Artists urge a vaccine “performance of a lifetime”

Artists from Victoria’s diverse arts community have joined forces with some of Melbourne’s leading arts organisations in an awareness campaign encouraging Victorians to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Conceived and delivered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), the campaign encourages audiences to play their part and get vaccinated against COVID-19 by giving the community their “performance of a lifetime”.

The content is based on health communication theories and models to address vaccine hesitancy in the community.

“Whether we play in an orchestra, act within an ensemble or dance in the corps de ballet, it’s essential that we each perform to our highest standards in order to deliver the performance of a lifetime,” MSO managing director Sophie Galaise said.

“Along with our colleagues in the arts community, we are encouraging our audiences and the wider community to get vaccinated so we can all get back to doing what we love – whether that’s playing contact sports, enjoying a meal with our loved ones, or getting back on stage to entertain our treasured audiences.”

Written and directed by Emma Muir-Smith, the “Performance of a Lifetime” video features a stellar line-up of Melbourne-based performers including Deborah Cheetham, Tim Minchin, Meow Meow, Rhonda Burchmore, Virginia Gay, Tripod, artists from The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Theatre Company, Short Black Opera and many more.

The campaign is based on health advice that mass vaccination is essential to preventing further lockdowns and avoiding the need for social distancing and subsequent limited venue capacities.

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson applauded the MSO’s creative and community leadership.

“Our arts community is doing everything they can to recover and re-activate and this campaign is a clever and creative way of encouraging audiences to play their role and get vaccinated,” he said.

“If you can get vaccinated, please book in or visit a hub – the sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to doing the things we love.”