Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) will host the world premiere of the Space Company’s Hells Gates, a theatrical retelling of Australia’s worst ever whale stranding event near Strahan, Tasmania in 2020.
The show will features well-loved actors Louise Siversen (House Husbands, Prisoner), Natalie O’Donnell (Come From Away, Next to Normal) and Matu Ngaropo (Hamilton), as well as live musical accompaniment by celebrated violinist Xani Kolak.
Creative producer Joel Carnegie, who founded the award-winning Geelong-based production studio, and writer James Jackson engaged in hundreds of hours of face-to-face interviews with people connected to the event, mostly west coast Tasmanian locals, to gather the raw material for Hells Gates.
Carnegie said the resulting blend of poignant drama and poetic comedy resulted in a narrative that was quintessentially Australian.
“It’s really been infused with the character of the west coast of Tasmania; the people we met, how they interacted with us, the way in which they described the events that unfolded, how they felt about it,” he said.
“It’s the story of a community who, in the face of the impossible, decided to turn up and deal with an ecological disaster that was unfolding in front of them.
“But it’s also very funny. There are genuine laugh out loud moments, and I think that’s sort of a coping mechanism for the people who were telling us these stories. Dealing with trauma through camaraderie, through sharing those experiences together and having a laugh about it.”
Carnegie said he was thrilled to premiere the work at GAC as the redeveloped venue reopened to the public.
“To be on stage at the dawn of this new era of the performing arts scene in Geelong, to be a Geelong-based company and share this story at this new venue is an incredible opportunity,” he said.
“This is a really special show that we know audiences are going to love. It’s a real emotional rollercoaster ride.”
Hells Gates will have four shows from Aug 10 to 12 at the GAC’s Story House. For information and tickets visit geelongartscentre.org.au
