Betty Margaret Burstall AM (born Betty Margaret Rogers 4 February 1926 – 14 June 2013) was an Australian theatre director who founded the La Mama Theatre in Melbourne in 1967.[1] Burstall and her theatre are credited with leading the growth of contemporary theatre in Melbourne during the 1960s and 1970s.
Betty Burstall | |
|---|---|
| Born | Betty Margaret Rogers 4 February 1926 Australia |
| Died | 14 June 2013 (aged 87) |
| Occupation(s) | Theatre director, theatre founder |
| Spouse | Tim Burstall |
| Family | Sigrid Thornton (daughter in law) |
Biography
editBurstall was inspired to establish the theatre after returning from New York City.[2] She introduced off-Broadway contemporary theatre to Melbourne through La Mama.[1] Numerous actors and writers have appeared and worked at La Mama, including Graeme Blundell, Kerry Dwyer, Jack Hibberd, and John Romeril, all of whom formed the Australian Performing Group.[1]
In 1976, Burstall turned over the day-to-day operations of La Mama to Liz Jones,[3] who remained the theatre's artistic director until 2023.[4][5] Burstall continued as script adviser until 2004.[3]
She served as one of the general members of the Australia Council from its inception in February 1973.[6]
Burstall was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours.[7] She was inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2001.[8]
Betty Burstall was predeceased by husband, film director Tim Burstall, in 2004. She died on 14 June 2013, at the age of 87,[1] survived by two sons and their wives, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The actress Sigrid Thornton is her daughter-in-law.
A 1945 portrait of Burstall by Arthur Boyd is held by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra,[9] while Boyd's pencil drawing, "Betty Burstall with her son Dan" is held by the Art Gallery of South Australia.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Harford, Sonia (17 June 2013). "La Mama founder Betty Burstall dies". WAtoday. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ Peard, Anne-Marie (17 June 2013). "Vale Betty Burstall, founder of La Mama". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ a b Robertson, Malcolm; Jones, Liz (16 July 2013). "Melburnian whose artistic vision changed face of Australian theatre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "La Mama Artistic Director Liz Jones to receive Sue Nattrass Award". Australasian Leisure Management. 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen '‘It was a hard decision’: Liz Jones steps back from La Mama after 50 years' Melbourne Age16 January 2023 https://www.theage.com.au/culture/theatre/it-was-a-hard-decision-liz-jones-bids-farewell-to-la-mama-after-50-years-20230116-p5ccqm.html
- ^ "Vale Betty Burstall". Australia Council for the Arts. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Mrs Betty Margaret Burstall". It's an Honour. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Betty Burstall". Victorian Government: Honour Roll of Women. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Betty Burstall, 1945". National Portrait Gallery collection. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Betty Burstall with her son Dan". Art Gallery of South Australia. Retrieved 12 October 2022.