Genesian Theatre Company continues to deliver stellar productions despite facing relocation

April 16, 2023

Karen Sweaney

Celebrating their 79th year in 2023, community theatre group, The Genesian Theatre Company, last night delivered an impressive production of Tennessee William's 1948 Pulitzer Prize winning play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.

Despite facing the prospect of having to relocate to Rozelle, the company remains at its current Kent Street site that it has occupied for 69 years.

The Genesian Theatre Company, formed in 1944 and taking its name from Saint Genesius - the patron saint of actors - has over the years developed into a community theatre group providing a training ground for young theatre professionals and workplace for established members. Many of today’s wellknown artists gained their early experience on this stage: Judi Farr, Tony Ward, John Bell, Peter Carroll, Angela Punch-McGregor, Bryan Brown, Tony Murphy, Julie McGregor, Sarah Chadwick and Christopher Stollery to name but a few.

Their raw and impressive production of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ - written by Tennessee Williams in 1947 - opened last night. Directed by Tom Massey who trained at the Australian Academy of Dramatic Arts in the late 90s and at Atlantic Acting School in NYC in 2012, the play highlighted the brutality of issues experienced both in old New Orleans and those very much alive today: domestic violence, racism, homophobia and misogyny.

While for the immediate future the theatre company will continue to perform at 420 Kent Street Sydney, plans are underway for the fit out of the theatre space in the parish hall of St Joseph’s Rozelle with the theatre company looking for expressions of interest from local businesses, corporates and other organisations who would be interested in offering support.

For those interested in discussing possible partnerships email gtcfundraising@genesiantheatre.com.au

More information on Genesian Theatre Company at www.genesiantheatre.com.au/

Images. Opening night performance of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. Credit: Luke Holland

About the author

Karen Sweaney

Co-founder and Editor, Australasian Leisure Management

Artist, geoscientist and specialist writer on the leisure industry, Karen Sweaney is Editor and co-founder of Australasian Leisure Management.

Based in Sydney, Australia, her specific areas of interest include the arts, entertainment, the environment, fitness, tourism and wellness.

She has degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Sydney and Geological Oceanography from UNSW.

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