"Lithgow, be proud."
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'The Garden of the Mind' played in front of a sold out audience at Lithgow's State Mine Museum on Saturday, October 12 and was the culmination of 10 months of dedication by locals brought together by Trybal Productions to work alongside renowned professionals from the Australian theatre community.
The theme of this immersive experience centered on the idea that mental health is 'Everyone navigating what it means to be human' and that mental distress sits alongside joy, sadness, hope, and anger as a normal part of everybody's lives.
The more we can all acknowledge this the more we can get rid of the stigma and shame that stops people reaching out for support when they need it most.
After a welcome to country by Aunty Helen the audience was invited to explore the machinery and equipment that is part of the history of the State Mine Bath House and discover hidden projections, art works and recordings inspired by the words of many generous people from the Lithgow area who have shared their stories of overcoming or living with times when their minds haven't responded to life in the way we so often take for granted.
With enormous generosity of spirit and openness they have told us of the challenges of living with schizophrenia, postnatal depression, PTSD, depression, anxiety...and the list goes on.
Then the live show commenced on four stages, with poetry, monologues, art work, theatrical scenes, interviews, original songs, movement and dance.
Four projections filled the walls with faces and created changing backdrops for the different scenes.
It is hard to sum up such an incredible night so I will leave it to the words of people who were there.
Audience member Cathy Crowe, who is also the director of mental health for the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District: "Everything about the night was quite magical the subject matter was handled beautifully and sensitively; both the performances and the installations were interesting and challenging. The imagery being projected was very very powerful."
The following words shared by Paul Maverley sum up what participants felt about being involved with this incredible project: "I have had an absolute blast being part of this production. It has been deeply and intensely satisfying, spiritually and emotionally, to work with such dedicated, talented, sharing, caring people. The performance was electrifying and sumptuous to partake in and to watch. This experience will resonate for a long time with all who saw it. Thanks again for a memorable journey through time and space."
So many incredible people from many different walks of life attended months of rehearsals or worked in the background in unique ways and were vital to the development of this show under the guidance of director Katrina Douglas, video artist Sean Bacon, musical director and composer Peter Kennard, song writing facilitator and composer Erin Darcy, production manager Mike Smith and Mic Clarke, the team leader for Lithgow Community Mental Health team.
The project, which was conceived by Trybal's James Daley, was made possible by a community grant under the Federal Government's Well-Being Grants to Support Farming Communities initiative. Part of the 'Empowering Our Communities' program and was under the auspices of Arts out West.
Trybal Productions team gratefully acknowledge Leanne Walding for her guidance and encouragement throughout.
- Sue Daley, Trybal Productions
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