Meet me at The Baths

Meet me at The Baths

Dates
27 – 30 SEPT
3-4 OCT 2025
Venue
Newcastle Baths
Commissioned By
New Annual
Civic Theatre Newcastle

Become immersed in Stranger-than-fiction stories inspired by real Novocastrians

Take a seat on the Baths’ beloved aquamarine concrete bleachers, don a pair of headphones, and become immersed in stranger-than-fiction stories inspired by real Novocastrians. Meet Me At The Baths is a brand new site-specific work presented by local powerhouse theatre company Whale Chorus.

Playwright Ang Collins (Spewy) and director Janie Gibson (Voices of Joan) join forces to showcase a tapestry of local stories using the stunning backdrop of the Newcastle Ocean Baths to amplify this special place’s untold stories.

For over 100 years, locals and visitors alike have soaked in the magic of the Newcastle Ocean Baths. Join the ensemble of four actors as they dive deep into serendipitous moments, nostalgic memories and hilarious hijinks in a tidal wave of life’s big changes.

Created in collaboration with community and mixed with gorgeous live soundscapes direct to your eardrums, Meet Me At The Baths is a heart-first plunge into life’s changing rhythms, the healing properties of salt water swims and the radical public power of our city’s iconic ocean pool.

Local stories of love, loss, healing and change sparkle against the stunning backdrop of the Baths. Bring your cossies and take a dip at the end!

★★★★★

“It is quite a spiritual production after all, encouraging us to feel more at one with nature and the natural cycle of things”

Michelle Gosper, Sydney Arts Guide

★★★★

“The perfect piece to celebrate the egalitarian vibe, history and
importance of Newcastle’s Ocean Baths to the community”

Jason Blake, Limelight Magazine

“In it’s simplicity, it revealed our complexity. Everyone has a story”

Shell, Audience Member

“Some very charming site specific theatre”

Benjamin Law, Audience member

“A gleeful secret glimpse into the strength of place and belonging”

Scott, Audience member

“When the music starts, it’s like there’s a film lens on the Baths”

Urth Boy, Audience member

“Trips to the baths will be imbued with greater meaning as a result”

Paul, Audience member

Team

Director & Devisor

Janie Gibson

Writer & Devisor

Ang Collins

Actors & Devisors

Barney Donaghy, Jim Lawson, Katia Molino & Stephanie Rochet

Music Composition & Sound Design

Liesl Pieterse

Costume Design

Elizaveta Pepelyaeva

Movement Direction

Angie Diaz

Production Management & Producing

Becky Russell

Audio Technician

Joshua Ingle

Production Assistant

Hannah Armstrong

Supported By

City of Newcastle, New Annual & Civic Theatre