How lucky is Gippsland in eastern Victoria? Along a 200km corridor from Pakenham to Bairnsdale, and south to Wonthaggi, there are SIX excellent theatre venues.
Each venue is only a short distance by road from its neighbour and though each is owned by a different Shire, the network they create offers an opportunity to program live shows with the whole region in mind.
Imagine a ‘great big theatre’ with 6 box offices, 6 stage doors, 6 stages and 6 foyers full of superb shows and local, recognisable faces enjoying themselves in each.
Theatre Gippsland is that ‘great big theatre’. Six separate venues, working together to make sure our region is a great place to see live performances and our venues are places for all to enjoy.
We work to promote our program widely and to mobilise our audience to follow that ‘word-of-mouth’ recommendation or travel to see a major production just across the Shire boundary. At the same time, we will be attracting people from outside Gippsland to come to our region and enjoy all it has to offer.
The Australia Council for the Arts has supported our venture with a grant under its ‘ENGAGE’ funding. Watch out for the brand ‘Theatre Gippsland’. It is your pathway to an even broader and more exciting experience of live performance in Gippsland.
The Cardinia Cultural Centre is a state of the art performing arts and function centre located at the gateway to Gippsland in eastern Melbourne’s largest expanding corridor. Comprising a 356-seat purpose-built fully equipped auditorium with raked seating, magnificent function rooms overlooking a lake setting, a café which is open 7 days per week, and other versatile spaces, the Centre is situated on two hectares at Lakeside Pakenham. The Centre is one of Victoria’s most inspiring and contemporary arts centres and boasts majestic public art in its landscaped surrounds.
Cardinia Cultural Centre
40 Lakeside Drive, PAKENHAM Vic 3810
Tel: 1300 887 624
www.cardinia.vic.gov.au
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The Latrobe Performing Arts Centre is conveniently located on the outskirts of the Traralgon CBD, close to restaurants, cafes and bars. Latrobe Performing Arts presents a diverse program throughout the year, offering an eclectic range of shows including dance, music, children’s theatre, drama, comedy, a morning music program and film. Within the Performing Arts Centre; there are two performance spaces; The Little Theatre is a 227 seat performance space and The Town Hall Theatre, a 401 seat performance space.
Latrobe Performing Arts Centre
Grey Street Traralgon
Box Office 5176 3333
Website www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/lpawhatson
Facebook www.facebook.com/LatrobePerformingArts
Instagram #latrobeperformingarts
The Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre is a contemporary hub for performing arts and entertainment complete with theatre, versatile meeting rooms and modern café. Operated by Wellington Shire Council and sponsored by Esso and BHP Billiton, this multi award winning venue provides outstanding facilities and services for touring theatre performances, corporate events, local theatre groups, social gatherings, wedding receptions, parties, conventions, exhibitions and more.
Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre
100 Foster Street Sale
Ph: (03) 5143 3200
www.ebbwec.com.au
Box Office opening hours
10.00am-5.00pm weekdays and 1 hour prior to shows
Equus Cafe
Located in the EBBWEC Foyer
Ph: (03) 5144 3388
Open 7 days 8.00am till 4.00pm for breakfast, lunch & afternoon tapas. Open for dinner on all show nights.
The 364 seat Forge Theatre and Arts Hub, was established in December 2010 as East Gippsland Shire Council’s Performing Arts Centre and presents a vibrant live theatre performance program curated from the best of nationally sourced professional touring productions in the genres of drama, comedy, music, children’s theatre, a Daytime series, dance, physical theatre and musicals. Equipped with theatre stage lighting and an audio system, along with professional staff the Forge Theatre also boasts a foyer café for pre-performance meals, beverages and a licensed bar.
Forge Theatre and Arts Hub
80 McKean Street, Bairnsdale, Vic, 3875
Box Office Ph: 5152 1482, Administration Ph: 5153 9642
Website: www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/forgetheatre
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theforgetheatre
The Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre is an accessible, multi-purpose facility, incorporating a functional foyer, 420 seat raked floor auditorium and stage and meeting rooms. It provides the Bass Coast community a venue for local theatre, cinema, cultural programming, presentations, seminars, exhibitions and film. This great entertainment location is available for hire for community groups and commercial organisations.
Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre
Address: 96 Graham Street, Wonthaggi Vic 3995
Enquiries: 1300 BCOAST (226 278)