It has been announced that the 2015 programming and management for the iconic Old Fitzroy Theatre at the Old Fitzroy Hotel in Woolloomooloo has been awarded to Red Line Productions.
Red Line Productions (run by Andrew Henry, Sean Hawkins and Vanessa Wright) most recently produced the critically acclaimed sell out hit production Howie The Rookie at the Old Fitz Theatre, directed by Toby Schmitz and starring Andrew Henry and Sean Hawkins.
The Old Fitzroy Theatre has been home to a diverse range of world class, independent theatre since 1997, and a new energy in 2015 will reinvigorate the theatre and its programming. One of the many fans of the Old Fitz Theatre is actress and writer Kate Mulvany.
“The Old Fitzroy isn’t just a theatre,” says Mulvany. “It’s a renowned stomping ground; a melting pot of masters, new and old; a shoulder-to-shoulder adventure for audiences and artists alike. It’s shimmering, it’s theatre as it should be. And I’m so thrilled to be an ongoing supporter of its stories.”
The program for the first six months of 2015 will be announced on Sunday 23 November. “Part one of our season we’ve called REINCARNATION, says Andrew Henry from Red Line Productions. “We literally got on the phone to friends and peers and said ‘What have you got?’
What will be announced on November 23rd will be six mainstage shows taking us to July – a collection of the shows suggested by those people we called. We will also be announcing two Late Shows which will be the first of many that will be either extraordinary short plays, works in development and new shorts that will kick off at the Fitz from around 10pm after the mainstage show concludes.
“Sydney needs a well-run, intimate small theatre venue,” Henry added. “The Fitz is so damn special. We are privileged to be embarking on a journey that hopefully will excite every single storyteller in Sydney.”
Toby Schmitz looks forward to seeing what lies ahead. “Andrew and Sean are theatre animals, and Vanessa Wright has all the same vigour to her,” said Schmitz.
“I predict a well patronised, well supported tenure at this unique, idyllic, and to me sacred theatre space. They have proven in this season of Howie the Rookie that terrific acting, some finessed lighting and a couple of chairs are all a company needs to compete with the great story telling institutions in Sydney. In fact they’ve got an edge. The space itself, it’s wholly unique, perfect for theatre of any kind.”
“In discussing their first season they impressed me. What they have planned is an extremely appealing program for theatre lovers: plays we should have seen by now, or haven’t for too long, texts that can be given attention by a small company, paired with actors that give me goose bumps – actors you know you need to see more of.”
The Old Fitzroy Theatre 2015 Season Launch will take place on Sunday 23 November from 5.00pm. It’s free to attend and all are welcome!
Image: Old Fitzroy Hotel – photo by Adam Pasfield