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Photos - Simon Obarzanek

There is a crowd of very excited people gathered outside Footscray train station. A DJ mounted on top of the box office provides tunes as the crowd, as well as the anticipation, grows. It feels like a party. Spirits are high as people mingle and chatter, there is even a bottle of wine being passed around. Stewarded onto the waiting buses, the journey begins.

Such is the informal joy of The Go Show. Presented as part of The Melbourne International Arts Festival, director Rebecca Hilton has collected a veritable feast of collaborators in local artists and community members who are united through their love of the western suburbs.

The first stop on the tour is Whitten Oval. Given an all access pass, the audience traipse about the home of The Western Bulldogs while local musicians provide an ambient soundtrack. Football ‘coach’ Kevin Harrington encourages us to participate in a bit of handball as footballer ‘Mullet’ (David Wells) tells the audience about his life at the club.

Football is a very strong focus among the diverse population within and around Footscray. Its ability to connect people from different cultures and provide a common purpose is a theme that runs throughout the night. This inclusive environment spills over into the nature of the event itself. We are gathered together not to witness virtuosity housed within a concert hall, but to witness people who share a genuine love and enthusiasm for what they do.

The next stop is Maddern Square within central Footscray. It has a kind of carnival atmosphere as students from Victoria University, musicians, dancers and hip hop artists all perform in the outdoor space. There are some issues with visibility and sound but the range of viewpoints ensures that each audience member receives a unique experience, as there are performers hiding in every nook and cranny.

Our experience ends in a more conventional theatrical setting at the Footscray Community Arts Centre. We are privy to the lives and stories of local members of the community and witness a stunning version of Swan Lake.

It took a little while to adjust down to the pace of the show, as it inevitably takes time to wrangle a large amount of people through the various points of the journey. This doesn’t matter however, as it gives the audience time to meet and chat with each other.

The Go Show is a triumph of organisation and enthusiasm and it is one ride you’ll be happy to be taken along for.


Melbourne International Arts Festival and Footscray Community Arts Centre present
The GO Show

Venue: Meet at Footscray Railway Station
When: Wed 22 – Sat 25 Oct at 7pm & 8.15pm
Prices: Full $20 / Conc $15
Duration: 2hrs no interval
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 166 / www.melbournefestival.com.au