DEC JAN FEB MAR
2024
SEASON
RIVERSIDE
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE DHARUG PEOPLE, TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND WHERE RIVERSIDE IS NOW SITUATED, AND THE BURRAMATTAGAL PEOPLE, A CLAN OF THE DHARUG, WHO SETTLED ALONG THE PARRAMATTA RIVER OVER 60,000 YEARS AGO. WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO ELDERS PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE.
Photo credit: Destination NSW
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HOW TO BOOK
Cover Image Photo Credit: Jo Duck
ONLINE
TICKET INFORMATION
riversideparramatta.com.au
Scan the QR code on each page to visit the website for the most up-to-date ticket prices and availability.
IN PERSON Riverside Box Office Cnr Church & Market Sts, Parramatta Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm Sat, 9.30am – 1pm
BY PHONE 02 8839 3399 Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm Sat, 9.30am – 1pm Join our e-mailing list to receive updates about upcoming shows, special events, and offers.
Look out for this M on each page for shows with Members pricing available. Eligibility for concessions will vary across events. Information correct at time of printing. Pricing and fees subject to change.
TRANSACTION FEES Members – Free Online / Phone / Counter: Live event – $5.95 Cinema – $2.50
MORNING MOVIE CLUB Introducing Riverside’s Morning Movie Club – take a break, come and grab a cuppa and a movie in Rafferty’s Cinema. With affordable tickets (concessions from only $9) and a free bickie with every hot drink, we now offer 10:30am Thursday morning sessions for most titles in our cinema program. New films added regularly. SCAN THE QR CODE TO SIGN UP TO OUR CINEMA E-NEWS FOR REGULAR UPDATES. 3
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY ONLY $45 PER YEAR
You’ll receive great discounts, priority bookings and a raft of exciting opportunities you can enjoy throughout the year when you become a member of Riverside Theatres.
Save on tickets with M Members prices__
Secure the best seats with access to pre-sales
Transaction fee waived – Save $5.95/$2.50 per transaction
Added convenience with priority phone bookings
Enjoy two free drink vouchers
Receive our Member eNews, with exclusive offers that help you enjoy more for less
JOIN OR RENEW TODAY Online riversideparramatta. com.au/becomea-member
By Phone* 02 8839 3399
In Person* Riverside Box Office Cnr Church & Market Sts, Parramatta
* Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 9.30am – 1pm
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WHAT'S ON DEC/JAN/FEB/MAR DECEMBER
SHOW NAME
EVENT TYPE
PAGE
5–6
Jane Franklin and Rajah Quilt
Theatre
9
16
A Cracker Kransky Christmas
Music
10
Jan – Apr
Music at Riverside
Music
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JANUARY
SHOW NAME
EVENT TYPE
PAGE
3 – 14
Bananaland
Musical Theatre
13
18 – 20
Dinosaur World Live
Kids & Family
14
19
Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World
Theatre
15
25 – 28
A'amar
Theatre
16
26 – 27
Multicultural Comedy Gala
Comedy
17
FEBRUARY
SHOW NAME
EVENT TYPE
PAGE
23
Queerstories
Theatre
19
23 – 24
Yuldea
Dance
20
29 – 2 Mar
The Wharf Revue: Pride in Prejudice
Theatre
21
29 – 1 Mar
Agapi and Other Kinds of Love
Theatre
22
MARCH
SHOW NAME
EVENT TYPE
PAGE
6–9
Wit
Theatre
25
14
Anh Do
Comedy
26
26 – 28
The Gruffalo's Child
Kids & Family
27
COMING SOON
SHOW NAME
EVENT TYPE
PAGE
11 – 14 Apr
Alliance Française French Film Festival
Cinema
29
16 - 17 Apr
Tempo
Circus
30
25 Jul – 10 Aug
Karim
Theatre
31
17 – 20 Apr
Wild Dogs Under My Skirt
Theatre
32
3 – 4 May
Fourteen
Theatre
32
30 May – 2 Jun
RBG: Of Many, One
Theatre
33
24 Aug
La Bohème
Opera
33
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Riverside’s courtyard has been transformed into a free live music hub and pop-up bar throughout the summer months. The vibrant and intricate program of curated live performances are a celebration of Western Sydney. Quench your thirst at the bar, dance up a storm, and soak up the summer nightlife - Parramatta style. Everyone welcome!
