Goodbye, Tailem Bend Music Hall

After 40 years, the final curtain has closed on a community institution.

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Memories will live on, but for now at least, Tailem Bend Music Hall is no more. Photo: Glenn Power.

After 40 years, the curtain has closed on a Tailem Bend institution for the last time.

A sellout crowd – and then some – packed the town hall on Saturday night for Tailem Bend Music Hall’s grand finale.

MC Michael Bristow welcomed the audience with an impassioned speech about what the annual performances had meant to him and so many others over the years; and the emotions only got bigger from there.

Director Sandy Przibilla said the last four performances had made for a “fantastic” final run.

“I cried nearly every night,” she said.

“I was so proud of the cast, and sad we’re finishing up.

“Hundreds of volunteers have gone through Music Hall over the years.”

Cast members present Tailem Bend's final Music Hall. Photos: Glenn Power.

Before and after the final performance there was a sadness in the dressing rooms: not just for the show itself, but for all the much-loved friends and relatives, now departed, who were part of it over the years.

But there was joy, too: for the life-long friendships made, something the dimming of the spotlights could never take away.

So: what now?

There will still be opportunities for amateur theatre elsewhere in the Murraylands, and perhaps even at Tailem Bend someday.

The local Rotary Club has a shed full of props, costumes and paraphernalia that will need sorting out eventually.

But for now, Music Hall’s last cast can reflect on fond memories - and Ms Przibilla will take a break for a while.

• Read more: After 40 years, it’s curtains for Tailem Bend Music Hall