Betty Burstall

Betty Margaret Burstall (4 February 1926 – 14 June 2013) was an Australian theatre director who founded the La Mama Theatre in Melbourne in 1967.[1] Burstall and her theatre are credited with leading the growth of contemporary theatre in Melbourne during the 1960s and 1970s.[1]

Burstall was inspired to establish the theatre after returning from New York City.[1] She introduced off-Broadway contemporary theatre to Melbourne through La Mama.[1] Numerous actors and writers have appeared and worked at La Mama, including Graeme Blundell, Kerry Dwyer, Jack Hibberd, and John Romeril, all of whom formed the Australian Performing Group.[1] In 1976, Burstall turned over the day-to-day operations of La Mama to Liz Jones,[1] who remains the theatre's artistic director as of 2019.[2] Burstall remained the chief script adviser until about 1998.[1]

Betty Burstall was predeceased by husband, film director Tim Burstall, in 2004. She died on 14 June 2013, at the age of 87,[1] survived by two sons and their wives, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The actress Sigrid Thornton is her daughter-in-law.