, Bendall has mixed feelings, saying there are some things she won’t miss: “The unwelcome inhabitants (rats! cockroaches!) All part and parcel of having such a beautiful old building.”
And some things she definitely will miss: “The feeling and sense of tradition; the walls seemed to breathe, having witnessed so much history, theatre and actors take to that stage. That sense of community and theatre tradition is something we have tried to hold onto and solidify as we move into our new venue.”
Something else they’ve held onto is the beautiful stained glass windows, which they removed from Kent St and will soon hang inside light boxes in the upstairs gallery at Rozelle.
Upcoming Productions
The GTC is renowned for its repertoire featuring classic plays and traditional productions. The new venue launched with a brilliant production of the thriller, An Inspector Calls, followed by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Currently playing is Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime, adapted from an Oscar Wilde story. The rest of the season features: The Lady Vanishes, Moriarty - A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure, Side By Side by Sondheim, and It’s A Wonderful Life.
“From our incredibly full houses, the traditional seems to be what our patrons want,” says Bendall. “We strive to provide professional-level theatre at affordable prices. Theatre for everyone.”
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