What's On - Events in the Theatre
Namatjira
By Scott Rankin
A Big hART production, created with the Namatjira Family
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Saturday 19 May
2.00pm & 7.00pm
Namatjira is another groundbreaking new Australian work by Scott Rankin (Box the Pony, Certified Male, Stickybricks) starring Trevor Jamieson and Derik Lynch. Following their national sell-out sensation Ngapartji Ngapartji, Big hART now brings us the deeply moving story of Albert Namatjira, a journey that is at turns deeply compelling and hilarious. The rich watercolours of Namatjira’s story are transformed into a momentous theatrical event, and have already brought audiences to their feet night after night at the Belvoir Street Theatre.
Utilising Jamieson's elegant physicality, and the music of internationally renowned Genevieve Lacey, this story captures the intense beauty, depth, opportunism, mateship and injustice that has shaped our country. Namatjira is more than a night at the theatre; this is an experience of art, live on stage. Before our eyes, the grandchildren of Albert Namatjira - third generation watercolour artists - assist with the re-telling of his life, filling the stage with a huge landscape drawing of their desert country.
Albert Namatjira's achingly beautiful watercolours introduced the lounge rooms of Australian suburbia to the exquisite beauty of our central desert heartland. In a similar way, this sweeping narrative acts as a window through which we can see ourselves, and our nation, as clearly as the landscapes he gave to us.
Adult: $35.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $30.00
Concession: $30.00
Student: $25.00
The Essential Neil Murray - On Tour
Presented by Island Home Music
Saturday 26 May, 8.00pm
‘Sing The Song: The Essential Neil Murray’
Neil Murray is back on the Stuart Highway in May and June heading north to the Territory for concerts in Alice Springs, Darwin and Katherine with "Sing The Song: The Essential Neil Murray", his latest 'Best Of' album in the back seat.
Jim Moginie, Neil's long time friend and founding member of Midnight Oil, will be sharing the driving to Alice Springs and the stage at the Araluen Art Centre.
As one of Australia’s most respected and influential singer songwriters, Neil continues to outlast most because of his unique ability to write heartfelt lyrics about Australia in a way few artists can.
He first emerged in the early 1980’s as a founding member of the groundbreaking Warumpi Band, who for over 20 years helped make contemporary indigenous music heard across mainstream Australia. 3 albums with the Warumpi Band plus 11 solo albums to date (including his latest ‘best of’ album ‘Sing the Song’) has allowed Neil to tour Australia and around the world to tell his tales.
He has written a series of classic songs including Blackfella Whitefella, Good Light In Broome, Long Grass Band, Over the Moon, Fitzroy Crossing, Burrumbeep Hill, Lights of Hay and the awe inspiring Native Born……...and along the way he also wrote My Island Home, an Australian anthem and APRA song of the year (as performed by Christine Anu).
His affinity for the land and respect for indigenous culture is to be admired.
Full: $40.00
Concession: $35.00
Child: $35.00
Araluen Member: $38.00
Syncopation
By Allan Knee
A Critical Stages & Follies Company Production
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Thursday 14 June
8.00pm
SYNCOPATION is a smash-hit fusion of comedy, drama, romance and ballroom dancing set in the exciting, electric rush of New York City in 1912.
Henry Ribolow is a Jewish meatpacker crazy with a dream of becoming a ballroom dancer, and desperate for a dance partner. Anna Bianchi, an Italian Catholic seamstress, is unsatisfied with her life until she spots a curious ad in the paper: “Give your life a lift. Wanted: A Dance Partner to dance for royalty.”
From the moment Anna summons up the courage to answer the ad, sparks fly. As Anna and Henry take their first steps together they embark on a journey that will transform their lives.
They dance, urged on by the jazzy rhythms and haunting melodies of Gershwin, Joplin and Berlin. The beautiful story of Henry and Anna takes flight, soaring in amazing ballroom routines choreographed by Dancing with the Stars choreographer/dancer Mark Hodge and under the direction of Broadway’s Tony Award-nominated Stephen Lloyd Helper.
CAST INCLUDES: Emma Palmer
DIRECTOR Stephen Lloyd Helper (Fiddler on the Roof, Smokey Joe’s Café)
CHOREOGRAPHER Mark Hodge (Dancing with the Stars, Moulin Rouge)
DESIGNER Adrienne Chisolm
SOUND DESIGNER Darrin Verhagen
Adult: $35.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $30.00
Concession: $30.00
Bell Shakespeare’s The School for Wives
By Moliere
Translated by Justin Fleming
Directed by Lee Lewis
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Falling in love is never easy. Take our hero for instance. Now here’s a guy who wants desperately to get married but is afraid that a smart woman will cheat on him. His ingenious solution? Enlist the help of a local convent to raise a girl so stupidly innocent that she won’t know the first thing about cheating - let alone the last. In his mind she will be ever-faithful. The perfect wife. Or is she?
Following on from her success with Twelfth Night, Lee Lewis directs this fresh new translation from Justin Fleming of Molière's comedic train-wreck of a love story that tangles innocence with arrogance – and the other way around.
Adult: $40.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $35.00
Concession: $35.00
Student: $25.00
Erth’s I, Bunyip
Created by Erth Visual & Physical Inc.
