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Melbourne Repertory Theatre Company

This amateur dramatic society was founded in Melbourne in 1911 by Gregan McMahon. Closed from 1918 to 1924, its fortunes fluctuated, flourishing during those periods when it was run by McMahon and finally closing in 1930, two years after his final departure to work for commercial theatre. It presented serious, modern, literary and intellectual drama as an alternative to commercial, popular melodrama and musical comedy. Under McMahon's guidance the company produced well-received productions by writers such as Ibsen and George Bernard Shaw, but also performed a number of Australian plays including some by Louis Esson.

Helen Thomson

References
Ashbolt, Allan, 'Courage, contradiction and compromise - Gregan McMahon 1874-1941', Meanjin, vol. 37, no. 3, 1978, pp. 324-46. Details