Offshore Theatre celebrates 30 years

Berninneit in Cowes was filled to capacity last Thursday for the opening night of Speaking in Tongues, the latest offering from Offshore Theatre Inc.

The sold-out performance, which ran for three additional weekend performances, coincided with the 30th anniversary of the company.

It was formed on a rainy winter night in 1995 when six friends - Amanda Price, Anne Davie, Michael Cleeland, Sue Pearce and Sharon Davie - met at Pino's Trattoria in Cowes.

"There was previously a Phillip Island Theatre Group, and an Island Revue held annually was always hugely popular, so we knew there was need for local theatre," said co-founder Anne Davie.

"We decided that night at Pino's a theatre company on the island was not only viable - it was necessary."

The company's first play, the pantomime Cinderella, was chosen, and a group performed Offshore Theatre's first production at St Philip's Anglican Church hall in Cowes.

"Cinderella was a great success - despite high temperatures and lack of air con in the church hall - and everyone said `we want more.' That's how Offshore took off," said Anne.

"We initially attempted to put on three productions a year - a comedy, a drama and a pantomime, which were staged at St Phillip's and later venues including the Chapel at the Boys Home in Newhaven.

"Cinderella set up the company financially, allowing it to produce the next show and then the next. This model, where every show aims to pay for the next, has been used for 30 years," said Anne.

Multi-award-winning

Today the company aims to produce one major production each year.
"Our committee is small yet mighty" said Offshore Theatre president Remi D'Agostin.

"Producing theatre is a big task and we don't have hundreds of people to call upon at showtime.

"But at our core we are dedicated to telling stories that matter, that are relatable and that will have an effect on people."

And Speaking in Tongues, a study of love, marriage, infidelity and betrayal written by Australian playwright Andrew Bovell, did just that.

The team have worked on the production since late last year, securing a position in the shire's arts and cultural program at Berninneit.

"The opening night of Speaking in Tongues was very special, a dream come true for all of those involved in Offshore Theatre for the past 30 years," said Anne.

"Phillip Islanders did themselves proud."