The world has become a strange and, at times, unrecognisable place since the airing of last weeks program. Then, our Behind the Scenes program had a jam-packed schedule of comedy festival shows, the final weeks of Asia-TOPA, new exhibitions, the opening of Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios, music events, writers from Clunes Booktown Festival and more Now? They’re all on hold until we navigate our way through the uncertain landscape of Covid-19 and back to a flourishing arts and culture scene. When will that be you ask, well none of us really know.
There may not currently be shows, gigs or exhibitions for presenter Chris Thompson to talk about on our weekly arts program but there are still artists who have interesting stories to share and as creative souls many will be coming up with ways of using this enforced hiatus to devise and develop new works that will be discussed on Behind the Scenes before you know it.
Over the next few months, we’ll be meeting some of those artists and finding out what they’re doing with their downtime. Some of them might even have innovative ways that you can still enjoy their work, alas at a safe distance.
On this week’s edition of Behind the Scenes, Chris and his listeners meet Meg Upton from the Green Room Awards. They were all set for their annual glamorous night of nights at the Comedy Theatre in the coming week, but now the presentation of those awards will be a little different. Chris will be asking now.
You’ll meet Jeff Achtem who’s one half of the outrageously funny and creative Bunk Puppets who were all set to make April Fool’s day even more foolish with the opening of their new show, Bunkasaurus. So, what happens to a small, independent theatre company that relies on big festivals and international touring for their income, when neither of those things are possible? No doubt Jeff has been asking himself the same question.
And whilst it might sound like we’re out and about at the Koorie Heritage Trust again, you’ll actually be hearing an interview recorded with Gail Harradine a few weeks ago and whilst you may not be able to see Donna Blackall’s exhibition at this time, it’s still well worth knowing about.
Last but not least, though most cinemas are shutting their doors for a while, there are still a few movies to talk about when Marc Gracie returns for a bit of screen chat.
Don’t forget, Behind the Scenes, each and every week on Vision Australia Radio across Victoria and Perth, or on podcast at varadio.org.
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