Brutus is suspicious. Cassius is conspiring. Caesar’s days are numbered.
Loved by the people, Caesar’s power is growing – which is dangerous if you live in a world driven by ego and idealism.
Those that rise too fast must be dealt with. For the good of the country. For the good of those who wish to be rulers themselves.
Julius Caesar is Shakespeare’s political thriller, a masterpiece of intrigue and treachery. Stand witness to the assassination that leads to a life and death struggle for power in the Republic. Citizens mutiny, Mark Antony schemes, and the fate of Rome hangs in the balance.
Bell Shakespeare’s Associate Director, James Evans, will direct a production that’s seething with rage, leaving audiences breathless at how quickly violence reveals the fragility of democracy.
Starring Kenneth Ransom (Gods of Egypt, Belvoir’s Prize Fighter) as Caesar, and featuring an ensemble cast including Ivan Donato (Richard 3), Emily Havea, Louisa Mignone, Nick Simpson-Deeks and Russell Smith, this production will tour to 27 venues around Australia.
Experience the tension between aspiration and ambition, the triumphal entrances and brutal exits, as it is all laid on the line for Rome.
Recommended age 13+
Join Kasey Chambers by the “ Campfire” for a musical journey through the stories of places, people, cultures and sounds that have inspired one of Australia’s most revered performers.
Be part of this intimate acoustic experience enjoying songs new and old that have shaped Kasey’s rich and unique life travelling thru the vast lands of Australia, American and Africa.
Playing songs from her new album ‘Campfire’ (Out April 27) and all her much-loved songs from way back to the The Captain and Barricades and Brickwalls days up until now. Don’t miss a very special evening of music and stories with Kasey and the Fireside Disciples.
“Campfire is an album I have wanted to make my whole life and represents the connection I’ve had to the different lands and cultures throughout my life that have influenced me the most. I have taken all of those experiences and put them into songs and sounds for Campfire. Join us for a very special evening of music and stories of the places, people, cultures and sounds that I would like to share with you all around my Campfire.”
“Everyone sing ‘round the campfire... where the song of the Curlew awaits....
And dance with me under the moonlight until the morning breaks”
Kasey Chambers
An adventure in unachieved life goals through the language of dance.
Following an alien abduction in his teen years, prolific regional touring artist, and renowned character and stand-up comedian Damian Callinan, is set with the not all that daunting task of learning to Swing Dance within 34 years. However, Callinan procrastinates his way through life preferring solo dance. It’s not until he is diagnosed with OTTDs [Over The Top Dance Syndrome] and witnesses Swing Dance in a Parisian club, that his quest is reignited. With only 4 months left on the clock can Callinan learn to Lindy Hop, Charleston and Shag before the aliens return? Mixing storytelling, stand-up, sketches and choreography Callinan takes the audience on a journey from his nervous teens to middle age where he takes on the only item on his bucket list before it’s too late.
Callinan is joined on stage by renowned swing dancers, Genevieve Wallis & Jeanne-Clare Storace [alternating] helping to create ‘a completely and utterly charming hour’
Hey Boss is an award-winning production and management company working with some of the most exciting theatre, music, and comedy shows in the global fringe circuit. Achieving sold out shows, critical acclaim and awards at Adelaide Fringe, FRINGE WORLD (Perth), Melbourne International Comedy Festival (to name a few); and tours to Switzerland, Finland, Korea, the UK, and throughout Australia.
Warning: This event contains mild course language and adult content, recommended for 16+ years.
The evening will commence with tunes from local swing jazz quartet, The Swing Revival Quartet.
This production of 'Singin' in the Rain' is performed by St Paul's Anglican Grammar School students.
Set in 1920s Hollywood in the waning days of the silent screen era, Singin’ in the Rain stars romantic lead Don Lockwood, his comedic sidekick Cosmo Brown, aspiring actress Kathy Selden, and Lockwood's feisty leading lady Lina Lamont. An all-singing, all-dancing family show for all ages, Singin’ in the Rain is sure to offer a fun-filled night of pure entertainment!
