Hargraves Theatre Restaurant 

The Hargraves Theatre Restaurant began in 1997 from an idea by the then Rural Counsellor aimed at lifting the spirits of the local farming community, which was suffering through drought and difficult times emotionally. The Rural Counsellor, Gary Neville, had written a play called “The Dastardly Deeds of Deadly Dan”, and under his direction of group of Hargraves residents undertook their first acting experiences.  Their amatuer theatrical attemtps were warmly received by the patrons, and along with a sumptuous meal and the well-stocked bar, the stage was set for an exciting new “cultural event” for the Hargraves community.
The following year, another of Gary Neville’s plays, “The Secret of Hargraves Manor”, was produced.
Since then the theatre restaurant has proved to be a popular event. The original core of interested actors has been supplmented each year by other newcomers and the wider community is wonderfully supportive in supplying kitchen staff, bar staff, waitressess, stage crew as well as assisting with setting up and cleaning after each event, as the Empire Hall is transformed into another world and then back again after the Theatre restaurant. The theatre Restuarnt takes place in May biennially.

Other Theatre Restaurant productions have been :

• “Flight  069” in 2000.
• “The Yowie’s Nugget” by Mudgee writer, Jill Bagget, in 2004.
• “X Marks the Spot” by Hargraves’ own playwright, Nerida Rodrom, in 2006, and
• Nerida’s second play, “Sheep’s Head Stew”, in 2008.

The Theatre Restaurant is a fundraising opportunity and the money that comes into the community is divided between Hargraves and District Progress Assocaition (for upkeep and improvement of facilities within the village) and the Hargraves Public School P&C Association.