30 YEARS OF VITALSTATISTIX

Thirty Vital Years for Independent SA Theatre Company. Lesley Reed reports.

In 1984 theatre-makers Roxxy Bent, Ollie Black and Margie Fischer created a dynamic new South Australian independent theatre company, Vitalstatistix, which soon came to be known amongst its followers as Vitals.

Based at Port Adelaide at the heritage-listed Waterside Workers Hall, the company maintains a feminist perspective, having developed a proud tradition of supporting women artists.

Vitals is renowned as a hub for innovative contemporary theatre and interdisciplinary projects. Each year Vitalstatistix presents and develops new work, residencies, community-based projects, collaborations with like-minded makers and presenters, together with industry initiatives for South Australian artists.

In 2014 the company enters a magnificent milestone, its thirtieth year, with a wide and exciting range of anniversary projects, all in addition to its usual jam-packed annual season.

‘This year we are offering a packed program of shows, residencies, events, projects, festival experiences and of course, birthday celebrations,’ says Emma Webb, Creative Producer for Vitalstatistix. ‘We are delighted to be working with a host of national and state partners and co-presenters. They include Mobile States, Country Arts SA, FELTspace, HotHouse Theatre, Arts House, Urban Theatre Projects, Feast Festival, TippingPoint Australia, Format Collective, AC Arts, and the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. These partnerships are very important to us.’

Like all independent theatre companies, Vitalstatistix has had its share of hard times, but testament to the importance of Vitals to South Australia’s contemporary arts landscape, the Government of South Australia has donated $5,000 to a fund-raising project that will help support the company’s 2014 projects.

Says South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, ‘Vitalstatistix plays an important role in the cultural life of Port Adelaide and the broader arts community. I wish them all the best in this their thirtieth year and I encourage everyone to get along and enjoy the celebrations.’

‘Turning thirty is an achievement for any small, independent theatre company in Australia and we are incredibly proud to continue to flourish in Port Adelaide,’ says Emma Webb. ‘We are very grateful the Premier has been able to provide a wonderful birthday gift to launch our celebrations.’

Webb says the funds raised this year will assist the company to continue working with artists and the local community, help promote its program, support the company’s heritage-listed home and contribute to a thriving future.

Webb is passionate about Vitalstatistix’s community ties. ‘We are incredibly proud to continue to flourish in beautiful Port Adelaide,’ she says, ‘and we send our heartfelt thanks to the artists, staff, board members, audiences, volunteers and many locals who have all contributed so much to our thirty-year history.’

Vitalstatistix starts off its anniversary year on March 30^th with the first of five HER STORY events. HER STORY sees each of the artistic directorships from the company’s thirty-year history present entertaining Sunday afternoon sessions. As a full set or a solo experience, the HER STORY sessions will be delightful, personal glimpses into Adelaide’s feminist theatre history and the story of Vitalstatistix.

In addition to the HER STORY events throughout 2014, the celebrations include a community fair, Man O Man (a residency-made live art project), Maude Davey’s ribald retrospective and cabaret confession My Life in the Nude, and an end of year Gala Celebration.

For thirtieth birthday event dates, Vitalstatistix’s 2014 season guide or to download details on contributing to Vital’s fund-raising campaign visit www.vitalstatistix.com.au

May the milestones continue for enduring South Australian independent theatre company, Vitalstatistix.

Photographs (supplied by Vitalstatistix): Founding members & Founding member Margie Fischer.