GENER8 Theatre’s Cold as Ice project has received a boost with a $10,000 donation from gas exploration company Beach Energy.
The donation will go towards the virtual reality section of the unique theatre experience planned by artistic director Jamie Harding.
“The show is not a conventional theatre show – the second half is a virtual reality experience,” Mr Harding said.
The Cold as Ice project is in its final draft, with the crew working alongside professional writers to finalise the story.
In planning for three years now, the project is progressing with stage props and decorations being planned and the virtual reality section in development.
The project began with a community discussion on issues affecting the Mount Gambier community, with the methamphetamine known as “ice” a key topic.
Mr Harding interviewed more than 60 people affected by the drug or its impacts and gathered their stories to bring the issue to the stage.
“It became very apparent that this is such a raw issue for so many people that we couldn’t just fly blind,” Mr Harding said.
“I interviewed everyone from parents who have lost children to the drug, through to addicts, recovering addicts and also prisoners.”
An aim of the project is to show the community the extensive impact of the drug and encourage further discussion.
“The show is still fictitious work, it still has characters that go through journeys, but all these interviews have fed the world of the work,” Mr Harding said.
The virtual reality aspect of the project extends the story and allows audiences to step into the world Mr Harding and his team has created.
“The ability that virtual reality has to allow the audience to step into the story and immerse themselves as an audience is done in a way that has not been done before in storytelling,” Mr Harding said.
Beach Energy regional manager Glenn Toogood said he was taken aback by the “innovation of what Gener8 was presenting”.
“We will always commit to giving back to the community for efforts such as these and in areas in which we operate,” Mr Toogood said.
“This is such an important community issue.”
Reformed drug user, political hopeful and supporter of the work Kate Amoroso said she was excited about the project after becoming involved through her own journey.
She said she hoped it contributed to awareness of the issue and need for rehabilitation services.
“I think it is a great educational tool to reach some people that may withhold from other forums that wouldn’t necessarily be reached,” Ms Amoroso said.
The show is set to premiere in 2018, with official dates to be announced soon.
