“This year it has really fallen into place...there’s a mix of great music, traditional theatre, amazing kids’ shows. It’s one of those seasons that has something for everyone.”
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Manning Entertainment Centre (MEC) theatre manager Jeremy Miller is talking about the venue’s 2017 season, which was launched last night (December 8) at a special event for invited guests.
“Putting a good season together is as much about luck as timing.”
He is thrilled with what will be offered to local audiences over the coming 12 months.
So what’s in store?
Boys in the Band hits the stage in February, with Jeremy describing the show as similar in style to Jersey Boys and Human Nature.
“They’re a live band and four singers.”
It is billed as the “feel good show of the year”.
In March, the MEC will welcome back the shake’n’stir theatre company for its adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
In the past couple or years the company has performed 1984 and Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes in Taree.
“They are probably the best touring company in the country at the moment,” said Jeremy.
March also sees Monkey Baa at the theatre to present Diary of a Wombat, based on the beloved award-winning picture book written by author Jackie French and illustrator Bruce Whatley.
“Monkey Baa has been touring here for 20 years, their last show was Pete the Sheep.”
Jeremy said the company has worked with a puppeteer to bring the wombat to life and also use a cellist on stage.
Another highlight is Saltbush from the Blak Lines theatre company, an immersive and interactive journey through the culture and landscape of Aboriginal Australia.
Also coming next year is performer Catherine Alcorn’s show Go Your Own Way - The Story of Christine McVie (the lesser known singer in Fleetwood Mac), the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, winner of the Sydney International Piano Competition Andrey Gugnin, actors John Wood and Julie Nihill in Bakersfield Mist, the acrobatic Carnival of the Animals, Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellows in concert and The Australian Ballet’s regional tour of Giselle.
Locals will also have the chance to learn from some of the visiting companies.