Much Ado About Nothing
The Lightkeeper
A Bell in the Storm
Bratwurst and Damper
Bollywood Bash
The Great Deckchair Auction
The Art & Soul of Football
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Snark - The Way of the Bravest
In the 22 years since its inception, deckchair theatre has come to be regarded as one of Australia's most exciting and innovative professional theatre companies, winning local, national and international awards.
Formed in 1983 in Fremantle, Western Australia, deckchair theatre is an acknowledged leader in the commissioning and production of new works that accurately reflect the cultural diversity of the Australian people.
deckchair has developed a reputation for stories that explore the rich social history of Western Australia and especially Fremantle, for it's commitment to nurturing Australian women artists, for working with all sectors of the community including people with disabilities and for developing productions which give a voice to non-dominant cultures.
deckchair also partners live music with live theatre wherever possible, commissioning original music works to enhance up to 75% of all productions, using everything from individual performers to a 60-piece choir!
deckchair's commissions have been picked up and performed by major theatre companies in every state of Australia and the company has toured nationally and internationally to wide acclaim.
deckchair theatre is one of WA's most awarded theatre companies, receiving the coveted Edinburgh International First Award for Best New Production, Swan Gold Theatre Awards for Best Play and Outstanding Theatre Development, The Fremantle Arts Heritage Award for commitment to local product and nominations in the prestigious Helpman Awards for Best New Work in 2001 and 2002. In 2004 MAVIS GOES TO TIMOR by Katherine Thomson, Angela Chaplin and Kavisha Mazzella, a script commissioned by deckchair won an Australian Writer’s Guild Award for Best New Play. Also in 2004 deckchair theatre’s Artistic Director, Angela Chaplin won the Best Director Award presented by the Actors Equity Guild.
deckchair theatre has also built strong links with the Western Australian business community, forming rewarding sponsor partnerships with a wide range of organisations from multinational companies to small local businesses.
A number of these have been recognised with Arts and Business Awards including deckchair's long standing partnership with The Fremantle Football Club, which won the coveted 2002 National AbaF Bytecraft Innovation Award and the 2000 WA State Art Sponsorship Scheme Award for Most Innovative Sponsorship.
deckchair theatre was honoured again in the 2002 WA State Art Sponsorship Scheme Awards for it's partnerships with the Mediterranean Shipping Company(Most Innovative Sponsorship, MAVIS GOES TO TIMOR) and Aubergine Gourmet Foods(Best Cross-Promotional Initiative, THE GREAT DECK CHAIR AUCTION).
In keeping with the image of one of the leading innovators of theatre in Australia,
deckchair theatre has a reputation for it's creative choice of venue,
performing in a wide range of locations including The Fremantle Arts Centre,
The Moores Building, Fremantle Prison, Old Customs House and Victoria Hall in
Fremantle, The Playhouse Theatre Perth, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth
and Playbox at The Malthouse, Melbourne. In 2005 this list will be extended
to include, The Maritime Museum in Fremantle and SciTech Discovery Centre in
Perth.
To express Australian Culture via …
- New Australian Drama of the highest artistic and cultural merit
- The active promotion of the cultural diversity of Australia
- The emphasis on women in the company's work
- Promoting and educating the public about live theatre
- Local, national and international recognition
- Strong links with the Fremantle community, local government and business
- Accessibility to the widest possible audience.