GPAC launches new festival celebrating regional theatre

Published on 30 August 2022

There is an abundance of creative talent in regional NSW, and this October long weekend it will take centre stage at Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, with the launch of the brand new Festival of Regional Theatre.

Running from 30 September to 3 October, the program includes the premiere of long forgotten works by Millicent Armstrong, who was a celebrated First World War nurse, farmer and playwright from Goulburn.

The program will also feature a special performance of The Waltz, commemorating inspirational regional director David Letch; Salon by Arts on Tour, which will pitch new works by regional creatives, along with professional development for aspiring producers, and
One Act Wonders, a short play competition for regional theatre companies.

Goulburn Performing Arts Centre Manager Raina Savage said the venue was the perfect facility to host the Festival of Regional Theatre.

“The brand new Goulburn Performing Arts Centre is a state of the art contemporary venue that has made professional theatre experiences accessible to our local audience,” Ms Savage said. “We now want to throw open the doors to the many talented theatre makers in the region and across NSW, and let their creativity loose on our main stage.”

The centrepiece of the Festival is the premiere of Drought and Other Plays, four short works by Millicent Armstrong whose award-winning plays, written between the wars, are being revived by Gunning-based Music Theatre Projects Ltd. Director and Producer Dianna Nixon said Drought and Other Plays was an opportunity to bring Millicent Armstrong into the public awareness.

“This amazing person lived near Gunning, went to the Western Front, was awarded a Croix de Guerre for bravery, became a soldier settler, and is listed on Wikipedia as: playwright, farmer,” Ms Nixon said. “But no-one was aware she’d existed. As I delved deeper I became obsessed with bringing Millicent’s story and work back into the public eye.”

Amateur theatre groups are invited to take part in the inaugural One Act Wonders short play competition from 2-3 October, with prizes and awards for best production and best original script, supported by Mark Bradbury Legal. The Waltz, a play as tender as it is heart-wrenching by Goulburn-based writer David Cole, will be featured on Sunday night.

Theatre makers with works in development or ready to tour can apply to pitch their work to a keen audience of venue managers from across NSW and ACT, as part of the Arts on Tour Salon. AOT’s free Touring Lab on Saturday 1 October will take emerging regional producers through the fundamentals of how to take their work on tour.

With a grant for the festival from the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program, events will be free or low cost, with no charge for
Touring Lab, Salon or audiences attending the One Act Wonders competition.

“There is something for everyone in this stunning and fun new festival – whether as actors, directors or producers who want to put their work on display or learn how to take it on the road, and of course for the audience who will be able to enjoy a wide variety of theatre from drama to comedy and everything in between,” Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Peter Walker said.

Applications for the One Act Wonders competition are now open and available at www.goulburnpac.com.au or from the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre Box Office. Applications close on Friday 16 September 2022.

For tickets or further information, contact the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre Box Office between Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm, or call (02) 4823 4999.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the Community Events Program will support the events and hospitality sectors, while bolstering economic recovery.

“People have been disconnected from family and friends but now they’re getting out and about again, we want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in regions like Goulburn,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“We are backing events that bring local communities together and this funding will help contribute to a sense of improved wellbeing and connectedness in 2022 and beyond.”

The $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program is part of the $200 million Regional Recovery Package, designed to support economic and social recovery across regional NSW that will create new jobs and support community events, shows and festivals to boost tourism.

For further information, go to: www.regional.nsw.gov.au/CommunityEvents