Victorian performing arts community launches advertisement backing COVID-19 vaccinations

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra backed by members of Victoria’s performing arts community has launched an advertisement encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Encourages people to join the "ensemble effort" to get vaccinated, the Orchestra’s 'Performance of a Lifetime' campaign features performers such as Deborah Cheetham, Tim Minchin, Meow Meow and Virginia Gay, as well as artists from the Australian Ballet, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Theatre Company.

Produced in collaboration with Arts Centre Melbourne, the video aims to encourage people to roll up their sleeves, get vaccinated and keep the community safe and "keep our loved arts and entertainment industry alive".

With the performing arts one of the worst-hit industries during the pandemic, artists in the video advise “we know it's been hard stuck inside for COVID lockdowns, it's been hard for us too. Performing at home just isn't the same.

"Every week, Victoria's arts community comes together to give you the performance of a lifetime. And now it's your turn.

“We need you to come together and get vaccinated as soon as you're eligible, to give us the performance of a lifetime."

The video also features artist and academic Priya Srinivasan, saying “let's give COVID its final curtain call.”

Praising the performing arts community for its leadership, Victorian Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson said in statement “this campaign is a clever and creative way of encouraging audiences to play their role and get vaccinated.

"If you can get vaccinated, please book in or visit a hub - the sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to doing the things we love."

The video also includes Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi and Vietnamese captions.

A second video, produced by the Victorian Council of Social Services, features medical professionals and ordinary Victorians waiting to "get back to the good things", like weddings, junior sports and being able to visit their loved ones.

The campaigns follow the Federal Government last week releasing a new COVID-19 awareness TV advertisement, depicting a young woman with the virus struggling to breathe.

Praising the video for their positive and motivational tone, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton noted "I don't think we need to push people to vaccinate, there's a lot of people who are ready to step up, but something that frames it in a way that makes people see exactly the world that we're trying to move to is a good thing.”