BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND QUT PRESENT
ACT 2 | 18 – 22 September 2018
CONTENTS
See 3 or more THEATRE REPUBLIC Shows & save
Betty Grumble: Love and Anger
2
Mother’s Ruin
4
Romeo Is Not The Only Fruit
6
Stay
8
Umami Mermaids
10
Act 3
12
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY In keeping with the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Brisbane, the Turrubul and Jagara Yuggera Peoples, and recognise that this has always been a place of creative
W i t h a M u lt i -T i x discount*
expression. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal
*Tickets are subject to availability and must be purchased in one transaction online at brisbanefestival.com.au or call Qtix on 136 246.
and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within our creative community.
ACT 2 AT THEATRE REPUBLIC ACT 2 17 - 23 Sept
TUE 18
WED 19
THU 20
FRI 21
Sat 22
9pm
9pm
9pm AUSLAN
9pm
9pm
Mother’s Ruin
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
6:45pm 9:15pm
Romeo Is Not The Only Fruit
7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
Stay
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
Umami Mermaids
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm*
7:30pm
7:30pm
Betty Grumble: Love and Anger
Mon 17
*Brisbane Times Festival Conversations
Sun 23
THE MIDDLE ACT This week is Act 2 of Theatre Republic, and gender and gin dominate. Mother’s Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin is a giddy affair with sober purpose. Gin is a drink historically tied to ‘downfallen women’ of the 1700s, but Mother’s Ruin pokes fun at the powerful men who benefited from the propaganda. It’s a show where history and harmony made a perfect blend. It’s delicious. Jean Tong is a bright new light in the Australian theatre, and she knows that Romeo Is Not The Only Fruit. This lesbian rom-com musical is a low-fi blast of fun, but with a sharp stance on queerness, gender and women of colour. The songs will stick, and so will the thinking behind them. Betty Grumble knows all about it this stuff. Last year, she transformed the joint. She’s back with an anger laced with love and lashings of comedy, and testing tastes. This is a call to arms like none you’ve seen, a call “to get ourselves back to the garden”, a call riotously rooted in the landscape of feminism and ecosexuality. Lip-synching now has new meaning. She’s a sex clown marvel. Umami Mermaids is the fifth of the basic tastes, that yummy deliciousness found in savoury foods. In Umami Mermaids, mutated mermaids emerge from the sludge to seek their salty revenge. The puppets are gloriously grotesque and the three tales are inspired by all too familiar events. Steen Raskopoulos is a solo sketch-comedy master, and Stay knocks the audience entirely off guard. It’s a different kind of call to arms. See it. You’ll be reminded that every day is a gift.
Image by Dylan Evans
David Berthold, Artistic Director
1
E M M A M AY E G I B S O N ( A U S ) The BLOCk, THEATRE REPUBLIC | 18 – 22 September
2
Image by Dean Tirkot
BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND QUT PRESENT
E M M A M AY E G I B S O N
BETTY GRUMBLE
Creator/Performer
Surreal showgurl
With a BA in Media Communications (UNSW.
Surreal showgurl. Obscene beauty queen.
Hons, 2011) and MFA in Performance/Sculpture
Wild womanhood. Sex clown. A maniacal
(UNSWAD, 2015) Emma Maye Gibson is a
feminist contagion and ecosexual, her
Sydney-based performance artist engaging
award-winning work has been critically
with an eco-feminist, corporeal push towards
lauded across the board – from the polished
ecosexuality and world saving. Emma Maye
stages of Belvoir St Theatre, Griffin Theatre,
was a recipient of a Performance Space
and Sydney Opera House, to the swampy
Stephen Cummins Bequest (2013) and through
dens of Sydney’s queer underground and
the development of avatar Betty Grumble
international fringes and festivals. Her
has gained critical and underground acclaim
practice bounces from stage to street, screen
across international and national stages.
to shawomanic ceremony. A totem critter
Her most recent work with award-winning
and mantric wish towards Love Energy.
Betty Grumble: Sex Clown Saves The World
Are you Betty to Grumble?
(Helpmann Award Nominee 2017, Green Room Award Innovation in Form 2017, Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award 2017, Fringe World Best Cabaret 2017) has seen her penetrate more traditional theatre spaces with her special brand of sex positive and wild performance art. Emma Maye’s performative landscape straddles both nightclub/cabaret and theatre/gallery spaces.
CREATIVE TEAM Creator/Performer Emma Maye Gibson Music Design Emma Maye Gibson with featured music from Stereogamous Set & Costume Design Emma Maye Gibson (and her unknowing Mother) With special thanks to: Annie Sprinkle Glitta Supernova Karmyn Gibson Ash Bee Aaron Manhattan Thomas Gundry Greenfield The Bearded Tit Stereogamous Candy Royalle The Gang of She Iggy Pop Valerie Solanas and all spirits dance, danced and dancing. Betty Grumble would also like to acknowledge the Gadigal people, whose land she lives, works and plays on.
