Wellington’s Downstage Theatre has been around for more than four decades – making it New Zealand’s longest running professional theatre and a treasure trove of fond memories and first times.  Its continued success at bringing live performance to the nation’s capital and providing performers with a supportive venue has earned it many admirers.

“Wellington has a reputation as a culturally rich city, sustained by institutions like Downstage which provide for and nurture its creativity.  Downstage has long been an important part of Wellington, and New Zealand’s, cultural fabric, and those who act, write, direct, and produce its work can take great pride in their efforts.” Hon.Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

I remember my parents making special trips all the way from Wanganui to see shows at Downstage back in the 70s and 80s.  It’s such an icon of NZ theatre, and the oldest surviving professional company in the country, so I feel a bit special being able to say that I’ve performed in two shows there.  I would work at Downstage again in a flash.  Robert Tripe, New Zealand based performer.

“It is an incredibly supportive venue.We recently did some training in the foyer there.  The best moment of the training session was when the barman said ‘I am not an Equity member but I think what you’re doing is so important.  Equity needs to work to get respect for performers back in the industry.’ That was inspiring.” Jonathan Mill, Australian based performer and member of Australia’s Performers’ Committee.

“I have very fond memories of working at Downstage in the 70s – first as a programme seller and waitress, and then in two productions as part of Downstage Youth Theatre.  It was always very exciting seeing which configuration the theatre was going to be in – not only for the audience, but also for us wait staff who had to negotiate the many levels clutching dinner plates!  I felt very nostalgic when I came back to perform Falling in Love Again there last year” Jennifer Ward-Lealand, New Zealand based performer and national president of NZ Actors’ Equity.

Downstage is where my interest in acting and subsequent career began, which is kind of an odd thing to say when I have never performed there!  My high school accounting teacher, Peter Rollinson, was also the head of drama and the founder of our high school Stage Crew.  Peter used to arrange for any students who were interested to go on field trips to see plays.  Back then, Downstage was a theatre restaurant.We would travel en masse with other members of the teaching staff, in their cars, from the outlying suburb of Wainuiomata into Wellington City for dinner and the play.  Thanks to P.R. as we dotingly referred to him, I became enmeshed in the wonderful world of theatre.  For me, it all started at a place called The Hannah Playhouse aka Downstage.  P.hilip Darkins, New Zealand based performer

"Downstage Theatre isn't just a Wellington landmark, it's a theatre landmark too.  For over 40 years it has changed and grown, and continued to bring important plays to Wellingtonians.  Not just "serious" theatre either – I first saw Flight of the Conchords there, and yes, even did my comedy festival show An Evening With Elvis-Anne on that hallowed stage.  Downstage is at the heart of Wellington, and always will be."  Pinky Agnew, New Zealand based performer.

“The historical achievement of Downstage is irrefutable.  It was Downstage that took the initiative, laid down the policies, and won the audiences.  It was Downstage that created locally-based professional theatre, sustained it, and made it essential to the community’s culture.  It carried that weight alone for 13 years.” An extract from author Roger Robinson’s review of Downstage Upfront: The first 40 years of New Zealand’s longest-running professional theatre by John Smythe.

"When I was growing up in Wellington in the 60's Downstage Theatre was quite simply the funkiest place to be.  She seemed to be bursting with creative energy, passion and commitment.  It was love at first sight.  While still a fourth former, I apprenticed myself to the theatre, doing set building, prop making, prompting and waitressing, eventually graduating to acting roles.  Downstage provided me with the opportunity to explore my potential – She is part of my DNA.” Ginette McDonald, a New Zealand based performer and currently starring in My Brilliant Divorce at the Downstage Theatre.