Theatre company takes award

BENDIGO community theatre group Synchronicity won an award at the 2023 Victorian Drama League Awards held earlier this month. 

Nominated for seven awards altogether, it was the first year the group entered, and co-director Wendy Collishaw said company members were surprised by how well they did. 

“We did way better than expected,” she said. “We were up against stiff competition.” 

The group ultimately won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for Samantha Congdon’s portrayal of the character Yvette. 

Collishaw said none of the applicants knew what they were nominated for, or had won, until the night, so finding out was a pleasant surprise. 

“Synchronicity is very proud of its participants in Clue, and the prize was justly awarded because it was a very good quality production,” she said. 

“Thank you to Bendigo for supporting local theatre, because we are just a community group, so we’re doing very well and gaining recognition. 

“For Bendigo to continue supporting performing arts and the arts in Central Vic in general, because when they do, people then are empowered to do better.” 

The group has just revealed its plan for next year and will be working on a rewritten version of Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps for its comedy play, and then a stage adaptation of local author Colin King’s book A Vintage Death for its drama. 

Co-director and Wendy’s husband, Geoff Collishaw, has been writing the adaptation over the past few years with King’s permission. 

“We try to do Aussie content every year, if not, every other year,” she said. “This is not only Aussie, this is local.” 

That story is set at a Heathcote vineyard, and Collishaw said they are hoping to perform it at the locality at some point. 

Synchronicity has received a grant from the Ulumbarra Foundation to assist with funding for the technical aspects of production.