Category: Asides

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Musical Theatre in Australia: where to now?

Harvest Rain an independent theatre company  based in Brisbane recently hosted a forum on The Future of Musical Theatre in Australia.  This formed part of their Summer School activities.

Here’s Part 1 of the forum chaired by performer Queenie van de Zandt.  The introduction of the participants is longish, so you might want to skip forward to around 3’40” to legendary performer Nancye Hayes’ quick summation of how musical theatre in Australia has changed since the early 60s when she began her career with J C Williamsons.  John Kotzas CEO/Artistic Director of QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Trust) chimes in with his take on why musical theatre is so popular in Brisbane.  Worth a look, so thanks Harvest Rain, and keep them coming!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkHlj5mPz3w

And then there’s Oscar Theatre Company, another Brisbane-based independent musical theatre group.  Here they are in a rehearsal for their Cabaret and Season launch on 22 February.  Slick little vid production too. Get ready for a whole lot more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDNAM9Z-zjk

Joymas Creative kicks off their year in April with Megan Shorey’s new work, the all-female Handle With Care, directed by Lewis Jones.  This Brisbane-based group is dedicated primarily to bringing original Musical Theatre productions and contemporary projects to astute Queensland audiences.

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This Week in Queensland Theatre: February 1-7

February today, and that means the 2010 theatre season is getting serious, especially with previews of Hamlet, the first production for La Boite Theatre by its AD David Berthold, and the start of WTF (World Theatre Festival) at the Powerhouse and various other locations.  The local interwebs discussion on the nature of Residencies at QPAC continues on various blogs (Performing Arts Blog and XS Entertainment) and via Facebook commentary.

For dates and times check company websites

In Preview and Opening:

WTF – World Theatre Festival at the Powerhouse and various locations (Tuesday)

Hamlet directed by David Berthold – La Boite Theatre at the Roundhouse (Saturday)

Continuing:

Chasing the Lollyman Debase Theatre at !MetroArts

Other:

Talking Shop at the Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts, The Valley.  (Wednesday 5.30-7pm)  This month Sue Rider will facilitate a conversation about theatre direction.  How can we find ways to develop our theatre directors?  How do we give and receive feedback?  How can we engage with each other’s work?  What mentoring models exist?

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This Week in Queensland Theatre: January 25-31

Cover of "The Gruffalo"
Cover of The Gruffalo

And suddenly, there goes January!  Holidays are over, the kids are back in school.  Here’s what’s on around the traps in this last week of the month.

For dates and times check company websites

Opening:

Chasing the Lollyman Debase Theatre at !MetroArts (Tuesday)

Continuing:

The Gruffalo at La Boite Theatre, Roundhouse (closing this week)

MacHomer Cremorne Theatre, QPAC (closing this week)

Other:

(Continuing) Intensive Training Workshop OzFrank

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This Week in Queensland Theatre: January 18-24

The long, hot Queensland summer continues with news on the first shows of the new season emerging from rehearsal rooms round the state. Meanwhile, the first off the block for the year – The Gruffalo and Cinderella – amuse kids and their families, and the workshops and training summer schools are getting into their final phase before school goes back next week!

For session dates and times check company websites.

Opening:
MacHomer Playhouse at QPAC (Sunday)

Continuing:
The Gruffalo: La Boite Theatre at the Roundhouse
The Adventures of Cinderella and her Fabulously Fashionable Footwear written and directed by Tim O’Connor: Harvest Rain at QPAC Cremorne Theatre

Other:
Circa, Harvest Rain, OzFrank, and Empire Theatre (Toowoomba) are conducting training workshops during the summer. Contact directly for further details on availability during January. Click the Greenroom poster wall of logos.