Fancy stepping into a time capsule of Australian theatre? La Boite Roundhouse Theatre awaits. It stands as Australia’s oldest continuously running professional theatre company. La Boite will proudly celebrate 100 years of storytelling in 2025.
Founded in 1925 La Boite began as the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society. British teacher Barbara Sisley and Professor Jeremiah Joseph Stable were its founders. Rhoda Mary Felgate was a founding member too. She was also an early play director. Sisley directed 57 productions before her death in 1945. She included many Australian plays.
In 1967 the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society adopted a new name. It became La Boite. This is French for “the box”. La Boite’s intimate 70-seat space attracted new audiences. New directors and actors were drawn to it as well. Jane Atkins and Eileen Beatson were among them. Barry Otto John Stanton and Muriel Watson joined too. Australian plays became a regular feature.
La Boite found a new home in 1972. This was a purpose-built theatre-in-the-round. Blair Wilson designed the award-winning building. It had 200 seats.
Many artistic directors have shaped La Boite over the years. Jennifer Blocksidge aimed to make La Boite a professional theatre. Rick Billinghurst programmed Australian and overseas works. Malcolm Blaylock programmed innovative plays. David Bell blended circus opera and dance with theatre. Sue Rider bolstered new Australian plays. Sean Mee embraced new Queensland works. David Berthold included international works. Courtney Stewart is the current artistic director.
La Boite has a rich history of diverse productions. In 2009 they performed “The White Earth” and “Blue Love”. “Statespeare” and “Oodgeroo” also graced the stage. “The Pineapple Queen” and “The Kursk” followed.
The 2010 season included “The Gruffalo” and “Hamlet”. “Stockholm” and “The Chairs” were performed. So were “I Love You Bro” and “Engine”. “Gwen in Purgatory” rounded out the season.
La Boite Indie presented “Colder” and “The Harbinger”. “Water Wars” and “The Hamlet Apocalypse” also featured.
“The Gruffalo’s Child” and “Julius Caesar” were highlights of the 2011 season. “Boy girl wall” and “Statespeare” also appeared. “Edward Gant’s Amazing Feats of Loneliness” was another notable production. So was “Ruben Guthrie”.
La Boite is more than just a theatre. It is a place for artist development. Its HWY program nurtures diverse theatre-makers. It also offers youth and education programs. These align with the Queensland and National Drama Curriculum.
La Boite Roundhouse Theatre is an icon. It is a testament to Brisbane’s cultural spirit. Its unique theatre-in-the-round continues to inspire artists and audiences. Its brave stories entertain and challenge. La Boite makes a difference.