New spaces shine at Geelong Arts Centre opening party

The redeveloped Geelong Arts Centre is up and running, with a huge crowd of VIPs exploring the new spaces on Friday last week ahead of the official first performances the next day.

More than 200 people attended the grand opening gala for the $140 million upgrade of the Little Malop Street side of the centre, which includes two new theatres (The Story House and The Open House), new bars and event spaces, and the Tutti restaurant/cafe.

Jessica Mauboy in full flight inside The Story House.

Australian actor Rachel Griffiths was the first host of the night, who recalled her days in the Wooly Jumpers (GPAC’s resident theatre group) and delighted the crowd with not only a quick change into a full Geelong Cats outfit but also calling Cats waterboy Sam Moorfoot onto the stage for a quick drinks break.

Cats waterboy Sam Moorfot (left) and Australian actor Rachel Griffiths share a joke on stage at the Geelong Arts Centre’s Grand Opening Gala.

Entertainment also included several theatre personalities including Simon Gleeson performing “One Day More” from Les Miserables, backed by a full orchestra and a choir comprising members from Geelong’s community theatre companies.

Geelong Arts Centre chief executive officer and creative director Joel McGuinness speaks at the media launch ahead of the grand opening gala on Friday.

Dilruk Jayasinha (one of three comedians who performed on Saturday) then took over hosting duties to reveal Jessica Mauboy would headline the second part of the evening, and Mauboy (who also had a gig in the centre on Saturday) and her band became the first act to perform in The Story House, in front of an appreciative audience.

(L-R) Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos, Geelong MP Christine Couzens, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman and Bellarine MP Alison Marchant in front of the doors to The Story House.

The celebrations at Geelong Arts Centre continue into next month, with events in the grand opening festival including backstage tours, a concert by Missy Higgins on Sunday, August 27, Opera Australia’s The Barber of Seville, a performance from ’80s hitmakers Pseudo Echo, and Windmill Theatre Company’s new musical puppet show for children and families HICCUP.

For more information, head to geelongartscentre.org.au