The Henry Lawson Theatre, situated in Werrington County, Sydney, is a community-based venue that has been fostering local arts since its inception in 1968. Founded by John Upton, then editor of the Penrith Press, the initiative aimed to promote cultural activities in the Penrith district. The first meeting took place at the home of State MP Ron Mulock. Initially named The Henry Lawson Club, Kingswood, it encompassed various groups, including a camera club, chess group, classical record group, choral and folk singing groups, with the theatre company emerging as the most prominent.
The theatre group originated from members of the W.E. Cuckson social club drama group, associated with a local zipper factory that provided a stage for its workers. Notable early members included actress Pauline Beville-Anderson and her husband Ian, a ballet teacher. The group’s first production was The Bastard Country by Anthony Coburn, followed by The One Day of the Year by Alan Seymour, sponsored by St Mary’s Rotary.
In 1971, the theatre contributed to the Penrith Centenary Celebration with The Cabbage Tree by Edgar Penzig. Performances were initially held in local public halls until “The Shed” was constructed in 1973. The first production in this new venue was Halloran’s Little Boat by Thomas Keneally, which opened on 19 April 1974. At that time, the area was largely undeveloped, requiring members to clear a path through the undergrowth to access the building.
The first stage of the licensed club was opened by Mr Gough Whitlam on 16 June 1976, with Bertha Jago, Henry Lawson’s daughter, also in attendance. The licensed club is located at the front of the site, fronting Henry Lawson Avenue, while “The Shed” is a freestanding building behind it. Over the years, “The Shed” has undergone several extensions and, by 2017, had hosted 84 one-act plays, 159 full-length plays, and four Sydney-wide drama festivals.
Today, the Henry Lawson Theatre is a comfortable 90-seat venue primarily used by the theatre group and the Henry Lawson Camera Club. It typically stages five productions per year and welcomes individuals interested in various aspects of theatre production, offering on-the-job training.
