Main Season
Away
Doubt
It's a Dad Thing!
Mr Bailey's Minder
Page 8
The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead
The Merchant of Venice
The Wharf Revue: Stuff All Happens
Virtually Richard3

Bonus Shows
Carmen
Hitler's Daughter
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
Pinocchio - The Greatest Little Show on Earth!
Rod Quantock - The Annual Report

Sydney Theatre Company

 Stuff happens. So said Donald Rumsfeld when Baghdad was looted after the invasion in April 2003.

But what about in 2006, when petrol prices are heading further north and you can be arrested for wearing the wrong kind of hat?

Stuff all happens!

Newsflash: The Wharf Revue team has been arrested without charge. In their one permitted phone call, they ordered a family-sized Supreme and garlic bread. Government sources leaked a document purporting to be a ‘sketch’ containing material deemed not to be in the interests of national security. Now all will be revealed – live on stage!

Now in its seventh, hilarious year, The Wharf Revue is Sydney Theatre Company’s regular satirical skewering of politics and current affairs. On the road for the first time, the outrageously talented revue team bring us a mix of spanking new material and the very best moments from previous years. You’ll laugh till it hurts.

Cast: Includes: Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe, Genevieve Lemon and Phillip Scott.

Technical:

TML Enterprises

A smash hit parental comedy! See what happens when five dads come together to build a playground for a local school fete. The result is a fast-paced series of vignettes exploring parenthood - strictly from a male perspective! The show’s hilarious sketches, monologues and songs cover everything from pre-natal classes (where even the men practise pelvic floor exercises!) and the actual births (six hours of Enya tapes – the horror!) to introducing the kids to sharp knives, alcohol and pizza (someone has to!). From the director of Mum’s The Word comes this roller coaster ride of laughter, tears and songs (mainly laughter). This show is chaotic, fun, shocking and truthful - pretty much like parenthood itself, except it runs for 2 hours and has an interval! Comedy

Technical:

Griffin Theatre Company in association with Riverina Theatre Company

A brilliant, alcoholic artist; a determined carer, straight out of prison; a resentful daughter; and a too-trusting handyman - welcome to the world of Mr Bailey’s Minder. This highly-acclaimed Australian play is filled with sparklingly witty dialogue and tinged with a tear or two.

Leo Bailey is Australia’s greatest living artist. He lives in a fabulous hovel over-looking Sydney Harbour, his brain burned out by booze. He’s mean and more than a handful for the succession of minders that have tried and failed. Along comes Therese - down to her last job and hell-bent on making a go of it.

Cast: includes: Kate Mulvany, Andy Rodoreda.

Technical: Set and Costume Design: Jo Briscoe; Lighting Design: Stephen Hawker; Music & Sound Design: Basil Hogios

Company B

Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Page 8 is a wonderfully exuberant and moving self-portrait.

In 2004, David Page collaborated with playwright Louis Nowra and his little brother, Stephen Page (artistic director, Bangarra Dance Theatre), to bring his incredible life to the stage.

Page 8 is the story of how, as the eighth child of twelve living in a Brisbane housing commission estate, David became Australia’s answer to Michael Jackson. Little Davy Page was an all-singing, all-dancing sensation. At a tender age he appeared on Countdown and had Top Ten hits. But when his voice broke, his singing career ended and he began a search for identity and purpose that would finally lead him to an award-winning careers as a composer.

This glorious mixture of story-telling, music, home movies and drag will make you want to stand up and cheer at its sheer warmth and humanity.

Cast: David Page

Technical: Set Design by: Robert Cousins; Costume Design by: Jodie Fried; Lighting Design by: Mark Howett; Sound Design by: Steve Francis.

Sydney Theatre Company

‘In the pursuit of wrongdoing, one steps away from God. Of course, there’s a price.’ Sister Aloysius, Act Two

Taut, spellbinding, and compelling in its relevance, Doubt is the most acclaimed play on Broadway in a decade. It is a gripping, entertaining and sophisticated deliberation on blind faith – and moral certainty.

It is 1964. Sister Aloysius oversees a Roman Catholic school, with an eye to her pupils’ souls as much as their books. With a reputation for tenacity and flinty resolve, she inhabits a world of black-and-white, truth and lies. So when she begins to harbour doubts about the parish priest Father Flynn – and his closeness to altar boys – she pursues her quarry with determination and steely-eyed certainty. The misgivings of colleagues, the protestations of parents and the confident denials of the priest himself have no effect.

Australia’s leading theatre company brings us the Australian premiere production of this extraordinary Broadway smash-hit.

Winner 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Winner of Four 2005 Tony Awards (including Best Play)

Cast: Includes: Alison Bell, Jennifer Flowers and Christopher Gabardi.

Technical: Design by: Stephen Curtis; Composer: Max Lyandvert.

Queensland Theatre Company & Griffin Theatre Company

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Away, acclaimed playwright and director Michael Gow directs a magical new production of his iconic work.

Christmas 1967. Following an end-of-year school performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream three families depart for their beach holidays, their apparent seasonal cheer masking deeper concerns. Immigrants Harry and Vic are faced with their son Tom’s terminal illness. Jim and Gwen fret over their daughter Meg’s blossoming independence and her friendship with the socially unsuitable Tom. Roy is unable to console a grief stricken Coral over the death of their only son in Vietnam. But with the intervention of some Shakespearean fairies and a spectacular storm, these families are reconciled and face the future anew.

