Rathgeber dives deep for charity
As the arts community continues to recover from impacts of COVID-19 on its industry, one of Horsham’s favourite sons is finding ways to remain connected to his birthplace.
Theatrical performer Alex Rathgeber is best known for pursuits across Australian and international stages, and perhaps for some theatregoers, remains well known for a recent role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz as the Tin Man.
But the Horsham-born actor and singer has always carried with him an alternative pursuit – swimming.
A former Horsham Shark, Rathgeber said he learnt to swim under the guidance of Dorothy Adamson before he swam competitively at inter-regional events during his teenage years.
This month, Rathgeber will swim 35 kilometres for the Starlight Super Swim – a campaign to raise money for sick children in hospital.
He said his connection with the Starlight Children’s Foundation started while he was working on The Wizard of Oz production in 2017, when he joined some of the cast members, in costume, to perform for children in hospital.
“It was Christmas time and as a cast we had performed at Sydney’s Carols in the Domain,” he said.
“After the show we were bussed to a hospital to sing some Wizard of Oz songs, as well as some carols, for sick children – for the Starlight Foundation,” he said.
“There is a ‘Starlight’ room at many hospitals that is set up with bright colours and all manner of entertainment for the children.
“We performed there for lots of children, but we also visited several children at their bedside – children who, for various reasons, were unable to leave their beds.
“It was so impactful to see their smiling faces when we visited them in hospital, so when I saw this swim challenge for the Starlight foundation, I wanted to be involved.”
The Starlight Super Swim asks participants, as individuals or as part of a team, to choose a swim-distance target and raise money through sponsorship to complete the distance, during February.
Rathgeber will complete his 35 kilometre challenge as part of his team – The Deependables.
Rathgeber completed his first kilometres at Horsham War Memorial Swimming Pool last week.
“It was excellent timing. I was in Horsham with my family, so I was able to do my first swim for the challenge at the pool I used to do my swim training at when I was young,” he said.
“Funny enough, while I was in town, I even ran into Dorothy Adamson who taught me how to swim at her indoor pool at Horsham West. It was an amazing coincidence.
“Before this campaign I have been doing a lot of swimming anyway, so I wanted to choose a distance that was a challenge. I wanted to push myself because that is what those sick children do in hospital every day.”
Rathgeber said he believed his passion for swimming gelled with his on-stage work.
“Frank Sinatra and other voice users have always spoken of using swimming to help them with their singing,” he said.
“Swimming increases lung capacity and rhythmic breathing – it is also just a great meditative, full body work out. I find it great for the mind.”
Recovery
Rathgeber’s latest theatrical pursuit is with West End production Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, which is set for a string of Melbourne shows throughout February and March after a run of shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Rathgeber said this new production had been a ‘fun’ show to explore, and was inviting people back into the theatre.
“The truth is, the impact of COVID and restrictions on the arts have been very deep and widespread,” he said.
“It is taking a lot longer for our industry to get back on its feet than some other industries.
“There has been some government funding that has propped up some shows, but when that money ends, the reality is they will all have to eventually rely on audience confidence to return to the theatre.
“However, in the same breath, I believe there is hunger at the moment for live entertainment – especially after everyone was stuck at home for the better part of three years.”
Rathgeber said people carried an ‘appetite’ for enjoying the arts in a communal setting.
“Standing or sitting next to someone at an event is something people only enjoy at a live show,” he said.
“It is about being with people, watching other people, in the flesh, huffing and puffing, pouring their heart out on stage – there is still nothing like it.”
Invitation
Rathgeber said he was ‘delighted’ to invite the public to join his Starlight Super Swim team this month.
People can join, or donate to The Deependables team at superswim.org. au/t/the-deep-endables To date, the team has raised $8862.
People can purchase tickets to see Rathgeber’s latest theatrical production, The Mousetrap, at Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, via themousetrap. com.au/tickets/melbourne