Check out our upcoming events at the venue!
Riverside Gardens Live is proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Culture Up Late Western Sydney Program.
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WELCOME! Hello and welcome to Riverside Theatres' 2024 season brochure launch. We're thrilled to have you here and can't wait to share the exciting lineup that we have in store for 2024 with the first of our three annual season brochures. As we roll from December into March, we've curated a programme that perfectly matches the vibrant energy of the summer months. Our aim is to offer you an array of shows that are bold, engaging, thought-provoking and above all, entertaining. In January, we kick things off with a fantastic selection from the the 2024 Sydney Festival. Rock away the summer days with groovy beats and humour in Bananaland, written by the amazing Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall. The kids can witness incredible creatures on stage in Dinosaur World Live, and connect with the community while savouring delicious Arabic food in A'amar. Or if it’s a good laugh you’re after, you can finish off the festive season with the return of the fabulous Multicultural Comedy Gala, hosted by television favourite Nazim. For music enthusiasts, we've got a diverse range of sounds from around the world. Viva Korea brings traditional Korean music to your senses, Empty Voices presents a brand-new musical work by Iranian lute virtuoso Hamed Sadeghi, and Heavenly Sopranos will lift your spirits as Celeste Lazarenko and Helen Sherman join the Australian Haydn Ensemble. February brings a unique opportunity to introduce young adults and teenagers to the history and heritage of the A angu people of the Great Victorian Desert through Yuldea by Bangarra Dance Theatre in their long-awaited return to Riverside. And in March, The Gruffalo’s Child returns with its delightful mix of physical theatre, music, and puppetry, perfect for a family outing filled with songs and laughter.
Don't miss the return of The Wharf Revue's hilarious political satire in Pride and Prejudice and then due to popular demand, RBG: Of Many, One, returns to the stage to tell the inspiring story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her impact on the world over her stellar judicial career. We're also excited to present Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta's Karim, a compelling exploration of families, duty, and generational divides by acclaimed playwright James Elazzi. If you’re looking for a relaxed summer evening, our Riverside Gardens Live returns, to host weekly live music performances in our vibrant courtyard space. Check our website for the lineup and come join us for a great time with friends and family. 2024 is set to be one of our biggest and best programmes ever, and we’re thrilled to have you join us and thank all our Members and patrons for your continued support of Riverside. Our audiences truly make Riverside Theatres a special place, and we're looking forward to sharing these fantastic experiences with you all in the months ahead. And remember, you can stay in the loop by signing up for our mailing list and also check out our entire 2024 programme on our fab new website! Here’s to a great holiday and summer festive season and a happy and safe 2024 for all. We can't wait to have you as guests in our house again soon.
Craig McMaster Director | Riverside Theatres
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DECEMBER
Photo credit: Wendell Levi Teodoro
THEATRE
LOST VOICES PRESENTS
JANE FRANKLIN AND RAJAH QUILT DATES 5 – 6 Dec
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
This tragic yet moving play tells of the unjust dismissal of the highly efficient, effective and extremely clever Governor's wife, Jane Franklin. Jane Franklin and Rajah Quilt are two of the most iconic figures in Australian Female Colonial History. Both broke stereotypes: Jane running a colony and assisting convict women; the quilt showing convict women were not useless stains on society. Jane, the quilt and convict woman, Betsy, begin a stormy journey home in despair. But it’s Betsy's bravery and the magic of sewing the quilt, while sharing their now similar stories of disgrace, which gives Jane insight and courage to carry on. A heart-warming tale by acclaimed writer of Forgotten, Cate Whittaker.
