It was a night to remember for Gunnedah’s Variety Hour on Saturday evening.

More than a dozen local performers took to the stage for an 80-minute showcase featuring music acts, theatre and dance.

The variety show idea was started by Gunnedah’s Steven Hopwood who wrote and presented his own cabaret performance at the event.

Steven has been taking part in the Horizons program which provides select participants with new pathways to explore work and study pathways in the creative industries.

He collaborated on the cabaret with his Horizons mentor and multi-disciplinary artist, Tim Hansen.

Together with the Gunnedah Conservatorium, the team delivered a variety show to remember for the 90-strong Gunnedah audience.

From bold ballads to Disney parodies – last weekend’s performance had it all.

Conservatorium director Rebecca Ryan said Gunnedah has a strong history of variety shows and the reception to Saturday’s acts was just as good as yesteryear.

“I think people really enjoyed it,” Ms Ryan said.

“We had a great response from the audience.”

Given the varied nature of performance acts, the event offered those on stage the chance to perform alongside other artists not necessarily of the same genre.

“It all came together quite quickly,” Ms Ryan said.

She said it was particularly helpful to have the input of experienced entertainer, Tim Hansen.

Ms Ryan said he suggested changes to acts and technical details during rehearsals which added “another level of professionalism” to the overall variety showcase.

All funds raised from the Variety Hour would go to support the conservatorium’s scholarship and bursary fund. This fund will be used to support students in their music or artistic endeavours in Gunnedah and workshops or training elsewhere.

To order photos from this page click here