Beauty and the Beast spread the wonder

THE curtains are closed and the lights are down but the joy of the recent Beauty and the Beast performance by BLOC Music Theatre is still being shared.

Every opening night of a performance, BLOC donates $5 from each ticket to a different charity, with Ballarat Hospice Care Inc. the recipient of this season’s first show.

Together with the other financial support from the Ballarat Group of the Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller and the Victorian Priory of the Order, the Hospice was presented with a donation of just over $4000.

Carly Macdonald, Vice President BLOC Music Theatre, said the organisation donates to a range of charities throughout the year.

“We have recently partnered with Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller, as they help distribute the funds from the opening night tickets,” she said.

Camp Quality, a children’s family cancer charity, also shared in the goodwill from the final Friday’s performance.  The theatre company provided 130 free tickets and programs to children with cancer and their carers.

“We were so thrilled to be involved,” Ms Macdonald said. “The night they were in the theatre the energy in the room was palpable.

“Even the ushers and members of the audience commented on the children and their excitement at being at the show.”