Orange Civic Theatre 2017 season caters for all tastes and ages

Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Ron Gander said the 2017 season included a wide variety of high-quality productions.

“There’s a show there for everyone, from comedies to tragedies to musicals to dance shows,” Cr Gander said.

Performing arts and venues manager, Michelle Pearce said the 2017 season, like previous seasons, featured shows specifically targeted at children and were chosen with the school curriculum in mind.

“Two of these shows Mr Stink and Room on a Broom have been at the Sydney Opera House and Diary of a Wombat is expected to be performed there early in the year.

“It shows they’re high quality shows designed to encourage children to foster a love of theatre and a love of culture and they are here in Orange,” Ms Pearce said.

“The children’s shows are based on books so they can be incorporated into the school curriculum.”

Cr Gander said the Bell Shakespeare performance of Merchant of Venice was particularly note-worthy given the well-known production company had chosen Orange as the launch of its regional tour.

“It means Orange audiences will see the show first, it’s a real coup for the Orange Civic Theatre and once again proves what a wonderful facility we have, right on our doorstep, the fact that a large production company like Bell Shakespeare wants to come here time and again,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for high-school students studying English and drama because they will have the opportunity to meet the cast and director and ask questions during a Q and A session before the shows in the theatre foyer.

“The Merchant of Venice has been part of the Higher School Certificate the past few years so this is a wonderful opportunity for students to see the text come to life.”

Bell Shakespeare’s deputy general manager John Henderson said the Orange Civic Theatre was “one of our most committed national venue partners and we are thrilled to share this important milestone with them and their audiences.”

“Bell Shakespeare has always been committed to sharing Shakespeare’s works with all Australians no matter where they are, our national tour is a big part of achieving that dream,” Mr Henderson said.

“For the last 20 years we have created a production specifically to take across the nation for audiences from all walks of life to experience. 2017 will mark the third year in a row that the national tour has opened in Orange.

“It’s always a pleasure to premiere these productions to the wonderful community there who always welcome us with open arms.”

There are 26 shows during the 2017 season and ticket packages are available to theatre subscribers, for others, tickets go on sale mid-January.

For information on how to subscribe, to see the program and to gain a chance of winning a subscription for free, go to this link.

DRACULA: Dracula by Bram Stoker, created and adapted by Shake &Stir Theatre Co is on in March.