Annual Diaries |Annual Listings 1997 to Current Year |
Backstage Hope Theatre, Building 40, University of Wollongong The Faculty of Creative Arts (3rd year) Director: ( Tim Maddock, Assistant Director -Mark Rogers )
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By Kahlil Ashanti IPAC Merrigong Theatre Co. Director: ( Kahlil Ashanti )
After conquering the Edinburgh, Montreal, Vancouver and Melbourne Fringe Festivals with sold out seasons, Kahlil Ashanti kick-starts his Australian tour right here in Wollongong! Ashanti’s acclaimed autobiographical one-man show, Basic Training, chronicles his time in the U.S. Air Force’s crack entertainment troupe, where he learned to serve his country using his talents as a stand-up comedian and breakdancer! The day before Ashanti leaves for boot camp his mother reveals a shocking family secret that forces Kahlil to question his reasons for leaving. Mayhem ensues as Ashanti’s adventures put him in several life-affirming and life-threatening situations all narrated by 23 of the most hilarious, larger-than-life characters imaginable. Along the way, Ashanti comes of age, discovers his roots, and learns what the real “Basic Training” of life is all about.
Cast: Kahlil Ashanti Technical:
By Geoffrey Sykes Intimate Bush Chapel, 94 Parkes Street, Helensburgh Playscript Director: ( The ensemble )
Years after a major bushfire, three characters face change and the future. A play for our time, and a changing world, inspired by the Illawarra fires of 2001.
Cast: Tim Allen, Karen Cobban, Susan Kennedy Technical:
By Alan Ayckbourn C.W.A. Hall Stanwell Park Stanwell Park Arts Theatre Director: ( Jennifer Woolsey )
Season’s Greetings is a black, though often farcical, comedy about a dysfunctional family Christmas, set over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in an average English suburban house. Themes running through the play include the loss of passion in marriage, and the tragedy inherent in the achievement of only mediocrity in life. Join us with a complimentary glass of gluevine before each show. The show is rated PG.
Cast: Ken Edwards, Cameron Campbell, Andrew Bridgford, Rod Plant, Matt Dickson, Bernadette Le Mesurier, Lindy Sharp, Rebecca Barrow, Penelope Wood Technical:
IPAC Merrigong Add-On Director: ( )
You know it, you love it! The annual Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow returns with a new line up of Australian and overseas acts sure to amaze and delight! The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the top comedy festivals in the world and the Roadshow is a fantastic chance to sample the best of the Fest! This event is always popular, so book your tickets early to ensure a seat. . WARNING: may contain strong language and adult themes.
Cast: As of 23/3/09 - Axis of Awesome, Denise Scott, Dave Thornton and Justin Hamilton are confirmed. Technical:
By Sue Townsend Harbour Theatre Roo Theatre's Youth Performance Group Director: ( Juliet Scrine )
Adapted by the original author Sue Townsend, this comic play covers the first of the Adrian Mole diaries in which the Midlands adolescent and undiscovered poet and intellectual tries to deal with his parents' crumbling marriage, his spots, his school, his unrequited love for Pandora and the erratic behaviour of his dog. Technical:
By William Shakespeare IPAC Merrigong Theatre Co. Director: ( Marion Potts )
The ever popular Bell Shakespeare returns with the Bard’s famous romantic comedy The Taming Of The Shrew. A classic battle of the sexes, this production has one serious twist, bringing a whole new spin to this tale of sexual politics. Meet Lucentio and Petruchio, two men on a search for love. Lucentio fixes his gaze on the sweet and gentle Bianca while Petruchio hears of Bianca’s wanton and wild sister, Kate, and vows to tame her and teach her to be an agreeable wife. All will be married; all will be well... Or so it would seem. During Shakespeare’s time, male actors played all the roles in his plays regardless of gender. Now award-winning director Marion Potts turns the tables with an all-female cast. There have been many contemporary re-tellings of The Taming Of The Shrew (including Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You) but this new production transcends expectation, taking the politics of marriage to ludicrous new heights. Vibrant, energetic and packed with female punch, this is the perfect night out for anyone who has ever fallen in love and managed to survive it. Meet the Artists: Fri 26 Jun 8pm. Captioned Performance: Sat 27 Jun 2pm. Prices: Adult: $54; Adult Early Week Special: $49 Conc/Group(10+): $45; Conc/Group Early Week Special $40 Student Rush: $19
Cast: including: Jeanette Cronin, Lotte St Clair Technical: Set & Costume Designer - Anna Tregloan, Lighting Designer - Paul Jackson, Sound Designer - Max Lyandvert
By The Heather Brothers The Arcadians' Miners Lamp Theatre Arcadians Theatre Group Director: Jennifer Bond, Musical Director - Adam Vujic, Choreograper - Pauline Young, Producer - Linda Corrin
It's Saturday night at the provincial "Club A-Go-Go" and 6 the blokes and birds are on the pull. Seven teenagers dance, eye each other and flirt on a Saturday night at popular Club A-Go-Go in a town in the British provinces. Sue is attracted to Gary, but he flirts with Penny and the other girls. Sharon and Rick like each other but are too shy to tell each other. Eddie is interested in the aloof Bridget. The owner of the club, aging rocker Eric "Rubber-legs" De Vene, watches and lends an ear to the young people as they navigate the rituals of teenage fashion, music, sexual mores and relationships. Re-live the 60s in this dynamic mix of wit, wisdom and thirty original songs with melodies and styles borrowed from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cliff and the Shadows, The Animals and Bob Dylan via Sonny and Cher.
