Once And For AllOnce and For All is a unique event that integrates theatre, community and a promenade journey within a cemetery, to respectfully explore death.
Within the grounds of a cemetery, an audience are guided on a voyage that tells the stories of the people buried there. This is not a history tour but an artistic journey. The stories celebrate ordinary life - a description of a wedding dress, a hole-in-one hit, events of everyday kindness. Poems, music, sculpture and community participation are woven into the journey. In the second half, we shift location and move from specifics to the universal. Using theatre, music, sculptural sets & puppetry, the performance draws upon mythology, remembrance and storytelling to illuminate the mystery and inevitability of death. This touches upon fear and sadness however the event is uplifting. Art and philosophy can offer some balm and in acknowledging death, we aim to appreciate life. Once and For All ends with the audience and performers enjoy a cuppa tea and scone together, allowing everyone to gather, chat and enjoy this moment of being alive. 
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First performed at Bendigo Cemetery as part of Regional Centre for Culture in 2018, and later in Natimuk Frinj, the event involves Such As They Are working with the community to gather stories of the people buried in the cemetery.
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. Once and For All is an affectionate artistic event that looks into the past to view our future with minimal fear and to create an appreciation for the life we have today. 
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Created by Such As They Are Devised and performed by:
Eliza-Jane Gilchrist, Verity Higgins Mark Penzak & Rose Turtle Ertler. Technical support Tim Bray. Photography Diana Domonkos. Video Bendigo: Jim Coad. Video Natimuk Frinj: Jacqueline Schulz Funded by Regional Centre For Culture and Creative Vic. Supported by Remembrance Parks Central Victoria. |
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Once And For All: Natimuk Frinj 2019
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