Pride fest full of highlights

February 23, 2024 BY Sophie Founé

Getting ready: Bendigo Pride organisers and supporters Dr Linda Kirkman, Cliterally, festival director John Richards and Chris Butler. Photo: SOPHIE FOUNÉ

THE program for this year’s Bendigo Pride Festival has been released and there’s lots to look forward to.

One of the main attractions in 2024 will be appearances by the actor who played Columbia in the original 1975 film production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Nell Campbell.

Campbell will be involved in three events including a midnight screening of the cult-classic film, her one-woman show All’s Nell That Ends Nell, and a talk about her life.

“I think Rocky Horror Picture Show is such an incredible film,” said festival director John Richards.

“I feel like it’s more contemporary now than it was when it came out, because it’s not a gay or lesbian film, it’s not even a bisexual film, it’s a queer film.

“It’s weird, because in theory it’s a horror film, but it’s such a celebratory film. The songs are fantastic, it’s such an interesting piece.

“Getting to hear from someone who was there, that will be really fascinating.”

Mr Richards said another highlight is the Australian premiere of Musik: A Cabaret by Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys.

The show includes six original songs by Pet Shop Boys and Mr Richards said it’s drawing in fans of the band from across the country.

“This is really the only chance you’ll get to see it,” he said. “That’s one of the things I always wanted the festival to be, a place where things happen that you won’t be able to do anywhere else.”

Bendigo Pride committee member and local sexologist Dr Linda Kirkman said she volunteered at several of last year’s events and was “blown away” by the quality and creativity.

“The Pride festival’s such a fabulous example of what the City of Greater Bendigo offers, or just the people in Bendigo offer, for diversity and culture and creativity and fabulous things,” said Dr Kirkman.

“The program this year has, as usual, got some really cool and interesting things that you may never have heard of.”

Bendigo Pride Festival 2024 will be from 13 to 24 March and more information on events can be found at bendigopridefestival.com.au.