General News
15 April, 2021
Terang Theatre Troupe ready for a big year
A REIMAGINING of how performances were delivered has helped the Terang Theatre Troupe (TTT) thrive at a time when the spotlight on centre stage was dimmed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
A REIMAGINING of how performances were delivered has helped the Terang Theatre Troupe (TTT) thrive at a time when the spotlight on centre stage was dimmed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
TTT member Rosemary Knight said the troupe had been hard at work to ensure they come out of the other side of the pandemic stronger than ever.
“We’re rebuilding after COVID,” she said.
“We were very busy up until the pandemic hit and had several plays we were rehearsing when restrictions first came in to effect.”
Ms Knight said continued efforts to produce shows had become difficult under restrictions, but also provided an opportunity for the troupe to adapt and reinvent themselves with a theatre-in-the-round model added to performances.
“To get something back up before Christmas, when there were still limits on how many people could be in any space, we took parts of a play and put it on in various different parts of The Commercial
Hotel, and audiences had to move around,” she said.
“We turned it from a 90 minute play in to 15 minute sound bites.”
The shows took place in December during the first steps towards normality since the lifting of stage three COVID restrictions, with the model earning rave reviews from attendees.
“It worked very well and we were able to pull it together very quickly,” Ms Knight said.
“We didn’t rely on people learning their lines by heart such as with a full play.
“The audience loved it, and they liked being much closer to the performance.”
Ms Knight said the troupe carried the success of the December shows in to 2021 with back-to-back variety shows in February and March.
She said TTT members were now enjoying a break over the Easter period but have exciting plans on the horizon.
“We’re aiming to hold another variety show for mid-May, and we’ve also got a playwright working on an Alan Marshall Remembered performance, which has been on the burn for a while,” she said.
TTT member Janet Cronin said the troupe gave the community something to bond over.
“It’s a good way for people who don’t know each other really well in a small town to come together,” she said.
“The TTT is particularly precious because people who maybe have never done theatre before can risk it.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet people and do things. It becomes exciting and interesting because the variety is good.”
TTT member Anne Corbin said she had enjoyed the opportunity to explore new ways of expression.
“Everyone encourages you to try, which is something I didn’t think I’d ever do,” she said.
“They love you and bring you in – it’s something more interesting than just being old.”
Ms Knight said TTT was always looking for new members, and were hoping to attract younger locals interested in performing.
“We’re open to anyone of all ages and skills, we want a variety of people who are motivated and keen to get involved,” she said.
“Everyone has got skills. I know there are some people out there who should contact me.”
Locals interested in joining the TTT or learning more were invited to contact Ms Knight on 0412 609 381.