Somerville Auditorium
5380P Aerial photograph highlighting site of stage - 1945
In 1927, a gentleman by the name of William Somerville decided to create a cathedral. Rather than bricks and mortar, his walls would be made from the boughs of Norfolk pine trees, and rather than cold stone and marble, the floors and ceilings would be luscious grass and leaves. The natural light of the sun and the moon would replace candelabras, and the scent of incense and mustiness would be lost to clean fresh air. And so was born the Somerville Auditorium.
5384P During construction of the shell - 1940s
Based on the floor plan of a Gothic cathedral and inspired by Mr Somerville’s travels through untouched primeval forests, the Somerville Auditorium is a permanent venue on the University of Western Australia’s campus.
5383P Seating arrangements - 1947
Throughout the year, the Somerville is used for various events including the Perth International Arts Festival film season and RTRFM’s long-standing event In The Pines. The trees have grown tall and strong since 1927, and enclose the perfect stomping ground for the main stage of This Is Nowhere.
Dolphin Theatre
Named for the loveable underwater mammals that often frolic in the waters of the Matilda Bay foreshore, The Dolphin Theatre opened for use in 1976. Since then, it has played host to a number of theatrical productions, and is a regular venue of choice for the University Dramatic Society. Never before used as a dance party space, local party makers the ICSSC alongside life is noise have programmed something special for The Dolphin - and will give it more of a club feel, just for one day.
Lawrence Jackson Court
Sir Lawrence Jackson held the position of Chancellor at UWA through the sunshine years of 1968-1981. While all the cool uni kids were starting various Rock’n’Roll Appreciation Societies, working out their best disco moves and giving the Oak Lawn the reputation it has now, Sir Lawrence was performing his Chancellery duties well enough to have a courtyard named after him.
The Lawrence Jackson Courtyard is the space outside the Dolphin Theatre, cornered by the Octagon Theatre and a statue of a dancer. This Is Nowhere will turn the courtyard into a buzzing space for eating, drinking, merrymaking and Inglorious Busking.