By Esther Lauaki
The historic Down to Earth show at Werribee Park had its final curtain call last weekend.
Essence Productions theatre company wrapped up a decade long season of the interactive roaming play which entertained and educated visitors about a dark history of the park when it was Werribee Farm.
Set in 1862, Down to Earth is based on farm life in rural Victoria when Werribee Park was owned by wealthy Chirnside brothers, Thomas and Andrew.
Wool was the sole industry and the farm employed around 300 workers – played by audience members of the show.
Director Alaine Beek said the production had outgrown the performance space.
“The homestead is the central part of Down to Earth and over the years a lot of groups now use the same space,” Ms Beek said.
“We physically don’t have the space for an audience.”
She said audience numbers had also waned.
“The feedback was incredible but the numbers were small.
“At times we weren’t covering costs.
“That’s the reality of shows like this, they need audience support to carry on being viable.
“We didn’t take this decision lightly … We put a lot of energy into it.
“What we loved about doing the show was that we researched early farm life in Werribee and told it in a way that was fun and scary.
“It’s sad that we are losing that little bit of history that’s been told for many years.”
Ms Beek said the company would continue working on new theatre productions and new stories to perform at Hastie’s cottage at Werribee Park.
