The Homecoming

May 29th, 1969 — July 12th, 1969


Venue

La Boite Theatre - in the cottage at 54 Hale Street, Brisbane

Producer

The Brisbane Repertory Theatre

Director

Wilf Buckler

Playwright

Harold Pinter

Cast

Michael Gaut
Victor Knight
Jay McKee
John Stanton
John Bailey
Jennifer Blocksidge

Costume Designer

Les Struthers

Set Designer

Les Struthers

Lighting Designer

Alan Gee
Roy Haig


The Homecoming by Harold Pinter (1969)

In 1969, her first year as Theatre Director , Jennifer Blocksidge’s determination to challenge the membership with her play choices was evident, as was the good sense that made her refrain from too much change too quickly.

The one confronting play which upset some older members was Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming. “We regret their embarrassment” she wrote in her first Director’s Report, “but feel that if we are to grow as a Theatre of any stature, we must take our yardstick from world theatre – and not just ‘play it safe’ in our somewhat isolated corner of the country”. She emphasised that “our aim was not only to entertain but also to stimulate and to offer for discussion plays of artistic merit”. She was, in essence, returning Brisbane Repertory to its original mission of producing plays of literary or dramatic merit and educational value.

Writer: Christine Comans


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