Showing posts with label Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theatre. Show all posts

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Tasmania Travels. Gordon River Cruises, Strahan

Our first morning in Strahan, we woke early...but not early enough. 
I read the times wrong for our boat cruise departure and we were half an hour "behind schedule". We made it down to the jetty in the nick of time to board the Gordon River Cruises brand new catamaran, Spirit of the Wild. We were shown to our seats, a comfy booth style 4 seat couch at the bow of the boat. By the time we had departed, the booth next to us was still vacant, so we were able to spread out over the 2 seats and tables. We motored out of Macquarie Harbour, past Hells Gates to Bass Strait, then back in and up the Gordon River.
Gordon River Cruises Strahan
Gordon River Cruises Strahan

Gordon River Cruises Strahan
Gordon River Cruises StrahanThe water was the colour of black tea and we were in awe at the size of the 


Unfortunately, a  breeze kept the reflections away that day, but it was still a wonderful cruise.
Gordon River Cruises Strahan

We stopped at Heritage Landing for a short walk along the wooden boardwalk, to see the plants and trees. 
Gordon River Cruises Strahan
Gordon River Cruises StrahanWe purchased snacks for morning tea and then lunch was a delicious buffet style feast served during the cruise. A selection of books were a great addition to the cruise, as we could read more about the history of the area. 
Gordon River Cruises Strahan

Even the loo had a good view!

Gordon River Cruises Strahan
We arrived at the former penal colony, Sarah Island, where we split into 2 large groups and were led around the island by a wonderful guide, who told us the history of the place with a funny and theatrical delivery. 
Gordon River Cruises Strahan

Gordon River Cruises Strahan

Gordon River Cruises Strahan
Gordon River Cruises Strahan



We enjoyed every minute of the cruise, reflections or not, and think it was one of the best outings on our Tassie trip.
Strahan TasmaniaWe arrived back into Strahan mid afternoon and went to the Visitor Centre, where we visited a small exhibition out the back. Displays focused on mining, logging, and the Franklin Gordon Dam controversy in the '80's. 

We even played a Gordon River version of Snakes'n'Ladders...
Strahan Tasmania

 ...and learned how to tie a knot.
Strahan Tasmania
We bought tickets for the long running local theatre production, The Ship That Never Was, (Entertainment Book discount) and enjoyed a funny, informative show about the last convicts of Sarah Island and their final voyage out of the harbour.
The cast of 2 actors, accompanied by an ensemble from the audience, had us laughing hysterically as they trod the boards of the good ship 'Frederick'. 
Bravo!

The Ship That Never Was Strahan Tasmania

I bought a couple of booklets from the theatre, as well as a novel by Adam Courtenay for some holiday reading at home. 
The Ship That Never Was Strahan Tasmania

























What: Gordon River Cruise

Where: Strahan

Why: cruise, history, theatre

When: Daily 

How much: varies

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Arts Centre Melbourne - Theatres and Spaces Tour

We met our guide at the information desk and set off on our one hour tour of the theatres and spaces below the Arts Centre's landmark spire.
Our first stop was the plush raspberry interior of the State Theatre, current home of The Australian Ballet's Sleeping Beauty. The stage was beautifully framed with a set fit for a princess - no photos allowed. Arts Centre, Melbourne
With one of the largest stages in the world and seating for over 2,000, the stage sits five floors below ground. It is used for musicals, concerts, opera, and dance. 
I saw my first ever ballet performance here in 1995 - The Australian Ballet's production of The Competition.
Arts Centre, MelbourneThe  Amcor and State Theatre Lounges were refurbished in the 1990's. Memorabilia from the time was placed inside the resin walls and columns, including nuts and bolts, artists paint brushes, measuring tapes and film negatives showing images of the renovation. 464,000 marbles sit inside the transparent resin, giving the illusion of bubbles in water.
Arts Centre, Melbourne
Arts Centre, Melbourne

It is a beautiful space for a conference, though I'm not sure I could pay attention to what was being said, when there is so many incredible items to look at.
Arts Centre, Melbourne 
Even the carpet has an artistic touch, featuring the words 'Victoria Arts Centre', where the carpet meets the wall. The letters throw shadows that continue across the floor in the pattern of the carpet. 
Look closely. Can you see the words?
Arts Centre, Melbourne
We came out of the room, to the sounds of a piano playing in the Rehearsal Space next door. We ooh and aahed in whispers, as we imagined the pirouettes and pas de deux happening on the other side of those walls. 
Was it the Princess, woken by her Prince? We'll never know for sure...

We had a look inside the venues for dramatic productions, the large Playhouse Theatre and the more intimate Fairfax Studio. 
Back out in the Smorgon Family Plaza, an exhibition of costumes from previous performances of The Sleeping Beauty is on display near the box office. All of the levels have their own colour scheme and decor, from aubergine furnishings and gold leaf, to faux marble columns and indigenous art. The tour was informative and very interesting, with a lot of content packed into the one hour.
Arts Centre, Melbourne
The banner for Sleeping Beauty at the base of the spire had me thinking the Arts Centre looked like it too, had a tutu on.

Arts Centre, Melbourne
Where:Southbank
When:  Mon-Sat 11:00am
Why:arts, theatre
How Much: $20