New play set for Pride Fest

CASTLEMAINE based Black Apple Theatre will bring a new production featuring the stories of Central Victorian’s to next month’s Bendigo Pride Festival.

Titled Thrive: Queer voices, out loud, the performance will take the form of a play reading and is an intergenerational look at the region’s LGBTQIA+ community.

“Working with these stories was an incredible adventure and also really humbling,” said director Cheyney Caddy.

“We spoke with people who were true trailblazers, ahead of their time, and with young people who are already doing so much to leave their mark. There’s such a wealth of experience here in Central Victoria”.

“We interviewed complete strangers, whose stories are separated by generations, yet there are so many points of connection.”

Kaye Powell is one of the Central Victorians featured in Thrive and said it was important that people build an intergenerational perspective on where they have come from, and where they’re going.

“We care that young LGBTQIA+ see their own elders, know their own history, their own stories. The time for silence is over; now it’s time to celebrate,” she said.

Young and emerging community leader Cobie Farmer also has her stories included in the play.

“Representation is so important for young queer people to know they aren’t alone and there is nothing wrong with the way they are,” she said.

Following the performance, the cast and crew will take part in discussion panels with the aim of increasing inclusion in the creative piece.

“This work belongs to our community, so it was important that everyone gets a chance to have their say and help shape it going forward,” Cheyney said.

“It was also important to us that all the artists and performers working on Thrive are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This is a work that’s being made for community, by community.”

A first play reading is set for Daylesford’s ChillOut Festival on 6 March and the show will make its full stage production premier at Frolic Festival in Ballarat mid-year.

Thrive: Queer voices, out loud will play at The Engine Room at 8pm on Saturday, 13 of March. Tickets are $5 plus booking fee via bit.ly/3dz6Z0r.

The Bendigo Pride Festival runs from 12 to 28 March, visit bendigopridefestival.com.au for more info.