new theatre, Sydney 2008 Program

"New Theatre's ability to showcase as well as nurture both mainstream and fringe elements of theatre is a rare gift to be treasured by the Australian arts community." Drew Sheldrick, Inner West Courier

2008 Program

Looking for a present with a difference?
Why not give a New Theatre Gift Voucher?
For more information please contact Administration 9519 3403

Patron: Tom Uren AO

Media enquiries

Email: newtheatre@bigpond.com
Telephone: 9519 3403.
NEWS FEED

The New Years: 1932 -

The Plays, People and Events of 75 Years of Sydney's New Theatre

'The New has reflected the concerns of ordinary Australians for 75 years and the list of plays produced by New Theatre stands as a history of Australia's concerns. For the list alone, the book is invaluable.' - Aubrey Mellor, Director of NIDA

A concise 75 year history of New Theatre, including a full list of every production since 1932.

Only $22 at Bar or (+ $2 postage and handling for Orders over the phone on 9519 3403 or email newtheatre@bigpond.com)

Tickets & Booking

Mainstage Productions: Phone: 1300 306 776 or mca-tix ( credit cards only)

Kids' Club and Readings: 9519 3403

Tickets can be purchased at the New Theatre Box Office from one hour before the scheduled starting time. Box Office sales are cash only. New Theatre cannot guarantee that there will be tickets available for every performance.

New Theatre reserves the right to sell any unpaid-for tickets not collected 20 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time.

New Theatre offers concession tickets to most productions for the following: unwaged, pensioners, school students under 18 and full-time tertiary students, students at accredited drama schools, MEAA, AWG, NEPA. Current id required.

Submission of Scripts

The new theatre welcomes the submission of new scripts.

Please address them to the administrator and include a stamped reply envelope (if the script is to be returned).

Scripts are assessed by the playreaders and artistic director against the Theatre's criteria.

If a script is considered to have merit, but the new theatre is unable to stage it, other suitable venues may be recommended

Administration

Post: new theatre (Sydney) 542 King St Newtown NSW 2042
E-mail: newtheatre@bigpond.com
Phone: (+612) 9519 3403
Fax: (+612) 9519 8960

Getting to the new theatre

542 King St, Newtown, NSW, Australia.
midway between Newtown & St Peters Railway Stations
bus 422 from Railway Square Sydney
bus 370 from Coogee or Leichhardt
The new theatre is a member of the Newtown Entertainment Precinct Association.

Supporters and Donations

new theatre thanks

SUMMER HILL WINE SHOP

PASTIZZI CAFE, NEWTOWN

Teachers in the Loop
for their generous support.

new theatre is able to receive donations through a listing on the Register of Companies under section 78(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act of 1936.

Donations of $2.00 or more are eligible tax deductions.
Donations should be made payable to "New Theatre Properties Ltd".
Post to The Administrator, new theatre 542 King St, Newtown NSW 2042.
Include name and address for receipt.
Enquiries (+612)9519 3403.

Past Productions & Links

2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 and Links

New Theatre is an intimate 154-seat venue that is home to one of Australia's oldest continuously producing community theatre companies. Founded in 1932, New Theatre has progressed from its beginnings as a left-wing political Workers' Theatre to become one of Sydney's leading independent theatre companies.

New Theatre produces a diverse range of quality Australian and international works, both classic and contemporary, across many genres including drama, comedy, 'gay' plays and musicals, whilst still retaining its humanist ethos and political edge.

Angels in America - Part One: Millennium Approaches

Hailed as the most ambitious American play of our time, Angels in America seamlessly blends realism and fantasy in a provocative, enticing journey through politics, sex, religion and identity.

Subtitled 'A gay fantasia on national themes', everything is fair game in this sprawling epic of life in the time of AIDS. From The Bronx to Salt Lake City, via Antarctica and the Kremlin, a cultural melting pot of Mormons, Jews, African Americans, gays, angels and drag queens all figure in this witty, brave and life-affirming play.

"Astonishing with its breadth and daring ... this production far exceeds expectations ... 7/10" Jason Blake, SunHerald

Scene from new theatre 2008 production of Angels in America - Photo Bob Seary

"A winner ... it's one of the best productions, independent or mainstream, of the first half of 2008" Diana Simmonds, StageNoise

"Makes it stunningly clear why this is considered one of the best American plays ever written ... a wonderful production" Veronica Hannon, SX

"One of the most elegant productions ever seen at new theatre ... the ensemble work beautifully together ... highly recommended" Christian Taylor, SameSame

"Impressive ...this stunning production is a testament to those smaller theatres that surprise us with sophisticated ingenuity ...professional and proficient ... there were many outstanding moments"M/C Reviews

"Fast-paced and cinematic ... still relevant today, the play forces us to ask probing questions of ourselves and our world" ArtsHub

Education Program
Staged Readings

Performance Times: 6.30pm
Tickets: $10 each (1 teacher free per 10 students)
Bookings: New Theatre - 9519 3403

New Theatre's Education Staged Readings are designed to support classroom discussion, facilitate students' understanding of the plays and appreciation of the theatrical genre, and open their eyes to the many and varied ways a dramatic text may be approached. Each staged reading will be followed by a Q&A session.

