In the first row, seated: A. Gutis, A. Cernius, V. Ancevicius.

In the second row, seated: P. Rutenis, E. Dainiene, A. Marciulionis, S. Kaniene.

Standing: P. Kanas, V. Ratkevicius, L. Giniotyte, K. Taparauskas, D. Pyragiute, N. Skidzevicius, S. Giniotis, H. Butvila, L. Kanas.

Adelaide, 1949

The Adelaide amateur Lithuanian theatre group was organized in March 1949 by E. Dainiene and P. Rutenis. In the same year, P. Kanas became its administrator, and the decorator and artist A. Marciulionis managed stage design.

In September, the group staged its first play – Genecke-Koolen’s “The First Bell”, directed by P. Rutenis, attracting over 450 spectators. After two performances of “The First Bell”, on 8 September 1950, for the National Day celebration, Laucius’s scene “In the Mysterious Zone” was performed, directed by E. Dainiene. In the same year, the theatre also staged P. Vaiciunas’s “Disturbed Calm”, directed by E. Dainiene.

In March 1951, the theatre invited Juozas Gucius, newly arrived from Europe and chief director of the Lithuanian State Radio, to direct. New members joined, and intensive study work began. The group was named the “Lithuanian Theatre Studio in Adelaide.” J. Gucius achieved good results: actors learned to create organic, natural roles. At the end of the year, the play “The Chiefs” by Vincas Kudirka was performed.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, album “Lithuanians in Australia”

Drama “The Candlestick” by Antanas Skema. Director: Juozas Gucius.

Adelaide, 15 September 1961

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51303

Actors who performed in the production based on Kazys Binkis’s play “The Offspring”. In the second row, centre, sits J. Neverauskas.

Adelaide, 1960s

Photo by Vytautas Vosylius.

In 1962, through the efforts of Jonas Neverauskas and Paulius Rutenis, young people interested in theatre were gathered, and work with them began. The troupe performed S. Ciurlioniene’s poem “Vaiva” and named themselves the Adelaide Lithuanian theatre Enthusiasts group. In 1965, they staged S. Ciurlioniene’s fairy-tale legend “The Fern Flower”. Later, this group joined the theatre studio.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000580

In the first row from the left: 1 – Jurgis Matulevicius (administrator), 2 – Vaclovas Ratkevicius, 3 – Sofija Kaniene, 4 – Genovaite Matuleviciene, 5 – Bronius Rainys; in the second row: 6 – director Juozas Gucius, 7 – Aldas Gutis, 8 – Celestinas Petrikas, 9 – Zenonas Kucinskas, 10 – Adolfas Trinka.

Adelaide, 1960s–1970s

After the departure of director J. Gucius and the death of director Z. Kucinskas, the Adelaide Lithuanian theatre ceased all activities. The Adelaide Lithuanian theatre Enthusiasts group also only discussed future plans. In February 1967, through the efforts of J. Venslovavicius and J. Neverauskas, a meeting of actors and supporters was convened. The large number of participants decided to work together. The first production of the joint theatre was A. Rukas’s “Bubulis and Dundulis”, which premiered on 14 October 1967. The theatre was named the Adelaide Lithuanian theatre “Vaidila.”

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-001024

Adelaide, 1967

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157013

Standing from the right: 1 – community activist and actor Jonas Neverauskas, 2 – community activist Birute Budriene, 3 – community activist and photographer Vytautas Vosylius, 4 – Petras Gasiunas.

Adelaide, 1969

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157045

Scene from the drama “The Ruler” by V. Mykolaitis-Putinas.

Sydney, 1970s

Photo by V. M. Vilkaitis.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000608

Adelaide, circa 1970

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0420

In the first row: 1 – A. Miliauskiene, 2 – community activist and publicist Viktoras Baltutis, 4 – community activist and educator Vytautas Neverauskas, 5 – Birute Mikuziene, 6 – Bronislovas Rainys; in the second row: 7 – Jeronimas Miliauskas, 8 – community activist Vytautas Opulskis, 9 – Nikodemas Skidzevicius, 10 – Genovaite Matuleviciene, 11 – Adomas Maciukas, 12 – Vaclovas Ratkevicius.

Adelaide, 1970

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-001020

Actors who performed in A. Rukas’s comedy “Residents of One Yard”, from the left: 2 – director Jonas Venslovavicius, 3 – Birute Jonaviciene, 4 – A. Gutis, 5 – A. Miliauskiene, 6 – P. Duoba, 7 – Birute Budriene, 8 – Viktoras Baltutis, 9 – G. Matuleviciene, 10 – Nikodemas Skidzevicius.

Adelaide, 18 December 1971

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157168

Actors who performed in A. Rukas’s comedy “Residents of One Yard”. Sitting on the floor in front: Nikodemas Skidzevicius. On the bench, from the left: 1 – Birute Jonaviciene, 2 – A. Miliauskiene, 3 – Birute Budriene, 4 – director Jonas Venslovavicius. Standing by the wall, from the left: 1 – Viktoras Baltutis, 3 – G. Matuleviciene, 4 – A. Gutis.

Adelaide, 18 December 1971

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157169

A. Rukas’s comedy “Residents of One Yard”.

Adelaide, 18 December 1971

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-15710

Drama “Leap to Freedom” by V. Baltutis. On the left – actor Nikodemas Skidzevicius.

Adelaide, 28 October 1972

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157177

Drama “Leap to Freedom” by V. Baltutis. From the left: 1 – Nikodemas Skidzevicius, 2 – writer Viktoras Baltutis, 3 – Vytautas Opulskis, 4 – Jonas Neverauskas.

Adelaide, 28 October 1972

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157178

Drama “Stella Maris” by J. Grinius.

Adelaide, 1972

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Notable directors in the Adelaide Lithuanian theatre included Jonas Neverauskas, Jonas Venslovavicius, Juozas Gucius, Zenonas Kucinskas, Viktoras Baltutis, and Vytas Opulskis. Between 1962 and 1982, regardless of its official name at any given time, the Adelaide Lithuanian theatre staged 24 premieres, performed 18 repeat performances, and went on 13 tours in Melbourne and Sydney. In addition to directors, actors, and designers, a large number of other assistants and enthusiasts contributed, including sound and music effects specialists, set decorators, seamstresses, costume supervisors, and administrators.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH01214

On stage, from the left: 1 – Genovaite Matuleviciene, 2 – Violeta Vanagaite, 3 – Nikodemas Skidzevicius.

Adelaide, 16 December 1972

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157245

On stage, actors (from the left): 1 – Vytautas Vosylius, 2 – Genovaite Matuleviciene, 4 – Nikodemas Skidzevicius.

Adelaide, 16 December 1972

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157246

Adelaide, 27 February 1973

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

In 1951, Juozas Gucius emigrated to Australia with his wife – soloist, singing teacher, and music critic Antanina Binkeviciute-Guciene. In Adelaide, he organized the Lithuanian theatre. During the seven years of his leadership, 15 dramatic works (mostly by Lithuanian authors) were staged, and the troupe toured various cities across the country. J. Gucius actively participated in events of the Lithuanian community in Australia and wrote articles for the Lithuanian press. In manuscripts, he left a collection of short stories, tales, and feuilletons.

Pulgis Andriusis wrote about Juozas Gucius: “Juozas Gucius had to leave the Kaunas Radio and come to Australia in order to create a theatre here. Here he fully unfolded all his wings as a director and pedagogue, and here he created his theatre.”

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51571