Earlier this month, Arts Centre Melbourne in Victoria announced their plans to open small sections of their venue up just in time for the commencement of school holidays on Saturday 27 June 2020. A week out from this taking place, the team have provided more details about what those in attendance can expect.
It was previously announced that from 27 June 2020, four special experiences will be offered to attendees. These include self-guided tours of the Theatres Building, food and beverage experiences at the Protagonist outdoor cafe, the Australian Music Vault exhibition and Ghostly Machines. However, even more opportunities have been confirmed.
Beginning on their re-opening day and running for several weeks, Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse Stage will be transformed into the Playhouse Lounge. This is described as “a salon-style performance venue where audiences sit on stage to enjoy the very best of local music, comedy, cabaret, burlesque and contemporary performance while enjoying a bespoke menu of food and beverages designed to suit the event”. It is not every day that someone gets to enjoy entertainment directly on a stage, so this sounds like a pretty special occasion. These performances, even more importantly, will help support more than 70 independent local artists.
Also launching on re-opening night will be Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite-Variety-Nite Night. Tickets might not be cheap with a table for two going for $178.00 and tables of four going for $356.00, but is expected to be a great, intimate night of quality entertainment. With two sessions at 6.30pm and 9.00pm every Saturday night, you can expect a range of comedy, burlesque and cabaret acts from local talent in a variety show format. Guests will receive a glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine on arrival (or a non-alcoholic beverage), with ticket prices also including an antipasto platter to share on your table.
Hamer Hall will be brought to life by Ghostly Machines, a free experience with many sessions being held daily until Sunday 12 July. According to Arts Centre Melbourne, “Hamer Hall reawakens for a visual and sonic feast of mechanical ballet, kinetic art and immersive soundscape created by Arts Centre Melbourne’s Production team. Ghostly Machines looks at what would happen if the machines, lighting and sound systems starred in their own show, using memories of past performances and celebrating the reopening of the venue. The result is an automated, choreographed “mechanical ballet” that turns the performance space into a mysterious and enchanting place.“.
Family-oriented entertainment will also be offered over twelve days, starting on the day of re-opening. The program, which will employ 15 external local artists and arts workers, will begin with Polyglot Theatre’s Boats, a playful activity where large lightweight boats propelled by a flurry of feet enable families working as crew to voyage across the high seas.
From Wednesday 8 July Born In a Taxi’s The Curious Game (originally commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne) returns, bringing to life characters from an over-sized chess board in a game for all ages. On the final weekend, Thomas & Wells will be creating ‘Window Theatre’ in the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building.
This is just a few of the happenings on offer when Arts Centre Melbourne opens its doors on 27 June 2020. If you are feeling well and are local to the venue, this might be a great opportunity to enjoy some small-scale live entertainment by yourself, with a loved one, or with your family.
However, as all these events are based on current Government advice around COVID-19, it is possible some events may be rescheduled or cancelled based on new developments. Here’s hoping none of this occurs!
