Loose Ends tinkers its way through regional WA

Loose Ends tinkers its way through regional WA

Regional Arts WA

Loose Ends has been tinkering its way across Western Australia throughout May and June inspiring and connecting children and families of all ages.

Loose Ends is a part of Shows on the Go, presented by Country Arts WA and Act-Belong-Commit, and kicked off in the Wheatbelt town of Lake Grace, where over 100 kids in the attended the show at the Lake Grace Town Hall. The performance attracted almost a quarter of the Lake Grace population – the biggest audience the town’s ever had at an event!

Lake Grace Town Hall packed with audience members

Similarly in Kondinin, the show attracted almost 25% of the town’s population to the evening performance. Eight year-old Noah was so enamoured with the show’s contraptions that he decided to get creative and, with a little help from his family, build his own chain reaction machine as soon as he got home!

Noah’s homemade chain reaction machine

Loose Ends tells a story about friendship, loyalty and inventiveness. This message was spread across the state as kids attending the show got a chance to work together and create their own cardboard cut-out friend. Adults and children alike jumped on board to flex their creative muscles with this popular show-inspired Act-Belong-Commit activity as the cardboard friends were snapped up just as fast as venue managers and tour manager could provide them!

A Build-a-Friend and some of his young fans in Esperance

Gadget enthusiasts with their Build-a-Friends in Esperance

The Shows on the Go program isn’t just about performances – each production is accompanied by a number of workshops in regional communities. The crew shared their secrets with kids in more than half the communities they visited, ranging from circus tricks and contraption workshops to juggling demonstrations and acrobatics.

“My expectations were a bit of circus BUT we got a whole lot more!!! Our kids were so engaged by Jens [the performer] and just in 1hr their coordination has improved. BRILLIANT and Thank You!!”  Shire of Cue

The students at Tom Price Senior High School were particularly adept – keep an eye on the Pilbara for Australia’s next circus superstars!~

Tom Price Senior High School students at a Loose Ends’ workshop

The Shows on the Go program is presented by Country Arts WA and Healthway, promoting the Mentally Healthy WA campaign message, Act-Belong-Commit. Loose Ends is flush with gadgetry, tricks and laugh, but at its core it’s a show about friendship, creativity and belonging. Participation within the local community is a helpful way to staying mentally healthy and maintain your wellbeing – whether it’s through classes, workshops or developing a new skill in an informal setting.

Next up for Shows on the Go is A Boy Named Cash – the Johnny Cash tribute show featuring The Voice star Monty Cotton, crooning across regional WA this July and August.

If you’re looking for tips on how to stay mentally healthy and active in your local community, visit the Act-Belong-Commit website.

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