Words in Winter

In the 1990s, Em Ireland ran open mic events, combining poetry and music. Now, as director of the Words in Winter event, Em has loved calling in poets and friends "from back in the day" to be a part of the community festival, held on August 25, 26 and 27.

"Words in Winter is all about our community and its poets and authors, and people from further away, coming in to show how writing and poetry can be exciting."

Em said she had worked on growing the festival and a gala launch would be held on the Saturday night with media legends Jon Faine and Marieke Hardy, at the PalaisHepburn.

"I really do hope everyone comes to honour Jon Faine on Saturday, I am sure all of us would have had a chat to him on his radio show about bushfires or potholes over the past decade or so.

"It will be a gorgeous event and I really like the idea of the community coming together for these festivals. They can be honouring our potato farmers, our goats, our Swiss Italian heritage...our community is just so supportive.

"And it is really important that we get out from behind books, into a room and talking about them."

Em said the festival started on Friday, August 25, the same day as Wear Purple Day, and that had been incorporated with author Erin Riley coming from Sydney to talk about gender diversity.

On the Saturday, there were many events from Women to the Front brunching, to workshops and poetry readings at venues including Paradise Books, Daylesford Hotel, Radius Art Gallery and Cliffy's.

There are also events at Creswick, Trentham and Maryborough with free readings in the shire's libraries and shadow puppetry performances.

Words in Winter was started by David Hall and his late wife Lorelle in 2001. Link: www.wordsinwinter.com

Above, Words in Winter founder David Hall with current director Em Ireland in Paradise Books Image: Contributed

37 plays, 97 minutes, 3 actors

In the past 51 years The Mount Players have never performed any of Shakespeare's plays - but that is being quickly rectified.

President Karen Hunt said the Players would be attempting all of them in one night. Thirty-seven plays in 97 minutes with three actors. "What could possibly go wrong?"

Karen said The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was a delightful, fast-paced romp through the bard's work as three manic men in tights hurtle through all of Shakespeare's plays, leaving the audience in stitches.

"The Mount Players join FizzWack Theatre to bring a show that takes those long, sometimes tedious and serious subjects, and condenses them down into a couple of hours of frivolity. If you love Shakespeare, you will love this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you will love this show."

The performance runs from August 18 to 26. For details and bookings head to www.themountplayers.com or call 5426 1892.

Above, from left, Craig Lenaine-Smith, Peter Bevin and Travis Handcock make sure they are running on schedule. Image: Karlana Santamaria

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