Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and to safeguard, share and celebrate First Nations’ living cultures.
We’re Back
It’s been a long wait, but it is finally over!
Our Arts Centres across regional South Australia will re-open from Saturday August 1.
We can’t wait to have you back in our theatres, and when we reopen, you’ll find some things have changed.
Country Arts SA Chief Executive Anthony Peluso said he was looking forward to sharing arts experiences in regional communities after a long hiatus.
“It’s a relief and a joy to be able to reopen our arts spaces safely and do what we do best – share great art around regional South Australia. We have re-designed this year’s program and continue to explore new ways to experience arts and culture both digitally and in real life,” Mr Peluso said.
We are committed to keeping you safe. All our Art Centre staff have been trained in COVID-19 safety practices, and we have implemented hand sanitising stations, contactless payment (we encourage you to purchase tickets online in advance), increased cleaning, and social distancing measures in the foyer and auditorium. You can check out our COVID Safe Plan and more information here.
The theatres will no longer be dark, the lights will be back up, the stage is set. We are ready to bring the magic back.
All we need now is you.
Please read on for our re-opening details in each region.
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Saturday 1st August at 7pm
Rigoletto on the Lake – Arts On Screen
The Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre reopens to the public with an evening performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto on the Lake, filmed live as part of UK’s Cinema Live and presented by Country Arts SA’s Arts On Screen.
Blood-curdling and beautiful, this compelling production from the 2019 Bregenz Festival, Austria was filmed live for the first time on the unique stage on Lake Constance. One of Verdi’s most popular works, Rigoletto is an unforgettable tale of sacrifice and revenge; of a father’s rage and a daughter’s shame. It features several of opera’s best-known arias – including Rigoletto’s passionate denouncement “Cortigiani, vil razza dannata,” Gilda’s dreamy “Caro nome” and the Duke’s instantly recognisable “La donna è mobile.”
Chaffey Theatre
Saturday 1st August 10am & 7pm
Sunday 2nd August 2pm
The Personal History Of David Copperfield
The Chaffey Theatre reopens to the public with two screenings of The Personal History Of David Copperfield, starring Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie.
From birth to infancy, from adolescence to adulthood, the good-hearted David Copperfield is surrounded by kindness, wickedness, poverty and wealth, as he meets an array of remarkable characters in Victorian England. As David sets out to be a writer, in his quest for family, friendship, romance and status, the story of his life is the most seductive tale of all.
Hopgood Theatre
Saturday 1st August at 7pm
Victoria – Performed by the Northern Ballet, Arts On Screen
The Hopgood Theatre reopens to the public with an evening screening of the live performance Victoria – Performed by the Northern Ballet, brought to you by Country Arts SA’s Arts On Screen.
Passion, tragedy, fierce devotion. Queen Victoria’s diaries revealed a life so fascinating that her daughter Beatrice tried to rewrite history. Her irrepressible love for Albert sparked a royal dynasty. But his untimely death brought the world’s most powerful woman to her knees with grief.
Book tickets > https://www.countryarts.org.au/events/victoria-performed-by-the-northern-ballet-arts-on-screen/venue/hopgood-theatre/
Northern Festival Centre
Saturday 1st August 10am & 7pm
The Personal History Of David Copperfield
The Northern Festival Centre reopens to the public with two screenings of The Personal History Of David Copperfield, starring Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie.
From birth to infancy, from adolescence to adulthood, the good-hearted David Copperfield is surrounded by kindness, wickedness, poverty and wealth, as he meets an array of remarkable characters in Victorian England. As David sets out to be a writer, in his quest for family, friendship, romance and status, the story of his life is the most seductive tale of all.
Middleback Arts Centre
Saturday 1st August
1.00pm – Sonic the Hedgehog (PG)
2.00pm – The Rocky Horror Picture Show (M)
6.45pm – The Invisible Man (MA15+)
7.30pm – The Rocky Horror Picture Show (M) – dressing up encouraged!
The Middleback Arts Centre reopens to the public on Saturday August 1 with four screenings of cinema classics, whatever your age.
On Friday 31st July the Whyalla City Council will continue its celebration of 50 years with a special illuminart project lighting up the outside wall of the Middleback Arts Centre. This project illuminating photos submitted by the community is part of the final projection piece put together by the Council and illuminart to celebrate the Council’s milestone