Celebrating Local Theatre: The Story of Offshore Theatre on Phillip Island
Born out of a love for performance and community spirit, Offshore Theatre was founded back in 1995 by a passionate group of locals—Amanda Price, Anne Davie, Michael Cleeland, Sue Pearce, and Sharon Davie. Their first show was Cinderella, staged at St Philip’s Church in Cowes. It was a humble beginning, but it lit a spark that’s still burning bright today.
Community at Our Core
What makes Offshore Theatre special isn’t just the shows—it’s the people. Every production brings together a mix of seasoned actors and first-timers, students and retirees, artists and organisers. Whether you’re backstage, in the spotlight, or clapping from the audience, you’re part of something bigger.
We also love holding play readings and workshops, giving locals a chance to dip their toes into theatre without the pressure of a full performance. It’s all about growing together and celebrating the talent in our own backyard.
From Pantomime to Powerful Drama
In the early days, we focused on pantomimes and melodramas—family-friendly fun that always brought in a crowd. Over time, our productions became more ambitious and varied, tackling everything from biting satire to heartfelt drama. One of the things we value most is how Offshore has stayed true to its roots while continuing to grow and challenge both performers and audiences.
Even the pandemic couldn’t stop us—though it did delay a few shows! In true community theatre fashion, we adapted, regrouped, and came back stronger.
Some Highlights from Our Stage
Just a few of the shows we’ve produced—it’s a pretty incredible list.
Emerald City (2025)
Most recently, we dived into David Williamson’s Emerald City, set in the fast-talking world of 1980s Sydney. Full of wit and cynicism (and dialogue for days!), it was the perfect satire to kick off our 2025 season, and we had a blast bringing it to life.
My Sister Jill (2024)
We performed this incredible Patricia Cornelius play as part of Berninneit’s first birthday celebrations. Melissa McMillan directed again, and the performances were unforgettable. It was one of those shows that gets people talking long after the curtain falls.
Sunset Strip (2024)
In 2024, we took on Suzie Miller’s Sunset Strip—a tender, funny, and emotional play about two sisters navigating cancer, divorce, and life in general. It was raw, honest, and surprisingly uplifting. We staged it at Newhaven College’s Black Box Theatre, and it was an audience favourite.
Australians All (2023)
This one was written by Jonathan Biggins and directed by Amanda Price. It’s a clever satire about what it means to be Australian. It was meant to debut in 2020, but COVID had other plans. When we finally put it on in 2023, it struck a chord with audiences—funny, timely, and thought-provoking.
2:20AM (2023)
Probably one of our most powerful pieces. Written by Rebecca Lister and directed beautifully by Melissa McMillan, it dealt with the raw topic of suicide and grief. It wasn’t an easy story to tell, but it resonated deeply—and we were proud (and a little teary) when it won Best Production, Best Director, and more at the Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards.
Looking Ahead
As we near our 30th anniversary (can you believe it?), we’re more excited than ever about what’s to come. Offshore Theatre has always been a labour of love, and we can’t wait to keep telling stories that make people laugh, cry, and think.
If you’re ever in the area, come along to a show. Or better yet—join us! There’s always room for more voices, more laughter, and more community.
Some of our incredible sponsors and suppliers
