Brett Randall

By this time, the Great Depression was squeezing family incomes, and the "talkies" provided a cheaper form of amusement than live theatre, so many professional actors were forced to supplement their reduced incomes by other forms of employment, but kept their names before the public in repertory theatre. In 1931 Randall and Hal Percy, both "between engagements", founded a "little theatre" to present quality drama to the theatre-loving public at moderate prices. Their first venue was a kiosk at Fawkner Park, South Yarra, and slowly attracted a dedicated audience. After a few years they lost their lease and Percy left to pursue a career in radio. Led by Randall, they changed their name to the Melbourne Little Theatre Company, and took a lease on St Chad's, a small disused church in the same district, and set about converting it to a theatre for an audience of around a hundred. It was not ideal: the stage was too small (4.5 by 3.5 metres), and there was no backstage or fly area, but the talented and hard-working company prospered and for twenty years produced each year eight 3-week seasons of high-class dramatic productions. A notable new member in 1934 was Irene Mitchell, whose talent and enthusiasm were noted by Randall, who acted as a kind of mentor, encouraging her to take on increasingly responsible roles, until by 1950 she was producing most of the company's more challenging productions.

In 1948 Randall and the (Victorian) Council of Adult Education (CAE) founded "Everyman Theatres", a touring company managed by Max Bruch, which took plays to country centres.

Personal Randall was described as tall, usually wearing a beret, and possessing a gruff voice. His portrait, by L. Scott Pendlebury, was a finalist for the 1956 Archibald Prize.

Randall had two sisters, Lady Cecil Rodwell of Holbrook, Suffolk, and Betty, Mrs Ian Wilson-Johnstone. Neither is known to have visited Australia. Their parents spent their last years in Melbourne.

His son Peter Randall was associated with St Martin's Theatre, a later incarnation of St Chad's.

He is not to be confused with Brett Randall Jr, Brett Randall Snr grandson who manager of Jigsaw Theatre in the 1980s and the CEO of the Victorian Arts CentreState Theatre, Melbourne, from 1994-1996.