Theatre in training

Norpa will present Railway Wonderland at Lismore station.

In a backward step for society, the Lismore Railway Station was closed down some years ago. Publicly-owned public transport just doesn't make corporations as rich as private car travel does. But the railway station in Lismore had always played a central role in that community's life.

Norpa is reviving the station and all the drama, romance and history that is attached with it in a new original local production called Railway Wonderland to be performed will in March.

This spectacular theatre work will be performed live at Lismore train station. Dance, theatre, live music, a choir and video projections will combine to take the audience on a fasciniating journey from the 1940s to the present day.

All the action takes place on the beautiful, disused station platform with the audience in special undercover seating that has been constructed across the railway tracks. (Have no fear. The trains have long since stopped running.)

Two years in the making, Railway Wonderland is one of the largest theatre works to be created in the Northern Rivers region. The collaborative work is part of Norpa's Generator original works program and brings together local artists and theatre practitioners from across Australia. The creative team includes playwright Janis Balodis, choreographer Emma Saunders and a choir led by Peter Lehner.

Norpa presents Railway Wonderland from Tuesday to Saturday, March 27-31, at 8pm.

Tickets are $37/30/16.50 (plus group concessions) and on sale now from www.norpa.org.au. Or by phoning the Norpa box office on 1300 066 772.