‘The work is a salute, a celebration of the farming community. It elevates with a solemnity that is totally warranted and it’s needed today.’ – John Romeril, Playwright
An opera singer has forgone her career to run a sheep farm with her partner. During a drought, the sheep farmer, the fifth generation to work the family farm, is faced with an all too common dilemma - 'do we stay or do we go? The audience accompany the toast to the farm, to the life that has been lived on the land and the decision that has been made.
Dinner in a Dry Dam uses lyrics specially commissioned from three prize winning Australian writers/poets, (Emilie Collyer, berni m janssen and Penny Sell), composed and performed by renowned singer/composer Carl Pannuzzo and acclaimed singer/actor Penny Larkins.
Devised and directed by Punctum's artistic director, Jude Anderson, it was developed in collaboration with Regional Arts Victoria, the Malthouse Theatre and Capital Venue and Events - Bendigo. It premiered at the Castlemaine State Festival in 2009 and was presented to great acclaim in halls in Bendigo, Creswick, Sutton Grange and in the 2009 Big West Festival.
“That’s exactly what it was like, EXACTLY. And it’s very close to the bone and it’s incredible and so unexpected to have our story told like that with such respect.”
From a couple who recently left their farm and moved to Castlemaine and saw a performance in the Castlemaine State Festival.
Further details to come.
Written By: Emilie Collyer, berni m janssen and Penny Sell
Directed By: Jude Anderson
Creative Team:
Composed and performed by Carl Pannuzzo and Penny Larkins
Design: Ali McNicol
Producer: Punctum
