Community Theatre

Hamlet Returns to Adelaide’s Independent Theatre Company

Sixteen years ago Adelaide’s Independent Theatre Company produced the classic Shakespeare tragedy Hamlet, to critical acclaim. Now, in April 2016, Artistic Director Rob Croser is to direct the play again, but with a very different approach to casting the conflicted prince at the heart of the story. Lesley Reed reports.

Audiences have been enthralled by Hamlet for four hundred years, yet what is arguably William Shakespeare’s most famous play is also one of his most difficult to perform.

Minefields & Miniskirts Brings Vietnam to Nerang

In April 2016, Javeenbah Theatre presents Minefields and Miniskirts, a play that is both an engaging and frank recollection of how five Australian women experienced the Vietnam War. The play touches on issues of women’s rights, the realities of warfare, Australian reaction to the war and the legacy of our country’s involvement. 

Genesian Theatre Season 2016

Sydney’s longest operating central city community theatre company, the Genesian, has unveiled its 72nd season including two premiere productions for the city.

Theatre Director Roger Gimblett said the theatre was fortunate to obtain the rights to a new adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel Far From the Madding Crowd.

Victorian Psychological Thriller Gaslight

A MYSTERY of dimming gaslight and footsteps in the night, matched with the timeless theme of marital manipulation, form the basis of a popular Victorian thriller on show at Limelight Theatre (WA) during April 2016.

Written by Patrick Hamilton and directed by Karen Tropiano, Gaslight is set in 1880 and focuses on the Manninghams – suave Jack Manningham is slowly psychologically torturing his wife Bella into insanity.

When she is visited by Inspector Rough, he convinces her that Jack is a maniacal criminal wanted for a murder committed 15 years ago.

Elephant in Room at CAT Awards

21st Canberra Area Theatre Gala Awards Night 2015

Llewellyn Hall ANU, 5pm Saturday 20 February 2016

Cathy Bannister reports.

Christopher Lives His Impossible Dream

Christopher Hamilton reflects on his chance to play the role of a life-time, Don Quixote in Miranda Musical Society’s March 2016 production of Man Of La Mancha.

When I was 17 years old I saw J C Williamson’s production of Man Of La Mancha at the Theatre Royal (the original Theatre Royal in Castlereagh Street – not the one now in the MLC centre in King Street). It starred Charles West as Don Quixote and Suzanne Steele as Aldonza.

Iconic Aussie Play Away for Sydney’s North Shore

Lane Cove Theatre Co opens its 2016 season with Michael Gow’s iconic and much loved Australian play, Away, from 18 March to 9 April at The Performance Space, St Aidan’s in Longueville.

Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, AWAY is a nostalgic look at Australia and Australians separated by diversity and drawn together by conflict. Audiences will be inspired by Gow’s story of three different families on Christmas vacation in 1967. 

WA Theatre Takes High Fidelity Musical for a Spin

A JOURNEY through the world of break-ups, make-ups and music obsession provide insights into the world of relationships at Roleystone Theatre during March 2016.

Based on the Nick Hornby book, High Fidelity has been adapted into a musical and explores love, life and the importance music plays as the soundtrack to both.

The story follows Rob Gordon, a Brooklyn record shop owner in his 30s who is obsessed with making top five lists for everything and always observing, rather than participating, in life.

Calamity For Rockdale - Whip, Crack, Away!

Adapted from the movie starring Doris Day, featuring the Oscar-winning song "Secret Love", Rockdale Musical Society presents Calamity Jane from 4 to 13 March at Rockdale Town Hall.

A toe-tapping, tune-humming, feel-good hit for almost 60 years, the title role has starred such luminaries as Carol Burnett and Barbara Windsor in stage productions.

Whip, Crack, Away!

Annie’s Enduring Appeal

Bankstown Theatre Company’s production of Annie hits the stage at the Bryan Brown Theatre in March 2016, with Director Diane Wilson returning to a musical she has quite a history with. She spoke to Stage Whispers.

Stage Whispers: This certainly isn’t your first production of Annie, is it?

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