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December 8, 2008
GPAC and Alcoa unveil a magical 10-show theatre season
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Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) has launched the Alcoa Theatre Season 2009, an expanded 10-show program incorporating the best in local, national and international theatre.
GPAC’s Ford Theatre was filled to capacity on Friday, December 5, as more than 700 people were treated to a taste of the varied and highly entertaining suite of work, all brought together under the theme: The Year of Magical Theatre.
The season opens in mid-January with the Circus Oz 30th Birthday Bash. Returning from a successful European tour, this high-energy troupe has added new twists to the old arts, with a spectacular new team of young acrobats and aerialists as well classic Circus Oz favourites.
This will be followed with Geelong’s own Back to Back Theatre’s new show Food Court, which was a sell-out hit of the recent Melbourne International Arts Festival.
One of the jewels in the crown of the program is Sydney Theatre Company’s The Year of Magical Thinking, which has provided the inspiration for the season theme. Directed by Cate Blanchett, this heart-wrenching play by American essayist Joan Didion stars one of Australia’s greatest theatrical actors, Robyn Nevin.
Other highlights include a new David Williamson play Let the Sunshine, internationally acclaimed Canadian puppeteer Ronnie Burkett’s Billy Twinkle - Requiem for a Golden Boy, Victorian Opera’s Don Giovanni, Melbourne Theatre Company’s God of Carnage, Porkchop Productions’ Brilliant Monkey and Embers, a powerful docu-drama based on the Victorian bushfires of 2003. Rounding out the season is a return performance of Menopause The Musical.
GPAC General Manager Jill Smith said the 2009 season included plenty of variety and quality. “These ten high-quality productions involve performers, writers and directors of national and international renown. We are excited to be able to bring theatre at the highest level to Geelong,” she said.
GPAC also announced that long-time supporter Alcoa Point Henry had committed to another three-year sponsorship of the theatre season. Alcoa’s support enables GPAC to bring nationally and internationally renowned theatre to Geelong, while keeping ticket prices to a fraction of the cost of many Melbourne performances.
Alcoa Point Henry Acting Operations Manager Stewart Esdale said Alcoa was proud to continue the long-running relationship with GPAC. “The secret to the success of our long-standing partnership is a shared vision – providing Geelong people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities with access to the arts. Both Alcoa and GPAC see the arts as an experience that binds and builds the social fabric of our community and therefore should be enjoyed and accessible to all,” he said.
 www.gpac.com.au
For more information please contact:
Kate Betts, Alcoa Point Henry
T: 5245 1406
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