The Griffin theatre company celebrated 30 years with a party on Nimrod Street, Darlinghurst, today. There were plenty of familiar faces, including a substantial wedge of a particular hospital drama.

Of course, there was a crowd of local councillors and government people, and faces lit up when Virginia Judge (NSW assistant arts minister) announced $80,000 towards the theatre’s rebuilding costs. The company’s trying to raise $1 million for upgrades.

The Griffin has plenty of events planned to mark the anniversary, including a 24 hour play generator where six young playwrights are huddled into a room and given 24 hours to deliver the goods – a 10 minute short play. They’re also launching Short Circuit, a collection of short plays.

It’s the only theatre dedicated to new Australian plays, and stacks of great playwrights and actors have started at Griffin/SBW Stables – Cate Blanchett, Louis Nowra, Brendan Cowell, Michael Gow and plenty more. That’s something to celebrate. Plus it’s the first time Darlinghurst Nights has been invited to a party in the neighbourhood.

UPDATE (21/9/09): Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton donated $45,000, and Bob and Helena Carr $3000, according to the SMH, while Louis Nowra and Bob Ellis feuded from opposite ends of the party over Nowra’s review of Ellis’s book And So It Went.