Fraser Coast Scene - March 2023

MEET THE DRAMA KING

ARTIST PROFILE: MATTHEW KING

In a small, dimly lit beachside café on the Esplanade, Matthew King sipped his cup of tea and hatched a plan. This was the moment musical theatre company Macabre Theatre was born.

Matthew is a fiercely passionate and accomplished director, producer and actor who has gained recognition for his commitment to performing arts in South East Queensland. He started his life in performing arts by volunteering at Z-Pac Theatre and by the age of twenty-one he had landed a presidential role, quickly becoming the youngest life member ever to be inducted in to the theatre. In his earlier career Matthew focused on behind the scenes roles such as technical manager, set designer, lighting and costume creator before discovering his love of directing and eventually stepping out from behind the curtain and embracing small cameo acting roles in his productions.

In 2016 Matthew took a huge risk and decided to think big. Up until this time the theatre

performances had been held in school halls, but Matthew knew Macabre was ready for more. The sell-out production of “Grease” at the Brolga Theatre tipped the scales and Matthew realised his beloved theatre company was more than just a hobby.

When the entertainment industry suddenly ground to a halt as a result of Covid-19, Matthew knew he needed to support his struggling arts workers. Never one to back down from a challenge, this created an opportunity for Matthew to think outside the box. With a team of willing participants and backing from Fraser Coast Regional Council with a RADF grant “Broadway by the Bay” was created. The larger-than-life outdoor theatre production took place at Seafront Oval and was the first of its kind, bringing life to a struggling community in the form of the arts.

Macabre Theatre is about to celebrate it’s ten year anniversary and for Matthew, it only seems right that they go full circle with a production of the first stage show

COVER IMAGE:

Mia Boe, The Nostalgia of Mother and Child (detail) 2021, synthetic polymer on linen. Courtesy of the artist and Sutton Gallery. On display at HBRG from 11 March in The Dingo Project: Wongari.

STAY INSPIRED!

This guide shares a taste of Council’s arts, culture and heritage program and was correct at time of printing. To keep up to date with the latest information visit our website.

www.ourfrasercoast.com.au

/ourfrasercoast

We welcome contributions from our creative community. For more information email ArtsCulture@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Macabre ever performed – Peter Pan. With a strong sense of community and an advocate for inclusivity, Matthew’s moral compass is firmly rooted in Macabre Theatre Company and with his encouragement and support, Matthew sees a bright future for his beloved theatre and his Macabre family.

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Fraser Coast Scene is distributed free as a marketing and engagement initiative of Fraser Coast Regional Council. It’s about promoting Council’s programs and services by sharing stories of our arts and cultural community and their connection to Council’s spaces.

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Fraser Coast Regional Council acknowledges to the east, the Butchulla (Badtjala) and to the west, the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) People, their connection to Country (land, sea and sky) and recognises the many places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance in the community. We pay respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge other First Nation Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islander people, who reside in the Fraser Coast region.

Story: April Spadina

Photo: Cody Fox

Rob McCullough –The Show Stopper

Sun 5 Mar | 2PM

Featuring Hits from Les Miserable, Oliver, Martin, Michael Buble, Phantom of the Opera, Frank Sinatra, Peter Allen and many more.

The Crucible – NT Live

Mon 6 Mar | 1PM

Thu 9 Mar | 7PM

A witch hunt is beginning in Salem – Arthur Miller’s gripping parable of power and its abuse.

www.ourfrasercoast.com.au

Morning Melodies  –Blue Bayou

Thu 30 Mar | 11 AM

Blue Bayou celebrates the influence of country music on the pop charts of the 1960s and 70s.

Leaving Jackson –The Carter Cash Story

Fri 31 Mar | 7.30 PM

Relive the moments that captured the life of a Legend. A life story played out through some of the greatest songs ever written.

Anh Do – The Happiest Refugee LIVE!!

Wed 8 Mar | 7.30 PM

This moving and inspirational theatre experience combines humour, real life stories, photos and filmed pieces to retell Do’s amazing story.

Billy V’s Elton –Duelling Pianos

Sat 1 Apr | 7.30 PM

Delivering the greatest hits of Billy Joel and Elton John, featuring a live 9-piece tribute band and 5 vocalists.

WHAT’S ON | MARCH 2023

5 Walker Street, Maryborough 4122 6060

Box Office Open Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm

Rebel Rebel The Bowie Anthology

Fri 10 Mar | 7.30 PM

This live rock performance set in a rockumentary format tells the story of David Bowie’s life and music.

