Brisbane Arts Theatre
An independent Brisbane theatre company founded in 1936, now producing plays and delivering drama education at venues across the city.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Brisbane Arts Theatre is an independent theatre company based in Brisbane, Queensland, and one of the city's longest-established theatrical organisations. Founded in 1936 as Brisbane Amateur Theatres by Jean Trundle and Vic Hardgraves, it adopted the Brisbane Arts Theatre name in 1947. The organisation developed as a producing company rather than a conventional commercial theatre chain, presenting mainstage drama, children's theatre, adaptations, comedies, musicals and one-act works with a mixture of professional, emerging and community performers. During its early decades, the company staged relatively short seasons in a range of Brisbane venues, including All Saints' Hall, the Princess Theatre, Theatre Royal and Albert Hall. Its programme also included annual junior Shakespeare productions and collections of one-act plays. This activity helped establish a continuing local platform for actors, directors, designers and technicians at a time when Brisbane's independent theatre infrastructure was comparatively limited. The company acquired a former second-hand shop at 210 Petrie Terrace in June 1959 and converted it into its own theatre. The venue opened in September 1961, with the first production being Barbara Mary Vernon's The Multi-Coloured Umbrella. The premises gave Brisbane Arts Theatre a permanent artistic and operational base and made it the first Brisbane theatre company to operate its own theatre building. The original auditorium was later extensively rebuilt after a serious 1964 fire. The reconstructed venue reopened in June 1965 with a larger auditorium, dress circle, deeper stage and improved backstage facilities. From the 1960s onward, the organisation expanded its production schedule and added an annual children's theatre season. It also developed rehearsal, wardrobe, construction and administrative facilities around Petrie Terrace. A small Queensland government grant supported the company from 1969 until the 1990s, after which it again relied principally on box-office and theatre-bar income together with fees from theatre workshops and training. The company subsequently operated a registered training organisation offering accredited certificates in live production and technical services. In more recent decades, Brisbane Arts Theatre has generally presented five to seven productions a year across mainhouse and children's theatre programmes. Its notable audience successes have included stage adaptations of John Birmingham novels, repeated seasons of Avenue Q, and a return production of We Will Rock You. The company has promoted itself as Brisbane's home of Avenue Q, reflecting the musical's recurring place in its programming. The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the lack of ongoing government funding, created significant financial pressure. The Petrie Terrace theatre was placed on the market in 2022 and sold in 2023 to Dan and Fiona Kennedy of Ad Astra Theatre Company. Brisbane Arts Theatre continued using the venue under the sale arrangement, but announced that its final production there would be its last as a resident company. The final Petrie Terrace performance took place on 1 June 2024. The organisation remains active under the Brisbane Arts Theatre name, operating from Kelvin Grove, delivering children's and teen drama workshops, and producing theatre at other Brisbane venues. The name now identifies the company rather than the former company-owned theatre building.
History
Brisbane Arts Theatre began in 1936 as Brisbane Amateur Theatres, founded by Jean Trundle and Vic Hardgraves. The company changed to its present name in 1947 and spent its first decades working across existing Brisbane venues. Early seasons were compact, often consisting of five productions with short runs, supplemented by junior Shakespeare and one-act-play programmes. This model enabled the organisation to maintain regular activity without owning a venue. A decisive change came with the acquisition of a former second-hand shop at 210 Petrie Terrace in June 1959. The building was redeveloped as a dedicated theatre and opened in September 1961. Barbara Mary Vernon's The Multi-Coloured Umbrella was the first production in the new premises, which initially contained a raked auditorium and a compact stage. The company became the first Brisbane theatre organisation to operate its own theatre building, giving it greater control over scheduling, rehearsal, backstage and audience facilities. The venue suffered a major setback in 1964. An electrical fault in the toilet block caused a fire during the early hours of 31 May. A second blaze later that morning, after smouldering materials reignited, caused much more extensive damage than first expected. With financial assistance from the Commonwealth Trading Bank, the building was reconstructed to a design by architect John Dalton. The rebuilt theatre opened on 25 June 1965 with a dress circle, larger stalls area, a deeper stage and additional dressing rooms. The company continued its seasons away from the building during the reconstruction. Following the reopening, Brisbane Arts Theatre increased its annual programme and established a recurring children's theatre season in 1965. The organisation gradually expanded its physical facilities near Petrie Terrace. An adjoining cottage was acquired in the late 1960s, and a further building at 222 Petrie Terrace was added in 1971. These premises supported wardrobe, rehearsal, office and construction functions. Later renovations created or improved the theatre's office and bar, while the cottage became associated with Cor Boogaart, a workshop manager who had served the organisation for many years. For much of its history, the company was funded through ticket income. A small annual Queensland government grant was introduced in 1969 but ended in the 1990s. Brisbane Arts Theatre subsequently relied on performance and bar revenue, workshop tuition and related training activity. It also operated a registered training organisation offering accredited qualifications in live production and technical services, extending its role beyond performance presentation into vocational theatre education. The modern company has combined mainhouse and children's theatre programming, normally presenting several productions each year. Its repertoire has included plays, musicals, adaptations and family productions. Repeated seasons of Avenue Q became particularly associated with the company, while the stage adaptations of John Birmingham novels—He Died with a Felafel in His Hand, The Tasmanian Babes Fiasco and How to Be a Man—were among its recent high-grossing works. A reprised production of We Will Rock You also formed part of its recent programme. The COVID-19 pandemic placed additional pressure on an organisation already operating without regular government support. In 2022, Brisbane Arts Theatre offered the Petrie Terrace theatre for sale. The property was sold in February 2023 to Dan and Fiona Kennedy of Ad Astra Theatre Company. The agreement permitted Brisbane Arts Theatre to continue using the space temporarily, but the company ultimately ended its occupancy in 2024. Its final performance as a resident of the building took place on 1 June 2024. Brisbane Arts Theatre remains an active company rather than a defunct venue brand. Its office and costumes department moved to Unit 3A, 70 Prospect Terrace, Kelvin Grove. The organisation continues to stage productions in other Brisbane venues and provides drama workshops for children and teenagers. The former Petrie Terrace building and the company are therefore now separate entities: the Brisbane Arts Theatre name continues to refer to the producing and educational organisation.
