Sophie Conlon
Seven stellar theatre performances and art exhibitions will visit Mount Gambier next year as part of Country Art SA’s aim to deliver arts to regional communities.
The Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre will host five productions from May to September, while the Riddoch Art Gallery will host two exhibitions one on now, until January 2023, and the other running between September and November 2023.
Country Arts SA chief executive Anthony Peluso said it was exciting the organisation could continue its 30 year tradition of bringing art to the regions.
“For the past 30 years we have made art happen in all its forms across the regions, encouraging audiences to see something different and new, and most importantly, bringing communities together,” he said.
Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels encouraged everyone to get down to the local theatre or gallery to check out what was on offer.
“Arts and culture bring communities and audiences together – something we all need after the past couple of years,” she said.
“The 2023 Country Arts SA program has opportunities throughout the year for communities right across the state, from the West Coast to Mount Gambier, to come together and enjoy great stories and moments of joy.”
There will be theatre performances on offer for everyone, with theatre productions including Euphoria by Emily Steel which explores the joys and challenges of living in a country town; Exposed by Restless Dance Theatre which explores the intricacies of life through the lens of personal actions, thoughts, desires, traumas, and failures; and Zooom by Patch Theatre which follows a lost star find its way home and finds what dreams are made of.
Also showing is the The Sunshine Club a musical written and directed by internationally acclaimed Nunukul and Ngugi playwright and director Wesley Enoch, and children’s performance Emil and the Detectives by Slingsby Theatre Company.
While the Riddoch will host Bee Stung Lips and Adolescent Wonderland, two unique shows highlighting the women artists movements through life, one exploring relationships and the struggle against societal structures, and the other telling stories of young Aboriginal people in remote Australia.
To find the 2023 Country Arts SA program and to buy tickets to the shows, check out their website countryarts.org.au
