IT has been a juggling act for the Swan Hill Town Hall as it resets its performing arts program after an interrupted two years with cancelled and postponed shows.
The town hall had to squeeze new show dates in between already scheduled performances, headlined by The Rubens and Human Nature in the first half of 2022.
Musical theatre stars Simon Gleeson and Natalie O’Donnell will also dazzle into town, with children’s shows also set to entertain
Acting performing arts and venue manager Sharon Brinkman said nine upcoming shows had previously been postponed and rescheduled three or four times in the past two years with COVID-19 restrictions.
“We have our fingers crossed, but it’s wait and see game really,” she said.
“For some of the big commercial tours that come through, they have huge costs for staff and hotels, so if capacity was down to 100 people, it’s not viable for them.”
Ms Brinkman said it had been difficult to juggle show dates in between community bookings, such as debutante balls, dance groups, meetings and conferences.
“The big tours, it’s not just our venue, but 20 others that have to be reorganised, it’s not a quick let’s go to this date, it takes time to go back and forth with producers and other venues.”
Ms Brinkman said the theatre seating for shows permitted full capacity, but no dancing was permitted under recently announced restrictions.
She said ever-changing rule changes would be communicated to patrons via email, and online at the town hall website.
The 2022 program begins on Friday, February 4 with the all-aged tour The Push and Swan Hill Youth Inc. OTHER PERFORMANCES FOR FIRST-HALF OF 2022:
Saturday, February 19 – Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Outta Town, 8pm
Saturday, February 26 – Faulty Towers the interactive dining experience – sold out
Wednesday, March 9 – touring show (not yet announced)
Friday, March 18 – The Rubens, 7.30pm
Sunday, March 27 – Salute to the ANZACS and Veterans , 2pm
Wednesday, April 6 – morning melodies – A tribute to Judy Garland, 11am
Sunday, April 24 – Don’t mess with the Dummies – 2pm school holidays
Wednesday, April 27 – RAILED, 7.30pm
Saturday, May 7 – Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 2022, 8pm
Sunday, May 22 – Human Nature, 7pm
Friday, May 27 – Daniel Champagne, 8pm
Friday, June 3 – Victorian State Ballet – Don Quixote, 7.30pm
Saturday, June 18 – Songs and Stories by Kutcha Edwards, 7.30pm
Tuesday, June 28 – The Listies – Rolling on the Floor laughing (ROFL), 10.30am