3
BRISBANE FESTIVAL, QUT AND LA BOITE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT
MILKE IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE GINSTRESS (AUS) ROUNDHOUSE THEATRE, THEATRE REPUBLIC | 18 – 21 September
4
ANTHEA WILLIAMS
JEREMY BRENNAN
Director
Musical Director
Anthea Williams is a director and dramaturg
Jeremy Brennan is a New Zealand-born actor,
who specialises in new work. For Belvoir she
performer and musical director who graduated
has directed Hir, Kill the Messenger, Cinderella
from NIDA in 1998. He is one of the industry
and Old Man. She was awarded Best Director
panel judges on the Channel 7 TV show
in a Mainstage Production at the Sydney
All Together Now. Notably, Jeremy was enlisted
theatre Awards 2017 for Hir. Hir won several
to adapt Olympic diving gold medalist Matthew
other awards, including Best Mainstage
Mitcham’s biography into a cabaret, which won
Production. For London’s Bush Theatre she
Best Cabaret at the 2014 Perth Fringe Festival
directed Two Cigarettes, 50 Ways to Leave Your
and received a Green Room Award nomination
Lover, Turf, suddenlossofdignity.com,The Great
for Jeremy’s work as a Musical Director.
British Country Fete. Anthea’s other directing credits include Flight Paths (National Theatre of Parramatta), Since Ali Died (Griffin Theatre)
E L LY B A X T E R Writer/Researcher
The Colby Sisters of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Elly Baxter is a gin enthusiast who writes about
(NIDA) #KillAllMen (NIDA), among others. Anthea
the topic on her website The Ginstress and
is a Churchill Fellowship recipient for 2018.
for other publications, including Broadsheet, TimeOut and The Guardian. She has been
MAEVE MARSDEN
writing about gin since 2012, and drinking it
Writer/Performer
since, well, several years earlier. She runs gin
Maeve Marsden creates comedy, cabaret,
appreciation events and coordinated The Gin
live music and storytelling events, most notably
Revival for Vivid Sydney 2015.
Queerstories, an LGBTQI+ storytelling night, podcast and book, and feminist cabaret act Lady Sings it Better. She has toured extensively,
LIBBY WOOD Writer/Performer
performing sold out seasons at Edinburgh
Libby Wood has toured extensively as a
Festival Fringe, Sydney Festival, the Sydney
cabaret performer, MC and singer, with Lady
Opera House, Darwin Festival, Adelaide Cabaret
Sings it Better, and sell-out hits Jagged Little
Festival and countless regional venues in
Singalong and Spice! A Singalong. She has
Australia, NZ and the UK. She edited the ABC’s
performed at Light The Night and was a finalist
Sydney Mardi Gras 40th Anniversary Magazine,
in the Sydney Cabaret Showcase 2009. Libby
will be curating Queer Thinking for Sydney Mardi
completed a Bachelor of Music at the Australian
Gras in 2019, and her writing has been published
Institute of Music. Her performance CV also
by Sydney Morning Herald, Junkee, Daily Review,
includes musicals Promises Promises, Tommy,
Audrey Journal, ABC, SBS, and others.
Sunday In The Park With George and The Wild Party.
5
JEAN TONG (AUS) T H E L O F T, T H E AT R E R E P U B L I C | 1 8 – 2 2 S e p t e m b e r
6
Image by Stephanie-Bowie Liew
BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND QUT PRESENT
Jean tong
JAMES GALES
Writer/Director/Producer
Composition/Sound Design
Jean Tong is a writer whose work – tonally
James Gales is an electronic musician,
best described as ‘wry outrage’ – makes
composer and multi-instrumentalist. Having
explosive statements using dark humour and
completed a Bachelor of Music at the
vivid imagery. Her previous work includes
Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in 2016,
Hungry Ghosts (Melbourne Theatre Company)
his work draws from a virtuosic background in
and Anti Hero (Monash Centre for Theatre and
classical piano, as well as eclectic performance
Performance). She has also presented at the
experience as a jazz pianist, violinist, guitarist
Emerging Writers’ Festival, and published
and DJ. James has a longtime love of musicals
in Peril Magazine and Meanjin (Spike). In 2018,
which has led to involvement in pit bands,
she was selected for Screen Australia’s
as a musical director, and now as a composer.
‘Developing the Developer’ workshop, and for Film Victoria’s TV and Online Concept lab.
