The Hall Committee almost ready to hit the road

The Civic Theatre is hitting the road for a whirlwind tour of the region for its new original production The Hall Committee.

Written by actor and comedian Damian Callinan, whose film The Merger was made in Wagga Wagga, The Hall Committee is an interactive new play based on stories and interviews from local people in various community halls.

This September, the production will transform halls in North Wagga, Oura, Ganmain, Uranquinty, Ladysmith, Downside and Cootamundra into the fictional village of “Rummage South”.

Civic Theatre Manager Carissa Campbell said there has been plenty of interest in The Hall Committee, which will feature both local and interstate actors.

“We’re actively looking at ways we can help foster more local content by working with the local professional theatre industry to develop new works and provide performance opportunities for young and emerging artists,” Ms Campbell said.

“By hosting the play in community halls, we’re also encouraging the audience to get out and see parts of the region they might not have visited before.

“Ticket sales have been strong, with most shows already sold out.  There is still availability at Ganmain and Cootamundra which have slightly larger capacities.

Mr Callinan said the play tells the story of the stringent Rummage South hall committee president Brenda, who is at odds with her fellow committee members over how the rundown hall should be used by the community.

“I spoke with some passionate people who told some fantastic stories. I didn’t need to change much at all … their stories dropped straight into the script,” he said.

“The audiences will have their own hall transformed in front of them as the cast usurp their residing committee to bring this interactive, immersive, hilarious play to life.”

The Hall Committee’s tour of the region is made possible through a $12,000 Community Presenter Touring Grant from Create NSW. For more information on the play or to buy tickets, visit https://civictheatre.com.au/