Old Tote Theatre Company
Encyclopedia
The Old Tote Theatre Company (1963–1978) began as the standing acting
and theatre company of Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art
(NIDA) and was the precursor to the Sydney Theatre Company
.. It was one of the leading Australian theatre companies of the period.
The Old Tote began in a converted tin shed on the campus of University of New South Wales
in Sydney. The wood and corrugated iron building (originally an army recreation hall) became known as the "Old Tote" because it had previously been part of the group of buildings that had formerly housed the totalisator betting machine when the site had been Kensington Racecourse. The building still stands, and is now known as the Figtree Theatre.
The University contributed six thousand pounds to convert the building into a theatre and its debut production, which opened on 2 February 1963, was a highly successful production of Anton Chekhov
's The Cherry Orchard
, starring Sophie Stewart
and her husband Ellis Irving
, with Gordon Chater
as Yepihodov, John Bell
as Trefimov and Ron Haddrick
as Gayev, which ran for almost two months. This was followed by a double bill of The Bald Prima Donna and The Fire Raisers
, with a cast that including Brian James, Gwen Plumb
, Neil Fitzpatrick, Anna Volska
and Jack Allan. Other productions in the first season included Hamlet
, with John Bell in the title role, and Playboy of the Western World. The first season was an outstanding success and was extended to 28 weeks, with an average nightly capacity of 95%.
In 1967 it was proposed to replace the old building with a new complex housing NIDA
, the School of Drama and a larger theatre, but this plan was never carried out. In May 1969 the company moved to a temporary venue, the Parade Theatre, on the western side of the UNSW campus on Anzac Parade, which was about twice the size of the Old Tote and had a larger stage.
In 1968 a decision was made to separate the Old Tote Company and NIDA. With a subsidy from the newly created Australian Council for the Arts The Old Tote then embarked on a policy of expansion and at the request of the state government it took on the responsibilities of a state theatre company, which led to commitments to stage productions at both the Sydney Opera House
and the Seymour Centre as well as at the Parade. The Old Tote company went on to occupy the Drama Theatre of the Sydney Opera House
from 1973 to 1978 and also toured some of the shows around Australia, including Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead to the Canberra Theatre
Centre. However these additional activities, compounded by lack of support from the NSW state government, overstretched the company's resources and in 1978 the Old Tote went into liquidation.
The Parade Theatre was subsequently demolished to make way for the development of a new complex to house the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Many distinguished and much-loved actors, such as Ruth Cracknell
, Ron Haddrick
, Neil Fitzpatrick, Jacki Weaver
, John Bell
, Dinah Shearing, Helmut Bakaitis
, Robyn Nevin
, Elizabeth Alexander, Reg Livermore
, Dennis Olsen
, Gary Files
and Jennifer Hagan, appeared in more than 90 productions of the classics and contemporary plays from the international repertoire.
Jim Sharman
became interested in directing experimental theatre and he soon made a name for himself in Sydney with his groundbreaking productions at the Old Tote Theatre Company many of which were designed by his long-time collaborator Brian Thomson
. Renowned director Richard Wherrett
also directed productions for the Old Tote.
Acting
Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theatre, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play....
and theatre company of Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
(NIDA) and was the precursor to the Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company
The Sydney Theatre Company is one of Australia's best-known theatre companies operating from The Wharf Theatre near The Rocks area of Sydney, as well as the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre....
.. It was one of the leading Australian theatre companies of the period.
The Old Tote began in a converted tin shed on the campus of University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney. The wood and corrugated iron building (originally an army recreation hall) became known as the "Old Tote" because it had previously been part of the group of buildings that had formerly housed the totalisator betting machine when the site had been Kensington Racecourse. The building still stands, and is now known as the Figtree Theatre.
The University contributed six thousand pounds to convert the building into a theatre and its debut production, which opened on 2 February 1963, was a highly successful production of Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
's The Cherry Orchard
The Cherry Orchard
The Cherry Orchard is Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's last play. It premiered at the Moscow Art Theatre 17 January 1904 in a production directed by Constantin Stanislavski. Chekhov intended this play as a comedy and it does contain some elements of farce; however, Stanislavski insisted on...
, starring Sophie Stewart
Sophie Stewart
Sophie Stewart was a British actress. She was born in Crieff, Perthshire on 5 March 1908. Died 1977. In 1937 she starred in Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel as Lady Blakeney.She was married to the actor Ellis Irving.-Selected filmography:...
and her husband Ellis Irving
Ellis Irving
Ellis Irving was an Australian film actor who appeared in a number of British films. He was married to the actress Sophie Stewart.-Selected filmography:* The Bermondsey Kid * Murder at Monte Carlo * The Black Mask...
, with Gordon Chater
Gordon Chater
Gordon Chater was a comedian and actor.Chater attended Cambridge University to study to become a doctor but did not finish his degree. While at Cambridge he took part in many student revues.He arrived in Australia following World War II...
as Yepihodov, John Bell
John Bell (actor)
John Anthony Bell, AO, OBE is an Australian actor and theatre director.Bell was born 1 November 1940 in the town of Maitland, New South Wales where he was educated at the Marist Brothers....
as Trefimov and Ron Haddrick
Ron Haddrick
Ronald Norman Haddrick MBE is an Australian theatre, film and voice actor.-Early life:Haddrick was born in Adelaide, Australia, the only son of Olive May and Alexander Norman Haddrick.-Cricket:...
as Gayev, which ran for almost two months. This was followed by a double bill of The Bald Prima Donna and The Fire Raisers
The Fire Raisers
The Fire Raisers may refer to* The Fire Raisers , a 1933 British film starring Leslie Banks* The Fire Raisers , aka "The Firebugs", a 1953 German play...