JAMES LEW Set & Costume Design
RACHEL LEE
James Lew is an emerging theatre designer,
Lighting Design
and graduate of the Master of Design for
Rachel Lee is a Singaporean lighting
Performance at the Victorian College of the
designer and technical director currently
Arts. His work focuses on creating dynamic
based in Australia. As a fresh graduate of the
and integrated environments, spaces which
Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), she has
can engage with performers and audiences
developed a passion for live performance
viscerally and dramaturgically. James is
as a storytelling medium and has worked on
a recipient of the Orloff Family Charitable
a number of professional pieces, including
Trust Scholarship 2016.
Rubi & Rudi (Mudfest, 2016), Contact (2017) and Rescript 5.2 (Mudfest, 2017).
LAURA FREW Choreography
CREATIVE TEAM Writer/Director/Producer Jean Tong Composition/Sound Design James Gales Set & Costume Design James Lew Lighting Design Rachel Lee Choreography Laura Frew Additional writing Margot Tanjutco Stage Manager Stephanie Young Cast Sasha Chong, Nisha Joseph, Margot Tanjutco, Pallavi Waghmode, Lou Wall
Laura studied a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy before studying full time dance at The Space dance and Arts Centre (2010). She has choreographed for Eagles Nest Theatres’ Romeo and Juliet (2009), Melbourne Opera Studios’ Orpheus in the Underworld (2011), Backwards Anorak (2013-2015) and various fringe shows and events.
7
BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND QUT PRESENT
STEEN RASKOPOUlOS (AUS) THE BLOCK, THEATRE REPUBLIC | 18 – 22 September
8
STEEN RASKOPOULOS
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
Actor/Writer/Improviser
2013
At 18 years old, Steen Raskopoulos was crowned the youngest ever Theatresports National Champion of Australia. His innate talent for improvisation has not only been the basis for his award-winning live shows, but has also lead to Steen starring in the Australian series of Whose Line is it Anyway? (both as core performer and consultant) and as part of the acclaimed improve duo, The Bear Pack. Steen’s other notable TV credits include starring in Top Coppers (BBC) as the lead character John Mahagony, Squinters (ABC) as Ned, writing/starring in his own Halloween
Steen’s debut solo sketch show bruce springSTEEN LIVE IN CONCERT! received a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and won the same category at the Sydney Comedy Festival. 2014 I’m Wearing Two Suits Because I Mean Business sold out seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, London and Edinburgh and was nominated for the Foster’s Comedy Awards Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Sky Short, Scare BnB, and the character-sketch
2015
special for ABC TV, The Record. Steen also
Character Assassin earned Steen a Barry
co-starred in the acclaimed political drama
Award nomination for best show at the
The Code (ABC/BBC4/Netflx) and in Utopia
Melbourne International Comedy Festival,
(ABC). He is currently developing lead projects
and he performed it in both the Melbourne
both for UK and Australian television.
All Stars Gala and the Just For Laughs Gala
Stay is an exciting new direction for Steen,
at the Sydney Opera House.
credited as his most personal show to date.
2018
Although Steen’s signature spontaneity will
The latest show from Steen, Stay won critical
never be far away from the stage, Stay has
acclaim across the Melbourne International
shown characters that are surprising and
Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Festival
unexpected, fully formed, rich and able
Fringe and was awarded the Directors Choice
to upend your expectations.
Award and the Sydney Comedy Festival.
A gifted and masterful performer, Steen Raskopoulos is a firm fixture on the comedy stage, splitting his time between London and Australia.
9
ANNA STRAKER (AUS) LA BOITE STUDIO, theatre republic | 18 – 22 September
10
Image by Caitlin Strongarm and Rebekah Yeo
BRISBANE FESTIVAL, QUT AND LA BOITE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT
dedicated to max straker a TRUE PISCES
MAX MELLOR Dramaturg Maxine Mellor is an award-winning playwright of over 20 plays. Awards include Queensland
Anna Straker
Theatre’s Young Playwrights Award [2001, 2002,
Creator/Performer Anna Straker is an award-winning independent artist specialising in visual theatre. Recognised for her skills in puppetry Anna has worked for multiple companies, including White Rabbit Theatre, Erth, Beyond Productions, Shock
2003 and 2004], the Edward Albee New York City Residency [2012], the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award [2012/2013], the Max Afford Playwriting Award [2014] and the Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artists Fellowship [2017].
Therapy and Dead Puppet Society. Umami Mermaids is her debut stage production.
DANIEL GOUGH Performer
Elizabeth MILLINGTON Director Elizabeth Millington is a Russian born director, writer and designer having worked at the Moscow National Theatre Institute, The Moscow School of the Modern Play and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. In Australia, Elizabeth teaches at NIDA and
Daniel Gough is a performance maker, actor, academic and drag queen who has been working in Brisbane’s creative industries for many years. He is the artistic director of The Sui Ensemble, with whom he’s developed several audience-activating works, including The Suicide Show (2014), The Game Show (2014), Awful/Big Adventure (2015) and recently La Sihouette (2018).
has created award-winning works for Metro Arts, La Boîte Theatre Company, Adelaide
Anna WHITAKER
Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy
Sound Designer
Festival, and many more.
