After sell-out performances of Arjun Raina’s Camp Darwin earlier this year, Castlemaine Theatre Company and Montello Productions are delighted to bring
Caryl Churchill’s celebrated postmodern play Love and Information to the Phee Broadway stage in November and December.
Tickets for the new production go on sale today.
Known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary theatre, Churchill’s plays have been performed around the world. Loosely exploring notions of love, knowledge and human connection in an increasingly fractured digital world, Love and Information, is deeply intimate while remaining anonymous and global. The play draws us into a world reminiscent of the ways we communicate online – fleeting encounters, fragments of information, moments of connection and everything left unsaid.
Constructed through a sequence of fragmented vignettes, the play invites audiences into the intimate inner realm of an ever-changing series of characters. With titles like ‘Dinner, ‘Sleep’, ‘Affair’ and ‘Ex’, each scene’s very real human situation resonates with familiarity while challenging perceptions.
To complement the shifting rhythms of each scene, musical director Dave Barclay has created a stirring score that seamlessly stitches the play together. With the cast in full voice and a live band on stage, music lovers will find much to uplift and inspire during the show.
In a first for the company, CTC has joined forces with local production company Montello Productions, who are the creative force behind the show.
Directed, produced and designed by the Montello team of Iz Little, Brendan McDougall and Caitlin Soennichsen, and ably supported by CTC’s Georgie Heydon, the production embraces the scale and community at the heart of the work. Bringing together generations of first-time performers and experienced actors in an ensemble cast of 45, you’re sure to recognise someone in the cast.
Love and Information offers a theatrical experience unlike anything you’ve seen, so come and experience it for yourself.
Performances from November 20 to December 6 at the Phee Broadway Theatre. Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm and Sunday matinees from 2pm.
Tickets are available now through Trybooking at https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1653641
For over five decades, the Maldon Folk Festival has brought music, dancing, and plenty of lively conversation to the historic streets of Maldon.
It returns from October 30 to November 2, continuing a tradition that began in 1974 when a group of central Victorian folk music enthusiasts decided the region needed a festival of its own.
What began as a relatively small gathering has grown into one of the region’s best-known community festivals, attracting musicians, dancers and visitors from across Victoria and beyond.
The first two festivals, held at the Bill Woodfull Oval, were described as little more than social gatherings, with around 150 to 200 musicians and listeners camping at the oval, gathering around campfires and playing sessions at the Kangaroo Hotel.
Over the years, the festival has changed and grown, but that informal, welcoming spirit has remained at its heart.
Previously, the festival was held largely at Butts Reserve at the base of Mount Tarrengower. Today the festival spreads across Maldon, with venues within walking distance of the town centre, making it easy for visitors to wander between performances, workshops and sessions.
There is plenty to choose from, with the program embracing folk, Celtic, bluegrass, bush, gospel and blues music, as well as dance, theatre, poetry, songwriting and interactive workshops.
For those who come for the music, there are performances throughout the weekend, while those wanting to get involved can take part in workshops and sessions.
And then there are the impromptu moments – the tunes that spill out of a venue, the musicians who strike up a conversation with a stranger, and the street performances that carry through the town.
It is that sense of participation that has helped the volunteer-run festival endure.
Maldon Folk Festival president and festival director Pam Lyons said the welcoming atmosphere of Maldon is part of what helps make the festival such a successful community event.
From the first campfire sessions in 1974 to the thousands of tunes played since, the Maldon Folk Festival has become part of the fabric of the town.
The 2026 festival will again offer four days of performances, dancing, workshops and social gatherings, with camping available at the Maldon Football Ground in the centre of town.
Children under 12 are admitted free, while family, youth, day and weekend tickets are available.
All venues are within walking distance of the centre of town and have access for people with a disability.
www.maldonfolkfestival.com/
Award-winning South African vocalist/trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis is set to hold the opening show of his debut Australian tour at Theatre Royal Castlemaine tonight, October 22.
The jazz virtuoso is heading to Australia as part of a tour to headline Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
This landmark show brings one of Africa’s most compelling contemporary jazz voices to regional Victoria for a night of soulful, uplifting music, in collaboration with local powerhouse Afrospace Interchange.
Mandisi Dyantyis – a trumpeter, vocalist and composer – blends jazz, gospel, and traditional African musical influences into a sound that is both deeply intimate and powerfully expansive.
Known for selling out major venues across South Africa, Dyantyis gained widespread acclaim for his debut album Somandla and his award-winning follow-up Cwaka, which earned a South African Music Award for ‘Best African Adult Contemporary Album’ and amassed over 20 million streams.
Following the release of his third album, Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula in 2025, and repeated invitations to perform at Herbie Hancock’s International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert, this tour marks a milestone moment as Dyantyis brings his original repertoire to Australian audiences for the
very first time.
Joining Dyantyis for this special performance is Afrospace Interchange, a dynamic seven-piece Melbourne ensemble formed to celebrate the rich tradition of South African jazz.
Co-led by bassist Zvi Belling and pianist Pat Jaffe, the collective coalesces around the extraordinary drumming of living legend Brian Abrahams (who has performed alongside jazz icons Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson and Abdullah Ibrahim).
Having honed their sound through a cult weekly residency at Fitzroy’s Old Plates Record Bar – hosting over 150 local and international guest improvisers across the past three years – Afrospace Interchange brings an undeniable groove and joyous spirit to the stage.
Afrospace Interchange are no strangers to local stages, having already captured the hearts of Castlemaine audiences as a headline act at this year’s Castlemaine Jazz Festival, where their electrifying performance earned them a resounding standing ovation.
Dyantyis’ music is an accessible, feel-good celebration – delivering an uplifting blend of high-energy grooves and rich African gospel influences that speaks straight to the heart. Together, Dyantyis and Afrospace Interchange will offer central Victorian audiences a vibrant cultural exchange of South
African and Australian jazz improvisation.