The 1952 movie, starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor is widely regarded as the best movie musical ever made. The stage version has been equally as popular, and features some of the best tap-dancing numbers you are likely to see, and many great songs such as Good Morning, Moses Supposes, Make ‘Em Laugh, and of course the wonderful title song, Singin’ In The Rain.
Described by Gramophone as “superb” and “a thoughtful musician of considerable taste and technical prowess”, Christoph Denoth is one of the world’s finest guitarists, renowned for his peerless musicality and expressive sensitivity.
In his Australian debut, Christoph joins MCO for a passionate celebration of life, love, music and dance through music of Spain and Italy, including Vivaldi’s much-loved Guitar Concerto and music of Albéniz, Boccherini & Granados. Full of regional colour, infectious rhythms, soaring melodies and heartfelt serenades, this is music to lift the spirits and transport you through time and place.
TURINA La oración del torero
ALBÉNIZ Leyenda
Torre Bermeja
VIVALDI Guitar Concerto in D major RV 93
MALATS Serenata (arr Denoth for guitar & string orchestra)
ALBÉNIZ España: I, II, III, V, VI (arr Buc for string orchestra)
GRANADOS Danzas Españolas III, V, VI (arr Buc for string orchestra)
BOCCHERINI Grave & Fandango
Silvie Paladino and David Hobson are seen together when they appear on Carols by Candlelight each year but are seldom seen performing in their own show together.
Silvie has performed throughout Australia, Asia and London’s West End. Her first theatrical role was Eponine in the Australasian tour of Les Misérables. She was then invited to perform the same role in the London production. Her other performances include lead roles in Cats, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia!, The King & I, Chess , Passion and Jerry’s Girls.
David is one of Australia’s best known operatic and recording artists. David made his name with Opera Australia in his award-winning performance of Rodolfo in La Bohème directed by Baz Luhrmann. David’s unique talents have enabled him to sing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, win Dancing with the Stars and play such diverse roles as Orphée to Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Silvie and David will perform some of their favourite songs from their successful careers and may even give you some early Christmas spirit.
They will be accompanied by talented musician David Cameron.
A funny, fake-bloody tale of greed and power.
Company 13’s Macdeth is a cracking updated kid-friendly classic filled with physical comedy and the tastiest morsels of Shakespeare’s prose. Director James Pratt and Company 13’s four accomplished actors have devised a high-intensity, playful and powerful tale of how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth grow greedy enough to kill King Duncan and a few other innocent characters who get in the way of Macbeth and his throne.
Macdeth will blow the dust off your schoolroom Shakespeare and rejuvenate your experience of seeing a true theatre classic. Performed in an immediate, filmic style, it is great for kids and adults who are convinced Shakespeare is going to be unfathomable and boring. Be entertained by the stupidity and skill of Company 13 as they enact the dreadfully bloody tale of Macbeth’s passage from a comfortable nobleman to a despised tyrant.
This piece of fast-paced theatre combines Shakespeare’s rich language with a healthy dose of invention and idiocy, leaving in all the gruesome murder, foul play and pathos; all the injustice and cruelty… all accompanied by beautiful music performed live by the actors.
Funny, cautionary and fake-bloody, Macdeth is aimed at an audience of 8 -13-year-old children, but it will be enjoyed by all ages and is a great first taste of Shakespeare.
SMASHING! Love songs, sex, algorithms, chimps, clowns and psychics, everything is getting ‘smashed’. Leave the kids at home unless you fancy them getting a real Flanagan style education.
- Glam Adelaide
- The Adelaide Advertiser
- Herald Sun
The much-anticipated family event of 2018, Celtic Illusion is the biggest dance and magical illusion sensation that has been taking Australian audiences by storm.
The show for ALL ages, cleverly fuses awe-inspiring contemporary Irish Dance with mind-blowing magic and Grand Illusions has now returned to Australian stages for a one-night show at the new West Gippsland Arts Centre.
With incredible new choreography, spellbinding magic, heart-racing music and a sensory experience like no other, audiences will be kept on the edge of their seats and left wanting more.
