Theatre

Euphoria Development Tour

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The Arts & Health and Shows on the Road Programs’ join forces to create a new touring show for 2020!

Rural and remote Australia is marked by unpredictability, isolation, economic and financial uncertainly uncertainty, incessant change and extreme weather events. These social determinants are some of a range of stressors unique to those living outside a major city.

It can be a tough environment with many challenges, yet people in rural and remote areas regularly score better than their major city counterparts on indicators of happiness. This may be testament to the many positive aspects of rural life and the interconnectedness of people living in regional areas.

Despite these protecting factors, the mental health and wellbeing of those living in our country regions is a major concern with rates of self-harm and suicide almost double that of major cities.

Playwright Emily Steel has examined this paradox as artist-in-residence in three mental health inpatient units and communities across regional South Australia. In 2019, Emily alongside Director Nescha Jelk, Actors Ashton Malcolm and Jonathon Darby and Producer Alison Howard traveled around the state presenting excerpts of the work and consulting with communities to produce the final version the script, which will be presented as a full with work with State Theatre Company South Australia in 2020.

Keep an eye out for all the dates and details that will be coming early December.

SHOW INFORMATION

Meg is battling with a mental health illness and she’s afraid. Afraid she’ll meet someone in the supermarket and they will know. Ethan is sick of living in a town where you can’t take a shit without it being reported in the local paper, and Jimmy… well everyone knows Jimmy’s made of Teflon and his dad owns half the town so he’s never had anything to worry about.

In 2018 playwright Emily Steel spent time in regional South Australia as an Artist-in-Residence, meeting with communities to share experiences and unpick the joys and challenges of country life. From Streaky Bay to Bordertown, conversations in pop up tea rooms stirred deep thoughts and dust storms brewed as talk turned to water, services and health.

Written by Emily Steel, Euphoria is commissioned and produced by Country Arts SA following research and many cups of teas with communities.

2019 Development

We want your thoughts on a new play that explores the joys and challenges of living in regional South Australia. Commissioned by Country Arts SA, Euphoria will be co-produced with State Theatre Company SA and toured next year as part of their regional touring program.

Emily, director Nescha Jelk and two of South Australia’s most talented actors, Ashton Malcolm and Jonathan Darby will revisit these communities this month to share excerpts from the script and talk about the process of bringing this regional South Australian story to life.  A Q&A will give each community the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback which will contribute to the final draft before touring in 2020. The creative team will also visit schools in each town to share the work.

Whyalla                Mon 16th Sept 5.30pm – 7pm Middleback Arts Centre [email protected]
Burra                     Wed 18th Sept 5.30pm – 7pm Burra Regional Gallery [email protected]
Berri                      Fri 20th Sept 5.30pm – 7pm Berri Town Hall [email protected]
Mount Gambier  Sat 21st Sept 7pm – 9pm Limestone Coast Pantry [email protected]
Lameroo              Tues 24th Sept 6pm – 8pm Lameroo Hotel Motel [email protected]

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