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Cast: NIck Higgins, Danny Priestly, Michael Bond, Tyson Armstrong, Devon Plumley, Hanna Gleeson-Jacques, Juliet McGowan, Kate Black Technical: S.M. - Linda Corrin, Set Design - Danny Priestly, Costume Design - Christine Corrin, Lighting Design - Chae Rogan, Sound Design - Lachlan O'Dea - Index By Samuel Beckett Wollongong Workshop Theatre Wollongong Workshop Theatre Director: ( Ivan J Sumelj )
Hamm, an aged master who is blind and not able to stand up, and his servant Clov, who cannot sit down. They exist in a tiny house by the sea, although the dialogue suggests that there is nothing left outside—no sea, no sun, no clouds. The two characters, mutually dependent, have been fighting for years and continue to do so as the play progresses. Clov always wants to leave but never seems to be able. Also present are Hamm's legless parents Nagg and Nell, who live in rubbish bins upstage and initially request food or argue inanely. (From Wikipedia)
Cast: Bruce Polonius, Karen Burdett, Lajos Hamer & Michael Connor Technical:
Rehearsal Photos IPAC Merrigong Kids Director: ( )
Patch Theatre Company Henry Horatio Richard O’Dockerty wants to be the world’s fastest boy – hop on and take a wild ride into fantasy to see if he achieves his dream! Featuring a 4 piece pop/rock band, this funny, engaging show from Patch Theatre Company, one of Australia’s premier childrens’ theatre companies, will appeal to kids of all ages, but especially those aged 4 - 8. Technical:
By Alain Boubil & Claude-Michel Schonberg based on the book by Victor Hugo Illawarra Grammar Centre off Powell street, West Wollongong The Illawarra Grammar School Director: ( Helen McLean, Conductor - Jacqui Hitchcock, Vocal Directors - Jo Sheather and Carolyn Brown. )
This is a full theatrical production which maintains all of the story telling elements of the original but streamlines the running time with some edits within individual songs. Some of the music has also been transposed to suit the voices of young performers.
Technical:
City Diggers Club - Burelli Street Wollongong Illawarra Community Theatre Production Director: ( Luke Berman (Producer), Ian McColm (Creative Direction), Kim Hernandez (Timekeeper), Peter Bloem (Technical Director) )
An Illawarra Community Theatre Production with Wollongong Workshop Theatre | Arcadians Theatre Group | Roo Theatre | Stanwell Park Arts Theatre | Wollongong University Creative Arts Gold Class $40 Illawarra's premier improvisation challenge returns bigger and better in 2009, with local theatre companies Roo Theatre; Stanwell Park Arts Theatre, University Creative Arts and Workshop Theatre battling to take the trophy off 2007 & 2008 winners Arcadians. Inspired by the television hit 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' each theatre company will be represented by actors who must impress local judges - Olav Lehmann, Kevin James, and Des Mangan - to take the Golden Gong trophy and claim local bragging rights! Playmates is the first production of its kind in the Illawarra with five key theatre communities banding together for a unified production and celebrate the diversity and calibre of arts in the region. Companies represent regions from Stanwell Park to Kiama. Proceeds going to Altogether Drama - a local theatre group for people with disabilities. Reserve your seat now as seats are expecting to sell quickly. A Wollongong Workshop Theatre initiative.
Technical:
By Rick Abbot Wollondilly Shire Hall Picton Theatre Group Director: ( Paul Channell, )
When a theatre group is offered a royalty-free play "Murder Most Foul" from new playwright Phyllis Montague, the group welcome the chance to put the theatre back into the black for the first time in years. The group tries desperately to put on the play, amid all kinds of maddening interference from its authoress, who keeps revising the script until almost opening night. During the actual performance anything that can go wrong does. . Group bookings of 20 or more will receive one free ticket. Technical:
IPAC Merrigong Mix Director: ( )
Get ready for RUFF! 09. Launched last year, RUFF! is an initiative of Merrigong’s Theatre Development Program and showcases new works currently in development. On consecutive Saturday nights, see rehearsed readings (one each night) and afterwards stay and tell us what you thought in an informal feedback session with the artists. Warning: may contain strong language and adult themes.
