Eyes on the Irish

By Tania Martin
AN IRISH tale of a family’s journey to Australia will kick-start a month of non-stop fun and entertainment at the Burrinja Gallery in Upwey.
Once Upon a Barstool promises to be a unique theatrical experience, which will take audiences on a magnificent journey.
Based on a modern day epic poem, the play follows four generations of a family as it travels across the sea from Ireland to Australia and back again.
Complete with sea voyages, battles with monsters, Once Upon a Barstool is an epic adventure in modern storytelling.
This tale draws on the traditions of Australian bush balladry and Irish yarn spinning to create an amazing performance with a splash of old-fashioned storytelling mixed with a dash of compelling modern theatrics.
The tale of Once Upon a Barstool is told by talented actor Felix Nobis who is best know for his lead roles in hard-hitting television dramas such as MDA and Janus.
Trevor Matthews of Burrinja Gallery said shows like Once Upon a Barstool are rarely seen outside inner city venues and that Burrinja was proud to bring ‘city theatre’ to hills audiences.
This is a show not be missed at the Burrinja Gallery Café, 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey, on Saturday 22 September at 8pm.
Tickets are now on sale and cost $24 for adults, $20 for concession cardholders and Jarmbi members.
Burrinja Gallery is also hosting a fantastic school holiday program later this month.
The program will kick-off with Luigi Zucchini’s Magic Show on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 September from 11am.
Luigi Zucchini, one of Italy’s wildest and zaniest magicians, will visit the hills to entertain local children with his fantastic mixture of magical tricks, and comedy with a dash of circus treats.
Tickets are now on sale and cost $10 per person.
A number of workshops will also be available for children to enjoy, including a fairy and elf photographic shoot, on Thursday 27 September.
To finish off this fantastic school holiday program, children can learn all about visual story telling with Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson on Thursday 4 October from 2pm.
The workshops cost $10 per child and are suitable for children aged between 11 and 14.
To make a booking for one of the school holiday activities or to see the amazing theatrical tale Once Upon a Barstool call the Burrinja Gallery on 9754 8723.