Now considered a modern Australian classic, Away premiered in 1986 to immediate acclaim. Audiences around the country continue to be enthralled by this multi-award-winning play about the coming of age of the country we live in.

Cast: includes: Barbara Lowing, Sue Dwyer, Leon Cain, Joss McWilliam, Daniel Murphy, Francesca Savige and Richard Sydenham.

Technical: Design by: Robert Kemp; Lighting Design by: Damien Cooper; Composer/Sound Design by: Brett Collery.

Expressions Dance Company

Virtually Richard3 is a treat for those who like their dance theatre fast and physical! The excitement and raw energy of the dance will have you gripping the sides of your seat.

A classic example of an attractive wicked rogue, Richard has no need of love or pity – he is completely self-centred and cares for no one. He lusts after danger, excitement and personal power. Cruel and deceitful, he chooses to be a villain and revels in his choice.

Expressions Dance Company is acclaimed for its compelling brand of dance theatre and Virtually Richard3 is high-octane dance at its best. Virtually Richard3 is inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most powerful works, Richard III.

Technical: Soundtrack Devised by: Abel Valls; Set Design and Video Montage by: Nahum Szumer; Costume Design by: Greg Clarke; Original Lighting Design by: Mark Truebridge.

Bell Shakespeare Company

The Merchant Of Venice is filled with a cavalcade of extraordinary characters who compete for the audience’s attention, each more eccentric than the last.

Be wooed by a handsome young man in search of a wealthy wife; bemused by a melancholy rich merchant in love with the young man; intrigued by three women who dress as men; entertained by a mischievous clown; enthralled by an exotic Moroccan; challenged by an absurd Spaniard; and, to top it all off, be tricked by the best-known character of all, the villain Shylock.

This timeless and entertaining tale combines fairytale romance with the age-old issues of justice and mercy, racism and tolerance - problems of our own times.

Technical:

A D’Arrietta Production

One of Australia’s (and more importantly Wollongong’s) best-loved actors, Jacki Weaver returns to the IPAC stage to perform one of her most demanding and endearing roles.

In a suburban shopping complex, a crime has been committed. But who is responsible? The blonde, the brunette, or the vengeful redhead? Seven wonderfully touching and vibrant characters take the audience on a subtle, moving, and at times hilarious journey down the road of understanding and forgiveness to a place where spirits are lifted.

This is a chance to see a legend of Australian theatre in a one-woman tour de force. Don’t miss it.

Cast: Jacki Weaver

Technical: Set Design by: Larry Eastwood; Lighting Design by: Peter Neufeld.

Monkey Baa Productions in association with Glen Street Theatre

Did Hitler’s daughter really exist?

Jackie French’s original book was recognised as one of those rare reads that captivates both the young and the not-so-young reader.

Hitler’s Daughter deals with important moral issues, posing powerful questions about society’s fears and prejudices in a fresh, compelling and entertaining way.

Ideal for children from 10 years and adults.

Schools’ performances, General Public welcome.

Technical: Design by: Imogen Ross; Lighting Design by: Luiz Pampolha; Sound Design by: Jeremy Silver

Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The ‘Gong will again rock to the rib-tickling, side-splitting laughter that only the Comedy Festival Roadshow can guarantee. Featuring a roll call of the most fabulously funny home-grown and overseas comedians from the 2006 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, this show delivers an unpredictable, original and outrageous night out to comedy fans. Whether you’re yet to be introduced to this annual comedy treat or you’re a Roadshow veteran, you’d better book your ticket now – last year it sold out! This show may contain coarse language, sexual references and material which can offend. It is not recommended for children under the age of 15.

Technical:

A Garry Ginivan Attraction

A school holiday treat not to be missed! The classic tale of the puppet who wanted to be a ‘real boy’ comes to life in this wonderful, high-energy rollicking musical, guaranteed to appeal to the entire family.

Based on the Carlo Collodi masterpiece, featuring the well loved characters of Pinocchio, Geppetto, The Cricket, Garibaldi – The Greatest Marionette Manipulator and more, this production comes from the team that brought to the stage such classic children’s stories as Puff, the Magic Dragon and Possum Magic.

Technical:

OzOpera
An explosive mix of love, jealousy and revenge – Bizet’s Carmen is one of the world’s best-loved operas. It tells a story of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Carmen is the ultimate lover. Passionate, determined, strong willed and resourceful, she provides the perfect foil to the weak-minded, spineless Don José. This sizzling production of Carmen, performed by Opera Australia’s renowned touring company OzOpera, is brought to life by the same team that had Wollongong audiences laughing, crying and cheering in 2003 with La bohème. Sung in English.

Technical: Design by: Stephen Curtis; Lighting Design by: Gavan Swift;

Filled with hilarious but true updates on the current news and views from around the nation and the globe, The Annual Report is brought to you by one of Australia’s comedy forefathers. Rod Quantock’s uniquely wise yet wonderfully ridiculous brand of stand-up has his audience in hysterics one moment and pondering the way of the world the next.

After more than thirty years experience working in cabaret, theatre, television and radio Rod reckons that he’s ‘still doing well..... for an old boy!’

Technical: