Buckle up and get ready to take flight: Geelong Arts Centre launch fantastic 2021 Winter Escape Season
9 Apr 2021MEDIA RELEASE • 9 APRIL 2021
After a year like no other, Geelong Arts Centre is delighted to present a season like no other; the Geelong Arts Centre 2021 Winter Escape Season proudly supported by Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University, and Innovation Partner, Costa Asset Management.
Following the success of February’s Summer Sessions under the Rippleside Big Top, Geelong Arts Centre is excited to safely welcome back live audiences to venues across the redeveloped Costa Hall, Ryrie Street Building, and beyond!
A slight ‘departure’ from the traditional Deakin University Theatre Season, the Geelong Arts Centre 2021 Winter Escape Season is an extraordinary journey from opera, theatre and comedy, to quirky cabaret and one of our First People’s most illuminating voices.
Whether looking to get lost, or find oneself after a disorienting year, the Greater Geelong community is invited to escape the day-to-day with a diverse and immersive program of fabulous performances.
Geelong Arts Centre scrupulously adheres to COVIDSafe principles, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, provision of ample sanitization stations, contactless QR check-in and cashless points of service.
For a list of safety measures and what to expect on site, visit the Geelong Arts Centre website.
With capacity for studio shows limited to up to 100 per performance, arts lovers are encouraged to get in quick to be part of this year’s ‘Winter Escape’.
Including stunning vocal performances from iconic Australian artists, Archie Roach, Silvie Paladino and Isaiah Firebrace, wonderfully zany theatre works from the likes of Company 13, Belloo Creative and Ten Tonne Sparrow, mesmerising storytelling from Opera Australia and Jessie Lloyd, searing drama from Griffin Theatre Company and even a ritzy dinner and a show from Tenacious C, the Geelong Arts Centre 2021 Winter Escape Season makes it possible to plan your escape away from the very dreariest of winter days.
“We are thrilled to return to the home of Where Creativity Meets, in both Costa Hall and Ryrie Street, to provide the G21 community with a Winter Escape in the comfort of their very own backyard; connecting them to world class performances and multi-arts experiences.”
Geelong Arts Centre Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director, Joel McGuinness
“While Geelong Arts Centre's Little Malop Street redevelopment is now in full swing, it hasn't stopped the team from bringing the best performances to our community.”
“This program is set to warm up winter in Geelong with an incredible line-up of shows for all ages. It's fantastic to see local venues come back to life, performers back on stage and live arts back in Geelong”.
Christine Couzens MP, Member for Geelong
“Deakin University is committed to helping to grow our region’s creative capability and strengthening our community through the positive impact of the arts and creative industries, linking this to our excellence in education, research and innovation. As Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University is delighted to support Geelong Arts Centre’s 2021 Winter ‘Escape’ Season, providing arts experiences to our region for all to enjoy and experience.”
Professor Iain Martin | Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University
The Geelong Arts Centre 2021 Winter Escape Season is proudly supported by Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University, Innovation Partner, Costa Asset Management, and Programming and Event Sponsors, TAC and Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Services.
Tickets will be available to the general public from 7:00pm on Friday 9 April. Audience capacities are strictly limited – get in quick.
Bookings can be made via the website, or by phoning the Box Office on 1300 251 200.
Ticketing options for each show vary, including individually ticketed seating and group table options.
For a comprehensive show-by-show breakdown, see over page.
To keep up to date with what’s on during Geelong Arts Centre’s 2021 Winter Escape Season visit geelongartscentre.org.au and sign up to the e-newsletter.
SUBSCRIBER VALUE PACKAGES
FOUR SHOW FLIGHT OF FANCY
Eliminate the tyranny of choice and save! Purchase seats to 4+ shows for 15% off full price single tickets and priority access for future seasons.
Seating strictly limited - book now or miss out.
10 FRIEND TAKE OFF
Gather a group of 10 friends for any of the 2021 Winter Escape Season shows at Costa Hall, and receive a 15% discount and a bottle of wine on us! Call the Box Office on 1300 251 200 to book.
THE PERFORMANCES
MISSION SONGS PROJECT BY JESSIE LLOYD
STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
29 MAY
Mission Songs Project is an initiative to revive contemporary Australian Indigenous songs from 1900 to 1999, focusing on the Christian missions, state run settlements and native camps where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were relocated. Presented as an acoustic trio, Jessie Lloyd takes audiences on a musical journey across Australia.
