Community Theatre

Oklahoma! Follows Phantom at Miranda

After their successful Sydney Premiere of The Phantom of the Opera, Miranda Musical Society returns to a Broadway ‘classic’ in March 2014, presenting one of the best - loved musicals of all time, OKLAHOMA!

Winner of numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, OKLAHOMA! is the landmark American musical that launched the collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Director James Worner recently shared his vision as the director of Miranda Musical Society’s next offering.

 

Community Theatre Seasons 2014

Omigod you guys! Legally Blonde The Musical has been released to musical societies across Australia, with aspiring Elles already preparing their audition pieces.

Across New Zealand a consortium of companies will combine their resources to present ABBA musical Mamma Mia.

Landmarks abound in Community Theatre during 2014, while more Broadway musicals have their non-professional premieres.

Don Parties On in WA Premiere of Williamson Sequel

THE West Australian premiere of Don Parties On – the sequel to David Willamson’s classic Don’s Party – comes to Melville Theatre during February and March 2014.

Both plays use Federal elections as a backdrop: the original was set as the 1969 Gough Whitlam v John Gorton challenge unfolded while the sequel is set during the 2010 election night of the Julia Gillard v Tony Abbott campaign.

Quest for Don Quixote at Castle Hill

The Castle Hill Players (NSW) launch their 2014 season with a fantastical and theatrical world premiere production of Don Quixote, adapted by Larry Buttrose, from the famous Miguel Cervantes novel.

Snow White and Pirates in Panto at Bexley

With the long summer school holidays coming to a close many parents are out of ideas for keeping the kids entertained before the school year begins. This was the thinking behind St George Theatre Company (NSW) presenting Snow White & The Pirate Adventure, a pantomime written by children’s playwright and musical theatre performer Sally Redman. Sally said, “I am so thrilled that St George Theatre Company asked to use my work. It’s been performed previously with YAMA in Cowra as well as Shire Music Theatre.

2013 Robert Finley Awards

The Awards Ceremony for the 2013 Robert Finley Awards was held at the Subiaco Arts Centre (WA) on January 11th. The evening included excerpts from a selection of varied productions and included an opening number (pictured) featuring children from eight Independent Theatre Clubs and eleven different productions. 

Hosted by Tyler Jones, awards were presented by Paul Treasure and Kimberley Shaw, with Adjudicators Awards being presented by 2013 Adjudicators, Kent Acott, Fiona Forster and Lyn Hutcheon. 

Christmas in February for Limelight

FORGET the traditional December Christmas or Christmas in July – it’s time for Christmas in February!

Limelight Theatre (WA) is staging Season’s Greetings, a black and farcical comedy about a dysfunctional family Christmas, as its first production of 2014.

Written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Gordon Park, the play is set in 1980 over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in an average English suburban house.

Caravan Promises Laughs to Open Javeenbah Season

Australian comedy Caravan, written by David MacDonald, is the opening show of Queensland company Javeenbah Theatre’s 2014 Playbill on January 24

The story follows Penny and Parkes and their oldest friends Rodney and Monica on their annual caravan holiday. They’re joined by bachelor friend Pierce who brings his very young and very new girlfriend Gwendolyn. Six people crammed into a caravan during days of incessant rainfall is bad enough, but, add to that the various secrets and scandals and a very awkward holiday ensues.

VC Winner’s Story On Stage

THE Old Mill Theatre is playing host to the Perth premiere of Under Any Old Gum Tree on February 1. It’s the story of Martin O’Meara VC and what’s been described as “one man’s journey into hell” as he came from Ireland to Australia and then from No Man’s Land to insanity.

Written and directed by Noel O’Neill in association with the Australian-Irish Heritage Association, the show features Kieran Garvey and Rex Gray and includes songs and music written and dedicated to Martin O’Meara.

Brilliant Lies for Garrick

SEXUAL harassment, political correctness and changing social values come to the fore at Garrick Theatre (W.A.) in its first season of 2014.

Written by David Williamson and directed by Dale James, Brilliant Lies is an adult comedy about a woman who accuses her former employer of harassment and unfair dismissal after failing to comply with his sexual demands. 

Brilliant Lies was also made into a 1996 film with Anthony LaPaglia, Gia and Zoe Carides and Ray Barrett.

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