Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo
This electronic publication accompanies the exhibition Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo. Western theatrical traditions came to Bendigo with fortune seekers in the 1850s. Since then, everything from amateur to professional, Shakespeare, opera, live music, eisteddfods, Vaudeville, musicals and comedy have graced the many stages in Bendigo. The beginning of the 20th century heralded the dawn of the motion picture, which by the middle of the century was the most popular form of entertainment. Existing Bendigo theatres quickly adapted and numerous purpose built picture theatres were constructed. Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo looked at key moments, venues and people in the evolution of such entertainment in Bendigo.
This electronic publication accompanies the exhibition Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo.
Western theatrical traditions came to Bendigo with fortune seekers in the 1850s. Since then, everything from amateur to professional, Shakespeare, opera, live music, eisteddfods, Vaudeville, musicals and comedy have graced the many stages in Bendigo. The beginning of the 20th century heralded the dawn of the motion picture, which by the middle of the century was the most popular form of entertainment. Existing Bendigo theatres quickly adapted and numerous purpose built picture theatres were constructed. Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo looked at key moments, venues and people in the evolution of such entertainment in Bendigo.
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24<br />
Save the <strong>Bendigo</strong> Arts<br />
Centre, campaign poster<br />
c1986<br />
card, <strong>in</strong>k<br />
Pat Lyon Collection.<br />
<strong>Bendigo</strong> Regional<br />
Archive Centre<br />
money on a dollar-by-dollar basis to<br />
the project, but the municipalities<br />
were divided.<br />
Despite support<strong>in</strong>g the need for such a<br />
community space, <strong>Bendigo</strong> <strong>and</strong> Huntly<br />
councilors rema<strong>in</strong>ed unconv<strong>in</strong>ced<br />
of the Capital’s suitability <strong>and</strong> had<br />
concerns about f<strong>in</strong>ancial viability.<br />
They dug their heels <strong>in</strong> while the other<br />
three municipalities forged ahead. In<br />
1986 Marong purchased the old Fire<br />
Station build<strong>in</strong>g adjacent to the Capital.<br />
The follow<strong>in</strong>g year, the Borough<br />
of Eaglehawk paid the deposit <strong>and</strong><br />
signed the documents to purchase the<br />
Capital site from the Masons. Work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with Strathfieldsaye <strong>and</strong> Marong they<br />
secured the physical foundation of a<br />
Regional Arts Centre. Stage One of<br />
a two-<strong>stage</strong> process to restore <strong>and</strong> re<strong>in</strong>state<br />
the theatre, began <strong>in</strong> 1988 <strong>and</strong><br />
by May 1989 Stage One was launched.<br />
By now <strong>Bendigo</strong> council had come on<br />
board <strong>and</strong> pledged money to see Stage<br />
Two through to completion. Fully<br />
restored with a significantly upgraded<br />
auditorium seat<strong>in</strong>g 500, the <strong>Bendigo</strong><br />
Regional Arts Centre was officially<br />
opened on 26 April 1991. Professional<br />
live theatre would once aga<strong>in</strong> flourish<br />
<strong>and</strong> be enjoyed by audiences.<br />
ULUMBARRA THEATRE<br />
Despite its achievements, as time passed,<br />
it became apparent that the Capital<br />
lacked the technical <strong>and</strong> seat<strong>in</strong>g capacity<br />
required to cater for the grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly culturally dynamic city<br />
of <strong>Bendigo</strong>. In answer<strong>in</strong>g a long held<br />
desire of many <strong>in</strong> the community, a<br />
new state-of-the-art 1000-seat theatre<br />
opened earlier this year on the site of<br />
the former <strong>Bendigo</strong> Gaol. Funded by<br />
federal, state <strong>and</strong> local government,<br />
the multi-purpose theatre complex<br />
Ulumbarra is the result of a partnership<br />
between the City of Greater <strong>Bendigo</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> the Education Department on<br />
behalf of <strong>Bendigo</strong> Senior Secondary<br />
College.<br />
In the language of the local Dja<br />
Dja Wurrung people, Ulumbarra,<br />
means ‘gather together’ <strong>and</strong> ‘meet<strong>in</strong>g<br />
place’. Like so many theatres before<br />
it, it aspires to create a place for the<br />
community to come together for an
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