Theatre director Wendy Collishaw is hoping the Bendigo community will rally behind arts and entertainment groups as they work to re-start the sector.
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Ms Collishaw and the cast and crew of Synchronicity Performing Arts' new production - Go Back For Murder - are a week away from returning to the stage following almost 12 months away from it.
She said it has been one of the most challenging productions she has worked on due to the ongoing coronavirus shadow looming over the country.
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"We're just about to have technical week but we have been challenged because the lockdown meant we lost a couple of rehearsals and we have one cast member in isolation because she is a secondary close contact," Ms Collishaw said.
"I've never directed a show with this many challenges from the outside. There is a lot to think about but it's worth it. We need to get the arts up and running, we need to get things happening that people can attend."
Go Back For Murder was originally a book by Agatha Christie featuring detective Hercule Poroit. The famous fictional detective was written out for the stage version.
The murder mystery play is set in the 1980s in act one and flashes back to the 1960s in act two with some cast members taking on duel roles.
During lockdown, cast and crew connected on Zoom to continue rehearsing.
"They ran lines and we had people acting through their phones while at home in their lounge," Ms Collishaw said. "They're semi-professional cast and their attitude is professional, which is great."
Ms Collishaw said it was encouraging to see the music sector getting going again along with other local theatre companies such as Bendigo Theatre Company preparing to present shows.
But she said the support the theatre community needed most would come from audiences.
"We need people to come support theatre, buy tickets and be brave and say, COVID allowing, we're coming back to shows," she said. "The only way we can get the (theatre community) back up is by having people show their support.
"It's everything. If this show does well then the next project can happen. We're looking at training school kids in Shakespeare and monologues and this show funds the next project."
Ms Collishaw said ticket sales were progressing nicely.
"They totally stopped with lockdown, now it's starting to pick up again but it is slow. If we're shutdown through COVID people can get refunds," she said.
"We have a capacity for 70 people. We could have more but 70 is very safe. I think still a degree of hesitation but a lot of people are really desperate to get on stage.
"But (shows returning) need to come from the public showing support so theatre companies feel confident to put a financial investment into a show."
Synchronicity Performing Arts will present Go Back For Murder at Temperance Hall, 20 View Street, from March 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 at 8pm and March 6, 7 and 13 at 2pm. Visit www.gotix.com.au for tickets.
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