From the Minister for Culture & the Arts
Drawing audiences to Perth's cultural heart
In its first year at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Black Swan State Theatre Company has provided Western Australians with many outstanding nights of entertainment at the theatre.
Black Swan has made a significant contribution to ensuring the Centre’s first year of operation is a success. As predicted, the State Theatre Centre has reignited the passion for performing arts in many Western Australians, and Black Swan’s productions were indeed a major draw card, with the majority of its theatre seasons selling out.
The positive impact of the State Theatre Centre is already clear – not just as a performance venue for Black Swan and many other theatre and dance companies, but also on the transformation of the cultural heart of Perth. The positive effect of the venue on the Cultural Centre and on Northbridge is evident – a large number of cafes, small bars, boutiques and eclectic shops are transforming this part of the city, spreading artistic flair, nurturing an exciting and inspiring spirit and creating an innovative and creative hub with the State Theatre Centre at its core.
In 2012, Black Swan will continue to draw audiences and artists alike to the State Theatre Centre, with a program that includes new (Western) Australian stories alongside contemporary plays that will resonate with Western Australian audiences.
For those of you who haven’t experienced Black Swan’s plays, I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to do so in 2012 – be it at the State Theatre Centre, in one of Black Swan’s touring destinations or via a live broadcast. I look forward to sharing more exciting nights of theatre with you.
John Day
Minister for Culture and the Arts
