Far from a cultural desert

October 2: It is often labelled the home of "westies" and sports fanatics, but the fringe Sydney suburb of Penrith is a home to a cultural atmosphere that continues to flourish, writes TROY DODDS...

It is the seventh biggest local government area in New South Wales, home to the Penrith Panthers National Rugby League team and a city that, within the next decade, will grow to unbelievable levels thanks to the Penrith Lakes Development, a multi-million dollar concept that will re-define living in western Sydney.

Around 50 kilometres from the Sydney CBD, Penrith isn't exactly on the must-see list of every theatre-goer in the country, but the city's arts community is a vibrant one and a plethora of talent exists within the area.

It was in the late 1970's that Penrith really came to the fore as an arts playground. In 1977, the Q Theatre was established in Penrith and would go on to become one of the most respected regional theatres in the country. It has hosted hundreds of productions and housed some of theatre's biggest names during its 30 years in existence. Two years ago, the theatre re-located to the much larger Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, creating a major theatre hub for the area.

There was also some strong moves forward in 1978 when the Penrith Musical Comedy Company was formed, an amateur (or "non professional" to be kinder) group that has a reputation for producing current, relevant musicals. The company is currently in the middle of performing a season of High School Musical and early next year will be the second company in New South Wales to present the recent Broadway show The Wedding Singer.

"During the past 29 years, the group has provided the Penrith and surrounding communities with consistently high calibre, affordable family entertainment," said Margaret Pope, the known "everywhere woman" of the Penrith Musical Comedy Company.

"All of our members contribute unselfishly and without payment to this group. Most hold down full-time jobs, rehearse two nights a week and pay fees to help offset the cost of the rehearsal venue. We also nurture families, build and paint scenery, make costumes, raise funds to offset the cost of mounting the productions, which is rising rapidly, and manage to enjoy ourselves at the same time. It has been said that the rehearsals are sometimes more hilarious than the show. Firm friendships are often formed. Many of these friendships span more than 25 years."

The opening night of High School Musical last Friday at the St Marys Senior High School was far removed to that mainstream theatre-goers enjoy on a reasonably regular basis. And while the free alcohol, nibblies and "high profile" guests may not be part of the evening's entertainment, those on stage and in the audience hardly seem to care. It's all about fun, and like most groups of this kind, that is exactly what the cast of High School Musical deliver. There's some wonderful individual performances, some lousy ones and some so-so ones, but at the end of the day the fact that 40 or so youngsters want to get out there and work on a musical is comforting for the industry's future at a higher level.

It is musical societies and local theatre groups where some of the theatre industry's biggest names get their start. The Penrith Musical Comedy Company proudly boasts that it first gave the world Belinda Wollaston, one of the stars of the hit musical Respect. Wollaston, seen as one of the industry's brightest young talents with a string of professional shows to her name, starred in the company's 1999 production of Aladdin's Takeaway.

Last Friday, nearly a decade later, Wollaston was in the audience for High School Musical.

"You have got to throw your support behind places like this because they are the initial breeding ground of young performers," Wollaston said.

"You need to know when to let go if you do want to follow a professional career, but there is no doubt that musical societies give you a wonderful taste at just what may be ahead in terms of the work, the commitment and the passion."

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of last Friday's opening night was the four boys sitting towards the back, cheering on their mate on stage. Being a male in a musical can still be cool, it seems.

Professionally, it is the Q Theatre that holds the key to Penrith's artistic future. In 2007, it presented a much-applauded production of Sunday In The Park With George and enjoyed seasons presented by the Bell Shakespeare Company and the Ensemble Theatre Company. Artists like Todd McKenney and John Wood graced its stages, something that only strengthens local residents' love of theatre.

In 2008, the Q's future is somewhat clouded. The man who essentially revived it some years ago, David Hollywood, has controversially been shuffled out the door, and mergers are the talk of the town. However, the Q has promised a 2008 subscription season and time will tell exactly what it will deliver.

With a growing population and its easy location, there is little doubt the city of Penrith - once considered a small country town but now just 45 minutes from the Sydney CBD - is on the way up in terms of its arts presence.