The Therry Dramatic Society was founded by George Duke Walton on 8th September, 1943. The first meeting was held in the Diocesan Catholic Education Building (now Fennescey House) at 33 Wakefield Street, Adelaide.
The first major production - Quality Street by J.M. Barrie - was mounted the following year, on the 2nd August 1944. This was the forerunner of nearly 300 productions which the Society has produced since that time. The Society has staged one musical and three plays each year since 1978.
Schools Drama Festival was introduced in 1962 to encourage drama in Catholic schools. This gave many students their first opportunity for onstage and backstage work and encouraged some to join Therry after leaving school. Seven of these students eventually became Presidents of the Society with others serving as Council members. Some prominent Australian actors and stage technicians began their careers in professional theatre through this Festival, many of them have pursued a career in television.
In 1984, the Society moved its Clubrooms from the buildings next to St Francis Xavier Cathedral, where members had met and rehearsed since 1943, to St Mary's Church, 49 Beulah Road, Norwood. It is there that members meet every Tuesday, except during a production.
Over 60 years, productions have been staged in Australia Hall, Willard Hall in Wakefield Street, back to the Australia Hall, renamed the Royalty Theatre, and now at the Arts Theatre in Angas Street.
For a more detailed history, please visit the "therry history" section.
