Community Theatre

COVID Safe Theatre

Stage Whispers correspondent Kimberley Shaw has attended more than 30 productions in WA since theatre returned in that state. She reports on how theatres are managing.

While much of Australian theatre patiently awaits to return, Western Australian school, community, pro-am and professional theatre is tentatively returning - but what does it look like and how does it work?

Reprise of Interrupted Don’t Dress for Dinner at Cronulla

Following the NSW Government’s directive in March this year that all non-essential gatherings of 100 people were banned, Arts Theatre Cronulla was unable to proceed with the remaining planned performances of Don’t Dress for Dinner and the theatre was literally plunged into darkness, with the set being mothballed. 

Theatre management is now very excited to be able to reprise the show for a limited number of performances from 13-28 November. There will be ten shows in total, including two Sunday matinees.

Comedy Embraces Magic of Wizard School

YOU may know of a certain boy wizard who went to wizard school for seven years – but do you know the story of The Puffs, who happened to be there too? 

New Home For Genesian Theatre Company

The Genesian Theatre Company is thrilled to have found a new home only one bus stop over the Anzac bridge from our current Kent St location!

Plans are underway for the fit out of a brand new theatre space in the parish hall of St Joseph’s Rozelle, to be occupied by the Genesian Theatre Company upon completion in mid 2021.

Memories of Margaret Thomson

Arthur Pickering remembers a beloved stalwart of Sydney community musical theatre.

The last show at the old Capitol Theatre, and the first Bankstown Theatrical Society show I saw, was Brigadoon in 1969. This was also the first time I saw a performance by the unforgettable Margaret Thomson. Little did I realize that over the next fifty years Margaret would often reappear in my life, both as a performer and as a dear friend.

Thrills, Twists and Turns at Stirling Theatre

SUSPENSE, mystery and murder come together at Stirling Theatre (WA) in September 2020 in The Small Hours, a thriller with international intrigue. 

Written by Francis Durbridge and directed by Janet Brandwood, the play follows Sussex hotel owner Carl Houston who saves a passenger when their plane is hijacked after leaving Australia. 

Houston nearly dies as he tries to learn why his travel bag is of interest to the police while also attempting to find out what a toy koala, his devious chef and the hijacking have in common. 

A Mid Covid Nights Playreading

With the current COVID-19 restrictions continuing STAG (Shepparton Theatre Arts Group) is finding ways to connect with its members in new and different ways. They have decided to run a Mid-COVID Nights Play Reading via Zoom.

Dark Coming of Age Drama for Harbour Theatre

SINISTER undercurrents and gothic themes flow throughout Harbour Theatre’s September 2020 production in Fremantle WA, as part of a dark coming-of-age story. 

Based on the Swedish novel and film by John Ajvide Lindqvist and adapted for stage by Jack Thorne, Let The Right One In focuses on the bullied teenage boy Oskar who finds a friend in Eli, after she moves in next door. 

Poignant Comedy Quartet for Limelight

GET ready to laugh, sigh and cry a little as four retired opera singers take you into the bittersweet world of facing up to age and mortality in September 2020. 

Written by Ronald Harwood and directed by Gwen Browning at Limelight Theatre WA, Quartet is set in an aged care home with Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred ready to celebrate Verdi’s birthday with an annual concert. 

Reggie’s ex-wife Jean arrives and upsets the balance, continuing to act like a diva and refusing to sing – but the show must go on. 

Next to Normal for Melville Theatre

A MUSICAL about mental health is making its way to Melville Theatre (WA) from August 21, 2020. 

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