Playboy of the Western World by J. M. Synge
Monday 16 June 2008

The Plough and the Stars by Sean O'Casey
Monday 30 June 2008

Directed by Alex Galeazzi
Assistant Director: Neil Gooding
Set design: Brigid Dighton
Lighting design: Michael Schell
Sound design: Panos Couros
Projected image design: John Henry Martin
Voice and Dialect Coach: Simon Stollery
Costume design: Alice Morgan

Cast: Abigail Austin, Laurence Coy, Elaine Hudson, Angus King, Ray Chong Nee, Beejan Olfat, Tyran Parke, Jane Phegan

24 April - 24 May 2008
THURSDAY - SATURDAY 8pm, SUNDAY 5pm
$27 full / $22 concession / $17 School groups (1 teacher free per 10 students)
BOOKINGS: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com

The Real Inspector Hound

The Real Inspector Hound is a witty romp that turns the classic 'whodunnit' genre on its head.

Moon and Birdfoot, two pompous drama critics, are attending the production of a new theatrical thriller. All the classic ingredients are there: an isolated country house, a dark and stormy night, guests with hidden agendas, a faithful housekeeper and a mysterious stranger.

However, as the mayhem unfolds and the body refuses to be found, the two critics find themselves thrust into the midst of the action with absurd and deadly consequences.

Stoppard is the master of theatrical invention, dazzling wordplay and 'serious comedy' and The Real Inspector Hound glows with intelligence, philosophical wit and a delicious sense of fun.

"A comedy satire of high and delightful quality... the action is fast, continuous, and extremely funny." Richard Watts, New York Post

Saturday Kids' Club returns

Saturday Kids' Club returns for 2008, bigger and better than ever! This popular variety show is full of music, magic, fun and games, prizes and surprises, and there's lots of audience participation too! There will be four concerts during the year, each one celebrating one of the seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.

Saturday Kids' Club

Winter: Saturday 16 August 2008 @ 1pm
Summer: Saturday 29 November 2008 @ 1pm

All tickets $12
Bookings: 9519 3403

Cast: Richard Cox, Alan Faulkner, Chris Francis, Lynden Jones, Elisha Oliver, Nell Shipley, Peter Talmacs and Sandra Velini

5 June - 5 July 2008
THURSDAY - SATURDAY 8pm, SUNDAY 5pm
$27 full / $22 concession / $17 School groups (1 teacher free per 10 students)
FREE SUNDAY: Sunday 8 June @ 5pm.
BOOKINGS: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com

KING LEAR

Due to the upgrading of Bondi Pavilion, Harlos Productions is bringing its hugely successful interpretation of King Lear to Newtown for a strictly limited season.

This production will build on Harlos' acclaimed previous productions, which won such reviews as: "Terrific!! An imaginative and often exciting vision of the text... It's a production so striking and effective that even for old Lear hands, the play seems fresh..."....minimal resources, maximum effect..." (Sydney Morning Herald)

1 - 30 June 2008
Week commencing 2 June: Mon, Tue, Wed 10am & 2:30pm; Thurs, Fri 11am
Week commencing 9 June: Tue, Wed 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Thurs, Fri 11am; Sat 2:30pm
Week commencing 16 June: Mon 11am; Tue, Wed 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Thurs, Fri 11am; Sat 2:30pm
Week commencing 23 June: Mon 11am; Tue, Wed 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Thurs, Fri 11am; Sat 2:30pm

Tickets: Students $25 / Teachers free (Discussion with Cast and Director on request)
Bookings and Enquiries: Harlos Productions phone(02)99588525, fax(02)93576854 e-mail: harlosproductions@ozemail.com.au, www.harlos.com.au

Second Childhood

Adapted for the stage by Glenn Perry from the novel by Morris Gleitzman
Directed by Lyndelle Green

Mark's father has always wanted him to be a 'Somebody'. But unless Mark does better at school, he'll end up a 'Nobody'.

Then Mark and his friends discover that they've lived before. Not only that - they were Famous and Important People!

However, things start to get a little out of hand. They find out they've been responsible for several of the world's big problems. So Henry Ford, Queen Victoria, Albert Einstein and even a famous racehorse decide they'd better try and make up for their terrible mistakes.

Morris Gleitzman is one of Australia's most successful and popular children's authors. His unique blend of larger-than-life characters, off-the-wall humour and unbridled imagination makes Second Childhood the perfect play for all the family.

If you enjoyed new theatre's productions of Spike Milligan's Badjelly the Witch and Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, you'll love Second Childhood.

9 - 19 JULY 2008
WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY @ 7.00pm
SATURDAY @ 1pm, SUNDAY @ 5pm
$17 / $14 groups 10+
$10 PREVIEW TUESDAY 8 JULY 2008
Please note: there is no free Sunday performance for this production
BOOKINGS: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com

New Directions 08

New Theatre's annual 'mini-season' showcasing the best of contemporary writing from Australia and overseas.

Four exciting plays. Four imaginative directors. Stay tuned for further details!

22 JULY - 16 AUGUST 2008
TUESDAY (PREVIEW) - SATURDAY @ 8.00pm, SATURDAY @ 4pm
$22 / Preview $10 / 4-Play Season Pass: $70
Please note: there is no free performance for this season
BOOKINGS: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com

THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller

New Theatre's sell-out 2007 production will transfer to the Seymour Centre in August.

Regarded as one of the most powerful plays of the 20th Century - The Crucible is Arthur Miller's seminal play based on the 17th century Salem witchcraft trials.

This work is often described as a masterpiece, a timeless tale of truth on trial. The Crucible is a relentlessly suspenseful drama of collective evil and personal conscience. And at its centre is a vastly moving story of guilt, love and redemption.

new theatre 542 King St Newtown (Sydney)