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The Border Watch, Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 15www.borderwatch.com.au

15ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

TANTALISING THEATRE: Country Arts SA chief executive Steve Saffel (left) and executive producer forperforming arts Anthony Peluso open the curtains on the year ahead at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.

MOUNT Gambiers main theatresred carpet has seen a steady increasein traffic in recent years, while theamount of commercial productions

taking to the stage has more thantripled in the past year.Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

ticket sales indicate the dedication ofthe regions arts aficionados grew asover 34,000 patrons attended a broadspectrum of performances over thelast financial year, while membershipnumbers almost doubled.

Our Friends of the Theatre membersgrew from 113 to 211, which indicatesthe community is taking real owner-ship and pleasure in the theatre in ahealthy arts environment we aimfor 300 by the end of the next season,manager Frank Morello said.

Phenomenal growth in the amountof commercial productions hittingthe stage was also encouraging andindicative 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 promotersare showing interest in what we aredoing down here, he said.

If we have patrons filling the showswe will see that increase again, there-fore even more will be on offer for thepleasure of our patrons.

With an even broader repertoireplanned for next year, Country ArtsSA executive producer for performingarts Anthony Peluso said the organisa-tion was embarking on research to

re-energise the arts presence in ruralareas to put more bums on seats.

We are about to do communityconsultation where we get around toall communities to access a snapshotof where we are and what peoplewant to see from there we can planto improve over the next three to fiveyears, he said.

As you will see in the comingseason, we are looking to diversify

and energise more people by holdingschool programs, music and theatreworkshops so it is not just about seeingshows.

The launch on Saturday night forthe coming season unveiled a myriadof performances from a modern lunch-box-size adaptation of the traditionalcrown of the stage Shakespearescomplete works to a virtuoso show bythe James Morrison Quintet.

Also amongst the shows on offer willbe the new comedic Australian musicalabout big round, beautiful bouncyboobs Breast Wishes a high-octaneperformance by AcO2 that Mr Pelusosaid would blow audiences musicalsocks off, and a play by David Stevensfor 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 artistsand dancers will look to engage localbudding artists.

Mr Morello invited Mount Gambierand the wider region to continue toembrace the theatre, stating its solepurpose was serving the pleasure othe patrons.

For more information about showscoming up at the theatre phone8723 8741 or visit the box office.

Theatre broadens scope

MOSSJACOB

Email: jake@tbw.com.au

MJACC

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