Dance, theatre and yarning singing circle all to come to South West with newly announced State funding

The South West arts scene is continuing to grow, bolstered by a State Government initiative which will see three unique shows travel to the region. Last Tuesday, the State Government announced the recipients of the latest round of playing WA funding which supports the touring of shows to regional performing arts and entertainment centres across the State. The latest of funding sees a massive $546, 000 go to a variety of upcoming performances, from a comedic cabaret to singing and yarning circles. Heading the the South West will be award-winning choreographer Annette Carmichael’s new collaborative dance performance, The Stars Descend, which was awarded $99,548 to travel to the South West, Great Southern, Peel and Goldfields-Esperance regions. With the event unfolding over five separate locations along the Gondwana Link, audiences are invited to witness the immersive experience as a whole “odyssey” by visiting each stop or as stand-alone chapters in single locations. The Phil Walleystack Indigenous Art Foundation Limited was awarded $61,655 to bring its PWS Indigenous Art Foundation Yarning Singing Tour to the region, with plans to stop in Bunbury and Margaret River in October. Hosted by Australian icon hosted by Ernie Dingo, the show will feature performances from notable Indigenous artists including Sam B, MissGenius, Warangka Band and Phil Walleystack. Musical fans will revel in the news of a 4D immersive spectacular of fan-favourite The Rocky Horror Picture Show also being backed by the funding, set to head to the South West next month. With $115,079 granted to production company Artrage Inc, the sell-out Perth production will also visit the Great Southern, Peel, Gold-fields Esperance and Wheatbelt regions. Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman said the McGowan Government is pleased to help build “vibrant and creative communities” throughout the State with these initiatives. “The impact that culture and the arts can have on communities should not be underestimated and regional audiences deserve to experience these performances too,” he said. Other productions receiving funding include circus show Natural Wings, YUCK Circus and comedy cabaret Golden Age Girls which will head north to the State’s Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid West regions.