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MUSIC
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS THE KRANSKY SISTERS IN
A CRACKER KRANSKY CHRISTMAS DATES
“One ‘helluva’ cracker of a show!”- Australian Arts Review
Sat 16 Dec
“They have carved out a niche for themselves in Australian comedy. They're kind of like musically-inclined Antipodean cousins of The Addams Family – misfits with a taste for tropical gothic and an eerie nostalgia for a bygone Australia, a talent for weird instruments and music that ranges from eccentric to just plain creepy.” - Sydney Morning Herald
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
Time to pack your mince pies and Christmas spirits, The Kransky Sisters are bringing the party to town! Travelling down in the trusty Morris from their hometown of Esk, the musical sisters are eager to share their unravelling stories along with home spun renditions of popular songs deftly banged out on a wondrously odd-ball menagerie of instruments. From Britney Spears to the Spice Girls, M to AC/DC, and carols like you’ve never heard them before, a night with this delightfully twisted trio will more than fill your Christmas stockings.
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MUSIC AT RIVERSIDE
MORE INFO
RIVERSIDE THEATRES & INSTITUTE FOR AUSTRALIAN AND CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE, WSU PRESENTS NATIONAL GUGAK CENTER
VIVA KOREA Masterpieces of Korean Traditional Music By Musicians of National Gugak Center
SUN 21 JAN
Dive into the beauty and allure of Korean traditional music at this unique sensory experience. Viva Korea offers a unique blend of sounds and captivating performances from carefully selected masterpieces of Korean traditional music.
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS
EMPTY VOICES BY HAMED SADEGHI
Multi-ARIA award nominee composer and Tar (Iranian lute) virtuoso, Hamed Sadeghi brings with him 6 worldclass musicians for a brand-new work Empty Voices. Through his melancholic and spellbinding compositions, Sadeghi offers a unique and dazzling dialogue between a plucked section (tar, percussions, double bass) and a woodwind/brass section.
SUN 24 MAR RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS AUSTRALIAN HAYDN ENSEMBLE
HEAVENLY SOPRANOS
JEWELS OF THE BAROQUE WITH CELESTE LAZARENKO & HELEN SHERMAN
SUN 7 APR
Celeste Lazarenko and Helen Sherman are two of Australia’s most brilliant exponents of both early and contemporary singing. Now they join the Australian Haydn Ensembe to collaborate on a ravishing program of familiar and neglected masterworks, including the incomparable Stabat Mater by Pergolesi. A concert to lift the soul and gladden the heart.
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JANUARY
Bananaland Photo Credit: Darren Thomas
MUSICAL THEATRE
Photo credit: Jo Duck
SYDNEY FESTIVAL PRESENTS
BANANALAND DATES 3 – 14 Jan
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
★★★★½ - Limelight ★★★★½ - Arts Hub "A miraculous joy... made me laugh and laugh and laugh." – The Guardian Australia’s least-loved punk rock protest band Kitty Litter has hit a wall. After four years they’ve accumulated one fan. But that’s about to change when one of their avantgarde anthems becomes an accidental hit on the kids’ music charts. Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall (Muriel’s Wedding The Musical) bring their romping musical comedy with a knockout score to Sydney. Is Kitty Litter set to become the next Wiggles? (Spoiler: Yes!) Can they buy into their accidental ‘kids’ band’ fame and still keep their heads high? Maybe. BANANALAND is the story of one band’s struggle to meet its creative destiny.
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KIDS & FAMILY
NICOLL ENTERTAINMENT & SK ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE DATES
"A spectacular interactive show" – OK! Magazine
18 – 20 Jan
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family.
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child's favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Now an international smash hit selling out venues across the UK and the USA, Dinosaur World Live makes its debut in Australia in 2024. Supported by Sydney Festival.
