By Lotte Reiter

Home-grown talent and skills will combine on stage for Horsham’s SmartArtz Theatre Company’s first production.

The Addams Family will be at Horsham Town Hall for five shows between July 17 and 21.

Executive producer Luke Mitton said the group was overwhelmed by community support for its first venture, with ticket sales ‘beyond expectation’.

“The willingness of people to support us purely for the love of theatre has been amazing,” he said.

“We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors. It has been great to see people embrace a new theatre group.

“Having people support us financially as well as with their time and expertise means we can get something amazing onto the stage and continue to produce shows in the future.”

Mr Mitton said rehearsals started in February for the musical comedy, which follows the unique but ‘much loved’ Addams family as they are thrown into turmoil when Wednesday Addams introduces them to her ‘normal’ fiancé and his family.

He said the production brought together many talented Wimmera people, including Horsham’s Nicole Jorgenson and Halle Brown.

The two women have helped design The Addams Family ‘Ancestors’, a set of 16 characters that includes a caveman, viking shield-maiden and a pirate.

Mr Mitton said their involvement was important in creating a realistic show and a level of detail that ‘wowed’ audiences.

“Where possible the company has utilised the skills of Wimmera people, and this production has been a great collaboration of regional talent and skills,” he said.

“Nicole has designed and made all our ancestor character’s costumes, which has been a massive task. She started at the same time as rehearsals in February.

“We have had a host of others helping us out including Horsham College staff, Horsham Men’s Shed and other tradespeople. 

“We also have Halle helping us with make-up design to create the unique look of the ancestors.”

Mr Mitton said SmartArtz Theatre Company planned to produce a variety of different shows from varying genres to offer a platform that challenged actors and helped them grow.

“We now have the rights to ‘The Laramie Project’, our next production, which will be challenging for both actors and the audience,” he said.

Mr Mitton said The Addams Family was a show that would appeal to and entertain the whole family.

“We encourage people to buy their tickets now, you don’t want to miss out on this hilarious show,” he said.

People can buy tickets at www.horsham
townhall.com.au or by calling the town hall box office on 5382 9555.

The entire July 10, 2019 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

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