Marian Street Theatre

The Marian Street Theatre is located in the Sydney suburb of Killara. The theatre previously played a significant role in the cultural life of the North Shore and is widely remembered by former patrons and theatre lovers across Sydney.[1]

Marian Street Theatre
Marian Street Theatre
Location within Sydney
Address2 Marian Street
Killara
Australia
Coordinates33.766757°S 151.161326°E / -33.766757; 151.161326
Public transit Killara railway station
OwnerKu-ring-gai Municipal Council
TypeTheatre
Capacity300
Construction
Built1906
Opened1966
ArchitectOliver Harley
BuilderMr Gazzard
Website
Marian Street Theatre for Young People

Built in 1906 as a Soldiers Memorial Hall, it was used as a community hall up until 1966. Hosting dances, parties, lectures, drama performances, Polio vaccines and school breakups. In 1948, the actress Vivien Leigh opened a flower show at Marian Street. The building was transformed into a community theatre in 1966 by the English born actor, Alexander Archdale.[2]

Seating was increased from 311 to 400 in 1980.[3] In the early 1980s, theatre programs credited the "theatre cat" known as "spunky".[4][5] Often beset by financial difficulties, the theatre has now evolved into the Marian Street Children's Theatre and Drama School (MSTYP - Marian Street Theatre for Young People). For safety reasons, the theatre temporarily closed in 2013 and work is scheduled to begin in mid-2021 on the renovations. Marian Street Theatre for Young People continues to operate externally from the Marian Street Theatre building, while the site is closed.

Artistic directors included Peter Collingwood, Aarne Neeme, John Krummel and Alastair Duncan. Prominent actors who performed at Marian Street include Leonard Teale, Stuart Wagstaff, Ruth Cracknell, Helen Morse, Ron Haddrick and Nancye Hayes.[6][7]

References
  1. "Marian Street Theatre ". Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  2. "Marian Street Theatre ". Dictionary of Sydney. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  3. "Marian Street Theatre". The Australian Live Performance Database. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  4. Theatre Program for the "Importance of Being Earnest" Marian Street Theatre, June 1982
  5. speech by Wendy Blaxland. 29 June 2018, on Marian Street Theatre, Facebook Page.
  6. "Plans for the Marian Street Theatre". Save The Marian Street Theatre. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  7. "Marian Street Theatre Limited". The Australian Live Performance Database. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
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