Anna Whitaker is a recent Bachelor of Music Technology graduate from Queensland Conservatorium. She is passionate about manipulating sound, creating intricate textures that communicate with each other and taking the listener on a unique, sensory journey and has worked on projects for Festival 2018, Bleach* Festival and White Rabbit Theatre.
This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Anna Straker would like to acknowledge and thank the contribution of the following artists and individuals: Angelika Straker, Simon Hawker, Emma Healy John Pierce, Sacha and Michael Kisluk, Que Bigg, Rebekah Yeo, Cameron Clark, Cameron Rollo, Warrick Payne and Michael Zeremes. Special thanks to Caitlin Strongarm for being an integral part of the foundational stages of the creative process.
11
BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND QUT PRESENT ACT 3 A COUPLA DOGS The story of two very different dogs in an animal shelter waiting to be adopted… or sent to the ‘backroom’. They discuss dog philosophy and life whilst dealing with a world that offers random acts of kindness, cruelty and absurdity. This new work from Brisbane’s own Dog Spoon reflects on the recesses of our human psyche through the lenses of two hairy ruffians with a bone to pick.
BETTY GRUMBLE: LOVE AND ANGER After selling out at Brisbane Festival in 2017, surreal show girl, obscene beauty queen and sex clown, Betty Grumble returns with her ongoing womanifesto, call-to-arms party, protest and a long hard kiss. Witness her ecosexually charged flesh riot ritual of dancing dissent, disco and deep push back-ery. Where pleasure is a radical act and the body a bloody love letter.
OUR CARNAL HEARTS Who do you envy? Who is like you, but a little bit better? With a raucous chorus of original music, award-winning theatre maker Rachel Mars and four belting female singers bring you a gleeful, dark show about the hidden workings of envy and the ways we screw each other over. Our Carnal Hearts comes to Brisbane after sell-out shows across the UK and US.
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B R I S B A N E F E S T I VA L , Q U T A N D L A B O I T E T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y P R E S E N T
I’ve been menaing to ask you Why do you have to go to work? How come adults drink to have fun? Is 50 too old to learn to surf? What was life like before the Internet? This is a work full of questions. Asked by young people. Answered by adults. Transformed inside a theatre-turned-playground-turned-battleground delivered by Generation Up Next. Watch as age collides with experience in a revealing one-hour tell-all, where adults take a backseat as a powerful panel of 9 to 13-year-olds drop some truths… and the mic. This world premiere from the inspiring collective, The Good Room, is intended for adults. “The most wonderful and life-affirming theatre – The Good Room are exceptional.” BENJAMIN LAW
ACT 3 24 - 29 Sept
Mon 24
TUE 25
WED 26
THU 27
FRI 21
Sat 29
A Coupla Dogs
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
4:30pm
Betty Grumble: Love and Anger
9pm
9pm
9pm
9pm
7pm
I’ve Been Meaning To Ask You
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
1pm, 5pm
Our Carnal Hearts
7pm*
7pm
7pm, 9pm
4:15pm
*Brisbane Times Festival Conversations
13
D O N ’ t m i s s t h i s a lt o g e t h e r A M A Z I N G s h o w !
“Dancenorth have unleashed something new and profound for contemporary dance.” The BAREFOOT REVIEW
DANCENORTH / LIMINAL SPACES (AUS)
BOOK NOW
19 – 22 September | BRISBANE POWERHOUSE
D O N ’ t m i s s t h i s a lt o g e t h e r D A R I N G s h o w !
“Legs On The Wall blasts physical theatre into a new and triumphant dimension.” The sun-herald
LEGS ON THE WALL (AUS)
BOOK NOW
26 – 29 September | BRISBANE POWERHOUSE
D O N ’ t m i s s t h i s a lt o g e t h e r M E S M E R I S I N G s h o w !
“... a beautiful, fearlessly honest celebration of flesh and blood.” The herald SCOTLAND, UK
BRISBANE FESTIVAL AND QUEENSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE PRESENT
CIRCA (AUS)
BOOK NOW
1 9 – 2 2 S e p t e m b e r | P L AY H O U S E , Q PA C
OUR PARTNERS Foundation Partners
Brisbane Festival is an initiative of the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council
STAR Partner
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
BRONZE Partners
DISTINGUISHED Partners
CREATIVE & MEDIA
Supporters Aria Brisbane Telstra
Art Series Hotels - The Johnson Urbis
Champagne Lanson Welcome to Bowen Hills
Neon Signs Australia
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