The gig will kick off at 7pm. Get your tickets at https://theatreroyalcastlemaine.oztix.com.au/
Local youth will showcase their incredible and varied artistic talents at the annual Castlemaine Secondary College Arts Exhibition in the Castlemaine Market Building.
Acclaimed painter Rob McChaffie will launch the exhibit at 11am this Sunday, October 18, and award a voucher for Castlemaine Art Supplies to a winner in each subject.
Created by VCE students CSC studying photography, ceramics, and art making and exhibiting, the amazing collection features more than 100 unique pieces utilising a range of mediums.
The Year 12 students told the Mail they have worked really hard throughout the year and are looking forward to putting their work ‘out there’.
“There’s lots of variation; no one’s work is even relatively similar,” they said.
“Some have similar themes but are explored in different ways, and it’s nice to see different people’s takes on different themes.”
Expect to see large paintings, textiles, photographs, and an interactive sculpture installation, and while the work is not technically for sale, the students said they are open to offers!
CSC Photography teacher Timothy Fleming said the annual exhibition has become an institution.
“It is a great celebration at the end of the year. People from all over come to see it, and other schools aspire to this show,” he said.
“It’s a massive personal journey – having the opportunity to create your own works based on your own emotions, particularly at this time in world history, and then share it with the world.
“The work is often really evolved, and I find it really inspiring to see their points of view.”
The exhibit will be open daily from 9 am to 5 pm until mid-November at the Castlemaine Market Building, 44 Mostyn Street.
A new concert series of contemporary chamber music ‘SONA’ presenting new, rare, and under-performed repertoire in regional Victoria is set to be launched at Castlemaine Art Museum this evening, Friday October 16.
The new concert series is a the brainchild of Castlemaine composer/violinist Lizzy Welsh and fellow Campbells Creek composer/musician Alexander Garsden.
SONA’s debut performance at CAM showcases the work of United States composer, clarinettist, and electroacoustic musician Sam Dunscombe, performing alongside local musicians Natasha Anderson and Lizzy Welsh.
The inaugural performance will feature the world premiere of a new composition by Dunscombe, and a new work by Anderson created here on Dja Dja Wurrung Country at Chewton.
Welsh will also perform a new piece written for her by Garsden.
Presented in CAM’s Stoneman Gallery, this unique program brings together acoustic and electronic instruments in detailed surround sound, with music reflecting through the gallery space, providing an intimate opportunity for regional audiences to connect with some of Australia’s most unique composers and sound artists.
Co-organiser Lizzy Welsh told the Mail Sam Dunscombe, who is based in California, has been a colleague of all three local artists for many years and they are thrilled to welcome her to the local region.
“The acoustics at the gallery make for a wonderful performance space and it will be a really special evening. We look forward to continuing to bring world class artists and new music to the space,” she said.
This concert is supported by Australian Art Orchestra and will commence at 8pm at CAM, 14 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine.
For tickets visit castlemaineartmuseum.supporterhub.net.au/events/sona
The Castlemaine Cannons Country Basketball League Men’s and Women’s squads hit the court in their season openers last weekend.
Both squads contested round two matches after drawing the bye in the first round.
The Cannons Men went into the October 11 match against the Bendigo Braves at Red Energy Arena flying high on the back of their 2025 title success.
The Cannons having gone back to back after their win in 2024.
The Cannons continued their momentum with a 10 point win on Saturday 86 to the Brave’s 76. Top scorers for Castlemaine were Madiar Chipuowuop 29, Rossi Stevens 15 and Chris Hogan 15.
This weekend the Cannons Men hit the road for a double header. They will face the Macedon Ranges Rockies at Macedon on Saturday evening at 7pm, and then tackle the Bacchus Marsh Lions at Moorabool Rec Centre on Sunday at 1pm.
Last Sunday’s double fixture also saw our Cannons Women squad take on the Lady Braves. It was a challenging day for our local stars going down 113-21 despite a valiant effort. Top scorer for the Cannons was Graycen Dillon.
This weekend the Lady Cannons will once again hit the road to face off against the Bacchus Marsh Lions at Moorabool Rec Centre on Sunday at 11am.
The Bendigo Comedy Festival is in full swing and former local Patti Fawcett is debuting her first solo show ‘Homo’s Odyssey’ this Saturday October 17 at the Black Swan Hotel.
The show features a police raid over a chihuahua, and a robber invited home, Collin.
Patti grew up and went to school in Castlemaine and is excited to be coming back to the local region to debut her ever solo show.
“The show is about starting comedy at 14 travelling up to Melbourne with a fake ID to do 5 minutes of unpaid standup weekly. Then later touring around central Victoria and all the whacky and loveable characters you meet, and some not so loveable,” she said.
“I am excited to share the show with a Castlemaine/Bendigo audience because a lot of these stories are about towns and places people will know and have some connection to bringing along their own funny stories as well,” Patti said.
The statute of limitations has expired and now she can tell you all about her beef with Paul Kelly. There is also some time spent talking about the real odyssey as well as never fear.
Patti has been receiving some rave reviews.
‘A sharp observational eye, a unique voice, a mastery of syntax, timing, cadence.’ – The Age.
‘Patti is absolutely one to watch.’ – Scenestr
She has been making strides in the comedy world, from TedX to Women of Wit to Breast of the Fest. So come join award winning Patti Fawcett for “The greatest adventure story of all time” Homo’s Odyssey.
Presented as part of the Bendigo Comedy Festival with support from Emporium Creative Hub, Agnico Eagle, and the Benefit Bendigo.
For tickets visit https://bendigocomedyfestival.com.au/2026-program/patti-fawcett
