Performer Thomas Banks “pulls people on stage, hands them a mic and then flirts outrageously”.
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The Geelong comedian, who performed in the Snap Arts and Disability Festival in Ballarat in 2016, is the adjudicator for Royal South Street Society’s The Arts for All. The section will run for the first time this year.
RSS launched its 2017 season at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday night, marking its 126th year.
Arts for All, a category for people with a disability, has had 51 entries in dance, music and drama.
As judge Banks said he would look for talent, originality and “a lot of fun”.
Banks is founder and director Centre for Access, a training provider specialising in disability and sexuality.
“I have done a little bit of theatre and now I do comedy. I love being in front of people,” Banks, who has mild cerebral palsy, said.
“It’s (flirting) why I’m so successful at what I do, because people remember me.”
Banks has never been an adjudicator before.
“I don’t like to be in a box, I like to be free. People with disabilities, we are never involved. So it is lovely to be a part of it.”
City of Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh said The Arts for All lifted to the eisteddfod to a “new, important and very inclusive level”.
“There’s been all sorts of variations over the years and that’s contributed to tens of thousands of dancers, singers, debater taking to the stage at Her Maj and around the venues in our city, providing an opportunity for them to grow and learn and move into many amazing careers,” Cr McIntosh said.
“They (RSS) do deserve to be congratulated for their willingness to move with the times. We’ve really seen Royal South Street take us into this new age.”
A tentative timetable will see the Debating Challenge Cup on Monday July 31 to August 4, followed by Celebrating Chopin on August 6 and Pianoforte from August 7 to 9.
Season 2017 has received more than 7200 entries expected to draw more than 11,000 competitors to South Streets’ seven stages. The eisteddfod will include 100 days of competition. Entries span 13 disciplines.
More than 2300 performers have entered the calisthenics and energetiks dance categories. Speed and drama and contemporary vocal have received 649 and 315 soloist entries respectively.
For more information visit royalsouthstreet.com.au.
Jessica Black
Ballarat journalist.
Ballarat journalist.
