History of the Drama Club

Drama at the College involves many staff at both School and House level.

As early as 1899 a performance of 'Julius Caesar' at what was known as 'The Opera House' (probably Fuller's Opera House) was 'a cultural highlight of the early years'. A feature that was to be repeated over the years saw members of staff taking leading parts in the plays if not as prime movers in assembling a production team.

It was probably not until 1951 that the tradition of an annual, large scale production was established and with it a sequence of Shakespearean plays for the next 9 years, to warrant the name 'Shakespeare Club'. There being little else to fill the hours (TV was still some years away) masters, wives, matrons, even some parents and many back-stage boys were heavily involved in this annual event.

Again, with the transformation from the old gymnasium to a 'theatre', through the generosity of the late Sir Robert Kerridge, the refurbished venue saw the departure from the Shakespearean tradition to a selection that gave a 'variety of content and quality'. Eventually reaching a high standard through the energies of several talented staff, the producers were supported by equally enthusiastic and clever backstage hands.

While 'Drama Club' productions were for home-grown audiences two plays were taken to the Performing Arts Festival at Wesley College, Melbourne (1993) and received rave reports.

Depending of availability of cast, enthusiasm and skill of its members and the drive of Housemasters, there has also been a tradition, in many boarding Houses, to produce their own stage show which has varied from a play to a 'musicale' - always with the wholehearted support of House staff, members and parents.

A 1989 House Drama Festival demonstrated an opening for an additional outlet for junior talent and in 1991 the Senior and Junior Drama productions introduced a new phase to the stage.

In 2006, the senior drama performance was a very humorous adaptation of 'The importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde, directed by Nicola Cresswell.

In 2007, 'The American Clock', a Vaudeville by Arthur Miller directed by June Renwick was presented by the senior drama group. It was a moving account of The Great Depression based on the book by Stud Terkel's 'Hard Times' performed beautifully by the King's ensemble.