HOT AT HOTA
Coral Drouyn explores what’s happening in the theatre in Australia’s #1 Tourist destination during late 2022 and early 2023.
To be honest, 2022 hasn’t been the best year for theatre at HOTA on the Gold Coast. There have been plenty of art exhibitions, experimental pieces, workshops and festivals, as well as one night gigs and Farmers’ Markets, but very little in the way of theatre. Apart from the unforgettable musical Come From Away and a few cabaret stars like Rhonda Burchmore. it’s been left to the Community theatres to keep us entertained, led by that excellent and innovative producer of Musicals, Spotlight Theatre Company.
The most looked forward to event - Matt Ward Productions’ exciting vision of Greenday’s American Idiot - has been postponed, though hopefully we will see it in the second half of 2023. The Farm, always provocative in their quest for excellence, presented several great productions, and the brilliant Shake and Stir brought their much-acclaimed new musical, Jane Eyre, to the HOTA Theatre just last week. But, in short, it’s been a lean time for the very excellent Home Of The Arts.
However, things are looking up. There is an official partnership at work between HOTA and the much talked about Queensland Ballet. It’s only a few years ago that the Ballet Company was considered a poor cousin to the national Australian Ballet Company but, under the creative mentorship of Director Li Cunxin (Mao’s Last Dancer) it is now an exciting rival on the International Stage.
So, when the QB performed Giselle on the stage of the outdoor amphitheatre, we wondered where it would lead. Well, it led to the partnership between HOTA and Queensland Ballet, which has resulted in HOTA becoming a second home to the Ballet company.
Li Cunxin said of the partnership, “To truly be Queensland’s ballet company, we strive to engage meaningfully with the wonderful communities that make up our state. I am thrilled to announce that we are officially calling another part of Queensland home and are establishing our roots on the Gold Coast from 2022.”
And next week QB is back on that outdoor stage with a double bill of two contemporary ballets set in the 1960s under the collective title Moonlight Ballet, and performed to the music of iconic groups of the time, including the Rolling Stones - shades of Mick Jagger when you see that the first ballet is entitled Rooster, created by Christopher Bruce.
The swinging 60s theme continues in B-Sides by Jack Lister – a rising star recognised in The Australian as a ‘young choreographer who is going places’.
The open air theatre on a balmy late spring evening, having a picnic with champagne on the lawn – or seated in the posh seats, is just about the perfect setting for a night out. The season is short – Nov 10th to 12th – but if you do miss out don’t worry. Queensland Ballet will be back in February with a stunning production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
In between there will be a plethora of comedy shows, including the much anticipated duo of Judith Lucy and Denise Scott and a new show from Arj Barker, an extra special show from Jimeoin and some terrific concerts from the likes of Colin Hay, 5 seconds of Summer, and UB40 as part of their world 45th Anniversary Tour.
Theatre goers are in for a treat in January. Cruel Intentions will play a two week season from the 19th – 28th January. This jukebox musical, based on the Hollywood film of the 1990s (WOW…last century) has sold out around the world. Small wonder when you realise that the score comes from the greatest hits of 90s icons like The Verve, NSYNC, Christine Aguilerra, and the one and only Britney herself. It’s sexy, a riot of colour and it's jam packed with big laughs, good vibes and killer tunes. Just the pick-up to take us into the new year.
Then there’s the cinemas, the Art Gallery, the bars and restaurants, and even a lagoon to swim in. It’s going to be a good summer.
Check HOTA.com.au
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