The Edward River community is invited to experience the stunningly renovated Town Hall first hand through four free ticketed Finucane & Smith shows.
Co-founder of Finucane and Smith is Deniliquin born and bred Jackie Smith, who said “Deni holds a special place in my heart; the country here is so special”.
“I can close my eyes anywhere in the world and see the gums towering over the river,” she said.
“I have travelled many places with my theatre work, to many countries on this planet.
“What an adventure to work with so many cultures and artforms, but here - on the country of the Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa - is where I always stop and look up to see the galahs or an eagle, walk by the river, or bump into old friends down the street,” she said.
“I did my first school play in the Town Hall. I had one line and made the most of it.
“That building has hosted so much history over the years, and I'm very excited to be part of its re-opening.”
As co-director of Finucane and Smith, Jackie has helped put on shows in Cuba, Japan, Sweden, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, China, UK, Hungary, Latin America and New Zealand.
Finucane and Smith’s Australian touring shows - Caravan Burlesque and Dance Hall - have also toured to more than 70 venues in remote, regional and metropolitan Australia from the Pilbara to the Sydney Opera House.
Jackie is also an award-winning theatre writer.
Her style of writing is particularly Australian – with language often so sparse, dry, humorous resulting in her being shortlisted for the Griffin Playwright Award and The HQ short story award.
Her play, The Flood, produced by Critical Stages, received great critical acclaim after touring Australia for four months in 2012.
In 2016 it was presented at the Shanghai International Theatre Festival and the Xi Xi International Theatre Festival in China (translated into Chinese subtitles).
A Chinese cast version of The Flood premiered in 2017 in Beijing and in 2018 in Shanghai in partnership with the Chinese company Vertebra Theatre and the Shanghai Theatre Academy, directed by Moira Finucane.
Jackie’s latest play to be translated into Mandarin is The First Son and was written at the invitation of the Daliang Shan International Theatre Festival in China.
Her most recent work The Destroyer, premiered in Melbourne in 2022.
When it comes to the local showing of Dance Hall, Jackie said “Edward River Council has secured an opening show that celebrates rich and diverse communities”.
“Our global talent and irresistible music will light up the Town Hall stage,” she said.
“It’s time for the community to dust off their 2022 cobwebs, grab family and friends and enjoy a fun filled show that will have them dancing in the aisle.”
Tickets for Dance Hall are free and available on Eventbrite. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/deniliquintown-hall-opening-featuring-finucane-smiths-dance-hall-tickets-513575627527.
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