Who would have thought an argument over the cost of garters would see the birth of the capital’s oldest theatre company? The Canberra Repertory Theatre (REP) has played an important role in the history of the local arts scene, and this year celebrates 90 years of continuous performances.

Since its inception in 1932, the company has kept the region entertained with its community-driven productions. The not-for-profit organisation stages six productions each year with an ensemble of volunteer professional and amateur cast and behind-the-scenes crew.

“An institution like REP getting old is not an accident. If you live to be old it’s lucky, but an institution needs people to want to keep it alive and that’s what REP has got,” says past president Russell Brown.

The company’s longest-serving member who is still actively participating in shows, Brown joined REP in 1969, and has spent the past 53 years involved in over 200 productions as a set designer, builder, onstage personality, and more.

One of his fondest memories is the Old Time Music Hall, where he wore a variety of hats including emcee. Entertaining audiences for over 30 years, the high-energy show generated around $2 million for the company; Brown believes without these funds the company wouldn’t be what it is today.

“Over 34 years, not quite half my life. We had the greatest time. I’ve had a lovely time in the theatre, wouldn’t change anything,” he smiles.

He hopes the company will be able to continue for another 90 years but isn’t sure if theatre will even be around then with changing technology providing more entertainment options. He says their main challenge today is finding volunteers who can help with the behind-the-scenes tasks.

“I think that’s the hardest thing, the younger people coming along haven’t developed any of those handyman skills. Young men don’t need to build furniture; some of them need someone to come and put Ikea furniture together,” Brown says.

Someone else who understands the struggle of finding volunteers is current club president, Antonia Kitzel. She and her husband joined REP in 2015 after moving to Canberra. Kitzel has played parts both on stage and behind the scenes, and says it is becoming increasingly difficult to get people on board.

“All our shows are run with volunteers, that certainly was a bit easier before Covid. We are always on the lookout for new helping hands and enthusiastic people,” she says.

It’s not just global crises that are keeping people away. When the theatre began, there were fewer options for entertainment; today we’re flooded with choices of how to spend our spare time, if we get any.

“There was no internet then, REP was one of the few things there was. People are busier, everyone is working around the clock. It is getting harder and harder to find time to do things you would for passion or love.”

However, that doesn’t deter the company from wanting to provide high-quality theatre for Canberra. Kitzel says they will continue to offer seasons that provide a laugh when it is needed and content that provides food for thought.

“Hopefully, there is at least another 90 years in store for us. It depends on what happens in Canberra; we have a solid base to get people involved which is certainly something we are not looking to change.”

Director, actor and teacher, Karen Vickery says she found her tribe at REP. Like Brown and Kitzel, she moved to Canberra for work, then after settling into her new position, wanted to reconnect with theatre.

“So many people move to Canberra for work and whilst your work relationships are great, it’s not the kind of variety you are used to. It provided me with likeminded people with diverse backgrounds,” Vickery says.

She joined REP around nine years ago and says part of its continuing success has been its ability to adapt to the changing theatre landscape in Canberra, which it has become more adventurous over time and accepting of interconnectedness with other companies.

“I think for a very long it was the only place but that is not true anymore so those relationships with other groups are really important,” Vickery says.

The passionate group of people involved in Canberra REP work hard to ensure they create a warm and celebratory environment, one that keeps people wanting to come back, she says.

“They talk about an ecosystem of theatre in every town or city and REP is really at the heart of it in Canberra.”

Find out more about Canberra Repertory Theatre at canberrarep.org.au

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