Wendy Matthews & Grace Knight – We’re Going to Graceland

Sun 12 Mar | 7.30 PM

Two legends of Aussie music present the songs of one of the world’s greatest living songwriters Paul Simon.

Cirque Mother Africa

Fri 17 Mar | 7.30 PM

The heartbeat of Africa pulsates throughout this jawdropping show. Combining the best of contortion, acrobatics, dance, hand balancing and so much more.

Life of Pi – NT Live

Mon 3 Apr | 1PM

Thu 6 Apr | 7PM

Screening. Relive the moments that captured the life of a Legend played out through some of the greatest songs ever written.

Bjorn Again – Thank ABBA for the Music

Sat 22 Apr | 8.00 PM

ABBA fans get excited as Björn Again bring ABBA’s timeless hits back to the stage in a sing-along, dancealong extravaganza.

Celtic Illusion –The Magic Returns

Tue 25 Apr | 7.30 PM

Immerse yourself in the Irish Dance and Grand Illusion sensation that has taken the world by storm.

FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 4pm

Weekends: 10am - 2pm. Closed Mondays.

EXHIBITIONS: 11 MARCH – 20 MAY

OPENING NIGHT: Fri 10 Mar | 5.30 PM

The Dingo Project: Wongari

Originally curated for Ngununggula in the NSW Southern Highlands, The Dingo Project: Wongari shift s the focus of Djon Mundine’s curatorial project to Butchulla country and the Wongari of K’gari.

WORKSHOPS, TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Fernando do Campo: To companion a companion

With one foot in the field and the other in the archives, Fernando do Campo focuses on ‘companioning’ as an artistic strategy, researching the knotted histories of urban multispecies encounters through listening, painting, archiving and plural histories.

Meet the Artist: Fernando do Campo

Thu 8 Mar | 4-5PM

Professional development opportunity for educators and artists.

Butchulla cultural walking tour

Fri 10 Mar | 8.30-10 AM

A Butchulla perspective of local flora and fauna in Urangan.

Artist

& Curator Talks

Sat 11 Mar | 11 AM -12PM

HBRG Makers’ Market

Sat 25 Mar | 10AM-1PM

A selection of the best artisan and handmade products from local makers and artists.

Top Image: Mia Boe, Satisfaction of one’s own reflection, 2021, synthetic polymer on linen. Bottom Image: Fernando do Campo, Pishing in the archive, 2021, single channel HD video (production still).

166 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay 4197 4206

311 Kent St, Maryborough 4190 5818

FREE ENTRY Open Weekdays: 9.30am - 3.30pm and Weekends: 9.30am - 2pm.

EXHIBITIONS: FRI 3 MAR - SUN 16 APR

Exhibition Opening Fri 3 Mar | 6pm

A Quiet Gentle

Nicole Jakins

A love of the natural environment focuses on the resilience of Australian native flora and fauna.

Heritage Collection

A collaborative exhibition which examines the restoration and reuse of two key Maryborough Heritage Buildings: Gatakers Creative Space and The Story Bank.

ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION

Barbara Stephenson

Sat 4 Mar | 11 AM

Ebb & Flow

Barbara Stephenson

Strips of rejected woollen blankets and clothing are stitched to form the lines and swirls of landscapes.

CREATIVE SPACE POP-UP EXHIBITIONS:

3 MAR - 9 APR

Works from Dr Anneke Silver Workshop

Drawings, paintings, prints and mixed media works from participants.

WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES

Superpowered on Tour – QAGOMA

17 Feb – 9 Apr

Mini Art Textile Workshop

Sun 5 Mar |10 AM -12PM

Visual dialogs of Maryborough

Nora Hanasy

Assemblage art made from repurposed and discarded wood and metal.

Nicole Jakins

Sat 11 Mar | 11 AM

The Art of Grant Writing Workshop

Sat 11 Mar | 1PM

Life Drawing

Saturdays | 10 AM -12PM

Images (clockwise from top left): Nicole Jakins, While my daugther sleeps; Barbara Stephenson, Desert Spring textile © J Szymcyzk; Nora Hanasy, Pressure & Pain Assemblage; Gatakers Creative Space, photo courtesy of The Maryborough & Wide Bay & Burnett Historical Society.

Tea with

Walking Tours

Firing of the Time Cannon