Blast Furnace Theatre

The 'blast furnace' is a mighty structure. It's purpose to combine elements into a pure form. Lithgow and it's outlying communities were built on the backs of Mines, miners and the fire and grit of Australian workers in a dynamic, dangerous and yet, essential industry.
Blast Furnace Theatre was founded to bring that firey, energetic and indomitable spirit back to the community through professional quality, affordable and accessible entertainment.

Lithgow, Bathurst and Oberon are growing steadily, and with their growth has come a stream of Artists, professionals with huge capability but few opportunities for paid employment.

Blast Furnace Theatre believes passionately that all professionally trained practitioners in every sector deserve to be utilised, appreciated and remunerated.
We also know from countless sociological studies that a strong Creative Arts presence in communities contributes enormously to literacy, growth, well-being and community satisfaction.

'Theatre' in our cities is fast becoming inaccessible to all but the 'elite'. Most tertiary-trained Actors can't afford tickets to the plays they perform in. This was never the intention of the Playwrights. Shakespeare, Wilde, Marlowe, Miller, Chekov and their peers wrote for the everyday person. The plays reflect the passions, heartbreaks and frustrations of 'Everyman' and so deserve to be seen and experienced by 'Everyman'.

With strong community ties and support, Blast Furnace Theatre and it's relaxed outdoor 'picnic' productions will provide financially accessible and inspiring theatre to the Central West for many years to come, utilising landmarks and familiar community 'centres' for performance.

No stuffy 'theatres', no over-priced tickets, no diamond-encrusted costumes, just you, your family, a picnic, a warm summer night and members of your community performing for your pleasure.

We hope you enjoy our inaugural production, Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' and are inspired to become involved as we move onwards and upwards!

Catherine Lockley & Brett Jeffers
Artistic Directors