Technical:
By Conceived by : Les 7 Doigts de la Main IPAC Merrigong Theatre Co. Director: ( & Choreographers: Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider )
Montreal’s Les 7 Doigts de la Main (The Seven Fingers) have taken the world by storm with their eccentric, intelligent, breath-taking contemporary circus-theatre. With deft humour these laid-back young circus artists somersault, contort, balance and catapult effortlessly around an urban backyard, then, with a touching and straightforward honesty, speak revealingly about their lives and relationships, exploring notions of memory and survival. Live drawings form a spontaneous animated backdrop, a ‘homemade’ grand piano is played by every character and skateboarding morphs into Hollywood musical. This magical, awe-inspiring work has played to huge acclaim across the globe. From the Edinburgh Festival to a sell-out London season, its wistful message touches all. Life passes, it suggests, and we will disappear without a trace, but while we are here we might as well fly and attempt the impossible!
Cast: Antoine Carabinier -Lépine, Antoine Auger , Geneviève Morin, Jonathan Casaubon, Philip Rosenberg Technical: Coaching and acrobatic research : Sébastie n Soldevila
IPAC Merrigong Kids Director: ( )
Henry Horatio Richard O’Dockerty wants to be the world’s fastest boy – hop on and take a wild ride into fantasy to see if he achieves his dream! Featuring a 4 piece pop/rock band, this funny, engaging show from Patch Theatre Company, one of Australia’s premier childrens’ theatre companies, will appeal to kids of all ages, but especially those aged 4 - 8. Technical:
IPAC Merrigong Moves Director: ( Artistic Director : Stephen Page )
In 2009, Bangarra celebrates 20 years of bringing unique and exciting dance to Australia and the world. Fire is a retrospective, showcasing the most memorable pieces of the company’s repertoire over these years. Don’t miss this once-only chance to experience a kaleidoscope of works that takes you on a 20 year journey that encapsulates 40,000 years of indigenous culture and traces Bangarra’s evolution from modest beginnings to the most renowned stages of the world. Technical:
By Music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and book and lyrics by Greg Kotis Harbour Theatre Roo Theatre Co. Director: ( Adam Fisher )
An award-winning satirical comedy musical that pokes fun at capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and petty small town politics, as well as advocating environmentalism. Urinetown rejects musical theatre convention, parodying successful Broadway shows such as Les Misérables, Evita, Annie, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and even satirizes its own significance. Technical:
By Adaptation by Deb Mulhall Wollongong Workshop Theatre Wollongong Workshop Theatre Director: ( Deb Mulhall )
This fresh new play "Pygmalion Now" transports "Lizzie" (Eliza Doolittle) from Victorian era London to modern day Sydney with a hint of "laddette to lady". This innovative production keeps true to the essence of "Pygmalion", while mirroring its modern day appeal here on the shores of Australia.
Technical:
By Based on a Novel by Ingvar Ambjørnsen, Stage adaptation: Axel Helstenius and Petter Naess. Translated by Nicholas Norris IPAC Merrigong Theatre Co. Director: ( Pamela Rabe )
An Odd Couple for the Twenty-First Century, Elling is the hilarious West End comedy that started life as an Oscar nominated cult Norwegian film. And now Sydney Theatre Company brings us the Australian premiere production of this touching, charming play that will put a permanent smile on your face. After two years in a mental institution, Elling and Kjell are allowed out, back into society. It’s not that they’re dangerous, they’re just a little… well… hopeless. Elling is too smart. Too sensitive. Too… Elling! And Kjell? Well, Kjell has a plan, a dream, a great ambition. He wants to lose his virginity. Preferably today! Even the hardest heart will be touched by Elling and Kjell’s plight and the joy with which they discover the richness of life in the ‘real’ world. A brilliant cast, led by the irrepressible Darren Gilshenan, brings to life this funny, heart-warming celebration of the simple things in life: freedom and fellowship.
Cast: Includes Darren Gilshenan, Frank Whitten, Lachy Hulme Technical:
By Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by P G Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse The Arcadians' Miners Lamp Theatre Arcadians Theatre Group Director: ( Macolm White )
Book your passage on the S.S.America - departing New York for England Cole Porter's glorious songs are the highlight of Anything Goes. The show as it is now presented on stage is the 1962 adaptation that enjoyed a long and successful run in New York. The score features such rich Porter numbers as It's Delovely, Friendship, I Get A Kick Out Of You, Anything Goes, Let's Misbehave, Blow Gabriel Blow, All Through The Night and Take Me Back To Manhattan. Technical:
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