New funds for local theatre

Albury, Mullumbimby, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Muswellbrook, Shoal-haven, Bathurst and the Upper Hunter, will all take a share in the funding.

Theatres in these towns will use the funds to create major performances that will be produced, presented and performed by people living in the local area.

The Spaghetti Circus located in Mullumbimby will receive $59,000 in funds – its first funding boost in eight years.

It intends to spend the money on a high quality artwork based on Lewis Carroll’s poem, the “Jabberwocky” as well as pay for the 33 local artists’ wages, clothing and props.

General manager Alice Kadwell is expecting the production to draw more than 2500 people to the town of Mullumbimby across the three day Mullum Circus Festival, to be held September 25 to 27.

Ms Kadwell said the Spaghetti circus was beneficial to the youth of Mullumbimby as the circus saw 360 children come through the doors each week to participate in workshops and classes.

Spaghetti Circus creative director Simone O’Brien said they had significantly increased the capital and raised the profile of Mullumbimby.

“The circus has been operating for more than 25 years and everybody in Mullumbimby Shire has had some kind of Spaghetti Circus experience whether that be as a participant or as a member of the audience and it’s something that attracts all age groups,” he said.

In the Central West, Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC) manager Stephen Champ-ion said his organisation had never had this level of funding.

Mr Champion said Local Stages, a three-year pilot project by the Theatre Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, Bathurst Regional Council and Arts NSW, said its funds will be spent on a two year collaboration using young, local artists from Bathurst and Mudgee.

The BMEC and the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) will collaborate on the production.

Both organisations recognised the benefits for young people involved in a production.