When Griffin Theatre Company's SBW Stables Theatre closed for redevelopment in April 2024, the question wasn't whether the company would find a temporary home, but where. The answer, announced this week, reveals something deeper than mere practical necessity: Griffin will spend 2026 in residence at Belvoir St Theatre, marking a partnership that feels both inevitable and inspired.
The collaboration represents more than a theatre company seeking refuge. Both organisations trace their lineage to the legendary Nimrod Theatre Company, making this arrangement something of a family reunion. When Nimrod expanded to Belvoir Street in 1974, it created two vital nodes for Australian theatre that would eventually spawn these independent companies, each carrying forward Nimrod's commitment to risk-taking and local storytelling.
"Australian theatre has always thrived when companies back each other," reflects Belvoir's Artistic Director Eamon Flack, positioning the residency as artistic solidarity rather than mere venue hire. His observation touches on something essential about Sydney's theatre ecology: the networks of mutual support that sustain creative communities through inevitable periods of displacement and change.
Griffin's 2026 season, unveiled alongside the partnership announcement, demonstrates why this collaboration makes artistic sense. Seven productions spanning the main season and Griffin Lookout program represent exactly the kind of intimate, challenging Australian work both companies champion. From Steve J. Spears' 50th anniversary revival of The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin to Jorjia Gillis's debut comedy Mum Club, the program balances established voices with emerging talent.
The lineup reveals Griffin's continued commitment to stories that might struggle to find homes in larger commercial venues. Happy Feraren's SAVIOR, examining NGO culture through personal experience, and Eric Jiang's Iacuna, exploring family dynamics through mythological framework, represent the kind of culturally specific storytelling that requires supportive institutional environments.
Particularly intriguing is the decision to merge Belvoir's 25A program with Griffin Lookout for 2026. This consolidation of artist development initiatives suggests both companies recognise the challenges facing emerging theatre makers and the value of pooled resources. Given the current economic pressures on independent theatre, such collaborative approaches may prove increasingly necessary.
Griffin Artistic Director Declan Greene's enthusiastic embrace of downsizing, "jumping from our tiny venue to... an even tinier one", signals confidence in the company's core identity. His emphasis on intimacy as "an astonishing incubating force for new plays" positions the Downstairs Theatre residency not as compromise but as artistic opportunity.
The partnership builds on Griffin's successful June presentation of Koreaboo at Belvoir's Downstairs Theatre, which received widespread critical acclaim. This prior collaboration demonstrated compatibility between the companies' artistic sensibilities and operational approaches, making the extended residency a logical next step.
From a broader industry perspective, the arrangement offers a compelling model for institutional cooperation. Rather than competing for limited resources and audiences, Griffin and Belvoir are pooling strengths to ensure continuity of programming during a transitional period. This approach could influence how other companies navigate similar challenges.
The timing aligns well with both companies' season launches, creating opportunities for audience crossover and shared marketing initiatives. For theatre-goers, the partnership promises enhanced programming density in Surry Hills while Griffin's permanent home undergoes its multi-million-dollar transformation.
When the renovated SBW Stables Theatre reopens in 2027, it will feature state-of-the-art digital enhancements supported by government and private funding. The year-long residency at Belvoir should maintain Griffin's artistic momentum during this crucial development phase.
Most significantly, the partnership demonstrates how Sydney's theatre companies can adapt to challenges while preserving their essential character. By supporting each other through practical difficulties, Griffin and Belvoir are ensuring that the diverse ecosystem of Australian theatre continues to flourish, even when individual components face temporary displacement.
This is theatre companies behaving like the artistic family they've always been.
Griffin info and tickets: https://griffintheatre.com.au/
Belvoir info and tickets: https://belvoir.com.au/
(images: supplied)
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