Book excerpt: In its first 40 years, from conception to maturity, through stages of growth both painful and pleasurable, Downstage - New Zealand's first and longest running regional professional theatre company - has lived an extraordinary life. This large and lavishly illustrated 'biography' is published to celebrate Downstage's birthday. It covers all the drama and larger-than-life personalities that have characterised Downstage's life, and the many great productions such as Colin McColl's internationally acclaimed relocation of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler to Karori. A major contribution to New Zealand's cultural history.