Subscriber Spotlight – Rita Llewellyn
Rita Llewellyn insists she’s not an artistic person. But creating and managing a group of 49 State Theatre Company South Australia subscribers since 1990? As one of our longest-term subscribers, that’s well within her skill set. Rita first started going to theatre shows at the Red Shed and University Guild in the 70s while she was at Uni, and first became a State Theatre Company South Australia subscriber in 1978. Through all the many artistic directors she’s seen come and go, her love for the intimacy and community of live theatre has remained.
How did you first start your subscriber group?
The group started in 1990 with about 12 members. It was the year Rosalba Clemente did a launch at the Queen’s Theatre, where she arrived in a yellow sports car through the front door. The group was people we knew, people we worked with. Just a group of friends! The next year, there were 15 members. It’s been ebb and flow, but there are still those 12 members who have been part of the group from the start. For the past 5 years, I’ve had just below 40 members. And then this year 49 people in the group!
We go to a meal first at the Guardsman, and we used to go to Regatta’s. We get up to 23 members coming to dinner for a chat. At the end of the year, we talk about the whole season, which plays we liked, which ones were a miss. It’s really good, it’s a community. A lot of the members are older single people, so they like the social activity of going out, having a meal and seeing a play.
What is the best thing about being a State Theatre subscriber?
Appreciating all the work that goes into a production. Because there are costumes, there’s music, there’s lighting, and there are really good actors. That’s why I like the subscriber briefings, to see all the people involved. There’s always something to appreciate and talk about afterwards. I’m not a theatrical or artistic person at all, but I really do love live theatre. The intensity of being part of a small audience, close to the stage. It’s really quite chilling; there’s nothing else like it.
Why is managing and maintaining a subscriber group important to you?
It’s a lot of work but I like the fact that the members of the group are coming to the theatre, talking about it and then telling their friends as well. That’s how the group has grown so big. One member is bringing her granddaughter along, who is under 30. There are a few mother-daughter groups too, which is really good. I want to inspire as many people as I can to love the theatre too.
What shows are you looking forward to most in season 2026 and why?
I’m really looking forward to RBG because I’ve done a lot of reading about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and have also seen the movie about her. All of my group is going to RBG, we’re really excited. I’ve seen ART before, but I’m really looking forward to seeing a new set of actors in those roles. I really like the new plays too. It’s going to be a good year!
