Graeme Bent, Margo Lee, Phillip Edgley and other cast members in the J.C. Williamson production of For Amusement Only.

Join us for a special evening celebrating grassroots performing arts!

At this event, key community performing arts figure and Canberra Times theatre reviewer Peter Wilkins will facilitate portions of discussion between panelists, interspersed with performances from representatives of local performing arts organisations.

Making up the discussion panel are Tim Bevitt (Unexpected Harmony Choir), Karen Vickery (Canberra REP), Taimus Werner-Gibbings (Lakespeare) and David Whitbread (Weston Winds). 

Performances will include a reading by Karen Vickery from Our Country's Good, a bassoon performance by David Whitbread, a performance of a Shakespeare reading by Taimus Werner-Gibbings, and a performance by Unexpected Harmony Choir

This event will have an intermission. During intermission, guests will be able to wander through the Library's current exhibition, On Stage: Spotlight on Our Performing Arts, or purchase refreshments available at Bookplate. Bookplate will also be open from 5pm to 6pm on the night for those who wish to purchase refreshments prior to the event starting. 

Entry is free to this event but bookings are essential

For those unable to make it to Canberra for the event, it will be livestreamed online via the Library's facebook page. No bookings are required to watch the online stream. 

About Peter Wilkins

A key figure in community performing arts, Peter Wilkins has been a theatre reviewer for The Canberra Times for the past 25 years. He has been influential in the artistic development for many Canberrans as a popular drama teacher at Narrabundah College for 22 years. Since then he has continued to mentor both teachers and students across the region through the Come Alive! Festival of Museum Theatre which challenges students to create theatre that brings our national cultural collections to life. 

About Tim Bevitt

Tim Bevitt is a performing arts specialist in music, dance and drama. He inspires people of all ages to take part in the joy of exploring and performing, through workshops and gigs of all types. The Unexpected Harmony Choir is an inclusive choir for adults. Tim and the Unexpected Harmony Choir will be performing both modern and classic songs on the night. 

About Karen Vickery

Karen Vickery is an award-winning actor and director. She has performed in all media and for a range of companies including Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir, commercial theatre, independent theatre, ABC TV and radio, film and commercial television. Karen will be performing a reading from Our Country’s Good, the story of the first piece of western theatre performed in Australia, George Farquhar’s The Recruiting Officer

About Taimus Werner-Gibbings

Taimus Werner-Gibbings is one of the Founding Producers of Lakespeare, an independent theatre company dedicated to making theatre accessible to Canberrans. Each summer it produces Shakespeare by the Lakes, a free summer season of Shakespeare performances in Canberra’s open spaces.  

About David Whitbread

David Whitbread is a bassoonist with Weston Winds, the Weston Creek Community Concert Band that has been based in Weston Creek for over 30 years. Both as a solo performer and as a member of various orchestras, operas, ballets and shows, David has been entertaining audiences for many years, including shows such as, Things you shouldn’t do on a bassoon

Type Special event