OUR HISTORY

In 1997, the City of Oakleigh Repertory Company (CORC) and Elwood Theatre Company merged to become Encore Theatre Company Inc. The new company commenced operations in the Clayton Auditorium, with the first official production being the Australian play Caravan, directed by Fran McGrath.

The company has staged many wonderful productions since it began with hundreds of people contributing to this success. Encore Theatre Company productions have been nominated for and won awards at both the Victorian Drama League (VDL) and Lyrebird Award competitions.

In 2008, Encore moved to a brand new, purpose-built theatrette in Cooke Street, Clayton, over the road from the old Clayton Auditorium. The original theatre was demolished.

Productions & Directors

2022
Tribes (with Hartwell Players) dir. Paul Wanis
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland dir. Matthew CW
When Dad Married Fury dir. Damian Jones

2021
George’s Marvellous Medicine dir. David Collins
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime dir. Richard Burman
Vigil dir. David Collins
cul-de-sac dir. Helen Ellis

Unfortunately, due to public health restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, our production of ‘cul-de-sac’ did not go ahead.

2020
The Witches dir. David Collins
Run for Your Wife dir. Gaetano Santo
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime dir. Richard Burman
Laughter on the 23rd Floor dir. Lee Cook

Unfortunately, due to public health restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, our productions of Run for Your Wife, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Laughter on the 23rd Floor did not go ahead.

2019
Fantastic Mr Fox dir. David Collins
The Shadow Box dir. Annie Blood
Well Hung dir David Collins
Almost Maine dir. Laura Bradley

2018
James and the Giant Peach dir. David Collins
Away dir. Tim Scott
The Weekend dir. Dexter Bourke
Speaking in Tongues dir. Louise Woodward

2017
Rumpelstiltskin dir. Christine Simmonds
Shakespeare in Saigon dir. Cenarth Fox
The Housekeeper dir. Geoff Hickey
Cactus Flower dir. Ewen Crockett

2016
Little Red dir. Karina Hudson
The Dining Room dir. Horrie Leek
An Inspector Calls dir. Lesley Batten
Table Manners dir. Deborah Fabbro

2015
Robin Hood dir. Christine Simmonds
A Doll’s House dir. Annie Blood
Cash On Delivery dir. Bill Irvine
The Ghost Train dir. Andrew Ferguson

2014
Treasure Island dir. Christine Simmonds
Love, Loss and What I Wore dir. Helen Ellis
Arsenic and Old Lace dir. Richard Burman
The Woman in Black dir. Tim Long

2013
Dick Wittington dir. Christine Simmonds
Summer of the 17th Doll dir. Kevin Trask
The Club dir. Keith Hutton
The Merry Widows dir. Cenarth Fox

2012
Cinders dir. Christine Simmonds
Rumors dir. Annie Blood
Sylvia dir. Peter Newling
The Kingfisher dir. Lesley Batten

2011
Aladdin dir. Christine Simmonds
Hay Fever dir. Horrie Leek
Life After George dir. Doug Bennett
The Cemetery Club dir. Deborah Fabbro

2010
Jack and His Amazing Technicolour Beanstalk dir. Christine Simmonds
Our Town dir. Jeff Hood
Daylight Saving dir. Kevin Trask
Eat Your Heart dir. Ewen Crockett

2009
Find the Lady dir. Tony Bird
I Ought to be in Pictures dir. Tim Long
Wit dir. Vicki Smith

2008
Over the River and Through the Woods dir. Edna Bartlett
Haywire dir. Christine Simones

At this time, Encore moved from its original theatre to the new performing space, the theatrette in the Clayton Community Centre, hence the limited season in 2008.

2007
Shadowlands dir. Mark Stratford
The Prisoner of Second Avenue dir. Lesley Batten
Sherlock, Stock and Barrel dir. Cenarth Fox
I Remember Mama dir. Ron Conroy

2006
The Importance of Being Earnest dir. Ray Russell
How to Enjoy Your Own Funeral dir. Cenarth Fox
Set The Traps dir. Christine Simmonds
Shakespeare in Saigon dir. Doug Bennett
Still Mad About the Boy dir. Horrie Leek

2005
Emerald City dir. Horrie Leek
The Odd Couple dir. Kevin Trask
Resting dir. Doug Bennett
Season’s Greetings dir. Jan Sheppard

2004
Lost In Yonkers dir. Nick Walter
Laura dir. Graeme Moore
The Real Sherlock Holmes dir. Kevin Trask
Stepping Out dir. Jan Sheppard

2003
Quartet dir. John Bishop
The Exorcism dir. Vicki Smith
Moving On dir. Alan Burrows
My Three Angels dir. Ron Paddon

2002
Mad About The Boy dir. Horrie Leek
Away dir. Mark Stratford
Cinderella dir. Kate Llewelyn

2001
The Sentimental Bloke dir. Horrie Leek
Travelling North dir. Jan Sheppard
It’s My Party (and I’ll die if I want to) dir. Graeme Moore
Furtive Fortunes of Fickle Fate dir. Ron Paddon

2000
Taking Sides dir. Kevin Trask
Sylvia’s Wedding dir. Charmaine Hart
Ebeneezer’s Dream Written and directed by Eileen Nelson

1999
After Dinner dir. Roberta Reed
Beyond Reasonable Doubt dir. Graeme Moore
I Am a Camera dir. Horrie Leek
Come Blow Your Horn dir. Shirley Fitch
Gallipoli Revisited dir. Norma Guthrie
St Andrew’s Night dir. Eileen Nelson

1998
Dinkum Assorted dir. Eileen Nelson
Time of my Life dir. Shirley Fitch
Dirty Work at The Crossroads dir. Ron Conroy
Christmas Treats dir. Kevin Doherty

1997
Caravan dir. Fran McGrath

When Dad Married Fury 2022

Speaking in Tongues 2018

Encore Theatre Speaking in Tongues 2018 Show

Rumpelstiltskin 2017

Little Red 2016

The Dining Room 2016

An Inspector Calls 2016

Table Manners 2016

The Ghost Train 2015