Future stars to shine at South Street

ASPIRING singers, dancers, orators, writers, musicians and composers are preparing to take to the stage as part of this year’s Royal South Street Eisteddfod.

The event is Australia’s oldest and longest running eisteddfod and has seen performances by Dame Nellie Melba, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Joan Kirner, Andrew Olle, Alfred Deakin, Jason Wasley and Anthony Callea.

“It’s stood the test of time because of the variety of disciplines. The Society itself for 134 years has always been responsive to what is happening at the time in the performing arts,” Royal South Street Society executive officer Judy-Ann Quilliam said.

“Debating was our very first discipline and we still conduct debating to this day and it’s such an important skill for young people to learn.”

The competition will begin on Saturday 14 June with calisthenics solo auditions at Federation University’s Founders Theatre.

“That brings us over 100 participants from all over Australia for a place of 25 in the finals which are held in October,” Ms Quilliam said.

This month will also see the arrival of the Society’s new Schimmel grand piano named after one of Australia’s leading pianists Margaret Schofield.

“That will be one of the finest pianos in Australia that we will actually own and will be housed at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute,” Ms Quilliam said.

“All of our pianoforte, Chopin, our vocal and our aria competitions will all be held at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and we will use that piano.”

Following the $16.3 million upgrade of Her Majesty’s Theatre, Royal South Street will return with dance, calisthenics and an overall showcase performance of winners at the venue this year.

“We are back at Her Majesty’s Theatre this year for our dance and calisthenics which is really exciting,” Ms Quilliam said.

“Calisthenics is our largest discipline with around 4000 competitors alone. The prestige of performing in that theatre on that stage is really special and that’s what brings performers from all over Australia.”

To find out more, visit the Royal South Street Society website.