Legacy & History of the Lind Lane Theatre in Nambour

Theatre is a remarkable performance medium. It's a collaborative art that brings diverse people together, working harmoniously to stage performances. Amateur theatre is performed purely for the enjoyment of participants and the audience, with proceeds distributed to the community.

The love of theatre has a rich history in Nambour. In 1913, the Nambour Chronicle reported that the Nambour Dramatic Club had made a good start staging The Private Secretary—a side-splitting comedy in three acts.

In 1923, the Nambour Comedy Company performed a light comedy, Just Like Judy. The play was presented under the direction of Mrs Caine, with proceeds going to the Soldiers' Memorial Hall. The review in the Nambour Chronicle congratulated the company on the high standard of acting. The part of Peter Keppel ('Put-it-off Peter') was played with great ability by Mr E.C. Lishman; invoking amusement throughout the play in his persistent effort to put off his marriage to 'Beatrice' played by Miss G. Moy.

Mrs Caine, 'Judy', played her role admirably with a captivating style. Posing as an artist's model, she deceived Peter into believing they were married while he was suffering from "brain trouble". The feigned bond later developed into one of reality.

Over the years, the society started to struggle as Eileen Rowell recalled: "They realised they needed something more than people's attention. They would perform a ballet, and it was hilarious. These 108kg men, with their hairy chests and little ballet costumes, wigs and sandshoes (because there were no ballet shoes big enough), did not have to do much to make the whole audience scream with laughter. However, people's attention started to wain as they exhausted all their tricks. So thought turned to a society that could put on shows that were more interesting to the general public."

In December 1945, 25 people attended the initial meeting of the Nambour Amateur Theatrical Society, and NATS was born. An eagerly awaited first production was staged in June 1946, after three months of rehearsals.

Mrs I. Small and Mr Jack Collins produced "Mr Fothergill Joins the Angels", and Mr Ken Hartley supervised the second one-act play, "The Twelve Pound Look". Mr Bert Marks was the stage manager, Miss Norma Edwards was in charge of the ballet, and Mr Alex Foreman was in charge of the lighting effects.

The society also had its own orchestra with an ensemble of 16 musicians. More than 800 patrons attended the initial performance in the Diggers Hall. They expressed appreciation for the excellent local talent in song, dance, comedy sketches and orchestral selections.

In September 1946, NATS held its first annual ball. The Nambour Chronicle reported the balls provided fun and frolic for more than 200 guests, hosting some of the first fancy dress balls held since pre-war days. The variety of costumes provided the judges, Mrs A. Cheesman, Miss P. Lowe, and Mr J. Grimstead, with much to ponder on. A gaily-decorated hall and stage provided an atmosphere to a night of revelry, which peaked with Ferdinand the Bull's entry during the grand parade. Ferdinand kept the ladies guessing, and the person who guessed his weight correctly would be presented with a tin of condensed milk. Unfortunately, the time taken for all entries in the weight-estimating competition to be judged were more than Messrs N. Fryar and K. Hartley's legs could bear. The not-so-ferocious "beast" was awarded first prize for the most humorous costume.

Over the following years, the society established itself with productions staged in the old Diggers Hall until 1958. Eileen Rowell joined the society in 1950 as one of the make-up artists. She remembered the hall as a wide-open space with galvanised iron walls and a roof with many cracks, making it cool in summer but freezing in winter. There were no dressing rooms, so the performers had a tent out the back. There were two entries to the stage. Crawford's chooks were taking up roost on the right-hand-side entrance.

If you had to go from one side of the stage to the other, you'd have to go down one set of stairs, walk behind the stage and up the other side—often disturbing the roosting chooks. The noise of scattering chickens resounded right through the theatre. The canvas seats were also in terrible condition. The canvas had sagged so much that patrons would bring their own cushions so they could see the stage. In the daylight, marks left by the Brilliantine hair oil men used could be seen on the back of the seats.

NATS produced many great performances over the years. In 1954, Blithe Spirit was heralded as its best performance since its inauguration. Mr Tom Manefield produced the play. The cast included Mrs Sylvia Smith, Mrs Val Day, Mrs Margaret Young, Mrs Pat Crossingham, Misses Nan Kenyon, Mary McGhie, Messrs Doug Phillips and Ross Florence. They were applauded throughout the play. The make-up artistry of Mesdames Eileen Rowell and Marcia Hayne was also praised. Bouquets and gifts were showered on the performers. 

The society continued to stage plays with great success, including The Glass Slipper, The Boyfriend, Salad Days, South Pacific, and Harry's world premiere by local playwright and actor Brian Cox in 1980. The society had a rollercoaster ride for many years without a permanent home. Finally, it acquired its own little theatre in Blackall Terrace. Sadly, it got burnt down in August 1972.

In 1974, the society moved to the Yandina School of Arts. The Blackall Terrace site was sold, giving the society enough money to build a new one. In 1980, a lease was signed with the Council, and the society began building its own theatre in Lind Lane. It is fondly remembered as the old Lind Lane Theatre.

Later, a new building was constructed at 16 Mitchell Street; and the Lind Lane Theatre was officially opened by Australia's most renowned playwright David Williamson. The sound of the cheers and applause continues to resound today, fortunately without the sounds of scattering chooks.

Thanks to Sunshine Coast Council's Heritage Library Officers for the words and Picture Sunshine Coast for the images.