Introduction -  Melbourne French Theatre Inc. 
 

31 Year History

Melbourne French Theatre (MFT) was founded in 1977 by Michael Bula and David Gorrie. In 1985 MFT was constituted as a non-profit incorporated association and was placed under the patronage of the French Consul General in Melbourne. In 1986 MFT was honoured to receive the patronage of His Excellency the Ambassador of France to Australia as a measure of the official recognition and prestige the Company has attained over the years. In 1991 MFT was entered on the Register of Cultural Organisations administered by the Department of the Arts in Canberra, thus providing tax deductibility for all private donations.

French Government grants

MFT has received grants from the French Foreign Affairs Ministry through the French Embassy in Canberra. The Company is sponsored or supported by a number of large French companies established in Victoria as well as through business and private donations.

Productions

Two to four productions are mounted each year being mainly theatrical plays either entirely in the French language or in bilingual (French/English) form. On some occasions cafés-théâtres and other projects are presented. The Theatre draws its inspiration for plays from a large repertoire of French playwrights from the Middle Ages until the present day.

Professional support

MFT employs professional directors, artists, set designers, technicians and other staff who may change from production to production to enhance the great variety of styles and presentation of theatrical works. The Company has performed in conventional and experimental theatre spaces as well as in National Trust mansions.

Australian and International Tours

MFT has toured three (3) times to New Caledonia - in 1988 with Le Jeu de l'Amour et du Hasard by Marivaux, in 1989 with Pauvre Bitos by Jean Anouilh and in 1991 with Le Médecin Malgré Lui by Molière. The last tour to the South Pacific was of the bilingual adaptation of Hôtel Paradiso by Georges Feydeau/John Mortimer created by Jean Papillon to Vanuatu in August 1993.

The company toured 4 times with great acclaim to Canberra by special invitation of the French Ambassador to Australia with the Marivaux classic Les Fausses Confidences in February 1993, Antigone by Jean Anouilh in May 1994, being Huis clos by Sartre in May 1995 and Dormez, je le veux by Feydeau in March 1999 for the Canberra International Multicultural Festival. The production of Le Père Noël est une Ordure toured to the inaugural Adelaide French Festival in November 2000.


Management

The Management of the Theatre consists of professionals from the fields of law, accounting, the arts, university administration and teaching in order to provide the wide base that is required to manage the specialised enterprise of presenting live French theatre in Australia and overseas.

Productions

The Theatre has presented some 71 productions during its 31 year existence. Amongst its actors are to be found professionals and amateurs alike of French, Australian, European and other nationalities and origins.

Official Patronage

The French Embassy and the French Consulate General actively support the activities of MFT and all its endeavours. MFT also shares a healthy relationship with other French interest and cultural groups such as the Alliance Française de Melbourne and the French-Australian Association.

University of Melbourne

In May 1995, MFT concluded an historic association agreement with the Department of French and Italian Studies at the University of Melbourne, where the Company was founded. The agreement provides for, amongst other things, exchanges, cooperation for the promotion of mutual interests, student and staff participation in MFT activities, a staff member appointed ex officio to the MFT Committee, as well as the Theatre officially forming part of the prestigious University community.

2007

In May 2007, MFT presented Huit Femmes by Robert Thomas, directed by Miki Oikawa. In June a pre-tour season of Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was followed by a tour of the play to over 40 schools throughout Victoria, culminating in a final Melbourne season in November/December. The play was adapted and directed by Karen Berger.

Audiences

Audiences are made up of French speaking ethnic groups, French speaking Australians as well as school and university students. The very existence of MFT serves to fill a cultural need in the presentation of the most exciting vehicle and exponent of French culture - live theatre.

Other Services

MFT is also an agency which provides French "looking" and speaking actors and extras for films, TV, commercials and photographic work.

General

The Theatre provides an opportunity for the public, students at all levels, francophones and francophiles including certain ethnic communities and lovers of French drama to witness, participate in and enjoy the excitement of quality French theatrical productions.