Ghostlight step onto the scene
Another new local theatre company will step onto the scene this weekend with its first full-length musical "Into the Woods".
Founded by husband-and-wife team, Corey and Esther Bruerton, Ghostlight Theatre Co aims to showcase new talent on regional stages.
"Into the Woods" is one of Stephen Sondheim's most popular and challenging works and was written by James Lapine.
The musical takes the popular Brothers Grimm tales and weaves them together to create a timeless story about pathways through life and the consequences of people's actions.
In the musical, a baker and his wife are desperate to break a curse that prevents them from having a child. The pair set off on a journey and encounter several other characters, all who have struggles of their own.
Ghostlight has previously produced "Hits n Bits" and participated in The Over The Tops Theatre Sports competition by The Magic If.
Work on the production began in January, and rehearsals have been taking place twice a week at Warragul Community House.
Director Corey Bruerton said starting a new company is a huge risk and was conceptualised during the coronavirus lockdowns.
"We wanted to create something that would help with community recovery, for both performers and audience."
"We have no shed to build sets and nowhere to store props. Our Production Manager has been carrying our big prop 'Milky White' (Jack's Cow) in the back of his car for weeks."
Bruerton thanked the regional theatre community who have provided him and co-founder Esther with fantastic support, including Warragul Theatre Company, Escapees Theatre, Latrobe Theatre Company and CLOC Musical Theatre.
He also acknowledged the great team at West Gippsland Arts Centre for their marketing and technical support.
"We raised some working funds by staging our 'Hits and Bits' musical review and that has helped to get us where we are," he explained.
"We were also pleased to have received funding support from Baw Baw Shire under their Community Sponsorship program, which has been absolutely fantastic. But in the end, we need people to buy tickets or we just fall over."
The "Into the Woods" cast is multi-talented and bring many years of experience. Teigan Bliss, as "The Baker's Wife", is well known to local audiences as the president of Warragul Youth Theatre and an avid performer.
Playing alongside her as "The Baker", is Nathan Slevin hails from Melbourne, and has travelled to Warragul to play his 'dream role'.
The pair are joined by an ensemble of 16 others, who all play leading roles in a show where there is simply no 'chorus' to get lost in.
"We think Into the Woods will transport you to a world of wonder and warm emotion, delivering pure entertainment and lifting your spirits," Bruerton said.
Tickets can be purchased at www.wgac.com. au.