MUSEUMS are not what they used to be in the bad old days thank goodness, and theatre director Peter Wilkins celebrates the new world of museums with the sixth annual ‘Come Alive’ Festival of Museum Theatre, this year hosted by the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery.

Ten schools from the ACT and New South Wales will present original performances, inspired by the collections of the two galleries. Students from year 7 – Year 12 visit the galleries, choose works that inspire them and return to their school to devise an original piece of theatre or dance, which will then be presented during the festival.

Past festivals have taken place at the National Museum of Australia and Questacon, and this year the NGA and NPG have collaborated to host the festival.

Schools participating in this year’s week-long festival are Orana Steiner School, Mount Stromlo High School, Canberra College and dance students from Canberra College, dance students from Calwell High School, Namadgi School, Telopea School, Marist College, Daramalan College, St, Francis Xavier College and Bateman’s Bay High School.

‘Come Alive’ Festival Of Museum Theatre, at The James O Fairfax Theatre – National Gallery Of Australia, October 26 – November 1, free event. Performances will be presented at 1pm during the week and at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. FREE but bookings advisable to 6240 6701.