Curator and Director: Simon Reich. Melbourne Museum Theatre, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. 7-8 December 2023
Bonegilla - The Migrants’ Journey is a tender multimedia gathering of migrants’ memories to capture the role the migrant reception and training centre at Bonegilla played in the lives of people escaping Europe following the impacts of the Second World War.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. December 15,16, 17, 2023.
The Philharmonia Choirs’ Carols at The House returns to the Opera House after a renovation-and-pandemic enforced absence – and they’re doing it in style! Five hundred and forty choristers and sixty-eight musicians wrap around the stage of the Concert Hall to present a program that is as varied as the fruit in Christmas puddings and the coloured baubles on Christmas trees.
The Pink Flamingo Spiegeland in Northshore, Brisbane. 98 Bincote Street, Northshore, Hamilton. 19 December 2023 - 30 March 2024.
Step into the captivating world of Suavé at The Pink Flamingo Spiegeland in Brisbane, a dazzling showcase of sensational performances, breathtaking acrobatics, and unapologetically risqué entertainment. This production, brought to life by The Pink Flamingo, sparkles with its remarkable performances and audacious displays.
By Tom Whalley. Zealous Productions. Directed by Brendan Hansen. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Dec 15-24, 2023
Zealous Productions’ pantomimes are quickly becoming a much-anticipated annual tradition in Perth, and Sleeping Beauty is another fabulous Tom Whalley Pantomime that is expertly and excellently executed and an absolute delight to watch.
By Kenneth Grahame, adapted by Alan Bennett Stacks On Theatre Co., in association with bAKEHOUSE Theatre Co. Directed by James Raggatt. KXT Theatre on Broadway, Sydney. 8th – 23rd December, 2023
Why, I hear you ask, would a new Australian theatre company present this classic children’s story at this adult venue at 7.30 p.m. the week before Christmas? And there’re no Aussie accents to be heard in this perfect adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 story, beautifully done by Alan Bennett for Britain’s National Theatre in 1990.
Presented by Outside the Jukebox. Mix Bar, Woolloongabba, Brisbane. 10-22 December, 2023
Mixology is a term used to describe the art of mixing drinks, and the full title of the show pretty much sums up this wacky somewhat eccentric night of 'booze, men/women/whatever and song' whilst using an iconic historical building, previously the local post-office renovated into a bar, as the stage.
Brisbane Music Festival Part 2. FourthWall Arts, Brisbane. 10 December 2023
This year’s Brisbane Music Festival (BMF) ended on an extreme high with arrangements of Radiohead hits reimagined by James Dobinson. James was to have also appeared in Exit Music to play electric keys and piano, but he received a last-minute call-up to a gig on Broadway! This proves the calibre of talent involved in the BMF, which this year has involved 34 events, with 40 creative people participating, seven Australian Premieres and nine World Premieres.
Music: Alan Menken. Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz. Book: Peter Parnell. OSMaD. Director: Joel Batalha. Music Directors: David Barrell & Ned Dixon. Choreographer: Caitlin Lamont. Geoffrey McComas Theatre, Melbourne. December 7-16, 2023.
The sensational Victorian premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is in good hands with OSMaD. The creative team and many of the cast is a Who's Who of Music Theatre Guild of Victoria and Lyrebird Award winners and nominees. The musical version of Hunchback began life as an animated film in 1996, aimed at younger audiences.
JACs Entertainment. Brisbane Powerhouse. 7 – 10 December 2023
Brisbane Powerhouse was transformed into a winter wonderland for Cirque Jingle. Presented by JACs Entertainment, and following their highly successful Cirque Bon Bon last year, this show promised everything from magic to aerial artistry and juggling. Catering for the whole family, this 70 minute show was presented in a rather relaxed format, with the magician host interacting with the audience and photography encouraged.
Composed by Evan J Lawson, libretto by Nicole Butcher. Presented by Forest Collective, BK Opera and Abbotsford Convent. Directed by Kate Millet, conducted by Evan J Lawson. Abbotsford Convent, 1 St. Heliers Street, Abbotsford. 7 - 10 December 2023.
The Sea is a deeply evocative performance with melodic and dramatic music that sweeps over the audience. The staging of this performance immerses the audience in the music and the vocals in interesting and dynamic ways. This is an opera that directly addresses difficult themes and explores notions of coercion, corruption, and seduction. This is conveyed by a range of melodies that begin gently but build to more intense tones and sounds. The interesting and engaging use of costuming and stylised movement emphasise ideas such as abuse of power inherent in the libretto.
