Queensland Theatre To Reopen With World Premiere

Queensland Theatre will reopen the Bille Brown Theatre to audiences for the world premiere season of the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award (QPDA) 2018–19 winner The Holidays by David Megarrity, from 14 November through to 12 December. 

“This is wonderful news for our performing arts landscape, and I am delighted the Queensland Theatre can celebrate its 50th anniversary with the much-anticipated QPDA 2018–19 winner,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“The Queensland Government is proud to support the program and I encourage Queenslanders to get along to see this remarkable play.”

“The show will go on, rehearsals are about to begin, the set is ready for bump-in and our COVID-Safe plans are all in place. Queensland Theatre is back! What a brilliant way to end a tumultuous year, with a new work by an outstanding local playwright and starring some audience favourites,” said Queensland Theatre Artistic Director, Lee Lewis.

The Holidays by David Megarrity will be directed by Matilda Award-winning Bridget Boyle, in a continuation of their long-time collaboration, and stars Bryan Probets and Louise Brehmer. This family story will transport audiences to a quintessentially Queensland beach getaway for a touching meditation on mortality, and a whimsical and deeply recognisable exploration of the relationship between a son, his father, and his grandfather.

“Queensland Theatre will be providing a COVID-Safe theatre experience in line with Queensland Health guidelines. To comply with social distancing measures, our theatre capacity has been reduced, but we will run the season for longer so as many people as possible can see this beautiful story.” she said.

“It is truly exciting to be staging The Holidays. There is magic inside David Megarrity’s words promising a journey filled with heart, in a time when we really need to celebrate being together.

All ticket holders will be contacted to arrange transfers to the new month-long season of the finale show for 2020. A limited number of tickets will also be released for sale on October 15.

ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS: 

A touching portrait of memory and connection. The Holidays are on holiday: 12-year-old Oliver has been pulled out of school for an unexpected trip with his mum and dad, to grandad’s seaside shack. But grandad, an eccentric artist, is not there. In this messy place stuffed with memories, it seems that the Holidays — instead of getting away from it all — have taken a lot with them.

This Queensland Premier’s Drama Award-winning play is a wistful and funny journey combining live performance, music and lyrical projection. A disarming chronicle about family, for families, The Holidays is a show for sons, fathers, grandfathers, and anyone who loves one.

Bridget Boyle last directed the award-winning production The Longest Minute. Brisbane theatre-maker, writer, composer, musician, and academic David Megarrity won the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2018–19 for The Holidays from a field of more than 90 entrants.

The Holidays is supported by the Queensland Government. 

The Holidays by David Megarrity

14 November – 12 December 2020

Bille Brown Theatre, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane

A limited number of single tickets to The Holidays will open on 15 October at www.queenslandtheatre.com.au  

Telephone 1800 355 528  |  Email mail@queenslandtheatre.com.au

CAST

Bob Holiday (Dad) - Bryan Probets

Summer Holiday (Mum) - Louise Brehmer

Oliver Holiday - to be cast – announcement to come

CREATIVES

Writer: David Megarrity

Director: Bridget Boyle

Designer: Sarah Winter

Lighting Designer: Jason Glenwright

Projection Designer: Nathan Sibthorpe

Composer: Sean Foran

Sound Designer: Matthew Erskine

Stage Manager: Nicole Neil

Assistant Stage Manager: Sophie Watkins

Queensland Theatre is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Queensland Theatre is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Play Briefing 

Monday 9 November (online)

Accessibility

Auslan Interpreted: Monday 23 November, 6:30pm

Images: David Megarrity, Bryan Probets, Louise Brehmer and Bridget Boyle; Bryan Probets and Louise Brehmer; and Louise Brehmer, Lee Lewis, Bryan Probets, David Megarrity and Bridget Boyle.