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THEATRE
THE JAVAAD ALIPOOR COMPANY PRESENTED BY RIVERSIDE’S NATIONAL THEATRE OF PARRAMATTA AND SYDNEY FESTIVAL
THINGS HIDDEN
SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD WRITTEN BY JAVAAD ALIPOOR WITH CHRIS THORPE DIRECTED BY JAVAAD ALIPOOR
DATES & LOCATION From 19 Jan at the Sydney Opera House
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
An investigation into the nature of investigation, with the unsolved murder of a pop icon at its centre… It’s the 1970s and Fereydoun Farrokhzad’s star is blazing bright – he’s a sex symbol and chart-topping pop singer – imagine an Iranian Tom Jones. A decade on and he’s living in political exile in Germany, though still performing to sold-out audiences in Europe. On 7 August 1992, he’s found brutally murdered. The neighbours said his dogs had been barking for two nights. Take a dive down the rabbit hole of Wikipedia and murder mystery podcasts. Performed by Javaad Alipoor and Asha Reid with King Raam Emami, together with on-stage musician Me-Lee Hay. the
javaad alipoor
company
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THEATRE
Photo credit: Jason Cheetham
SYDNEY FESTIVAL PRESENTS
A'AMAR DATES 25 – 28 Jan
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
“Through … the seductive, sensory entanglement of stunning song and pointed monologue, Aseel Tayah creates a fleeting yet memorable relationship between us all.” - RealTime Arts (for You are not a boy) Aseel Tayah, a Melbourne-based Palestinian artist, activist and passionate cook, invites you to a sensory evening. Immerse yourself in a four-course Arabic meal, as Tayah and fellow musicians Meena Shamaly and Camille El Feghali take you on a journey with poetry, song and storytelling from her family’s homeland. Featuring delectable Arab dishes – and perhaps the best hummous you have ever tasted – you will be transported into Aseel’s world, her Palestine. A warm, nourishing and interactive event that uses cuisine to honour friendship, love and community.
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COMEDY
SYDNEY FESTIVAL PRESENTS
MULTICULTURAL COMEDY GALA DATES 26 – 27 Jan
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
The Multicultural Comedy Gala returns to take the mickey out of everything that makes us different, but so much the same, with an acclaimed line-up of award-winning standup stars. Whether you’re First Nations, first generation, tenth generation or a new Australian, you’ll find plenty to make you snort with laughter in the Multicultural Comedy Gala. This year’s stellar line-up features: Nazeem Hussain (SBS’s Legally Brown, Orange is the New Brown); comedy veteran George Kapiniaris (Wogs Out of Work, Fat Pizza); Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) Best Newcomer nominee He Huang (of viral fame from Australia’s Got Talent); MICF Raw Comedy runner-up Cameron Duggan (ABC’s At Home Alone Together); MICF Deadly Funny finalist Gavin Sempel (Black Comedy); and the Triple J movie segment’s and “the comedic equivalent of a vodka Red Bull” (On the Town), Amelia Navascues.
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FEBRUARY
Bangarra Dance Theatre, Yuldea, Photo credit: Kate Longley
THEATRE
Photo credit: Patrick Boland
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS MAEVE MARSDEN’S
QUEERSTORIES DATES Fri 23 Feb M
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
Vulnerable and fierce, hilarious and heartbreaking, Queerstories celebrates the culture and creativity of the LGBTQI+ community one true story at a time, each guest invited to share the story they want to tell, but are never asked to; unexpected tales of pride, prejudice, resilience and resistance. An institution around the country, Queerstories has played to crowds big and small, from Mudgee to Murwillumbah, Albury to Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond, with an awardwinning podcast featuring an archive of nearly 400 queer tales. This event is Auslan interpreted.
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DANCE
RIVERSIDE THEATRES AND BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS
YULDEA DATES 23 – 24 Feb M
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
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Photo credit: Daniel Boud
★★★★★ “Yuldea is an embodiment of harmony between story, vision and being” - Arts Hub Yuldea awakens the earth and sky worlds to tell the story of the Anangu people of the Great Victorian Desert. This major new work explores the moment traditional life collided with the industrial ambition of a growing nation. In 1917, the two halves of the Transcontinental Railway met at the precious water soak on the edge of the Nullarbor, Yuldi Kapi.
