Bendigo Theatre Company is ready to rock again after re-launching its plans to present We Will Rock You.
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The company planned to perform the show in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic forced We Will Rock You's postponement.
Auditions will be held March 6 and 7 for roles that have been left vacant by last year's cast who couldn't commit to the 2021 dates.
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Director Paul Watson said he expected some cast members wouldn't be available and that there could be between eight and 16 places to fill.
"Things change and that's to be expected," he said. "We didn't think we could walk back in as if we had just hit the pause button.
"We are looking for somewhere between eight and 16 people. it will 16 if we go crazy and cast something massive but it is kind of not time to have more people in a room than necessary.
"So eight would be a good number to keep it manageable in the spaces we will be in."
Mr Watson said planning shows as the country recovered from the pandemic was somewhat of a gamble for theatre companies but that there was a determination to forge ahead.
"It was all a bit will it, won't it," he said. "No one knew anything for ages. We were seeing other companies forge ahead and hoping there would be an answer (about theatre returning) in some way.
"I was trying to push (BTC) a little bit because affects everything else down the line. In my position where I'm travelling and other producers and companies have things in the mix, everyone is trying to find space in the calendar to launch everything.
"The quicker you can get people to make decision - even though that is hard at the moment - the easier it turns out to give answers about what's is capable."
Mr Watson expected audiences to be eager to return to live shows.
"I think a lot of things have changed permanently," he said. "I have so many friends working in the city in offices, all basically saying they won't ever be back working (in the office) five days a week.
"But I think people are crying out for events. Events make us all feel good about ourselves. The scariest and the hardest thing for companies is if we go into pre-production and the government slams a quick shutdown.
"If Dan Andrews says there is another five-day lockdown in a week where you're performing, all that pre-production expense is gone.
"What does that do to your bottom line? So there is a certain amount of gambling involved. But people are definitely ready to perform and, hopefully, the community gets out and supports it."
BTC presents We Will Rock You at Ulumbarra between July 8 and 11. Visit www.bendigotheatrecompany.org.au for more details.
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