When was the first IH play?

Scene from the first IH play, The Teahouse of the August Moon, 1964. International House Archives

The International House Drama Club staged its first play in 1964. The Teahouse of the August Moon played at the Union Theatre from 30 April until 2 May. All the male roles were taken by residents of International House. In the absence of female IH residents, the lead female role was played by University of Melbourne social studies student Margaret Phua from Malaysia.

Margaret Phua in costume for her role in The Teahouse of the August Moon. The Herald (Melbourne), 29 April 1964. International House Archives

Cover of the program for The Teahouse of the August Moon, 1964. International House Archives

According to the Farrago reviewer the acting was of ‘varying standard’, but he admitted that the play offered ‘a very entertaining evening’ (Juergensen, 1964).

The Warden (Head) of International House Sam Dimmick was more positive, describing the play as ‘a great success’ and a promising start for what he hoped would become an annual event (Dimmick, 1964). The Student Club President David Saunders said that the play showed ‘exactly what International House can do’ (Saunders, 1964, p. 40).

To show exactly what International House can do, we presented our first play at the Union Theatre, Teahouse of the August Moon in first term. Its well deserved success was a tribute to those who worked so hard for it.
Saunders, 1964

In the following years, there were IH productions of Under the Sycamore tree (1965), Our town (1966), Moby Dick (1967), The skin of our teeth (1968), Kantan and Damask drum (1969), and The Blacks (1970).

Poster for the third IH play, Our Town, 1966. International House Archives

In 1971, there was no play. It seems this was largely because there were not enough returning residents to continue the tradition (Howie, 1971). By 1973, the IH play was back with a production of The great mastication show, a ‘spectacle’ of ‘snakecharmers, dancers, songsters and commercials’ (Howard, 1973).

References

Dimmick, S. (1964, June 19). Warden’s Report No. 2. International House Archives.

Howard, D. (Director). (1973, May 9-12). The great mastication show by H. Martin [Program]. New Guild Theatre, The University of Melbourne. International House Archives.

Howie, J. C. (1971). President’s Report. International House Council Meeting No. 3, 27 September 1971. International House Archives.

Juergensen, M. (1964, May 15). Quinn again. Farrago, 7. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/312724

Saunders, D. R. (1964). President’s report. Satadal, 40-42.