Curtain falls on Morundah's pig shed performing arts venue

The curtain has come down for the last time on Morundah's pig shed performing arts venue.

Located south west of Narrandera in the NSW Riverina region, the Palladium Paradise theatre has been hosting performances by companies including Opera Australia, Victorian Opera and the State Opera of South Australia since 2006.

Developed by the Morundah Bush Entertainment Committee Inc (MBEC), and dubbed 'the only opera to be held in a pig pen', the unlikely venue has consisted of a shed and an agricultural pig shelter.

Since hosting its first opera, Opera Australia's Carmen, the unique structure has hosted 15 nights of opera in what's become an annual event.

However, Opera Australia's recent performance of The Magic Flute was the last performance in the shed, which is to be pulled down and replaced with a new opera house, the New Palladium Paradise theatre.

Morundah publican and cattle farmer Dave Fahey, who came up with the original idea in 2004, explains "we're pulling it down and putting in a new one.

"It is an agricultural pig shelter not an opera house so we need to build something a bit more user friendly not only for us but for the production companies that come."

Commenting on Opera Australia's involvement with the venue, the company's Executive Producer, Touring & Outreach Sandra Willis states "Opera Australia has been touring regional Australia for 19 years now and we see it as a core part of our business.

"The reason we do it is we want to get opera in as many parts of Australia as possible and really believe if people are introduced to opera it breaks down those barriers."

Willis adds "some of the places we go to have no stage so we have to build a stage."

For more information go to www.morundahopera.com.au