Medimime celebrates 50 years of performances and donations

THIS year, Geelong theatre company Medimime, is celebrating five decades of community theatre and charity in the region.

For half a century, the group has been taking the stage with a range of productions, donating all its proceeds to Barwon Health.

Formed in 1974 by a group of medical professionals, using their love of theatre to give back to the community, the volunteer-based theatre company has gone on to deliver laughter and joy through traditional pantomime performances.

The talented cast for each show is made up of local performers across a range of ages, providing a mix of comedy, music and storytelling.

Medimime president Scott Graham believes the group’s impact encourages the community to keep performing each year.

“It’s hard to believe we are celebrating 50 years of Medimime this year, this is a significant achievement for any community group, let alone an amateur theatre company staging pantomimes in regional Victoria,” he said.

“This achievement shows how important Barwon Health and the Barwon Health Foundation are to our community and how as a community we come together to support important causes.”

More than $580,000 has been raised for the health care provider, funding medical equipment and the enhancement of patient care services.

Barwon Health Foundation executive director Zoe Waters said the foundation was thankful for the giving role Medimime has played.

“Medimime has always had a way of bringing everyone from the hospital and community together, nurses, support staff and the wider community who have a love of pantomime.

“The group is truly a gem of the Geelong community and we’ve been so lucky to be the beneficiaries of their support for the last 50 years.”

Past years have seen the group entertain audiences with productions of Cinderella, Aladdin, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and many more.

In honour of the milestone, the group will celebrate with a production of Snow White at the Geelong Arts Centre starting today (Friday, November 8) and running until November 16.

The performance will bring the classic fairy tale to life with plenty of music and audience interaction.

For tickets and more information, head to geelongartscentre.org.au