Showcasing a stellar cast of champion and internationally-acclaimed dancers, including performers from both Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, Celtic Illusion offers some of the fastest taps in the world as the dancers’ thunderous rhythm fills the stage in perfect unison. The show is led by Australia’s very own Anthony Street, the first Australian to perform leading roles in Michael Flatley’s widely-acclaimed Lord of the Dance, including the very role that Michael Flatley originally performed himself.
Since its premiere in 2011 the show has performed to sell-out audiences across Australia and in New Zealand, with audiences blown away by the combination of scintillating dance and illusion.
Now it is your chance to witness the magic that is Celtic Illusion.
In Simply Sinatra, accompanied by his swing all-star big-band Tom performs all the wonderful songs of Sinatra in his prime, including Come Fly with Me, All the Way, The Lady is a Tramp, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, That’s Life, You Make Me Feel So Young and, naturally no show would be complete without the classic New York New York.
Blue Mountains Cox's River Rest Blue Mountains Cox Blue Mountains Cox Heaven on a Stick!
Renowned for his smooth style and astonishing performance skills, Tom doesn’t impersonate Sinatra but is faithful to the musical expression that is Sinatra. His strong and confident performance, backed by the powerful sound of the big band, will take you back to concert halls and dance floors of yesteryear.
If you are a Sinatra fan, or just an enthusiast for swing music delivered with passion, musical skill and charisma, Simply Sinatra is a show is for you.
Don’t miss this wonderful new show. Close your eyes and you may well swear that Sinatra truly lives on, as Tom Burlinson will once again do justice to the marvellous musical legacy of Frank Sinatra.
The award winning play Hotel Sorrento by Australian Playwright Hannie Rayson, which inspired the film of the same name, tells the story of three sisters who grew up together in the seaside town Sorrento.
Hilary lives in the family home in Sorrento with her father and 16 year-old son. Pippa, a business woman, is visiting from New York and Meg, a successful writer, returns from England. When the three sisters are reunited after 10 years apart they again feel the constraints of family life. A semi autobiographical book written by middle sister and expat Meg triggers the familial tensions and dramas that eventuate. The play is about family in a literal and metaphorical sense and the importance of blood ties and collective memory, true or false.
Hotel Sorrento was first performed in 1990 by the Playbox Theatre Company and won an AWGIE, NSW Premier’s Literary Award and a Green Room Award. Since then the play has had over 50 productions throughout Australia and overseas (winning critical acclaim on its London debut), and has been translated into French, Japanese and Swedish.
This will represent the 20th anniversary of HIT’s first production of the play. HIT has a great deal of affection for Hotel Sorrento being that it was a production of this play in 1998, directed by David Latham, that launched HIT’s touring arm in 1999.
“Holding a mirror up to the society in which it was written, it has universal themes and feels even more relevant (than when it premiered in 1990) to a world living in fear, keenly aware of difference and to a nation constantly questioning the nature of being Australian and interrogating our ties to the Mother Country and our alliance with the US. Hannie Rayson perceptively examines these issues through the three sisters (as in Chekhov) who represent distinctly different facets of ‘The Australian’, especially ‘The Australian Woman’. This is a moving, insightful and often very funny piece of entertaining first-rate theatre.”
Denny Lawrence, Director
Off The Leash Theatre Company is proud to present RENT running from 26th to 28th October 2018 at West Gippsland Arts Centre.
Directed by Todd Miller, Musically Directed by Esther White, Choreographed by Rachel O’Dwyer and Production Managed by Leane Gooding.
Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, RENT follows a year in the life of a group of friends struggling to make it in the big city. They include Mark, a filmmaker and the narrator of the story; his former girlfriend, Maureen, a performance artist; Maureen’s lover, Joanne, a public interest lawyer; Mark’s roommate Roger, a musician; Mimi, an exotic dancer, with whom Roger falls in love; Tom Collins, a computer genius; Collins’ lover, Angel, a street musician and drag queen; and Benny, a former member of the group who, after marrying into a wealthy family, has become their landlord. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loved and conflicts, against a backdrop of the 1990s AIDSs epidemic, provides the narrative thread for this ground-breaking musical.
*This event contains adult themes and some drug references. Recommended for ages 15+.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is excited to bring its finest players, and a gorgeous repertoire, to Warragul for a wondrous evening of classical music. MSO Associate Conductor Benjamin Northey will guide the Orchestra through Beethoven’s Septet and Brahms’ joyful First Symphony.
