In 1947 Norman McVicker formed St Peters Community Players established in the May Street Methodist Hall at St Peters. Later this group of players transferred to the Rechabite Hall in Terry Street, Sydenham.
In 1957 the Pocket Playhouse emerged from St Peters Community Players. It became known as Sydney’s Unique Little Theatre when the Rechabite Hall was purchased and renovated into a modern theatre with a maximum of 72 seats (normally 60). The Pocket Playhouse closed on 17th November 1973 at the conclusion of the performance of ‘Damper and Tea’ (the 89th season).
In ‘Searching for Rainbows’, part of a two volume family history, a section deals with the Pocket Playhouse. On this web site some items of general theatre interest relating to that period will be printed from time to time.
A link with history
The site on which the Pocket Playhouse once stood was originally part of a Crown Grant to Thomas Smyth who came to the Colony of New South Wales as a sergeant in the Marine Corps with the First Fleet. In 1791 Smyth was discharged from the Marines by Governor Phillip who appointed him Superintendent-in-charge of the receipt and delivery of provisions, stores and clothing at Sydney.
At this time Sydenham was part of the District of Bulanaming and Smyth land grants of various acreages in 1794, 1795, and 1799. In the latter year Governor Hunter renewed the various grants to Smyth as a single Crown Grant.
Thomas Smyth died intestate on 19th December, 1804, and administration of his estate was undertaken by James Larra, an early publican in the colony. Larra leased portions of the estate to various gentlemen of Sydney Town and they built their country residences in St Peters, Sydenham and Tempe. Some of the old homes are still standing, although in recent years many have fallen in re-development schemes.
Historical records show that on 14th December, 1857, Samuel Henry Terry, a wealthy businessman and entrepreneur, acquired 20 acres of the original grant to Smyth. In 1866 Terry sub-divided the land into building lots and offered them for sale as the “Marionette Estate”. Terry Street, where the Pocket once stood, was named after Samuel Henry Terry, as were Samuel and Henry Streets close to the “Pocket”. All Streets are still so named.
On 20th October, 1884, Lot 31 (on which the “Pocket” once stood) was acquired by George Toyer (after whom nearby Toyer Street is named) and four years later on 5th January, 1888 it was transferred to Arthur Toyer.
In the period between 1884 and 1888 it is thought a semi-detached cottage was erected on the land, but no records could be found to confirm whether a structure was in existence when the property was acquired by the Independent Order of Rechabites in 1888. However, during the “Pocket” renovations in December, 1960, there was ample evidence that a cottage had been built and conversion to a hall must have been carried out in the early days of occupation by the Independent Order of Rechabites.
For 72 years the Rechabite Hall was the centre of many local activities—a focal point for dancing classes, church services, Sunday Schools, wedding receptions, birthday parties and political meetings. A Premier of New South Wales, the late Hon. J. J. Cahill made the first speech of his political career in the Rechabite Hall.
On the 19th December, 1960, an era came to an end. Old identities came to watch and wonder at the alterations being made to their “hall” which had been purchased by the Pocket Playhouse. The façade was changed and the interior modernised. Like a phoenix rising out of the ashes of the past, emerged an intimate Little Theatre, the Pocket Playhouse.
Performances continued until 1973 when the theatre closed permanently and the property was sold. Eventually the building was demolished and a modern cottage erected on the site.
The following is a list of the plays presented by both St Peters Community Players and the Pocket Playhouse. A list of the recipients of the ‘Pocket Awards’ is also shown.
To see the list of productions and awards, please click one of these links:
St Peters Community Players: 1948 – 1956
Pocket Playhouse: 1957–1973
The Pocket Awards
Norman McVicker's Budgee Budgee site 
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