While it is likely a many month long journey before major performing arts venues across Australia can begin holding major productions – both due to social distancing limitations and the inability of international special guests to fly out – some positive news has emerged today from The Arts Centre Melbourne. While a majority of their staff will remain off-site for at least the month of June, they are planning to welcome back small numbers of Victorians back to the Theatres Building come school holidays.
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. This reopening plan was determined following the advice provided by the Victorian Government at the time, so there is always the risk of plans being rescinded.
Ghostly Machines is a production that first debuted in 2014 in Hamer Hall, and sets out to showcase the venue’s massive lighting rigging that hovers over the stage in an automated, choreographed “dance”. It was created, scripted and programmed by Arts Centre Melbourne’s own production and lighting teams, and they find it “a thrill to be able to bring it back as part of [their] return to activity“.
So what’s next for Arts Centre Melbourne come July 2020 and onwards?
One of the challenges we’re working through closely with our many presenters is how to stage performances in an environment where physical distancing restrictions may still be in place for a long time, and audiences have different thresholds for comfort about sharing space with others.
We desperately want to open our theatres to the many incredibly talented performers and artists who call our stages home. The reality is that how we present performances in the coming months may look very different. But we are a creative industry and I’m confident we’ll come up with some very creative solutions.
Claire Spencer AM
Chief Executive Officer of Arts Centre Melbourne
In the interim, Arts Centre Melbourne will continue offering their range of digital content, including the weekly entertainment show Big Night In with John Foreman on Wednesdays, which has been extended through until July. This week’s episode will feature stage performer and television presenter David Campbell, Australian theatre performer Jemma Rix, actor and singer Rob Mills and soprano Mirusa.
