Anyone who has ever donned a costume in a community production be warned – you could be in an upcoming exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina!
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The museum’s latest partnership with CSU Regional Archives shines a spotlight on Wagga’s predilection for all things theatrical.
Props, photographs, costumes and even rare pieces of video footage have been carefully assembled to tell a story that begins in the late 1850’s, when Wagga was barely more than a village.
Even then, small groups of amateurs were gathering in pubs to stage readings of popular plays. From that time to the present, the city has seldom been without a theatre scene.
Front and centre in the exhibition are living memories from the past 70 years or so, during which Wagga’s residents have had access to every kind of theatrical fare.
These include hundreds of vibrant productions produced by the School of Arts Community Theatre (SoACT), and the musical delights of groups like the Theatre Club and the Wollundry Singers.
Between 1976 and 2009, the Riverina Theatre Company became one of Regional Australia’s longest-running professional theatre companies, while Rivcol Drama and the University Theatre Ensemble nurtured thousands of emerging actors, designers and technicians.
The exhibition’s official opening features performances from some of Wagga’s most beloved theatre personalities, and a special appearance from one of our city’s most successful thesps, Lynne McGranger.
Better known as Home and Away’s irascible Irene Roberts, McGranger cut her chops on the theatre stages of Wagga, taking out a Best Actress award at the Riverina College of Advanced Education in 1975.
Throughout an enviable career (she holds the record as longest serving female cast member on an Australian TV show), McGranger has trod the boards in dramas, musicals, comedies and pantomimes, and has more than a few writing credits to her name to boot.
Stagelights’ official opening is Saturday, November 19 from 10am.
If you would like to attend the opening, RSVP at museumriverina.com.au or call 6926 9655.
Stagelights: 160 years of Wagga Theatre is on exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site from 19 November till 26 February 2017.