Peridot Theatre

Peridot Theatre Incorporated

Peridot Theatre Inc. is a non-profit community theatre organization located within Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs.

Peridot offers an annual program that includes four plays that are full length, with a shorter run that includes One Act Plays and hosts the Monash One Act Play Festival every season in the month of October.

Peridot is dedicated to bringing you top-quality community theatre and providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience for its patrons. The theatre also seeks to offer its patrons opportunities to learn about the various aspects of live theatre in a fair and safe space. Peridot is committed to supporting new and established playwrights, directors, actors and production staff in order to contribute to the growth and success that is Australian theatre.

History

From its very first performance in 1985 in Monash High School – ‘Moving”, written composed by Stanley Price, directed by Edna (Jones) Bartlett – Peridot Theatre Inc. has established itself as one Melbourne’s top non-professional theatre organizations. The name Peridot comes in the name of the green gem which is the birthstone of Edna Bartlett. Edna along and Gordon, her spouse Gordon along with Grant along with Gaye Gay each contributed greatly to the development and growth of Peridot.

In November 1986, Peridot relocated into the Unicorn Theatre located at Mount Waverley Secondary College, and the first show was “Patrick Pearse Hotel” written from Hugh Leonard.

From 1985 to the present, Peridot has staged over 150 shows, with the majority being four full length plays as well as the One Act Play season each year. The theatre has also developed an extremely loyal audience. In the past it has added it has added the Monash One Act Play Festival is now part of the annual calendar of the theatre as an opportunity for theatre companies from Victoria and beyond compete in friendly competition to show off their works.

Peridot recognizes that the growth of talent is crucial to the ongoing growth of community theatre. The company intends to incorporate the opportunity for development and training throughout the year in its program. This includes workshops on topics such as stage managing lighting, directing, and sound. In the year 2020, Peridot introduced Playwrights@Peridot the scriptwriting class. Playwrights from the local area also have the possibility of having their work read during Peridot’s play readings regularly.

In the present, Peridot Theatre Inc proudly is regarded in Melbourne’s top performing arts companies for the community.

 

A New Chapter for Peridot Theatre Company

It’s with mixed feelings the Peridot Theatre Company moved from the Unicorn Theatre in Mount Waverley in 2022. As we say goodbye to the place that was our home for the past 35 years, we’re thrilled about the possibilities this will provide for us as a company and for our patrons.

The 2022 shows that are coming up have been moved into The Clayton Theatre in the Clayton Community Centre.

The space for performance beyond is currently being explored, and although we may appear a more different following this change but rest sure that our main goal remains to deliver the highest quality performances to our audiences as well as the general public.