Genesian Theatre
Image: Genesian Theatre, exterior. Image: genesiantheatre.com.au
At 79 years this year, the Genesian Theatre Company is one of Sydney’s longest running. It has been in its current home, the Genesian Theatre, a repurposed deconsecrated church, for 69 of those years but will be moving to a new home some time in the very near future.
St John’s Church, currently the Genesian Theatre, is a quaint, sandstone building with high peaked roof, timber interiors and beautiful stained glass windows. It was built in 1868, serving the local community as a church and school until 1932 when it first became a theatre. The Genesian company moved into the premises in 1954, making it their home ever since.
An independent, amateur theatre group, the Genesian is known for its old school-style performances, mounting plays from the popular canon of American, English, and Australian classics. The troupe also make their own sets and acquire their own costumes and props. This fact becomes more impressive when you see the extraordinary level of detail in their productions.
