History of the Troupe

The Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe was established in 1987. The first production was born out of a meeting of a dozen or so people interested in live theatre, who felt that Eastbourne should not be behind other small areas in having its own theatre company. The budget for the first show consisted of what money those people had in their pockets at the time, and the trust of some local retailers willing to give credit for materials.

With no assets, no bank account, and no reputation, The Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe launched into a production that consisted of a revue-style first half, followed by a light-hearted melodrama, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll.

Fired with enthusiasm at the success of this first effort and eager to push ahead to the next show, The Troupe held auditions for a pantomime, to be staged a few months later: an old classic, The Tinder Box.

Since that first year the Troupe has staged more than eighteen major productions, and been involved in many one-off performances including Bye Bye Borough day, the first Eastbourne Promenade day, cabarets for Eastbourne and Hutt Lions Christmas functions, and the Wellington Botanical Gardens Cavalcade Pageant. The Troupe has also done many play-readings and run a wide variety of workshops.

During the Troupe's ten years, there have been many social events for members and their families. These have included summer picnics at Butterfly Creek and Rimutaka Forest Park, a camp-out weekend at a member's property in the Wairarapa, and numerous parties. Since the inaugural meeting in 1987, there have been over 140 people involved in Troupe productions.

The Troupe feels itself to be very much a part of the Eastbourne community, with the membership being predominantly locals, but no one is excluded! There is a broad range of involvement among members, depending on their other commitments.