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Wednesday 25 July
1.00pm & 5.30pm
Do you know what a Bunyip is? What about a Yawk Yawk or the other fascinating creatures that live in Australia? Would you like to meet them?
If you were mesmerised by Erth’s dinosaurs from their Dinosaur Petting Zoo, you’ll love this new work filled with enchanting characters.
Developed in consultation with five different Aboriginal communities I,Bunyip portrays the mystical world of creatures from our Indigenous folklore.
Erth takes you on a journey through the mysterious heart of the Australian landscape with their unique life-like puppets and stunning visual effects. You will meet a host of charming creatures like Nyols, Yawk Yawks and Turongs. You will have the chance to experience freshwater mermaids and mischievous tree-dwelling creatures.
Well-known for their spectacular puppetry and performances, Erth’s dinosaurs and dragons have transfixed children across the globe. Don’t miss this rare chance to meet I,Bunyip’s spirit creatures and embrace the stories that have been told since time began.
“These stories are part of people’s lives, the fabric of their communities and identity. We are privileged to have learnt and been given permission to share these special stories”
Scott Wright, Artistic Director
Adults: $35.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $30.00
Concession: $30.00
Antony Peebles: In Recital
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Saturday 18 August
8.00pm
Antony Peebles has a very busy performing career, the main feature of which has been the remarkable amount of overseas touring. Mr Peebles solo recitals are now at an astonishingly, 131 different countries and climbing. The most recent additions to the list have been China, Taiwan, El Salvador, and Argentina.
Antony has played as a concert soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, the Halle, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the City of Birmingham Symphony and many other orchestras. He broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 3 and plays for music societies up and down the country.
Antony records for Meridian Records and has produced several CD's. He is quoted as having " a feeling for beauty of touch and tone equal to the best Schubert/Liszt masters".
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Antony Peebles in recital.
Adult: $25.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $20.00
Concession: $20.00
Student: $15.00
Finucane & Smith’s Caravan Burlesque
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Saturday 1 September
8.00pm
The globally acclaimed salon of seductive, subversive, and electrifying acts is HERE!
From multi-award winning Finucane & Smith, creators of global smash hit The Burlesque Hour, comes a travelling emporium that fuses Parisian nightclub with jaw-dropping cabaret and seductive spectacle, tipping a velvet wink to Australia’s wild past of touring vaudeville & variety. Step into this sumptuous salon and be swept away by intoxicating Ethiopian dance and razor sharp wit, sultry songs & underdressed sirens, whip-cracking dames, Bollywood lovegods, sizzling jazz moves, backroom ballet and gothic divas.
Packed to the rafters with international stars, with critics raving and 70,000 audience members worldwide in raptures, Finucane & Smith’s road-train of the risqué will sashay into town bringing a night to rival the Nullarbor: hot hot hot and full of stars!
So grab your friends, dress to the nines, and swing on board The Caravan. We guarantee you won’t want it to leave…
Adult: $40.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $35.00
Concession: $35.00
Student: $25.00
Boy Girl Wall
A Production by The Escapists
In association with Critical Stages
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Wednesday 12 September
8.00pm
This is the story of Thom and Alethea. Two neighbours in an apartment block, trying desperately to keep their lives from falling apart. But the wall that stands between them has decided they belong together.
Following sell-out seasons across Australia, this hilarious smash-hit production by The Escapists is a stunning celebration of theatricality, imagination and the joy of play.
Using chalk, sock puppets, an overhead projector and over two-dozen characters, Lucas Stibbard’s captivating tour de force performance will inspire and delight with live music by Neridah Waters in a tall tale of whimsy and architectural enlightenment.
NOMINATED – 2011 Helpmann Award – Best Actor
WINNER – 2010 Matilda Award – Best Independent Production
SCRIPT Matthew Ryan & Lucas Stibbard
REALISERS Matthew Ryan, Lucas Stibbard, Neridah Waters & Sarah Winter
LIGHTING DESIGNER Keith Clark
SOUND DESIGNER Neridah Waters
WITH Lucas Stibbard
REDESIGN Jonathon Oxlade
MUSIC PERFORMED BY Neridah Waters
Contains strong coarse language and adult themes. Suitable for audiences over 15 years.
Adult: $30.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $25.00
Concession: $25.00
Chasing the Lollyman
By Debase Productions
Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre
Friday 12 October
7.30pm
"As original as it is Aboriginal" - Time Off
Chasing the Lollyman is a one man show devised and performed by one of Queensland’s most dynamic and funny Indigenous performers, Mark Sheppard. It is a joyous sharing of stories, a celebration of urban Indigenous identity and takes a satirical look at the media and popular culture. Playing a variety of characters, weaving stand up with storytelling and clown, Mark pokes fun at everything from Neighbours (what would it be like if a Murri family moved into Ramsey Street) to politics.
Performer/Writer - Mark Sheppard
Co-devisor/Original Director - Liz Skitch
Director - Robert Kronk
Designer - Josh McIntosh
Adult: $20.00
Friends of the Araluen Arts Centre: $18.00
Concession: $18.00
Student: $15.00