THEATRE
Photo credit: Ashley de Prazer
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS A SOFT TREAD PRODUCTION
THE WHARF REVUE: PRIDE IN PREJUDICE
CREATED AND WRITTEN BY JONATHAN BIGGINS, DREW FORSYTHE AND PHILLIP SCOTT
DATES 29 Feb – 2 Mar M
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
“If laughter is the best medicine, this show should be on the PB…. sharper and more incisive than ever”. - Megaphone Oz The Wharf Revue is back for another year of sensational value! Satirical content is up by 7%, the average laughter quotient is indexed at 8.3% over the forward estimates but The Wharf Revue defies the cost-of-living pressure by keeping the ticket price at the same level as last year! Take that, Phillip Lowe! With over twenty-three years experience in the political satire space, Australia’s most trusted revue-based practitioners continue the tradition with this year’s hilarious offering: “Pride in Prejudice” TM.
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THEATRE DANCE
Photo credit: James Humberstone
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS A VYVA ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION
AGAPI AND OTHER KINDS OF LOVE BY LUKA LESSON
DATES 29 Feb – 1 Mar M
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
The Ancient Greek types of love are revealed via timeless love stories told in rap and spoken word with live musicians. Based on Plato’s The Symposium, Agapi and Other Kinds of Love begins with Socrates telling a banquet of friends everything he learned from a mysterious lover named: Diotima. The gods then take the audience on a journey – collapsing time and space to arrive in modern day Athens, where the two reincarnations of the Ancient lovers fall in love (again) in the midst of a riot. Luka Lesson’s reputation as one of Australia’s best storytellers shines as he takes us on a journey through the kinds of love: Eros, Filia, Filoxenia, Philautia, Storgi, Pragma and the ultimate: Agapi.
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SEE THE BEST THEATRE FROM AROUND THE WORLD JUST AROUND THE CORNER AT RIVERSIDE CINEMA Riverside presents a diverse range of cinema events - feature films, independent films, Australian and world films, the best of world stages captured live and screened at Riverside with interviews and special events. Screenings in December 2023 include Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker, The Musical Mind, and André Rieu's White Christmas Concert, and some highlights of early 2024 include NT Live: Dear England and NT Live: Vanya. Riverside Members save on every ticket! Sign up to our Cinema eNews for fortnightly listings, deals and special Q&As
JOIN CINEMA ENEWS SCAN HERE Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
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MARCH
Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, Photo credit: Adam Kissick
THEATRE
Photo credit: Daniel Regan
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS A CLOCK & SPIEL PRODUCTION
WIT
BY MARGARET EDSON
DATES 6 – 9 Mar
“Nothing but a breath - a comma - separates life from life everlasting. It is very simple really.” Vivian Bearing is 50, in the prime of her life, highly respected and at the height of a stellar academic career. She's a fiercely rational academic with a passion for poetry. And she has just weeks to live.
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
Wit isn't a play about death, it's a play about life. All of life, and everything that makes us who we are. As Vivian comes to terms with who she is; mind, body and soul, we're left to ponder - can we conquer death, or at least our fear of it, by the way we live our lives? “Every once in a while a play comes along that bonds people together in extraordinary ways. The play isn't a tearful lecture on how to die; it's a dry-eyed lesson on how to live-with simplicity and kindness.” - The Boston Globe.
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COMEDY
A-LIST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
ANH DO:
THE HAPPIEST REFUGEE LIVE DATES Thu 14 Mar
'Irrepressible good humour, infectious energy and bright optimism'. - The Sydney Morning Herald 'The happiest audience experience I have ever had' … - ArtsHub 'Two thumbs, five stars, show of the season'. - The Music
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
Anh Do’s bestselling book The Happiest Refugee has made readers laugh and cry, and was described by Russell Crowe as 'the most surprising and inspiring read I have had in years.' Anh’s stage show takes it a step further, combining standup comedy with real life stories, photos and filmed pieces to retell his amazing story. When one of Australia’s most talented comedians delves deep into his own life’s joys and sorrows, the result is an unforgettable night at the theatre that leaves an audience uplifted and quite simply experiencing... happiness.
