Writers festival stays on track
THE Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival kicks off this week in the region, after a determined effort from organisers and festival supporters to keep the event on track through a raft of pandemic-related changes.
“We are pretty much the only festival in the South West that didn’t cancel because of COVID-19 fears- so we are very proud of that,” said Festival Director Sian Baker.
“We are just rolling with it, pivoting everyday, innovating and creating new ways for our audience to enjoy the Festival. It is keeping us on our toes but also it is a great opportunity to innovate, evolve and be creative.”
On her way to the South West to appear at the festival and unveil a special teaser performance of her new play, I’m With Her, Walkley Award winner Victoria Midwinter Pitt said her involvement in the festival had been “nothing but awesome”.
“We are so far down the road with COVID-19, we have to be prepared for everything,” she told the Mail.
I’m With Her evolved from a series of honest, intimate conversations with eight women: counter-terrorism expert Anne Aly MP, sex worker activist Julie Bates, Botanist Marion Blackwell, surfer Pam Burridge, bartender Nikki Keating, Catholic nun Patricia Madigan, indigenous leader Marcia Langton and prime minister Julia Gillard.
At the Readers and Writers Festival opening night on Friday, eight women , most Margaret river locals, will take to the stage for a short but powerful, reading of the play.
“The whole experience has been nothing but awesome, working with these women and Arts Margret River to bring the play to the HEART stage.
“The Readers and Writers Festival is just one of those ‘little gem’ events you really want to be a part of, so i couldn’t believe my luck when I was asked to be involved. ”
Ms Baker said a new full ‘virtual pass’, would allow people to watch the action from the comfort of their own homes.
“We dropped the price of our virtual pass as we want to make the Festival more accessible for all our communities and for everyone who is not able to join because of COVID or can’t travel at the moment,” she said.
“Our amazing Readers & Writers room will be packed to the rafters with our finest WA talent, live and in person, and free and low-cost writers workshops will be held across Margs, Busso, Dunsborough and Augusta in partnership with libraries.”
The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival runs from Friday May 13 to Sunday May 15. For tickets and info, visit mrrwfestival.com
By Nicky Lefebre (Augusta Margaret River MAIL)
Image credit: Russell Ord