The Septet in E-flat major, Opus 20, by Ludwig van Beethoven, was sketched out in 1799, completed, and first performed in 1800 and published in 1802. The score contains the notation: "Der Kaiserin Maria Theresia gewidmet", or translated, "Dedicated to the Empress Maria Theresa."
The composition is in six movements:
Adagio – Allegro con brio (in E-flat major)
Adagio cantabile (in A-flat major)
Tempo di menuetto (in E-flat major)
Tema con variazioni: Andante (in B-flat major)
Scherzo: Allegro molto e vivace (in E-flat major)
Andante con moto alla marcia (in E-flat minor) – Presto (in E-flat major)
The overall layout resembles a serenade and is in fact more or less the same as that of Mozart's string trio, K. 563 in the same key, but Beethoven expands the form by the addition of substantial introductions to the first and last movements and by changing the second minuet to a scherzo. The main theme of the third movement had already been used in Beethoven's Piano Sonata, (Op. 49 No. 2), which was an earlier work despite its higher opus number. The finale features a violin cadenza.
The scoring of the Septet for a single clarinet, horn and bassoon (rather than for pairs of these wind instruments) was innovative. So was the unusually prominent role of the clarinet, as important as the violin, quite innovative.
The Septet was one of Beethoven's most successful and popular works and circulated in many editions and arrangements for different forces. In about 1803 Beethoven himself arranged the work as a Trio for clarinet (or violin), cello and piano, and this version was published as his Op. 38 in 1805.
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, is a symphony written by Johannes Brahms. Brahms spent at least fourteen years completing this work, whose sketches date from 1854. Brahms himself declared that the symphony, from sketches to finishing touches, took 21 years, from 1855 to 1876. The premiere of this symphony, conducted by the composer's friend Felix Otto Dessoff, occurred on 4 November 1876, in Karlsruhe, then in the Grand Duchy of Baden.
The symphony is in four movements, marked as follows:
Un poco sostenuto — Allegro – Meno allegro (C minor, ending in C major)
Andante sostenuto (E major)
Un poco allegretto e grazioso (A? major)
Adagio — Più andante — Allegro non troppo, ma con brio – Più allegro (C minor – C major)
The symphony begins with a broad introduction wherein three key elements are heard simultaneously: the low drumming, the rising figure in the strings, and the falling figure in the winds. This introduction was constructed after the remainder of the piece had been scored. The Allegro section of the movement is a large orchestral sonata, wherein musical ideas are stated, developed, and restated with altered relationships among them.
"Hey, you got an hour? Look, I've been doing a ton of thinking about...us, and where we're headed. This isn't easy, but I need to be 100% honest with you, even if what I say makes you laugh, very, very hard.
You had better sit down for this...."
Australia's adopted son of comedy returns to WGAC with his brand new show 'We Need To Talk.'
⋆⋆⋆⋆ "A must see for anyone who loves a laugh..." Adelaide Now
⋆⋆⋆⋆ "On-point delivery and irresistible charm, it's clear to see why he continues to sell out" Herald Sun
Arj Barker started his career in comedy after graduating from high school in 1989. His first gigs were at an old café called Caffe Nuvo in downtown San Anselmo where he hosted stand-up night every Sunday throughout the early 1990s. Barker appeared on Premium Blend in 1997, followed by appearances on the shows Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Glass House. He twice hosted Comedy Central Presents, first in 2000 and again in 2006. Barker was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties. He appeared on the Australian hit show Thank God You're Here in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Barker co-wrote and performed in The Marijuana-Logues, an Off-Broadway show in New York City, with Doug Benson and Tony Camin.
Barker appeared in the HBO sitcom Flight of the Conchords, playing Bret and Jemaine's indifferent friend Dave.
Barker has enjoyed great success in Australia for a number of years since first appearing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2000, and presently resides here.
Always...Patsy Cline is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show is based on a true story about Cline’s endearing friendship with Houston fan Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961 and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death.
Complete with down home country humour, true emotion and even some audience participation, it includes 27 of Patsy’s unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Walking After Midnight.
