By Derek Schlennstedt
Art in its rawest, most beautiful form can be seen in a theatre.
Dramas and tragedies connect audiences with human touch, human feelings.
There is something primordial about going to the theatre on a cold winter’s night, dressing up in a warm coat and coming together to enjoy dinner, wine and a unique play that has never been performed before. Because, every time a play is performed, it is unique; there are no cuts or re-dos and this makes every enactment special.
For those heading to the hills this winter, there are a number of small theatres to stay warm at and enjoy a thrilling performance.
The Dandenong Ranges theatre scene offers a wealth of entertainment, from blockbuster musicals to cutting-edge performances and late-night cabaret shows.
The 1812 Theatre in Ferntree Gully had its beginnings in the 1940s and as such is one of the longest-running theatre groups in Melbourne.
Today, the 1812 Theatre hosts a grand variety of plays, from great dramas and tragedies, to slapstick English comedies that are sure to make audiences laugh.
Enjoy the welcoming and comfortable setting of the 1812 Theatre, in the foothills of the Dandenongs, with each performance offering a smattering of food paired with wines from the bar.
After the performance, guests can meet with the actors and actresses and mingle in the foyer.
Further up the hill in Emerald, the Gemco Player Community Theatre is a welcoming sight for those who are theatrically inclined.
Performances include musicals, pantomimes, melodramas, theme nights and one-act plays, with the group’s annual Dandenong Ranges One Act Play Festival taking place on the third weekend of July each year.
