James and the Giant Peach | Mardi Gras Festival 2008 - Corpus Christi, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, Lemon Delicious, Rainbow Collection | Kids Club Summer | Hamlet | Loosely Woven Concert | Angels in America - Part One: Millennium Approaches | Education Program: Cosi, Away, Dead White Males, Speed the Plow | Censored Banned Plays: Saved | The Real Inspector Hound | King Lear | Second Childhood
After the huge success of the Saturday Kids' Club at New Theatre during 2007, we're bringing it back by popular demand.
The popular variety show for all the family returns, bigger and better than ever! Featuring the acoustic ensemble Loosely Woven, plus actors, singers, magicians and storytellers, under the direction of Jodine Muir (most recently seen as 'Grasshopper' in James and the Giant Peach).
The Saturday Kids' Club 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
Summer Holiday Family FunYoung James Henry Totter has lost his parents in an unfortunate accident involving a rampaging rhinoceros. He is sent to live with his miserable and mangy aunts Spiker and Sponge, who proceed to make his life a misery.
One day, James meets a mysterious old man, who offers him a gift of the strongest magic. Overnight, a giant peach tree grows in the bottom of the garden, and its five oversized inhabitants - Centipede, Earthworm, Grasshopper, Ladybird and Spider - befriend James and bring happiness and excitement back into his life.
So begins an amazing adventure as James and his newfound mates set off across the sea to New York, accompanied by squawking seagulls, scary sharks - and one very big peach!
"Highly creative ... a wonderful ensemble of performers brimming with daring, adventure and humour on stage and with their interactions with the pint-sized punters. ...James and the Giant Peach is sure to be the best source of imaginative and accessible live entertainment you'll find this school holidays!" - australianstage.com
"It was a great production, with a wonderful story, fabulous characterisations, terrific costumes and a really simple and imaginative set. Our two littlies were mesmerised." Rose Costelloe, Canberra
Suitable for ages 4+4 - 25 January 2008
WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY @ 1pm
Additional Performance: WEDNESDAY 23 January 2008 @ 10am
Tickets: $17 ($14 groups 10+)
BOOKINGS: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com
A staged reading followed by Q&A Forum
Tuesday 26 February @ 6.30pmMardi Gras Festival
by Terrence McNally
Directed by Leigh Rowney
Gay Jesus play blasted by bishop - Sun Herald 20.01.08
GAY JESUS SPARKS DEBATE - Sydney Star Observer
Director defends gay Jesus play - SX News
"An extremely talented cast ... well worth seeing" -www.aussietheatre.com
"7/10" Jason Blake, Sun-Herald
What if Jesus Christ hailed from Corpus Christi, Texas ... and what if he was gay?
Arguably one of the most controversial plays of the last ten years, Corpus Christi has outraged Christian groups with its modern take on the story of Jesus' birth, ministry and death and his relationship with Judas and the other disciples.
It caused an uproar when first produced in the US nine years ago and the Religious Right picketed the Melbourne production.
Yet the moralists miss the point: this is not a play that mocks Jesus; it is a play that speaks out against inhumanity by providing a witty, contemporary interpretation of Jesus' life as a metaphor for the Christian ideal of acceptance and love in the face of intolerance, bigotry and irrational hate.
It's time Sydney has the chance to see this daring, at times irreverent, and lyrically very beautiful play and New Theatre is proud to be producing it as part of the 2008 Mardi Gras Festival.
Director Leigh Rowney explains why he was drawn to Corpus Christi
Set Design: Dan Alleck
Lighting Design: Andrew Weston
Costume Co-ordinator: Adriana Picker
Stage Manager: Richard Russell
Featuring: Jasmin Certoma, Harley Connor, Jonny Hendricks, Amelia Kerr,Lara Lightfoot, David McLaughlin, Hugh Monroe, Joshua North, Elisha Oliver,
Amanda Porter, Matt Rossner, Garth Saville, Ben Simpson
7 - 29 February 2008
THURSDAY - SATURDAY 8pm, SUNDAY 5pm
$27 full / $22 concession
BOOKINGS: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com
by Christopher Durang
Directed by Annie Bilton (former Literary Manager, Griffin Theatre Company)
This ferociously funny attack on religious fanaticism may have some people squirming in their seats as Sister Mary preaches her own brand of fire and brimstone. As a part of our Censored season this will be followed by a forum on homosexuality and religion, hosted by Stephen Dunne.
Sunday 17 February 2007 @ 1pm
Tickets: $15
Bookings: 9519 3403
Tuesday 11 March 2008
New Theatre member Kristie-Jane Hogan is organising a wonderful evening of entertainment at The Vanguard, an intimate and classy supper club in Newtown.
All money raised from ticket sales and on the night will be donated to the 'Save the New' fund.
Join us for a night of comedy, music and drama - from opera to jazz to rock to chamber music, to stand-up, short plays and a whole heap of surprises!
Why not get a group together and book a table?
Tickets are selling fast so don't miss out!
