By C!RCA. Playhouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane. 29 June to 2 July 2022
Brisbane’s C!RCA ensemble’s Carnival of the Animals is an energetic and fun show for children and the young at heart of all ages. It showcases an incredible array of human talents – from juggling to jumping, tumbling and human towers to trapeze tricks – and introduces us ingeniously to a range of animal characters: favourites of all types, including kangaroos, elephants, dinosaurs, dogs – and even the dog’s fleas!
By Nathan Luff, adapted from the novel by Oliver Phommavanh. Director: Lisa Freshwater. Riverside Theatre. 28-29 June, 2022
Clutching their signed copy of Thai-riffic, excited children streamed into the Riverside theatre to see Nathan Luff’s adaptation of book about … well … identity. family, belonging, adjusting and accepting. All are there in this heart-warming story that begins as Lengy takes his first tentative but determined steps into Year 7.
By Christopher D’Arienzo. Goldfields Repertory Club, Kalgoorlie, WA. Directed by Lauren Chapman-Holle. Jun 17 - Jul 23, 2022
Goldfields Repertory Club’s Rock of Ages has a live music venue vibe, more akin to a rock concert than a musical, with its audience drinking throughout, singing along, and responding to the show with great enthusiasm.
National Institute of Circus Arts. Conceptualised and devised by: Sally Richardson and Performers. Directors: Meredith Kitchen and Benjamin Sheen. 10-18th June, 2022
A strong opening with a post-apocalyptic theme began a joyous performance of well-honed skills. The performance space was defined by a patchwork tent and circular mat. As the tent was lifted a short “outsider” narrative was played out on the Chinese pole with daring moments performed with cheeky assurance. Costumes added to the narrative of changes in the world with suggestions of burdens and excess.
Book and Lyrics by Stew, music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, created in collaboration with Annie Dawson. Presented by Antipodes. Directed by Dean Drieberg, Meat Market Stables, 3 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne. June 24 - July 10, 2022.
Passing Strange is a semi-fictionalised musical account of the real-life story of American singer-songwriter and author Mark ‘Stew’ Stewart. This incredibly delightful production combines powerful music and performance to tell a moving story of self-discovery. The story is set across a variety of locations including Los Angeles, Paris and Berlin and charts the process of the central character’s journey to finding his musical sound. The approach is light-hearted and captures a subtle tone of irony and which emphasises a cheerful and fun-loving mood.
By Anne Brontë. An adaptation by Emme Hoy. Sydney Theatre Company. Directed by Jessica Arthur. June 25 - July 17, 2021
First published in 1848, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall caused a sensation with its realistic depiction of domestic abuse and a capable talented woman taking control of her own life.
Unlike many novels set in the period where wealthy people – with no employment - wait around for someone to visit them, or spend their day brooding about the next party, here was a real story about alcoholism and debauchery.
By Cindy Lou Johnson. Ad Astra, Brisbane. 16 June to 8 July, 2022
Cindy Lou Johnson’s Brilliant Traces is a poetic piece about two lost characters – and it will stay with you long after the one-act play has ended. That is many due, in this production by Brisbane’s indie Ad Astra, to two well-crafted performances by Vanessa Moltzen (as Rosannah) and Kyle McCallion (as Henry).
Written & directed by Darryl Emmerson. La Mama Courthouse. 22 June – 3 July 2022
Alfred Deakin was Prime Minister of the newly federated Commonwealth of Australia 1903 – 1904, 1905 – 1908, 1909 – 1910. Some say Australia’s greatest prime minister. Playwright Darryl Emmerson is clearly an admirer. But let’s be clear: Talking to the Future is not a play; it’s a history lesson and a hagiographic one at that.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2022. The Banquet Room, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide June 24 & 25, 2022
An hour with Bernie Dieter is just not enough!!!
To present Bernie Dieter’s Weimar Punk the Adelaide Festival Theatre Banquet Room is transformed into a Berlin nightclub; sleezy, complete with a mirror ball, red neon “Berlin” sign, a dressing table and costume rack.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2022. Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide. June 24 & 25, 2022
As Tina herself says, “Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire.” (No matter where you go or turn, you will always end up at home). For Songs My Mother Taught Me, the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre is turned into a lounge room of sorts; over 30 lampshades hanging from the flies with string lights, a chair and table. This lounge room however, also has a 9-piece band and two backup singers!
