THE show must go on – but at the right time – for the Mount Gambier Theatre Group Inc, which continues to piece its latest production together from the safety of isolation.
Around a month from opening night on its original production Outrageous Fortune – written and directed by Mount Gambier performer Tim Rochow – the evolving COVID-19 crisis forced the group to postpone its debut show indefinitely.
While a date has yet to be set for opening night, the State Government has foreshadowed the opening of theatres and cinemas from June 8 – subject to health advice at the time – with an increase in allowable gatherings also expected to be announced.
With positive signs on the horizon, the theatre group is ramping up its rehearsals both individually and through video conferencing to prepare for the performance.
The play follows an old-fashioned family in the midst of a will dispute with all members seeking the lion’s share of the residues.
Theatre group president Harley Austin said the performance was coming together perfectly before the restrictions forced the hiatus.
“We have also had to cancel all children’s classes until further notice and I still have parents messaging me asking when they will go back ahead,” Mr Austin said.
“We are hopeful we will be able to get meetings happening again and catch up with everyone to make sure they are still around and want to do the production.”
In order to maintain social distancing but still contact the cast and crew, Mr Austin said video conferencing had helped connect members.
“We are just trying to do what we can and during their time away from the group there have been some cast members who have continued with their work and there have been others that haven’t been able to,” he said.
“We have had a lot of different video conference calls where we run as a bunch of different characters and try and do things like that but it is hard because we are not getting that face to face interaction.”
With members itching to get back on the state, Mr Austin said rehearsals and script readings would adhere to social distancing standards once reinstated.
“We are hoping to get back in touch with everyone soon to know exactly where they are at and what we can do but firstly it depends on whether we will be able to open up workshops once more,” Mr Austin said.
“Every single person involved in the production cannot wait to get back into it and get going again because for some the group is their source of socialisation.”
A date is yet to be confirmed for Outrageous Fortune.