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KIDS DANCE & FAMILY
CDP AND RIVERSIDE PRESENT TALL STORIES’ ADAPTATION OF
THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD
ADAPTED FROM THE AWARD-WINNING PICTURE BOOK BY JULIA DONALDSON AND AXEL SCHEFFLER PUBLISHED BY MACMILLAN CHILDREN’S BOOKS
DATES 26 – 28 Mar
If you loved The Gruffalo, don't miss the sequel, which returns following previous sell-out Australian tours – now in a new West End production! Join the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in this magical musical adaptation of the much-loved picture book.
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
The team behind The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and The 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- & 91 Storey Treehouses return with The Gruffalo's Child, bringing together physical theatre, music and puppetry to deliver songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up, and their adults…
This dramatisation of THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD is based on the picture book THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD © illustrations 2004 Axel Scheffler and © text 2004 Julia Donaldson published by Macmillan Children’s Books
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COMING SOON
Tempo, Photo credit: Ian Sutherland
2024
11 TO 14 APRIL 2024 The highly anticipated 35th session of the Alliance Française French Film Festival returns to the Riverside Theatres for another year of must-see French Cinema. Keep an eye out for our selection of six exceptional, contemporary French films, to be announced in January. We hope you will join us for another outstanding week of French cinema. À bientôt! MORE INFO
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CIRCUS
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS A FLYING FRUIT FLY CIRCUS PRODUCTION
TEMPO DATES 16 – 17 Apr M
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
Photo credit: Ian Sutherland
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When the orchestra hasn't shown up and the audience is waiting, call the Flying Fruit Fly Circus! A highly distinguished musician has arrived to conduct their latest symphony, but the orchestra is nowhere to be found. Fortunately, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus kids are ready to save the day! Directed by Jake Silvestro with an original score by Ania Reynolds, Tempo features an extraordinary ensemble of young performers aged 12 – 18 years who will flip, juggle, balance and dive their way into your heart.
THEATRE
Photo credit: Kathy Luu
NATIONAL THEATRE OF PARRAMATTA PRESENTS
KARIM
BY JAMES ELAZZI DIRECTOR JAMES ELAZZI, DIRECTOR SHANE ANTHONY
DATES From 25 July M
SCAN IT. BOOK IT.
Karim and his best friend, Layla, watch trains coming and going from the local station and dream of a life with a better future. On the rural outskirts of South West Sydney, Karim and his Dad, Joe, work as cucumber farmers. At night, they search trash for treasures to make ends meet. When Karim and Joe are evicted, their neighbour Abdul provides refuge. At his house, Karim discovers an oud, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument. Inspired by the beauty of its sound, Karim secretly begins playing the instrument, realising it might be the key to a new destiny. Karim explores families, duty and generational divides. Catch this bold new work by celebrated playwright James Elazzi, a three-time nominee playwright at the NSW Premier’s Literary Award (Lady Tabouli, Queen Fatima and Son of Byblos). With Youssef Sabet as Karim.
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COMING SOON F.C.C AND RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENT
WILD DOGS UNDER MY SKIRT BY TUSIATA AVIA
Breathing provocative new life into the play’s examination and celebration of what it is to be a Samoan woman, Anapela Polata’ivao’s commanding direction introduces nuance, power and dramatic sophistication into Tusiata Avia’s deeply personal view of Pacific Island life and its sometimes uneasy collisions with New Zealand.
18 – 20 APRIL
Originally co-produced by Silo Theatre and Auckland Arts Festival. This tour is made possible with the support of Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa.
RIVERSIDE THEATRES AND SHAKE & STIR THEATRE CO PRESENTS
FOURTEEN
ADAPTED BY SHAKE AND STIR WITH SHANNON MOLLOY
3 – 4 MAY 32
Set to a nostalgic mixtape of 90s bangers from all your faves, from Shania Twain to The Spice Girls, Fourteen addresses the trials and tribulations of growing up with honesty, humour, and heart. Equal parts uplifting and heart wrenching, we follow Shannon in a year of self-discovery set amidst a backdrop of torment, bullying and betrayal – not just at the hands of his peers, but by the adults who were meant to protect him.