LOVE SONG DEDICATIONS (WITHOUT RICHARD MERCER) | TEN TONNE SPARROW
STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
4 - 5 JUN
A bonkers comedy lecture about love songs. In 2013, after 17 years of being on air, late night radio legend, Richard Mercer, left his final Love Song Dedication. Now, two brave friends attempt to fill the void that ‘The Love God’ left behind. Join Bonnie and Tom on their quest to find the perfect love song.
CARMEN | OPERA AUSTRALIA
COSTA HALL, DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
8 JUN
Carmen is the femme fatale you can’t forget.
Don’t miss Australia’s national opera company live in Geelong to present Bizet’s famous opera. Experience the thrilling Spanish colours and rhythms of Bizet’s vibrant score as it is brought to life with Opera Australia’s singers, live chamber orchestra and local children’s chorus.
ISAIAH - 'SPIRIT' TOUR | YO YO MUSIC & HIT PRODUCTIONS
COSTA HALL, DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
2 JUL
Isaiah has an incredible story. In the past three and a half years, the talented teen has transformed from a small-town singer to the most-streamed First Nations pop artist in the world. With big pop hooks alongside earthy feels, find out why at just 20 years of age, Isaiah is taking Australia and the world by storm.
ROVERS | BELLOO CREATIVE AND CRITICAL STAGES TOURING
STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
15 - 17 JUL
Rovers is a delightful, modern comedy-drama that has audiences laughing, crying and celebrating the grit and dare of Australia’s trailblazing women. Woven from true stories and wild machinations, this is a fast-paced and poetic night at the theatre that everyone will love. Join us for an epic adventure with two of Australia’s finest actors, Roxanne McDonald and Barbara Lowing.
PRIMA FACIE | GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY
STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
18 - 21 AUG
Winner of the 2018 Griffin Award, this gripping one-woman show is an indictment of the Australian legal system’s failure to provide reliable pathways to justice for women in rape, sexual assault or harassment cases. It’s a work of fiction, but one that could have been ripped from the headlines of any paper, any day of the week, so common you could cry.
THE HUNTER. THE HUNTED. | COMPANY 13
STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
1 - 2 SEP
Desire can be wonderful, can drive you crazy and can even get you killed. The Hunter. The Hunted. is about the battle between the head and the heart, the rational and intuitive, played out in the realm of relationships. It explores loyalty, obsession and how we can lose ourselves in the pursuit of what we think will make us happy. Company 13’s artistic mission is to present works that deal with the emotional landscape that is common to us all.
THE SONGS OF EVA CASSIDY | SILVIE PALADINO
COSTA HALL, DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
11 SEP
Featuring inspired re-imaginings of such classic tunes as Over the Rainbow, Fields of Gold, Autumn Leaves, Time After Time, Ain’t No Sunshine, Bridge Over Troubled Water, What a Wonderful World and, of course, Songbird, The Songs of Eva Cassidy is a celebration of one of the great voices of the 20th Century, and who better to pay tribute to this genius than Australia’s own Silvie Paladino.
ARCHIE ROACH - TELL ME WHY
COSTA HALL, DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
30 OCT
A new work sharing stories and songs from Archie Roach’s award-winning memoir and companion album, Tell Me Why is an intimate, moving and often confronting account of his resilience, strength of spirit and also a great love story.
It’s an extraordinary odyssey of love and heartbreak, family and community, survival and renewal - and the healing power of music. From stolen child, teenage alcoholic, seeker, lover, father, musical and lyrical genius, to social advocate and First Nations leader.
it took almost a lifetime to find who he really was. He is Archie Roach.
30 SOMETHING | TENACIOUS C
THE PIER, CUNNINGHAM PIER
28 AUG
TICKETS INCLUDE DINNER AND A SHOW!
Blow your wig and top up your giggle juice. You’re gonna party like it’s 1939! It’s New Year’s Eve, Bohemia Kings Cross. She’s been wowing Hollywood! He’s been touring Queanbeyan. But on the last night of the decade, Phil and Catherine reunite to count you down to the end of a very dramatic era. Politics, great depression, booze… and that’s just in the dressing room!
DRESS CODE: Puttin’ on the Ritz!
Geelong Arts Centre’s 2021 Winter Escape Season will be held across multiple venues – details below:
Studio 4 – Geelong Arts Centre | 81 Ryrie Street, Geelong
Costa Hall – Deakin University Waterfront Campus | 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong
The Pier, Cunningham Pier - 10 Western Foreshore Road, Geelong
Bookings can be made via the website, or by phoning the Box Office on 1300 251 200.
Ticketing options for each show vary, including individually ticketed seating and group table options.
For more Geelong Arts Centre 2021 Winter Escape Season Media Resources, including imagery and show-by-show media kits, visit the Geelong Arts Centre Media Centre.