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The Ceres Temperance Hall was built in 1862. It has three heritage lights down the north wall. Inside it has a timber floor and a cathedral ceiling of timber as well. The walls are very thick sandstone blocks acquired from local quarries. It has a history of community use with Temperance meetings, dances, luncheons, concerts, community evenings, birthdays, anniversaries and many other communal gatherings over the last hundred and so years. The pride of the Ceres Village it alone remains standing after the three sandstone inns, built in the village in the 1850's have long since gone. No doubt The Wheatsheaf, The Rising Sun and the Barrabool Inn would have such tales to tell had they remained. The Ceres Hall remains a Temperance Hall; no alcohol is allowed through its doors. The code of the Blue Ribbon Society still hangs in the back room. The Hall has sound acoustics as many of the Gilbert and Sullivan Light Operas have proved.
In 1988 Elaine Mitchell directed the first play at the Ceres Hall - Moby Dick Rehearsed - which had been adapted from the Herman Melville novel Moby Dick, by Orson Wells. In 1990 this was followed by the most imaginative and quirky story Worzel Gummidge. The musical play about a village and a wonderful scarecrow character and his friends, the story revolves around the antics of the famous scarecrow Worzel Gummidge and his companion Aunt Sally.
In 1993 Elaine and Dennis Mitchell created Theatre of the Winged Unicorn. An intimate fringe arts theatre that sought to do work from the great writers of the 19th Century and also to promote original work from young Australian writers.
The Ceres Temperance Hall has been home to countless productions over the last 17 years (see the History page) and each performance has been imaginatively staged in this historic and much treasured heritage building.
The timber floor and high timber ceiling together with the thickness of the sandstone blocks make sure of that. Each production boasts a delicious traditional country supper served in the historic buildings of the Ceres Uniting Church across the road from the hall.
Theatre of the Winged Unicorn Map
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Location