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY
RBG: Of Many, One
BY SUZIE MILLER DIRECTED BY PRISCILLA JACKMAN
After a wildly popular, sold-out premiere season in 2022, this smash-hit production returns to the stage with the brilliant Heather Mitchell reviving her awardwinning “virtuosic performance” (The Conversation) of the woman who changed the face of the American legal system: the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
30 MAY – 2 JUNE
RIVERSIDE THEATRES PRESENTS OPERA AUSTRALIA
LA BOHÈME PUCCINI
On a freezing Christmas Eve, love sparks. Two hands meet in the dark and four friends’ lives change forever in this operatic favourite. Experience the romance of the original bohemian love story.
24 AUGUST
Some emotions are too big for words alone, and for that, we have music. La Bohème exposes your soul to the feelings that only music can express. The music soars with the ecstasy of love, crackles with the pain of jealousy, and cries with the agony of loss.
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EXPLORE PARRAMATTA It’s time to discover your new favourite foodie destination
Discover more atparramatta.com
BEYOND THE SQUARE:
DRAMA WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITY “I love drama. It’s fun to be here. It’s funny to be cheeky all the time. Have a laugh.” – Anthony, participant Riverside's Beyond the Square drama workshops for adults with disability have been running for over 27 years working with a large number of incredible artists as teachers, facilitators and directors. The program runs throughout the year, with bookings available for a selection of dates.
Scan here to find out more online about Riverside's Beyond the Square workshops.
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ACCESSIBILITY Riverside is committed to making our programs and venues welcoming and accessible for all people. If you require specific seating, audio or accessible parking please contact our Box Office team on 02 8839 3399 who will be happy to assist. Our Front of House staff can also help you to your seat if required.
LEVEL ACCESS Level access from the street leads into our foyer. Level access continues into all venues. Space for wheelchairs is available in all venues but requires booking in advance.
BATHROOMS Accessible bathrooms are available at each end of the foyer.
PARKING Limited paid parking at Riverside is available for patrons with a current disability parking permit only. Ask the Box Office staff when booking your tickets.
HEARING ASSISTANCE Riverside has an FM transmitter-receiver hearing system in all three theatres to assist patrons who are hearing impaired. Patrons can choose from a single ear earpiece, a neck loop for telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants or their own headphones, to amplify the sound from the stage. This system is adaptable for people with all types of hearing loss. To access this free service, ask the Box Office staff when booking your tickets.
CAPTIONED EVENTS Patrons with hearing impairment can access some live performances and cinema sessions through captioning. Captioning is available on large screens inside the theatre for live performances and as open captioning for some films.
VISION IMPAIRED
If you need seats closer to the front to be able to see and enjoy the show, please advise the Box Office staff when booking your tickets.
AUDIO DESCRIBED EVENTS Select performances and cinema screenings are audio described for the benefit of blind or low vision patrons by providing a narration that provides detailed information and descriptions of the visual elements of a performance. This includes actions, expressions, gestures, sequences, costumes, and scenery. AD is relayed via a free headset and receiver linked to the FM radio system. Sensory pre-show tours are offered alongside Audio Described shows. Advise the Box Office staff when booking your tickets.
AUSLAN INTERPRETATION A number of performances at Riverside are selected to be interpreted with Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Interpreters are discreetly positioned on side stage and provide an opportunity for people who are Deaf to access and enjoy these theatre productions.
RELAXED PERFORMANCES These are sensory friendly performances where the perceived ‘rules’ of theatre are modified to allow patrons with Autism and other specific needs to enjoy the performance in a welcoming environment. Modifications will differ depending on the show, but can include the house lights being dimmed, but not turned all the way down; the understanding that patrons may come and go from the theatre as needed; elements of the show that might include loud noises or sudden bright lights being toned down or removed.
COMPANION CARD Riverside accepts the NSW Companion Card, allowing a support person free entry.
