ONE of Ipswich’s longest-running cultural traditions is preparing to take centre stage, with the Ipswich Little Theatre set to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its iconic One Act Play Festival this August.
What began on Thursday, July 19, 1955, has grown into a theatrical institution.
The inaugural festival, staged at the Ipswich Town Hall, now part of Ipswich Art Gallery, was the culmination of months of work by members of the Ipswich Little Theatre Society.
Officially opened by then-Mayor James Finimore, the event featured 11 plays performed over four nights and attracted more than 1650 patrons. It was hailed as an outstanding success by audiences, participants and adjudicators alike.
Seventy years later, the festival remains a cornerstone of Ipswich and Queensland’s theatre community.
Since its inception, more than 1000 plays have been performed as part of the festival, with the event staged annually, apart from cancellations during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, making it the longest-running one-act play festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
This year’s milestone festival will run from August 7 to 9, with theatre companies from across South East Queensland converging on Ipswich to present short productions in front of audiences and adjudicators.
Aaron Evans has been with the Ipswich Little Theatre for close to two decades in a range of roles, with his new position being Festival Coordinator for the One Act Play Festival.
“Our One Act Play Festival is a hallmark cultural event within Ipswich,” Evans said.
“Theatre companies from around Queensland come and perform to our audiences and adjudicators in hopes of leaving a lasting impression and taking home awards.”
Adding further prestige to the 70th anniversary event is the return of acclaimed theatre identity Arthur Frame as adjudicator.
A highly respected figure in Australian performing arts, Frame brings more than five decades of experience spanning theatre, television and children’s entertainment, including his work with the beloved character Humphrey B. Bear.
His connection to the Ipswich festival stretches back almost six decades, first attending as a festival scribe in 1968 and later returned to adjudicate both the 30th and 60th festivals.
Festival organisers say they are honoured to welcome him back for the landmark anniversary celebration.
Tickets will be available soon through the Ipswich Little Theatre website.
