2 March 2004
Canberra Youth Theatre will share its vision of the National Museum's Garden of Australian Dreams in its new show, The Great Garden Game, starting tomorrow night.
The Great Garden Game is the culmination of almost a year of planning and rehearsing by more than 25 young Canberra artists, who will use fire twirling, domestic drama, spectacle and multimedia installations to present their vision of the unique Garden landscape.
Canberra Youth Theatre artistic director Linda McHugh said The Great Garden Game was a response to the many symbols overlaid in the Garden, where layered maps are combined with architectural comment on Australia's land, nation and people.
'We're offering a different take on the controversial Garden of Australian Dreams and presenting the heartfelt views of young Australians about the country they live in, its past, future and present,' Ms McHugh said.
'The National Museum has a very progressive approach to public programs and performance projects like The Great Garden Game. It not only holds the culture of Australia but it breathes it as well.'
The free performances of The Great Garden Game start in the Garden of Australian Dreams at 7.30pm tomorrow, Wednesday; running nightly until Saturday, 6 March; and on Friday, 12 March and Saturday, 13 March.
The Great Garden Game was commissioned by the National Museum to give young local artists a forum to connect with current events.The creative process included discussions with Richard Weller, the Perth-based landscape architect who designed the Garden.
The Great Garden Game is part of the National Museum's commitment to performance and follows the sell-out success of the Sky Lounge new media nights in the Garden. The Museum hosted the past two national forums on performance in cultural institutions and continues to develop other works linked to its exhibitions.
For interviews, images or more information please contact Public Affairs Director Martin Portus on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 orm.portus@nma.gov.au