In ViV! Bathurst’s own Compareo group take on performance roles.
ViV! is nine years old, adventurous, sassy and the heroine of a brand-new interactive play for children premiering at BMEC August 21-23.
Title character ViV also lives with disabilities; she is non-speaking, but she has a lot to say! And a lot to share with other children about how she experiences the world.
Director/Writer Catherine McNamara said, “This is a real-life story about my niece, who is the same age as a lot of kids who will see the show. She was born with a very rare disability. She appears different, but I want to invite all children into the theatre to learn about her…so they may feel more confident about connecting with others who look, behave or communicate in diverse ways.”
The chorus in ViV! are actors from ‘COMPAREO’, an inclusive arts program at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre for young adults with disabilities, which Catherine has led since its inception in 2020. Compareo is Latin for “Be visible, Be present” and ViV! lives and breathes this ethos, with an atypical hero inviting children and young people with disabilities to see themselves represented onstage.
Catherine explains, “What I’m most excited about with this show, as we welcome children into the audience, is that we celebrate what makes us different and then also delight in the ways we are the same. We all like to have fun, have friends, and be accepted – and that is what I hope everyone who comes to the show will leave feeling.”
As part of the play’s preparation, some of the Compareo group have taught Catherine AUSLAN and made costumes and set pieces with community artist Fiona Howle. Making ViV! has been very collaborative and incorporates the strengths and interests of each Compareo performer. The show’s fun choreography was created using movements and emotions from the Compareo chorus, which Catherine has arranged into dance numbers.
Compareo performer Brianna Wheeler said, “you can come and copy what we dance in our show… it will probably make you feel happy.”
The music and sound composition comes from local musician Cindy Fox, who has also worked closely with the Compareo group to create innovative percussion from everyday objects. Reuben Bondareff, another member of Compareo said, “it’s a show that I personally thought I would never (get to) be a part of. For me to express that feeling to you – the audience – will be absolutely amazing.”
Arts OutWest is thrilled to bring this new original Australian work to BMEC with the support of Carenne Support Limited, Wilga Station, Create NSW, Regional Art Fund and Creative Australia.
Dates: Thursday 21- Saturday 23rd August, 2025
Venue: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre
Times: 11am and 6.30pm daily
Tickets: www.bmec.com.au
02 6333 6161
In this short reel some of the Compareo cast talk about being involved in this production:
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1096128110
Image: In rehearsal at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre. Elsie McFarlan back Rebecca Jones front.