Once And For All

Once and For All is a walking tour, theatre performance and community event  inside a local cemetery.

First performed at Bendigo Cemetery as part of Regional Centre for Culture in 2018, the event involves Such As They Are working with the community, perhaps in a residency,  to gather stories of the people buried in the cemetery. These are found through historical records, discussions with local historians and living memory. 

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We also run workshops  where the public build symbolic  wreaths while enjoying a cuppa tea and sharing stories about death. It's an easy-going event that provides a chance to talk about things sometimes left unspoken.
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There's also the opportunity for the public to participate directly in the performance. How that works depends on the community but could include adding choirs, youth groups and historical societies to the performance. ​

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The performance starts with a twilight tour through the cemetery stopping at graves to hear stories as well as poems, obituaries, music, tableaus and perhaps performances by the community. In the second half, the event becomes more theatrical blending sculptural sets, puppetry and music.

At the conclusion, the audience and performers enjoy a cuppa tea and a scone, allowing everyone to gather, chat and savour being alive.

Once and For All is an affectionate event that looks into the past to see the present and views death with minimal fear and perhaps even, a sense of fun.

Created by Such As They Are  Devised and performed by:
Eliza-Jane Gilchrist, Verity Higgins
Mark Penzak & Rose Turtle Ertler.

Technical support Tim Bray. 
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Photography Diana Domonkos.
Video Jim Coad. 
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Funded by Regional Centre For Culture and Creative Vic.
Supported by Remembrance Parks Central Victoria.