Funding backs Griffin Theatre Company’s 50th anniversary celebrations

The Australian Government is providing $80,000 to help the Griffin Theatre Company celebrate the 50th anniversary of its landmark venue the SBW Stables Theatre.

Affectionately known as The Stables, the venue is one of Sydney’s most intimate and engaging theatres and has been the home for Griffin Theatre Company since the early 1980s.

Federal Minister for the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield said it was a great milestone for the 105-seat venue, which is an integral part of Australia’s theatre sector.

Minister Fifield advised “the Griffin Theatre Company is presenting a series of programs to not only celebrate the Stables but to reflect on Australia’s theatre history.

“We have a wonderfully creative and engaging performing arts sector and this is a chance to promote our achievements.”

The activities planned for the anniversary in 2020 are based on the themes of artistic celebration, legacy and future. They include a series of Australian play readings curated by John McCallum and podcasts led by Margaret Murphy.

Griffin will also host new and classic Australian plays throughout 2020 and a series of talks.

Minister Fifield added “small to medium theatre companies like Griffin are vital to the arts sector. They play a key role in developing artists and practitioners and giving a platform for new works.”

The announcement was made in conjunction with yesterday’s presentation of the Lysicrates Prize 2019 at the Sydney Opera House. Griffin has partnered with the Lysicrates Foundation in the delivery of the Prize, a philanthropic initiative supporting the development of new Australian theatre work, since 2015. The Australian Government was pleased to provide $25,000 in 2018 to support the inaugural Martin Lysicrates Prize, which celebrates the best new Australian writing for children.

Click here for more information on the Griffin Theatre Company.

Image courtesy of the Griffin Theatre Company.