Our Story.
The Beginning of The Mount Players
In 1972, local Macedon resident Nevil Thurgood, with the support of community members including Fred Blake, David Reeves, Pat Royal, and Pauline Garner, founded The Mount Players (TMP). Their mission? To bring a play, One Wedding, Two Brides, to the One-Act Play Festival in Kyneton. That simple beginning sparked the creation of a vibrant community theatre that continues to thrive today, drawing talent and audiences from far beyond the Macedon Ranges.
Finding a Home for Theatre
Initially performing one-act plays, TMP was without a stage to call their own. In 1975, the company found a solution by leasing the old Macedon Presbyterian Church, which had been closed since 1973. With the help of an $8,000 grant from the State Ministry for the Arts, members and local businesses donated their time and goods to transform the church into a cosy theatre seating around 50. Between 1975 and 1977, the company began producing full-length melodramas, such as The Furtive Fortunes of Fickle Fate and its sequel, both penned by Nevil Thurgood. In 1977, the newly renovated theatre opened with a performance of The Golden Legion of Cleaning Women.
A Growing Repertoire
Over the next few years, TMP expanded its repertoire, embracing comedies, musicals, pantomimes, and murder mysteries, while continuing to showcase one-act plays in festivals across Victoria. Family involvement for many years was also central, with generations of members growing up in the TMP community. In addition, a dedicated group of members known as the Daytime Players brought their creativity to life with productions such as Aladdin, and Time and Space, an original work by local Mt Macedon resident Janet Slattery. Their contributions added another thread to the growing tapestry of The Mount Players' history.
The company also hosted productions by other theatre groups, including the Adelphi Players, the Malmsbury Youth Training Centre, the Boy Scouts with their Gang Show, and ACTS, a Christian theatre group.
Tragedy Strikes: The Ash Wednesday Fires
Tragedy struck in 1983 with the Ash Wednesday fires, which destroyed the theatre and many members' homes. The company lost irreplaceable archives, photos, and programs. In the aftermath, TMP focused on supporting displaced members, while continuing to perform in temporary venues around the region, including the Mechanics Hall in Gisborne, the Arts Centre in Kyneton, Wooling Hill in New Gisborne, Gisborne Secondary College, and the Macedon Family Hotel.
The Power of Community
By 1985, TMP had secured a lease for the original theatre land, which had transferred to the Shire of Gisborne. By 1986, intensive fundraising efforts and generous donations enabled the company to begin constructing a new theatre. A professional builder coordinated the rebuild, working part-time, while members rolled up their sleeves, contributing their labour to tasks like laying bricks, pouring concrete, and assembling the framework. At this time, and over the following years of building, the funds raised came from a combination of insurance payouts and generous donations, including substantial support from the Shire of Gisborne. Amateur and professional theatre groups from across Australia also contributed by donating proceeds from their performances, demonstrating the incredible camaraderie and support within the theatre community.
Honouring Key Members
In 1987, the company faced a deeply sorrowful time with the loss of two cherished members: Margaret Woods, the serving President, and Fred Blake, a former Secretary and Life Member. Their dedication and passion had been instrumental in shaping The Mount Players, and their absence was profoundly felt by the entire community.
The New Mountview Theatre
As construction progressed, it became evident that the cost of the new building exceeded the funds available to the company. In 1990, The Mount Players reached an agreement with the Shire of Gisborne—the Shire would own the property and assist with its construction, while the company would retain exclusive occupancy, managing and maintaining the theatre.
In 1990, the new Mountview Theatre opened its doors with a production of Scrooge.
The Mount Players has continued to flourish, producing a diverse range of shows each year, including four major productions, One-Act Play Festivals, and Youth Theatre showcases. In 2013, an extension added much-needed rehearsal and meeting spaces, named in honour of Life Members Pauline Garner, Janet Slattery, and Leo Vandervalk.
Fostering Young Talent: The Mount Players Youth Theatre
The Mount Players Youth Theatre, launched in 2007, has become a cornerstone of the company's future. Offering weekly workshops for young people aged 10–19, the program has produced a wide array of shows, including Carpe Jugulum, Seussical the Musical, and original plays written by the students themselves.
Celebrating over 50 Years
From its humble beginnings to the dynamic and inclusive theatre it is today, The Mount Players continues to enrich the Macedon Ranges, inspiring creativity, fostering talent, and bringing people together through the power of live performance.
In 2022, The Mount Players proudly celebrated 50 incredible years as an amateur theatre group by creating a stunning 332-page hardcover book. This full-colour tribute captures the company’s rich history from 1972 to 2021, brimming with fascinating stories, behind-the-scenes insights, a complete list of productions, and countless vibrant photos. It’s a beautiful keepsake for anyone who loves theatre and cherishes the legacy of The Mount Players.