- 2024
Company ended residency at former theatre
[1]The final Brisbane Arts Theatre production at the Petrie Terrace venue concluded on 1 June 2024.
- 2023
Petrie Terrace theatre sold
[1]The venue was sold to Ad Astra Theatre Company while Brisbane Arts Theatre retained temporary use under the sale arrangement.
- 2022
Venue offered for sale
[1]Financial pressure associated with the pandemic and the absence of government funding led to the sale process for the company's main theatre property.
- 2011
222 Petrie Terrace sold
[1]The company sold the 222 Petrie Terrace property and subsequently refurbished the Cor Boogaart Cottage for continuing wardrobe and workshop use.
- 1971
Additional Petrie Terrace building acquired
[1]The organisation added the building at 222 Petrie Terrace to its operational complex.
- 1969
Queensland government grant began
[1]The company began receiving a small annual Queensland government grant, which continued until the 1990s.
- 1965
Rebuilt venue reopened
[1]The reconstructed theatre reopened on 25 June with expanded audience and backstage facilities. A children's theatre season was also introduced during the year.
- 1964
Theatre damaged by fire
[1]Two fires on 31 May caused extensive damage to the Petrie Terrace building.
- 1961
Permanent theatre opened
[1]The Petrie Terrace venue opened in September, with The Multi-Coloured Umbrella as its first production.
- 1959
Petrie Terrace property acquired
[1]The company purchased the former Dan's second-hand shop at 210 Petrie Terrace and began converting it into a theatre.
Products and positioning
A long-running, locally rooted independent theatre company combining accessible live performance with youth theatre education and practical production training.
Live theatre
Mainhouse theatre productions
Brisbane Arts Theatre's mainhouse programme presents a changing mix of plays, comedies, musicals and literary adaptations. Historically these productions were staged in annual seasons at the Petrie Terrace theatre; after the 2024 departure, the company continues to present work at other Brisbane venues. The programme is designed for general audiences and has included both established titles and locally produced adaptations.
Youth performing arts · 1965
Children's theatre
The children's theatre division began in 1965 and became a continuing part of the company's identity. It produces accessible performances for younger audiences and families, supporting the company's educational and community role alongside its adult mainhouse programme. Recent operations continue through productions and related activities presented at venues across Brisbane.
Arts education
Drama workshops
The company provides drama workshops for children and teenagers. These activities introduce participants to performance, theatre-making and collaborative creative practice, and provide an educational complement to Brisbane Arts Theatre's public productions.
Vocational theatre training
Live production and technical-services training
Brisbane Arts Theatre has operated a registered training organisation offering accredited certificates in live production and technical services. This work reflects the company's practical expertise in stage operations, construction, wardrobe and technical theatre, although the current availability of particular qualifications is not specified in the reference material.
Musical production · 2012
Avenue Q
Avenue Q became one of Brisbane Arts Theatre's most recognisable recurring productions. The company staged the musical in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, with the 2017 production also receiving a regional Queensland tour. Its repeated presentation contributed to the company's positioning as Brisbane's home of Avenue Q.
Brand decisions
2024
Transition to a venue-independent operating modelStrategyBackground
After the sale of the Petrie Terrace building, the company could no longer operate as the owner and permanent resident of its historic theatre.
Action taken
The company moved its office and costumes department to Kelvin Grove and shifted productions to other Brisbane venues while retaining the Brisbane Arts Theatre name.
Aftermath
The organisation remains active in theatre production and children's and teen drama education, while the former building is no longer the company's venue.
2023
Sale of 210 Petrie Terrace to Ad Astra Theatre CompanyM&ABackground
The company sought to address the financial and operational pressure surrounding its venue after the pandemic period.
Action taken
The theatre property was sold to Dan and Fiona Kennedy of Ad Astra Theatre Company. The arrangement permitted Brisbane Arts Theatre to continue using the building for a transitional period.
Aftermath
Brisbane Arts Theatre ended its residency in 2024 and continued as a producing and educational company from Kelvin Grove and other Brisbane venues.
Property sale price. AUD 3,000,000 (2023 sale of 210 Petrie Terrace)
2022
Begin sale of Petrie Terrace theatreStrategyBackground
The company faced financial difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic while operating without continuing government funding.
Action taken
Brisbane Arts Theatre placed its long-held theatre property at 210 Petrie Terrace on the market.
Aftermath
The property was subsequently sold, ending the company's long-term ownership of its dedicated venue while allowing temporary continued use.
Recent events
- 2024
Brisbane Arts Theatre leaves its long-term Petrie Terrace venue[1]
Other
The company announced that its final production as a resident of the Petrie Terrace theatre would conclude on 1 June 2024. It continues production and education work from other Brisbane locations and venues.
- 2023
Petrie Terrace theatre sold to Ad Astra Theatre Company[1]
M&A
The theatre property at 210 Petrie Terrace was sold to Dan and Fiona Kennedy of Ad Astra Theatre Company. The sale arrangement allowed Brisbane Arts Theatre to continue using the venue for a period.
- 2022
Brisbane Arts Theatre venue placed on the market after pandemic-related financial pressure[1]
Other
The company put its long-held Petrie Terrace theatre up for sale amid financial difficulties linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and the absence of government funding.
Sources2 sources
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