A tale of winters lost

Environment challenges will take centre stage on the Bellarine next weekend with a one-off showing of an award-winning climate crisis play.

The End of Winter will come to the Potato Shed at Drysdale on August 19, shining a light on Australia’s changing climate and the need to take seriously the threats it poses.

Sydney-based Siren Theatre Co. first produced the stage play, which leans into themes of loss and resilience.

Actor Jane Phegan performs a monologue about loved cold weather places that can be reached by public transport travel or the imagination.

The play explores questions about the shortening of winters and whether climate change impacts will eventually erase the season, leaving it to exist only in paintings, fairytales and historical accounts.

Its producers describe it as a “play about winter written in the heat of summer”, with the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season serving as a catalyst to examining the key themes.

The performance has won acclaim during its New South Wales debut, winning the 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards Best Independent Performance.

Phegan is also a winner of best actor in a production from Sydney Theatre Critics Awards 2022, while writer Noëlle Janaczewska was shortlisted for the Nick Enright prize for playwriting at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.

Director Kate Gaul praised Phegan for bringing the monologue to life on stage.

“What a privilege and pleasure it is to be working alongside a treasured colleague and incredible artist,” she said.

“Jane proves again that there is nothing she can’t do, and this haunting tale is a testament to her courage and artistry.”

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the region was fortunate to welcome the play to the Potato Shed.

“We’re really privileged to host a show that is both entertaining and enormously thought-provoking.

“The End of Winter was written in the wake of the 2019 bushfires and touches on some challenging themes in a really engaging manner.”

Next weekend’s performance begins at 8pm and runs for 50 minutes without interval.

To book tickets, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/potatoshed