Always...Patsy Cline has enjoyed great success all over the United States, including a successful run off-Broadway. It has been one of the most produced musicals in America according to American Theatre Magazine. Al-ways...Patsy Cline has also been enjoyed internationally by audiences in Canada, the UK and Australia. This new production directed by AFI award winning Denny Lawrence stars award winning Australian Country Music singing sensation Courtney Conway as Patsy Cline and popular stage star Mandi Lodge. Musical Director Ross Sermons who has performed with greats such Steve Winwood, features as guitarist and Melbourne drummer, Tommy Harrison, features on drums in the live on stage band, The Bodacious Bobcats.
Courtney Conway Her awards include Best New Talent at the 2011 VIC and National Country Music Awards, and Single of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year awards at the 2015 West Australian Country Music Awards. Her debut album made it into the top 10 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart.
Mandi Lodge A seasoned performer having played lead roles in major productions of Sweeney Todd and Educating Rita. She has worked with HIT Productions previously in Menopause The Musical and her acclaimed performance in HIT’s 2014-2015 tour of Peter Quilter’s one woman play Just The Ticket. Mandi will also be starring in HIT’s tour of Shirley Valentine in 2017.
Ross Sermons Has performed all over Australia and the USA, including at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville, working with greats such as Steve Winwood and Jimmy Buffett and Elvis Presley’s original guitarist Scotty Moore.
Following a highly successful 20 week tour in 2016 Always…Patsy Cline is back on the road in 2017 for a further extensive national tour.
BY POPULAR DEMAND ANH RETURNS WITH HIS SMASH HIT SHOW!!
Comedian Anh Do brings his best-selling memoir, The Happiest Refugee, to life in a ground-breaking stand-up show.
Performing at West Gippsland Arts Centre, for one night only in November, this moving, inspirational and unforgettable theatre experience combines humour, real life stories, photos and filmed pieces to retell Do’s amazing story.
Anh Do travelled to Australia in 1980 on an eight metre fishing boat with 47 other Vietnamese refugees. Sick with dehydration and one person already dead, the journey was the first of many struggles for a young Do, who overcame all manner of difficulties throughout his life to become a lawyer and, in 2008, Australia’s Comedian of the Year.
Today he is one of Australia’s most sought after stand-ups, as well as a talented writer, actor, producer and Star of the ABC1 TV’s ‘Anh’s Brush With Fame”.
The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir, charts his journey from starving refugee to one of Australia’s best-loved entertainers, and was described by Russell Crowe as “the most surprising and inspiring read I have had in years,”. It has been awarded Book of the Year with sales in excess of 400,000.
Do’s struggles as a young refugee – his difficulties with English, divorcing parents, being bullied and broke, are brought to life in this hilarious but moving new stage show, garnering this happy refugee standing ovations across the country.
A-List Entertainment presents Anh Do, The Happiest Refugee – Live!!
Australia’s favourite and most successful country group, The McClymonts are returning to the road after a year off and they’re ready to kick it up in style. Despite the break, Brooke, Sam & Mollie have been anything but quiet with their best-selling latest album ‘Endless’ debuting #1 Country & #3 ARIA all-genre album chart upon release and generating three smash hit singles - “House”, “Don’t Wish It All Away” and “Like We Used To”, after which the tour is named. On top of that, the girls took home three awards at the 2018Golden Guitar Awards including the coveted Album of the Year and Group of the Year at the CMC Awards.
Most importantly there have been major personal milestones including the birth of Sam’s first baby, Wilder, the upcoming birth of Mollie’s second child and Brooke released a duo album with her husband, Adam Eckersley.
The girls & their band are fired up and ready to go and with over 20 smash hit singles from their 5 much-loved albums, you are sure to be in for an unforgettable night. They’ll be performing hits like Forever Begins Tonight, Here’s To You & I, Wrapped Up Good and Kick It Up, all sung with their stunning harmonies and backed by their incredible band.
We’re so excited to head off around Australia to play the ‘Like We Used To’ tour together!” Mollie said. “It will be a high energy show packed with all of the favourites. It has been a while since we the road and can’t wait to see you all soon!”