MORE INFO 36
SUPPORT US The performing arts helps build stronger, more connected communities and can transform lives. Here at Riverside we are proud to be a vibrant cultural hub in our local community, but we always strive to do more. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to help us continue to give education access, eliminate barriers to attendance and strengthen new play development. Our extensive Education Program not only inspires Australia’s up-and-coming talent but also makes the transformative experience of live theatre affordable through our subsidy program.
BEYOND THE SQUARE Beyond the Square is Riverside’s drama program for people with disability. Offering participants creative outlets, personal and social exploration, and skills development it is one of the longest running and largest programs of its kind in Sydney.
RIVERSIDE'S NATIONAL THEATRE OF PARRAMATTA Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta is investing in the future, creating opportunities for Western Sydney artists and audiences through mentoring and much more.
PARRAMATTA CULTURAL TRUST For more information on the Parramatta Cultural Trust, to become a Sponsor or to find out other ways you can help Riverside, contact us on 02 8839 3399 or see riversideparramatta.com.au/support. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
HELP US CONNECT OUR COMMUNITIES IN 2024
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GETTING HERE Find us nestled on the banks of the scenic Parramatta River in the heart of Eat Street. T: Our closest station is Parramatta Station which is approximately 15 minute walk from Riverside. Trains to Parramatta run every 10 to 15 minutes and bus services run regularly throughout the night. F: Parramatta Wharf is an 8 minute walk to us along the river. For more transport options and to plan your trip see transportnsw.info/ P: There are multiple car parks in short walking distance of Riverside (see map). If you hold a current accessible parking permit, we have a small number of onsite parking spaces available to book through our Box Office on 02 8839 3399 Please note: Permanent traffic changes are now in place on and around Church Street (between Market & Macquarie Streets) for the Parramatta Light Rail. Motorists traveling to Riverside should note, these changes may affect the amount of time that it takes for you to drive & park.
ROSS ST
COMMBANK STADIUM
ENTRADA CAR PARK
WILD
20 metres distance
ELIZAB
NOVOTEL
E AV E
ETH ST
O’CON NELL ST
400 metres distance
SORRELL ST
Check out dining, parking and accommodation offers from our partners at riversideparramatta.com.au/your-visit
THOM
AS ST
PARKROYAL
MERITON CAR PARK
400 metres distance
JUSTICE PRECINCT CAR PARK 1100 metres distance
ARGY
LE ST PARRAMATTA STATION CAR PARK
1100 metres distance
Riverside Theatres – Cnr Church & Market Sts Riverside Theatres – Cnr Church & Market Streets
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ST
RS RTH U MAC A
350 metres distance
SMITH
EAT STREET ERBY PLACE
T
130 metres distance
THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS Riverside Theatres is an initiative of City of Parramatta Council
PARTNER (GOVERNMENT)
RIVERSIDE THEATRES Cnr Church and Market Streets Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 3636 Parramatta NSW 2124 ABN 49907174773
Administration 02 8839 3398 Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
LEADERSHIP TEAM Director – Craig McMaster Acting Marketing & Communications Team Leader – Samantha Attard Operations Manager – Mike Brew Ticketing & Box Office Coordinator – Dave Fili Executive Producer, National Theatre of Parramatta – Joanne Kee Business Manager – Tanya Sampson Program Manager – Catherine Swallow
MAJOR PARTNER
RIVERSIDE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Cr Ange Humphries Cr Cameron MacLean Cr Georgina Valjak Jon Greig Keiasha Naidoo Dr Robert Lang Vyvienne Abla Marwa Abouzeid Derrin Brown Cate Cunningham Jackie Emery John Moore
Brochure Design and Artwork leadinghand.com.au Details in this brochure are correct at time of printing. Riverside reserves the right to add, withdraw and substitute artists and vary the programme and prices should the necessity arise. Please note that some performances may contain smoke, strobe lighting, loud noise, coarse language and nudity. Where known we will indicate this in our program, website and in the theatre foyer at the time of the performance.
RIVERSIDE
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Ray
Black
RIVERSIDEPARRAMATTA.COM.AUUnion Box Office 02 8839 3399 Cnr Church & Market Sts, Parramatta Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm Windermere Sat, 9.30am – 1pm