OLD FITZ THEATRE

After co-founding the independent Juggernaut Red Line Productions, the company took custodianship of Sydney's legendary Old Fitz Theatre. The venue grew to become the most important crucible of independent work in Australia, with over 550,000 patrons filling the 55-seat theatre across 9 years of programming. Andrew (along with fellow Red Line founder Vanessa Wright) was awarded the Hayes Gordon Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to Australian Theatre.

As custodian of the Old Fitz Theatre, the company presented over 200 productions in 9 years, presenting and co-presenting Australian Premieres of timely international works, new Australian works, and landmark revivals. These include: Angels in America, Anatomy of A Suicide, The Wolves, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Krapp’s Last Tape, Doubt, A View From The Bridge, The Humans, The Aliens, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, 4 Minutes 12 Seconds, Stalking The Bogeyman, I Am My Own Wife by Doug Wright and many more. Productions transferred to Belvoir St, Ensemble, Merrigong, Newcastle Civic & Glen St. 

Over 20 exclusively commissioned new Australian works included the World Premieres of This Much Is True by Louis Nowra, Degenerate Art by Toby Schmitz & King of Pigs by Steve Rogers. The last year of creative custodianship saw a landmark revival of The Chairs directed by Gale Edwards and featuring Paul Capsis and iOTA; as well as a searing new production of A Streetcar Named Desire that won 4 Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Independent Production.

The Old Fitz Theatre became globally-recognised as a venue presenting world-class live experiences, and a cauldron for artists to create ambitious and daring work. Many artists who first cut their teeth working at the Old Fitz are now recognised as some of the leading practitioners working in theatres across the country.  

A Streetcar Named Desire, dir. Alexander Berlage
image: Phil Erbacher