A first date which includes puppets, sourdough starter, music and plenty of new discoveries
This show is for LGBTIQIAP+ Brotherboy and Sistergirl communities and allies, it’s for young people, it’s for people who want to see authentic relationships on stage, people who want a light-hearted night and people who feel like they haven’t got everything figured out just yet. If you’re a lover of silliness and a bit of awkward sexiness, this is the show for you!
Stories of trepidation, trouble, and triumph of women in the tent cities of the 18th century goldfields
Golden Dreams sends audiences back to 1853 Melbourne to witness the stories of trepidation, trouble, and triumph that the women who braved the tent cities and goldfields faced. A fictional story based on true events, and rumours, Golden Dreams allows audiences to experience life through a lens that is often overlooked. This performance combines traditional theatrical conventions with dream sequences and physical theatre to explore the characters innermost fears and desires.
'If you love taking the mickey out of pompous buffoons, you will love this show.' - Natalie Bochenski on 'The Great Grandiosa'
The Great Grandiosa is a comedy spoof on the larger-than-life world of psychics, mystics, and other grifters. The Great Grandiosa believes she can offer spiritual succour, fortune telling and wisdom from the Other Worlds. Mostly she’s just got a lot of BS, some blindly devoted Acolytes and her catchphrase, “Success!”.
Strangeness, dislocation, complexity, displacement, belonging - real and imaginary stories of arrival and departure
Inspired by the stories of local migrants, EXODUS is a collectively-devised contemporary physical theatre performance that focuses on real and metaphorical migrations and raises the questions: what unites people who decide to leave their native land?
Authentic, improvised storytelling of the relationships, drama and struggles of high school students
The show takes place in the library of an actual school in Brisbane. The fact that the show is set in a school as well as being physically performed at a school allows the audience (and the performers) to immerse themselves in the stories of the characters and feel as if they are actually experiencing real life school drama unfold.
Sludge Bank | Chance Collective
It’s favourite kind of critique of the neo-corporate capitalist system. One that gives you a reminder to keep an eye on your consumer spending power and keep your ego in check, cause yes, if you are not part of the solution, you are most definitely part of the problem. Yes it’s kind of like your eccentric aunt is scolding you but with added songs and belly laughs and stupid jokes and weird puppets and strange voiceovers and homemade props and hilarious antics and cool hair. Ah art, it’s the best way to grow as a person.
Five Female Directors in Meanjin to Look Out For
One of my hobbies (and my jobs) is consuming theatre and I must say that I consume a lot of it. A lot of the theatre that I’ve consumed have been directed by some incredible women who have bedazzled me by the way they make, shape and form stories and worlds on stage. Here’s a few of them that you should keep your eyes peeled out for.
"One person’s loneliness is symptomatic of everyone’s problem." - Christopher Bryant on award-winning show, 'Intoxication'
Intoxication is a post-dramatic patchwork about queer millennial anxiety exploring how the intense fear of being alone rules modern society, and how one person’s loneliness is symptomatic of everyone’s problem.
'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' - a live art performance of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian responses) experiences
'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' is a one-hour immersive, interactive, and live art performance of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian responses) experiences. With body painting, letter writing, hair brushing, as well as interaction with textures, foods, and scents, and ending with guided meditation, the show is an extension of a previous show with Vulcana Circus and Ruckus Brisbane. Inspired by artists Carolee Schneeman and Marina Abramovic, 'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' aims to break down barriers between our mental and physical selves, and allow us to reconnect with others through immersion and touch.
"This is no 'Hallmark' magic show. This is a frank, raw portrayal of my life with Autism."
Autis-tricks is a magic show that uses the medium of magic tricks to talk about autism and my life experience. It's far more autobiographical than any previous show and a lot of the tricks have been custom created just for the show. Of course my style is often very snarky and satirical so it was important to not turn this into something soppy or cheesy. This is no "Hallmark" magic show. This is a frank, raw portrayal of my life with Autism. Although like in all magic shows I will lie to you; this show will be my truth.
"I write for emotional release, and to unlock wisdom that lies hidden under pain" - Menaka Thomas from 'On The Horizon'
The show feature original songs from Indian Fusion singer, Menaka Thomas. Menaka’s emotions are exemplified by the artistic expressions of Bindu Rajendren, an exquisite Indian Classical dancer. The crescendo of their combined energy is made even more palpable by the musical support of well-loved Brisbane musicians, Tsoof Baras (percussion), Meg Burstow (piano) and Evan Osborne (bass).
"I have been told that my voice changes lives" - Louise Winton sings for Anywhere Festival
“I was born to sing. I have been told that my voice changes lives. I refused to listen to those who said I couldn't make a career from singing. I have so much passion and emotion when I sing that I my audience loses themselves.”
Yes, we are talking about BDSM. But this is so much more than a kink story
If you’re a fan of the original novel by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, enjoyed 50 Shades of Grey, looking for some female empowerment or an entertaining piece of theatre that explores and pushes the taboo of many social issues, then Venus in Fur will appeal to you. But it is a show that you have to be over 21 to see.
Our host Natrasha Binit loves all kinds of trash…even you
Join Natrasha Binit and their riff riff group of circus artists and other waste material doe and evening of Absolute Trash. Absolute Trash is a circus cabaret show featuring aerialists, hand-balancing, contortion, foolery, and plenty of audience interaction, themed around waste. Absolute Trash is a joyous night out, with talented performers and opportunity for audience participation.
A powerhouse Australian ensemble cast bring to life six generations of the Gould family
This will be an absolute treat for anyone who loves theatre, who craves transformation. This is the first iteration of the play, a world first, with a professional cast performing in the most intimate possible setting.
Sandra will neither confirm or deny that she is, in fact, Willie Nelson’s love child
Sandra will neither confirm or deny that she is, in fact, Willie Nelson’s love child, born of a steamy night of passion in the back of the tour bus when it visited Brisbane back in the 70s……. the plaits and bandanna are usually a dead give away though.
"I love to inhabit my characters" - Jo Willans from 'Eve's Game'
“I love to inhabit my characters, dressing up, writing correspondence in their voice, reading what they might have read. It’s exciting and transformative. I found that I’m grateful to all of these women – the lady teachers, early suffragettes and advocates for workers’ rights. They’re the mothers of feminism.”
Anywhere Festival bringing the art to the people where they live, work and play
Anywhere Festival is a much loved Brisbane institution, which sees artists from all genres and calibres make art literally anywhere but a theatre. This year is their biggest yet, with performances spreading out across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Ipswich. You can find an original performance in a forest in Maleny, to a nursery in West End, a jetty in Caboolture and a dog park in Noosa, a cross-fit gym in Ipswich, to a waste water treatment plant on the Gold Coast…
The Realistic Joneses | Ad Astra
The Joneses truly are realistic and aren’t afraid to speak their minds about subjects that society deems taboo or overshare intimate details. The tension this creates makes us laugh, but it also makes us reflect on what society governs as a respectable conversation and whether we should repress or embrace our awkward reactions.
Dance festivals in Australia are rare. Contemporary dance festivals are even rarer.
“From the moment a person sees an ad for Supercell through to when they’re travelling home is all a curated experience. It’s not just the performance, but what happens before and after, the food and beverage, who greets them at the door, how they find their way in, their safety, how they’re welcomed.”