MEDIA RELEASE • 16 MAY 2022
Making a very special world premiere debut from June 21-25 as part of Geelong Arts Centre’s Our Season 2022, Mountain is a not-to-be-missed new work created by Kit Brookman and longstanding friend of Geelong Arts Centre, Geelong local, André Jewson.
Presented by Geelong Arts Centre in association with Sweet Reason and Performing Lines, Mountain is the story of a man in pieces.
Adrift in grief, he becomes fixated by the idea of hiking up a mountain. But even on the simplest of journeys it can be difficult to find the way back…
The man’s journey up the mountain opens precipitously outward, to encompass not just his own voice, but the voice of the mountain, the wind, of a planet crying out for what it’s losing and what it’s already lost.
Shifting perspectives from the deeply personal to the epic, this new solo work by writer/director Kit Brookman and performer André Jewson is a determined search for hope amidst utter devastation.
Running from Tuesday 21 June to Saturday 25 June in Geelong Arts Centre’s state of the art Studio 4, Mountain is a hymn to the transformative power of grief, to the wonder of the unknown.
The inception of Mountain has been supported by Geelong Art Centre's Creative Engine grant program. Creative Engine supports artists and performance makers.
Each performance runs for 60 minutes without interval.
The 7:30pm performance on Friday 24 June includes a post-show Q&A with the show’s cast and creatives.
Tickets are on sale now at geelongartscentre.org.au/our-season-2022/mountain. Capacity in Studio 4 is limited – get in quick!
Patrons interested in attending the matinee performance on Saturday 25 June can enter Promo Code ILOVEMATINEES at check out for 25% off their full price ticket – ‘25% Off Matinee Promo’.
Co-produced by Sweet Reason, Geelong Arts Centre, Performing Lines, The Art House Wyong and Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.
The production of Mountain has been supported by Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund - an Australian Government initiative.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE
“Geelong Arts Centre is committed to supporting and showcasing extraordinary stories and providing professional opportunities for artists living and working in the Geelong Region. It is vital right now to champion connections through art making and sharing of ourselves with each other and the world, and we believe that the magic where art and audience meet is precious and must be celebrated.”
Quote attributable to Geelong Arts Centre CEO & Creative Director,
Joel McGuinness
“Geelong Arts Centre is proud to see this exciting collaboration come to life in its World Premiere, illustrating the ferocious tenacity of all involved in this project, and the real world impact that the Creative Engine grant program and community of practice can have on the development of new work.”
Quote attributable to Geelong Arts Centre Senior Producer -
Programming & Creative Engine, Penny McCabe
- ENDS -
SHOW FACT SHEET
VENUE, DATES & TIMES
DURATION 60 minutes, no interval
VENUE Studio 4, Geelong Arts Centre
Located at 81 Ryrie Street, Geelong
DATES & TIMES
21-23 JUN 7:30PM
24 JUN 7:30PM (INCLUDES HALF HOUR POST-SHOW Q&A)
25 JUN 3:30PM & 7:30PM
TICKETS & BOOKINGS
TICKET PRICES
FULL PRICE $49
SENIOR/CONCESSION/STUDENT $44
CHILD $32
GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE $42
BOOKINGS
geelongartscentre.org.au/our-season-2022/mountain/
Full billing and credits available at geelongartscentre.org.au/our-season-2022/mountain
ANDRÉ’S GEELONG ARTS CENTRE JOURNEY
"I grew up in GPAC, as it was known then. It was always a place of magic and possibility for me”.
Among André’s earliest memories of Geelong Arts Centre is watching his dad’s school concerts and cutting his teeth on the Ford and Blakiston stages as a member of GSODA Juniors. Inspired by performers of his youth, André went on to train at the Victorian College of the Arts and has since developed a dazzling resume spanning stage, film and television, including appearing as Zazu in Disney's 'The Lion King' International Tour.
In recent years, André’s relationship with Geelong Arts Centre has developed in a myriad of ways. After many years away from Geelong, André has been employed by the centre’s Creative Learning arts education program to co-develop and deliver Take Over The Airwaves workshops, designed to challenge Year 8-10 students to challenge their storytelling abilities and introduce them to the world of broadcast.
Through the Creative Engine artist development and grant support program, André has been able to continue multiple stages of long-distance creative development for intimate new solo work, Mountain, created in collaboration with dear friend Kit Brookman, based in London.
Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine, a co-working space and eponymous arts development program, was launched in October 2019 with a primary directive to support individuals and artistic collectives to build sustainable arts practices within regional Victoria.
Now, in a truly full-circle moment, André proudly returns to the Geelong Arts Centre stage to premiere Mountain for all to see as part of Our Season 2022.
“The Creative Engine program and the financial support it provides encourages professional theatrical work to be developed in Geelong, something that is long overdue in one of Australia’s largest regional cities. Working as a professional performer has always meant working away from my hometown. That’s no longer the case!”
*All quotes attributable to Mountain performer and co-creator, André Jewson
AVAILABLE SPOKESPEOPLE
Joel McGuinness - CEO & Creative Director,
Geelong Arts Centre
Penny McCabe – Senior Producer Programming and Creative Engine, Geelong Arts Centre
André Jewson – Mountain performer and co-creator
Talent interviews and photo opportunities may be available upon request. Contact Georgia Allen – Geelong Arts Centre
Communications and Social Media Lead to discuss interview opportunities further.
P | 03 5225 1274
E | georgia@geelongartscentre.org.au