The Ensemble Theatre in Sydney isn't only producing shows at its traditional Kirribilli home, it is making its mark right across the country....

Ensemble Theatre is taking Australia by storm. The completely unfunded, intimate 216 seat venue nestled on the harbour at Kirribilli is sending four of its recent sold-out hit productions on a touring schedule around Australia that would rival any major theatre company in the world.

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks featuring Australian musical theatre legend Nancye Hayes and popular Dancing With the Stars judge Todd McKenney (both pictured right) premiered last year at the Sydney Opera House and played to packed houses. The production transferred to Glen Street Theatre and the Canberra Theatre Centre, followed by a triumphant return season at the Theatre Royal in Sydney, then enjoyed a four week season in Melbourne. This year, in association with Christine Dunstan Productions and with the assistance of Playing Australia and Arts on Tour NSW, Ensemble Theatre is touring the production to 20 venues right around the country from March through to October. Director Sandra Bates is currently rehearsing with McKenney and Hayes, and the show opens on March 7 in Wollongong. The production will then be presented for a three week season as part of the Queensland Theatre Company’s season at QPAC, before playing at venues in Gosford, Shepparton, Warragul, Hobart, Launceston, Geelong, Frankston, Penrith, Perth, Albury, Rockhampton, Townsville, Toowoomba, Bathurst, Orange, Taree and Adelaide. This production was recently awarded the Norman Kessell Memorial Award for the Best Production of 2006 by The Glugs.

The production currently playing at Ensemble, Lotte's Gift, a World Premiere written and directed by David Williamson and performed by classical guitarist Karin Schaupp transfers to Sydney’s Theatre Royal from March 21-24 then tours to Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre for 3 weeks in April and then to Wollongong’s Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from May 24. Lotte's Gift has been produced in association with Christine Dunstan Productions.

In 2003, Ensemble Theatre premiered John Misto’s play Harp on the Willow with a sold out season featuring Marina Prior as the famous Irish singer Mary O’Hara. Marina Prior is reprising this role for a Melbourne Premiere season at the Comedy Theatre which opens this Thursday March 1, and Ensemble Theatre is co-producing this production with Malcolm C. Cooke and Associates.

Also playing in Melbourne at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is Queenie van de Zandt in her hit comedy cabaret show I Get The Music In You. This production premiered at Ensemble Theatre in July, 2006 and played to packed houses. Ensemble Theatre is presenting the Melbourne season at the Umbrella Revolution in Federation Square, playing from 5th–29th April.

The Ensemble Theatre’s Artistic & Governing Director of the last 21 years - Sandra Bates, recently won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sydney Theatre Awards. The Ensemble Theatre is also looking forward to celebrating its 50th birthday in 2008 – as the longest continuously running professional theatre company in Australia.