Five star production returns to the region

Mental health in focus for award winning playwright

acclaimed World Premier Tour in 2021 with five star reviews and soldout season at the Space Theatre, Adelaide, and a nationwide tour last year, Country Arts SA is proud to be bringing back this unique work to South Australian regional audiences, including Mount Gambier audiences at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, next month.

EUPHORIA – from award-winning South Australian playwright Emily Steel, commissioned by Country Arts SA – brings regional voices to the fore in a rich and heartwarming tale of good days, bad days and everything in between. Life in rural and remote Australia presents challenges that impact on health and wellbeing, yet statistics indicate that people in country areas are happy.

EUPHORIA was created with regional communities’ front of mind. Over two years, Emily and Country Arts SA Arts and Health Creative Producer Alison Howard met with people in regional communities and also spent time in mental health units meeting with clinical staff and clients to talk about the joys and challenges of country life.

The result of this extensive consultation and development is EUPHORIA, a gently moving new work that offers an authentic picture of country life, resonating deeply with regional and metropolitan audiences.

Playwright Emily Steel said it was an honour to create a script working so closely with South Australian regional communities.

“It was a privilege to meet so many people in so many communities, and to hear about their experiences. EUPHORIA is fictional, but I hope that, thanks to all those who helped with the research, its characters and their stories will feel real,” Emily said.

Country Arts SA chief executive Anthony Peluso said EUPHORIA reinforced Country Arts SA’s vision to create art that could only be made in the regions.

“EUPHORIA is a compassionate, sensitive and witty piece of theatre which we produced with regional audiences in mind,” he said.

“To have it critically acclaimed and recognised as an empathetic piece of work full of pathos and wit by our regional audiences has really bolstered its standing in the world of theatre.

“We are so proud and humbled to have been able to share it with audiences nationally and again this year with South Australian audiences who are at the heart of this production.

“This is your second chance to go see this beautiful, funny, and deeply moving piece of theatre – don’t miss it!”

A mental health professional will be attached to the tour. This role will support each post show Q&A providing a safe platform for audiences to ‘unpick’ the work and in doing so engage in conversation around the themes and issues EUPHORIA raises about mental health and wellbeing in regional towns. This role will also open further opportunities for community engagement and extend the scope of workshops available to schools and the wider community.

Warning: Contains course language and adult themes referencing mental illness and suicide. Suitable for ages 15+ SIR ROBERT HELPMANN THEATRE – MOUNT GAMBIER Tuesday, August 15 11am & 7pm

“…EUPHORIA is fictional, but I hope that, thanks to all those who helped with the research, its characters and their stories will feel real…” Enily Steel (Playwright)