Media Release

UOW’s Off-Campus Theatrical Endeavors

1 May 2007

The University of Wollongong’s School of Music and Drama is delighted to announce this season’s inclusion of THREE off campus shows.

With two shows at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre and one inspired venture to the Wollongong City Gallery, the Faculty of Creative Arts is excited by the opportunity to showcase the innovation, dedication and aptitude of its students and to offer a theatrical experience to the greater Illawarra.

Road, the first of the off-campus endeavors, is an uncouth dramatic comment on consumerism, desperation and inevitable inaction. Under the direction of Tim Maddock who has directed shows at Belvoir St Theatre, The Sydney Opera House and NIDA, the third year BCA performers embody Jim Cartwright’s characters convincingly, roaming the streets in the search for a kick. Through this articulate, twisted comedy about the loss of young life, the production promises a strangely delightful theatrical experience. Road will be showing at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 24-26 May 2007, 8.15pm. Bookings: 02 4226 3366.

Peter Barnes’ Dreaming follows. Performed at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre and directed by Syd Brisbane, Dreaming presents a facetious view on war, honour, dishonour and materialism. The audience will witnesses the tandem nature of creation and obliteration through the presence of achingly beautiful poetic imagery. Dreaming will be showing at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 30 May- 1 June 2007, 8.15pm. Bookings: 02 4226 3366.

Thirdly, Mysteries at the Wollongong City Gallery is based on the medieval Corpus Christi mystery cycles. Directed by Janys Hayes, creator of Hazchem! and chairperson of Performance Illawarra, Mysteries is a spiritual journey in song and theatre that incorporates writings by John Milton, Thomas Otway, and the Second Shepherd's Play from the Wakefield Cycle. Mysteries leads the audience through galleries accompanied by choral works by Bach, and Monteverdi as well as the contemporary composers, Sarah Hopkins and Patrick Doyle. Mysteries will be showing at the Wollongong City Gallery, 14-16 June 2007, 7:30pm. Bookings: 02 4221 4889.

This exciting outward leap represents the progressive nature of the Faculty of Creative Arts and specifically, the School of Music and Drama. It is also a stirring development in relation to the exposure of local art and youth culture in the Wollongong region.

http://www.uow.edu.au/crearts/performances

For further information regarding the UOW BCA Performance schedule or to arrange a time to interview or photograph those involved, please contact:

Nicole Austin, Performance Schedule Marketing Manager on 0422 078690 or email: nla189@uow.edu.au