By William Shakespeare. Bell Shakespeare Company. Directed by Peter Evans. Canberra Playhouse, Canberra ACT. April 14 – 22, 2023.
Bell Shakespeare has again freshened up an old classic, while delighting in Shakespeare’s resounding words and colourful characters. Peter Evans directs a cohesive cast that can transform from individuals briefly sketching narrative movement to an emotional, imaginative circle of ancient mystery and witchcraft.
By Jonathan Larson. Storeyboard Entertainment. Directed by Tyran Parke. Sydney Lyric Theatre. 20-26 April, 2023
After short stays in Melbourne and Brisbane, this cheapo production of a very interesting ‘lost musical’ comes to Sydney’s Lyric Theatre for one week only. Its creator-writer, Jonathan Larson, famously died the day before his big-deal show Rent opened Off-Broadway in 1996. This is his only previous work to receive a production.
Book by Jeff Marx. Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Beenleigh Theatre Group, Qld. 21 Apr – 6 May 2023
Join the irreverent residents of Avenue Q: part flesh, part plushy, people, puppets and all. Hilarious, charming and a little profane, Avenue Q will turn all expectations of acceptable discourse on its head. Directed by Tayla Simpson and Daniel Dosek, you’re in for a cheeky (ages 16+) treat!
By Roald Dahl. Adapted for the stage by shake & stir theatre co. Sydney Theatre Company. Roslyn Packer Theatre. 19 - 30 April, 2023
Easter School Holiday theatre magic for the young comes with larger-than-life characters, comedy aplenty, some gender reversal, good versus evil and fart jokes.The Fantastic Mr Fox, which has been adapted for the stage by Shake & Stir Theatre co, and directed by Ross Balbuziente,ticks all of the boxes and goes on to invent several more boxes!
Written by James Hall. Directed by Clem Halpin. The Basement – The Spotlight Theatrical Company. 14th-29th April, 2023
It’s always exciting when an old (in every respect) writer like myself encounters a new talent. This is James Hall’s first ever play, and he truly has talent. It’s raw, lacking craft skills (which can be learned) and very wordy, but it IS true talent – that rarest of commodities. Bravo! It is also coupled with bucket loads of PASSION - the second rarest commodity. No wonder I am excited. James is one of those rarities these days, a writer who writes because he HAS to - he has things to say!
By Statera Circus. The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. 31 March 2023 and touring
Set in a suburban supermarket, a tense and batty competition is taking place. To win the admiration of their boss and a badge that reads “Special”, two employees perform athletic feats of sheer lunacy on precariously balanced bits of clear acrylic. One is an eager, newly-hired cashier. The other? A seasoned employee who happens to be a bagel-spitting squawking chicken-woman hybrid. Or, is she an actual chicken? Who knows!
Queensland Ballet. Playhouse, QPAC. April 14 – 29, 2023
After one year of waiting, Queensland Ballet finally had the chance to debut the classic Giselle to a full house, rounded out by very well-deserved applause and a standing ovation. Originally titled ‘Giselle, ou Les Wilis’, this is one of the masterworks of classical ballet. A romantic ballet with music by Adolphe Adams, it was first performed in Paris, France on 28 June 1841.
Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub, Gold Coast. Open ended 2023 season.
The Pink Flamingo has every reason to be proud of itself. In less than 4 years it has created 9 spectacular production shows, imported circus stars from all over the world, survived the pandemic which sent many producers to the wall, PLUS earned its spot on Trip Advisor as one of the top 10% must see attractions in the WORLD. That’s quite an achievement in show business anywhere. Let alone on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
By Tennessee Williams. Genesian Theatre, Sydney. April 15 – May 7, 2023
Tennessee Williams's play A Streetcar Named Desire’s characters and quotes have become ingrained in the cultural fabric of society. Even as we glimpse back into the 1950’s, it’s hard to believe this play was written nearly 80 years ago.
Written by James Watson, based on a play by August Strindberg. Presented by Famous Last Words. Goodwood Theatre & Studios, Goodwood, SA. 18 – 29 April 2023
When we step out of the Autumnal chill of Goodwood Road into the Institute, we’re shown into the theatre – but instead of finding our seats in the auditorium, we’re led behind the stage curtain, and onto the stage itself. A lush white carpet that silently screams wealth separates the audience into two halves – it’s a traverse stage, so we’re staring across a sparsely decorated room to our fellow audience.