When: Tuesday 11 March from 7pm
Where: The Vanguard, 42 King Street Newtown
Tickets: $48.50 (dinner and show) / $20 (show only)
Bookings: 9557-7992 / www.moshtix.com.au
www.thevanguard.com.au
Lemon Delicious
Devised by Louise Fischer and cast
Back by popular demand, the tart and tasty gals are teaming up again for Mardi Gras to bring you a night of riotous song and dance. Lip, sip and suck your way through a lemonicious cabaret experience. Lemon Delicious is a twisted, sexy and sassy show and the girls know how to turn up the heat and quicken the pulse.
Saturday 23 February 2007 @ 5pm
Sunday 24 February 2007 @ 9pm
Tickets: $20
Bookings: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com
Hugh Monroe Productions presents
Strictly limited season - only five performances in February!
A new theatrical show from one of Sydney's favourite cabaret performers.
Rainbow Collection is an intimate behind-the-scenes peek into the gay and colourful life of cabaret drag artist Hugh Monroe. With fabulous costumes, cheeky stories and very popular songs, this is a new theatrical cabaret production, developed especially for the new theatre stage.
Relive the good old days of the much-loved and much-missed Albury Hotel, laugh a lot, cry a little, and discover more about your Television Sydney comedy host.
Join Hugh as he wends his way down his personal memory lane, sharing stories and memories of his life as a performer, paying tribute along the way to all the great divas who have inspired his career.
"Rainbow Collection is a very different show from what people might expect if they know my work," says Hugh. "This isn't a flamboyant club performance; it's much more honest and personal and connected to who I am. It's really about my love affair with performing."
Saturdays 9, 16, 23 February @ 10.15pm, Sundays 10, 17 February @ 7.15pm
Tickets: $17.50 full / $12.50 concession
Bookings: 1300 306 776 / www.mca-tix.com or cash at the door 15 minutes before showtime.
Special ticket offer: Hugh is also appearing in the new theatre production of Corpus Christi - playing John the Baptist! All patrons of Corpus Christi will receive a $5 discount on Rainbow Collection full price tickets if they book both shows at the same time.
by Edward Bond
1pm Sunday 11 May 2008
followed by a forum chaired by Stephen Dunne, Sydney Morning Herald.
Tix $10
Bookings 9519 3403
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Fiona Hallenan
The classic story of love, loyalty and revenge is given a sharp and edgy interpretation that emphasizes the dark heart of the play.
Drawing parallels between the world of Shakespeare's tragedy and contemporary society, this production brings into focus the complex human drama that underscores the action.
Elsinore is an enclave of the rich and powerful, a bastion of the criminal underworld, but within its protective walls the social fabric is shredding. The younger generation is rejecting the values of ruthless and ambitious parents out of touch with their needs, and at the heart of this conflict is Hamlet, a young man struggling to come to grips with his destiny in a world he despises yet can't escape.
Associate Director: Danielle Wilding-Forbes
Set Design: Tom Bannerman
Lighting Design: Tony Youlden
Sound Design: John Blake (DJ Soup)
Featuring: Ashley Adkins, Donna Brooks, Alex Bryant-Smith, Rebecca Clay, Harley Connor, Richard Cox, Barry French, Dannielle Jackson, Tara Jay, Joshua North, David Ritchie, Dee Wilson, Peter Wright, and Johann Walraven as 'Hamlet'
13 March - 12 April 2008
(No performance Good Friday 21 March 2008 or Easter Saturday 22 March 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
Loosely Woven presents
- a light-hearted concert for all the family.
The popular acoustic group Loosely Woven is an eclectic bunch of 20 musicians based on the Northern Beaches. Loosely Woven regularly performs at new theatre with all ticket sales being donated to the new theatre building fund. These concerts are always a lot of fun, and involve audience participation for both young and old!
2pm Saturday 12 April 2008
Tickets $15
Bookings: 9519 3403 or available at the door.
by Tony Kushner
Directed by Alex Galeazzi
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
"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
"Confronting yet enjoyable ... well worth seeing" AussieTheatre.com
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
by Tom Stoppard
Directed by Frank McNamara
"A rollicking murder-mystery spoof"
The Real Inspector Hound is a witty romp that turns the classic 'whodunnit' genre on its head.
Moon and Birdboot, 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.
"An enjoyable production ... engaging and very funny" - Stephen Dunne, Sydney Morning Herald
"A night of great fun ... strong, highly enjoyable performances with great comic timing ... if you're in the mood for a light-hearted romp, this is just the ticket" - Sonia Allen, AustralianStage.com.au
Set and Lighting Design: Tony Youlden
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
Special Event
Harlos Productions at new theatre in 2008
by William Shakespeare
Directed by David Ritchie
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
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 biggest problems. So Henry Ford, John Batman, Elizabeth Kenny and a well-known Aussie racehorse decide they'd better try and make up for their 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.
In the tradition of New Theatre's sell-out productions of Spike Milligan's Badjelly the Witch and Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach comes Morris Gleitzman's Second Childhood. Terrific theatre for all ages from 9 to 90!.
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
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