Frame and Kennett Promotions (1973 - 1976)

Frame and Kennett Promotions

Arthur Frame AM and Ken Kennett OAM formed a fully professional theatre company called Frame and Kennett Promotions run entirely independent of Government funding in Brisbane from 1973 that went on to establish it’s own operating theatre space called The Gallery Theatre and presented a number of popular shows between 1973 and 1976.

Arthur Frame AM has worked for Arts Queensland, Queensland Theatre Company, was co-founder and Director of The Gallery Theatre with Ken Kennett OAM, The National Theatre at The Playhouse in Perth, London’s Royal Court Theatre, Radio 4KZ Innisfail and the Living Room Theatre Restaurant, Arthur was the CEO and Artistic Director of the Queensland Arts Council until August 2015. He served on the Board of Regional Arts Australia from 1999 to 2015. He served on the Board of the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) from 2011 to 2021.

He was awarded the Centenary Medal in January, 2001 for distinguished contribution to the arts, and in the Queen’s Birthday 2008 Honours List was made Member of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts and to the community through administrative and advisory roles with a range of organisations in Queensland and support for artists in rural and regional areas.

See: TobySimkin.com/QTC-Hall-of-Fame/#Arthur_Frame_AM

Ken Kennett OAM is a well-known Australian theatrical identity. He originally studied acting at The Central School of Drama, London and was subsequently given acting roles in a number of stage productions. He has produced over 50 plays and musicals. Ken was part of the foundation acting company of the Queensland Theatre Company. Ken was co-founder of The Gallery Theatre with Arthur Frame AM, He also became the Director of the Westfield Super Juniors, a group of young entertainers in Queensland.

Ken co-founded the Fame Talent Agency, also based in Queensland. Ken was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2012 Honours List for service to the performing arts, particularly theatre, as an actor, writer and director.

See: TobySimkin.com/QTC-Hall-of-Fame/#Ken_Kennett_OAM

Shortly after the Schonell Theatre was constructed within the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, the University of Queensland Union (UQU) also built The Cement Box under the Schonell Theatre as a small studio theatre named after it’s cement bessa-block walls. The first non-university commercial production was Frame and Kennett Promotions of HAMLET ON ICE which opened on September 4, 1973. Directed by Ken Kennett, Choreographed by Beverley Nevin, Designed by Gregory Gesch and starring Bille Brown, Arthur Frame and Geoffrey Rush.