Powerful performances by some of Australia’s most loved music, theatre and dance companies will feature in Bendigo next year.
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The Capital Venues and Events 2018 season was unveiled for a full house at Ulumbarra on Tuesday night.
Ulumbarra will host the world premiere of Arena Theatre Company’s first production since moving to Bendigo earlier in the year.
“We are very, very proud to announce Arena will have piece called Robot Song,” he said.
“We were interested in that piece before conversations that relocated Arena to Bendigo began.
Robot Song will premier in July and creates discussion around autism while telling the story of the relationship between a girl named Juniper and a robot.
“That piece has significant national tour and will tour internationally but the world premier is on the stages of Bendigo,” Mr Lloyd said.
“It sets the tone for what Arena will bring to Bendgo and it tells the rest of Australia about Bendigo.”
Lead by some strong drama pieces and intimate music performances, shows will fill Ulumbarra, The Capital, the Engine Room and the Bendigo Bank Theatre.
See the full 2018 program below.
Capital Venues and Events manager David Lloyd said there was a real mix of shows to be featured.
“There are usual suspects like Bell Shakespeare but we tried for a diverse mix,” he said.
“We have a small, dedicated season in the Engine Room for the first time which is amazing.
“In the Bendigo Bank Theatre we have a little parlour season which has great ensembles playing in a very intimate atmosphere.”
Mr Lloyd said he was excited for the Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ new show.
“Junk was a beautiful piece I saw premiered in Albury that I absolutely loved,” he said.
“They are a company that does great work and Junk is a particularly affection piece of theatre.
“Another important piece a dance piece called Skin that the audience will experience in different ways.”
Mr Lloyd said there was some impressive music-based shows headed to Bendigo in 2018.
“We end the year with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the MSO Chorus presenting Handel’s Messiah,” he said.
“The MSO have had a small hiatus from us but have been regular visitors over the years. For them to be presenting something on the scale of Handel’s Messiah shows they realise we have a and audience thirsty for music.
Opera Australia will also present Madame Butterfly which Mr Lloyd said would be a highlight for opera fans.
Much loved classics and new favourites are reborn for children and families, with The 78-Storey Treehouse, The Magic Pudding and The Gruffalo just a few of the shows making up the First Stages program.