Euphoria - Moving New Play Offering Authentic Glimpse Into Country Life

On the back of a highly acclaimed World Premier Tour in 2021, with five-star reviews and sold-out season at the Space Theatre, Adelaide, Country Arts South Australia is proud to be sharing this unique work with Griffith Regional Theatre on Wednesday, May 3.

From award-winning South Australian playwright, Emily Steel, Euphoria brings regional voices to the fore in a rich and heart-warming tale of good days, bad days and everything in between.

The audience is catapulted right into the heart of a little town where everyone knows everyone and where Ethan (James Smith) is hit by his past as Meg (Ashton Malcolm) struggles with the present.

Meg and Ethan’s worlds collide as the community comes together for an event they’ll never forget.

Life in rural and remote Australia presents challenges that impact on health and wellbeing, yet statistics indicate that people in country areas are happy.

Country Arts SA’s Arts and Health Creative Producer, Alison Howard wanted to explore this paradox further.

“Euphoria was created with regional communities front of mind,” Ms Howard said. “Over two years, Emily and I met with people in regional communities and also spent time in mental health units meeting with clinical staff and clients to talk about the joys and challenges of country life.

“Emily has demonstrated the value of deep engagement in regional communities, bringing authenticity, compassion and incredible wit to this fictional Australian tale.

“The result of this extensive consultation and development is Euphoria, a gently moving new work that offers an authentic picture of country life, resonating deeply with regional and metropolitan audiences.”

Playwright, Emilly Steel said it was an honour to create a script working so closely with South Australian regional communities.

“It was a privilege to meet so many people in so many communities, and to hear about their experiences,” Ms Steel said.

“Euphotis is fictional, but I hope that, thanks to all those who helped with the research, its character and their stories feel real.”

Country Arts SA Chief Executive,Anthony Peluso said Euphoria reinforced Country Arts SA’s vision to create art that could only be made in the regions, which would now contribute to the strengthof local communities nationally.

“Euphotia is a compassionate, sensitive and witty piece of theatre which we produced with regional audiences in mind,” Mr Peluso said.

“To have it critically acclaimed and recognised as an empathetic piece of work full of pathos and with by our regional audiences has really bolstered its standing in the world of theatre, especially so as we prepare to take it on a national tour, the first of its kind for Country Arts SA.

“We are so proud and humbled to be abe to share it with autiences nationally.”

State Theatre Company South Australia Artistic Director, Mitchell Butel said to see the makings of Euphoria start with playwright, Emily Steel heading to pop-up tea rooms across regional SA to have hundreds of conversations with residents, to now how the critically-acclaimedplay travel the nation due to its strength, wit and compassion was a truly beautiful thing.

“We hope audiences across Australia will enjoy this life-affirming and important piece of world-class theatre,” Mr Butel said.

A Mental Health Professional will be attached to the tour, supporting each post show with a Q&A session providing a safe platform for audiences to unpick the work and in doing so engage in conversation around the themes and issues raised in Euphoria about mental health and wellbeing in regional towns.

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• Performing Arts