From Shed To Showroom

In 2007 Wakool Shire Council offered Golden Rivers Theatre Group the permanent use of the Faulkner Pavilion in Barham. This would be the first time in eighteen years that GRTG had a place to call "home". Up until this point in time, the group had lead a somewhat ‘nomadic’ existence, storing costumes and sets in garages, shops and even the nurses accommodation at the Barham Hospital.

The first show staged in the new complex was Little Women in May 2008. Patrons were seated on borrowed seats from the Baptist Church, warmth was provided by two patio heaters and as the hall had no insulation on either the ceiling or the walls, the group basically kept their fingers crossed for mild weather!

In early 2009 the real action began; with the help of dedicated members and friends the Pavilion walls and ceiling were lined with insulation and painted. Modules were also created for staging and 115 theatre-style seats were installed on the floor. The audience’s first experience of the new Pav was during GRTG’s June 2009 season of HMS Pinafore. This show was also complemented by the light and sound equipment now permanently installed along the rafters and operated by our ‘techie crew’ at the back of the pavilion.

The November 2009 season of Farmer Will Swap Combine Harvester for Wife was the next opportunity for our audience to witness the transformation and this time the group had installed reverse cycle air-conditioning. By the time the 2010 productions of Paris and Love Lines came to life, the theatre was well and truly set-up.

But There’s Always More

At the end of 2010, and with the assistance of a dollar-for-dollar grant from the Wakool Shire, GRTG permanently installed the kitchen at the front of the pavilion. This is a fantastic asset for the group as it more-than-caters for all our cast and crew during rehearsals and provides an excellent space for refreshments and supper during our shows. The new space also freed up room for the costumes in the back room!

To some this may now seem complete, however in the aim of ever-improving the audience experience and providing our talented performers with more room to sing and dance on stage, some plans to tier the seating soon came to life! Lots of hours and hard work went into erecting this ‘theatre-style’ seating that our audience now experiences, along with the construction of the ‘techie platform’ where the light and sound is now controlled.

The pavilion will continue to evolve with lots of little improvements each year. We still love the surprise on our audience’s faces when they walk through the back doors....almost expecting to see the inside of a ’tin shed’ but instead being greeted with a funky, unique and welcoming little theatre!