When the Nimrod Theatre building in Belvoir St, Surry Hills was threatened with redevelopment in 1984, more than 600 people – ardent theatre lovers, arts, entertainment and media professionals – formed a syndicate to buy the building and save this unique performance space. Belvoir theatre company was formed.
Over 30 years later, under Artistic Director Eamon Flack and Executive Director Aaron Beach, Belvoir engages Australia’s most prominent and promising playwrights, directors, actors and designers to realise an annual season of work that is dynamic, challenging and visionary. As well as performing at home, Belvoir regularly takes to the road, touring nationally and internationally.
The Upstairs and Downstairs stages at Belvoir St Theatre have nurtured the talents of renowned Australian artists including actors Cate Blanchett, Jacqui McKenzie, Luke Carroll, Toby Schmitz, Robyn Nevin, Deb Mailman and Richard Roxburgh; writers Tommy Murphy, Rita Kalnejais, Lally Katz, Alana Valentine and Kate Mulvany; directors Simon Stone, Anne-Louise Sarks, Benedict Andrews, Wesley Enoch, Rachael Maza and former Belvoir Artistic Director Neil Armfield.
Belvoir’s position as one of Australia’s most innovative and acclaimed theatre companies has been determined by landmark productions like 'The Drover’s Wife', Çounting & Cra 'The Glass Menagerie', 'Angels in America', 'The Wild Duck', 'Diary of a Madman', 'The Blind Giant is Dancing', 'Cloudstreet', 'The Book of Everything', 'Keating!', 'Parramatta Girls', 'The Alchemist', 'Waiting for Godot', 'The Sapphires', 'Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?', 'Stuff Happens', 'Medea', 'The Rover', 'Faith Healer', and many more.
Belvoir receives government support for its activities from the Federal Government's Major Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council, and the State Government through ArtsNSW.
It has always depended on its community of donors, partners, co-creators, artists, Board member and loyal patrons, and still does today.
