Some Sydney-siders may not venture beyond the mountains, but they are missing out! In the heart of the central west lies Bathurst, home to Charles Sturt University‘s School of Communications and a veritable hotbed for Fringe arts.

There are ten – count ‘em – TEN shows in the Sydney Fringe that are produced by CSU alumni, who are still working together sometimes years after graduating.

As a Bathurst vet myself, I decided to chase my fellow grads and ask them how a stint in rural NSW helped them develop their artistic practice.

First up James Pike:

1. So, what’s ya show?

New Theatre is hosting ‘Before and After Knockoff’, a play about Vaughan, owner of a Bathurst concreting outfit, and the drama following his decision to sack his son. Things get all Greek Tragedy and everyone speaks in bogan Shakespeare.

2. What did you learn studying Theatre / Media at CSU that helps you work as an artist?

Negotiating talents and personalities to make every cog turn faster. The course is a marathon of hands-on experience that has everybody’s ears listening, eyes on the prize and mouths smiling.

3. What could Sydney learn from Bathurst?

The exceeding power of community. When the blinkers come off, you realise those people you’re competing with are actually fellow travellers fighting the same fight.

4. Why are Fringe artists important?

Fringe programs are about access. Artists and audiences are impaired by the sad reality that there’s more talent than industry. Events like these give us the ability to scope the wider expanse of activity within the arts – and you’re probably allowed to cough in the theatre too!

5. What other CSU alumni shows are you going to see at the Fringe?

Counting sleeps until ‘Table Settings’ at St. Luke’s. And we just can’t choose between ‘Zoe and Penny’s Short Attention Span’and ‘Into the Shadows’ – we might just have to see them all!

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