ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 15
Theatre broadens scope
JACOB
JAC
MOSS
MO
Email
Email: jake@tbw.com.au
MOUNT Gambier’s main theatre’s
red carpet has seen a steady increase
in traffic in recent years, while the
amount of commercial productions
taking to the stage has more than
tripled in the past year.
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
ticket sales indicate the dedication of
the region’s arts aficionados grew as
over 34,000 patrons attended a broad
spectrum of performances over the
last financial year, while membership
numbers almost doubled.
“Our Friends of the Theatre members
grew from 113 to 211, which indicates
the community is taking real owner-
ship and pleasure in the theatre in a
healthy arts environment – we aim
for 300 by the end of the next season,”
manager Frank Morello said.
Phenomenal growth in the amount
of commercial productions hitting
the stage was also encouraging and
indicative of a growing arts culture
in the city, Mr Morello said.
“The amount of commercial produc-
tions tripled over the previous year,
which shows that outside promoters
are showing interest in what we are
doing down here,” he said.
“If we have patrons filling the shows
we will see that increase again, there-
fore even more will be on offer for the
pleasure of our patrons.”
With an even broader repertoire
planned for next year, Country Arts
SA executive producer for performing
TANTALISING THEATRE: Country Arts SA chief executive Steve Saffel (left) and executive producer for arts Anthony Peluso said the organisa-
performing arts Anthony Peluso open the curtains on the year ahead at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre. tion was embarking on research to
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www.borderwatch.com.au The Border Watch, Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 15
re-energise the arts presence in rural
areas to “put more bums on seats”.
“We are about to do community
consultation where we get around to
all communities to access a snapshot
of where we are and what people
want to see – from there we can plan
to improve over the next three to five
years,” he said.
“As you will see in the coming
season, we are looking to diversify
and energise more people by holding
school programs, music and theatre
workshops so it is not just about seeing
shows.”
The launch on Saturday night for
the coming season unveiled a myriad
of performances from a modern lunch-
box-size adaptation of the traditional
“crown of the stage” Shakespeare’s
complete works to a virtuoso show by
the James Morrison Quintet.
Also amongst the shows on offer will
be the new comedic Australian musical
about “big round, beautiful bouncy
boobs” – Breast Wishes – a high-octane
performance by AcO2 that Mr Peluso
said would “blow audiences musical
socks off”, and a play by David Stevens
for the sentimental amongst us called
The Sum of Us.
Just for Kids performances will run
during school holidays, while work-
shops offered by artists, musicians,
writers, puppeteers, new media artists
and dancers will look to engage local
budding artists.
Mr Morello invited Mount Gambier
and the wider region to continue to
embrace the theatre, stating its sole
purpose was serving “the pleasure of
the patrons”.
For more information about shows
coming up at the theatre phone
8723 8741 or visit the box office.