From there it was just a small step to forming theatre groups and choirs, for their own entertainment, and to raise money for institutions like the Hospital, the Fire Brigade, and the Orphan and Benevolent Asylums.

THE THEATRE ROYAL C. 1867 (PICTURE COURTESY GOLD MUSEUM)

That vigorous performing tradition eventually flowered in the South Street Society, whose Competitions gave those keen to develop their performing skills opportunities to develop those skills and goals to strive for.

PICTURE: MR.W.M.BROWN ON STAGE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL (FROM BALLARAT PUNCH 1867)




Whatever the reason, Ballarat never seems to be short of someone who can take the stage, and this was perhaps most in evidence during the Second World War, when there was a great demand for people to organise fund-raising activities for the war effort.

The groups that formed during the War seemed to have a drive and momentum to continue afterwards, and local charities benefited enormously from the sums raised by companies like the Pantomime and Revue Companies, or the Ballarat Theatrical and Musical Comedy Company.

While those companies have long gone, they have left a significant legacy in a level of skill and commitment amongst those in the community interested in performing, and an expectation in the broader community that there will be a big local show at Her Majesty's, every year, that there is a range of dance and calisthenic schools, that there are avenues open for people wishing to play music. Many people contributed to make them what they were.

Wavie Williams had extensive experience in dance and acting before she produced her first big panto at Her Majesty's - Babes in the Wood - in 1940. Before long her shows were known as polished productions, well scripted and staged with a great deal of finesse. Wavie stressed discipline and commitment, and her productions gave many Ballarat people an excellent grounding for a lifelong involvement with the performing arts.

Emily Eeles started the Sunbeams Revue Company to assist in raising money for the Ballarat kindergartens. The Revues were noted for big, colourful production numbers and excellent chorus work. As well as the dancers, the line ups usually included a magician, a comedian, gymnastic troupe, and benefited from choral support from the Masonic Male Choir. As with the Panto Company, an active Committee looked after the business affairs, and all proceeds went to charity.

The Ballarat Light Opera Company has presented over 40 performances of popular musical comedies since Blossom Time at the Lower Civic Hall in 1958. Oklahoma was the first musical the Company staged at Her Majesty's, in 1962, and again in 1964 and 1999.

Ballarat Lyric Theatre, which split from BLOC in 1963, presented Naughty Marietta the following year. In the programme they said, "let us not become complacent .... for without you, the audience, such companies as Ballarat Lyric Theatre cannot survive."

Ballarat National Theatre was the first branch of the National Theatre Movement outside the metropolitan area. It was started in 1938, following earlier attempts to set up repertory or Little Theatre companies. National is now Ballarat's oldest performing group.

A.A. Milne's Mr Pim Passes By, was staged in the Plaza Theatre (ANA Hall) in Camp Street in 1940. By 1959, when Who is Sylvia? was produced, National had been in their own Little Theatre in Camp Street for ten years.

Her Majesty's Theatre Archives

Her Majesty's Theatre is developing an interesting Archive of material relating to the performing arts in the Ballarat area. If you have theatre, dance or music programs or other memorabilia which you would like to donate, please do not hesitate to contact Peter Freund at Her Majesty's Theatre - phone 5333 5800 or e-mail.