, with a cast that including Brian James, Gwen Plumb
Gwen Plumb
Gwen Plumb AM BEM was a veteran Australian performer of stage, radio and television.-Biography:Gwendoline Jean Plumb was born in 1912...
, Neil Fitzpatrick, Anna Volska
Anna Volska
Anna Volska is an Australian television actress. She arrived in Australia when she was young and has acted from a young age.-Television work:...
and Jack Allan. Other productions in the first season included Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
, with John Bell in the title role, and Playboy of the Western World. The first season was an outstanding success and was extended to 28 weeks, with an average nightly capacity of 95%.
In 1967 it was proposed to replace the old building with a new complex housing NIDA
Nida
Nida may refer to:* Nida, Lithuania* Nida in Poland* Nida , an ancient roman town in the northwestern suburbs of today's Frankfurt am Main, Germany* Nida, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland...
, the School of Drama and a larger theatre, but this plan was never carried out. In May 1969 the company moved to a temporary venue, the Parade Theatre, on the western side of the UNSW campus on Anzac Parade, which was about twice the size of the Old Tote and had a larger stage.
In 1968 a decision was made to separate the Old Tote Company and NIDA. With a subsidy from the newly created Australian Council for the Arts The Old Tote then embarked on a policy of expansion and at the request of the state government it took on the responsibilities of a state theatre company, which led to commitments to stage productions at both the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
and the Seymour Centre as well as at the Parade. The Old Tote company went on to occupy the Drama Theatre of the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
from 1973 to 1978 and also toured some of the shows around Australia, including Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead to the Canberra Theatre
Canberra Theatre
The Canberra Theatre Centre is the Australian Capital Territory’s central performing arts venue and Australia’s first performing arts centre, the first Australian Government initiated performing arts centre to be completed, that opened on Thursday 24 June 1965 with a gala performance by the...
Centre. However these additional activities, compounded by lack of support from the NSW state government, overstretched the company's resources and in 1978 the Old Tote went into liquidation.
The Parade Theatre was subsequently demolished to make way for the development of a new complex to house the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Many distinguished and much-loved actors, such as Ruth Cracknell
Ruth Cracknell
Ruth Cracknell AM was an Australian theatre and television character actress who appeared in many comedy roles. She was known variously as "Crackers", "Dame Crackers" and "Dame Ruth" throughout a career spanning 56 years....
, Ron Haddrick
Ron Haddrick
Ronald Norman Haddrick MBE is an Australian theatre, film and voice actor.-Early life:Haddrick was born in Adelaide, Australia, the only son of Olive May and Alexander Norman Haddrick.-Cricket:...
, Neil Fitzpatrick, Jacki Weaver
Jacki Weaver
Jacqueline Ruth "Jacki" Weaver is an Australian theatre, film and television actress. She is best known outside Australia for her performance in Animal Kingdom, for which she was nominated for the 2011 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.-Career:Jacki Weaver has been working in Australian...
, John Bell
John Bell (actor)
John Anthony Bell, AO, OBE is an Australian actor and theatre director.Bell was born 1 November 1940 in the town of Maitland, New South Wales where he was educated at the Marist Brothers....
, Dinah Shearing, Helmut Bakaitis
Helmut Bakaitis
Helmut Bakaitis is an Australian director, actor and screenwriter.Bakaitis was born in Lauban, Silesia, Germany to Lithuanian parents...
, Robyn Nevin
Robyn Nevin
Robyn Anne Nevin AM , is an Australian stage and screen actress, and is considered by some as a doyenne of Australian theatre.- Early life :...
, Elizabeth Alexander, Reg Livermore
Reg Livermore
Reginald Dawson Livermore AO is an Australian actor, singer, theatrical performer and television presenter.-Childhood:From a young age, Livermore demonstrated an interest in the performing arts...
, Dennis Olsen
Dennis Olsen
Dennis Hans Olsen AM , is an accomplished Australian singer, actor, director and pianist.-Professional career:...
, Gary Files
Gary Files
Gary Files was born in Melbourne, Australia and is an Australian-Canadian actor, writer and director who has resided in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He has lived in Australia since 1976.-Early life:...
and Jennifer Hagan, appeared in more than 90 productions of the classics and contemporary plays from the international repertoire.
Jim Sharman
Jim Sharman
James "Jim" Sharman , the son of boxing tent entrepreneur Jimmy Sharman, is a director and writer for film and stage with over 70 productions to his credit...
became interested in directing experimental theatre and he soon made a name for himself in Sydney with his groundbreaking productions at the Old Tote Theatre Company many of which were designed by his long-time collaborator Brian Thomson
Brian Thomson
Brian Thomson is an Australian theatre, opera and film designer. He has been active in Australian stage design for over three decades.Thomson began a long and successful collaboration with director Jim Sharman after they met at Heavenburgers on Sydney's Oxford Street in 1969; they worked together...
. Renowned director Richard Wherrett
Richard Wherrett
Richard Bruce Wherrett AM was an influential and successful Australian theatrical director, whose career spanned 40 years.Richard Wherrett was born in 1940...
also directed productions for the Old Tote.