BLOC Music Theatre\u2019s latest production is offering a more intimate show than their previous efforts.<\/p>\n
From Thursday, 11 August, the company will undertake a 10-days run of 1996 musical Rent at the Goods Shed.<\/p>\n
With the theatre company\u2019s regular venue, Her Majesty\u2019s, unavailable due to upgrades, director Matt Henderson said their new location will provide a different atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the closure of Her Majesty\u2019s we had to pivot and find a new home. We\u2019d been chatting with the Goods Shed people since September and it was just a no-brainer to go with Rent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt suits the venue so well and it hasn\u2019t been done on a large scale in Ballarat before, so the stars have aligned with a show that would work in a space that\u2019s brand new.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s allowing us to explore a new format in bringing big Broadway blockbusters to a more boutique off-Broadway sensibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
With an ensemble cast of 19, Rent follows the lives of struggling artists in New York\u2019s Alphabet City neighbourhood during the onset of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
BLOC\u2019s 2021 production of Mama Mia! saw sold out shows throughout its run, and Henderson said the company expects a similar level of demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou very rarely get to be the first show to go into a new space so it\u2019s so exciting. The arts is coming back with a vengeance and this is going to be a perfect space for this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Goods Shed is only about 300 seats and Her Maj is nearly three times that, so judging by the success of Mama Mia! people will want to get in quick.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rent takes to the stage from Thursday, 11 August to Sunday, 21 August.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $49 and can be booked at bit.ly\/3PYkmaw.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BLOC Music Theatre\u2019s latest production is offering a more intimate show than their previous efforts. From Thursday, 11 August, the company will undertake a 10-days run of 1996 musical Rent at the Goods Shed. With the theatre company\u2019s regular venue, Her Majesty\u2019s, unavailable due to upgrades, director Matt Henderson said their new location will provide […]<\/p>\n