Brunswick River at dead low tide is usually a fairly subdued place.
With swimmers and paddle boarders temporarily consigned to the shore, the river becomes a sandy sun-bed for cormorants and seagulls.
But where some see a desert, Kelly O’Meara sees a stage.
The local producer is using the riverbed as the canvas for a cheeky pop-up theatre piece called ‘Hoppers’ that will run on January 3, 4, and 18, at 5pm.
Inspired by the simple joy and frivolity of childhood, Hoppers features a group of colourfully-clad bouncing performers mimicking the experiences of river life in the summertime.
Fun in the river
‘We play with yabby pumps and buckets at low tide, we paddle and swim,’ says Ms O’Meara.
‘We play cricket and games on the sand. We mimic the cormorants that air their wings on the sand bar.
‘It’s all about exploring our culture with joy and nostalgia… Exploring happy, carefree, retro Aussie childhood memories.’
A natural amphitheatre
Ms O’Meara says she was inspired to create the piece by the natural amphitheatre of the river.
‘This spot between the bridges, provides a perfect “theatre in the round”,’ she says.
‘People can enjoy it from all sides – the footbridge, the traffic bridge, and both the river banks. The low tide provides an interesting stage as we perform on the exposed sand bar.’
‘We’re inviting the whole community to come and hang out by the river. Bring a picnic and be entertained.’
Hoppers is supported by a Creative Public Spaces grant from Byron Shire Council.
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