STAGE GUIDE

Shows to catch in February + March

SupperClub Friday Presents: Comedy Republic

The Bleeding Tree

Shining a light on domestic violence, Angus Cerini’s award-winning play The Bleeding Tree is theatre at its most powerful. In a dirtdry town in rural Australia, a shot shatters the still night. A mother and her daughters have just welcomed home the man of the house - with a crack in the shins and a bullet in the neck. The only issue now is disposing of the body. Triggered into thrilling motion by an act of revenge, The Bleeding Tree is rude, rhythmical and irreverently funny.

The Bleeding Tree runs at Platform Arts with multiple performances from 22 February to 25 February.

Frolic Cabaret

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny

Playing more than 75 epic shows in these venues around the country, ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ legend Jimmy Carr’s all-new stand-up show Terribly Funny contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes – they are not the terrible things. Jokes are little lies. Nothing more than wonderful, funny, joyful tricks, constructed from language. Catering to “an adult paying audience who’ve got a good idea what’s in store”, audiences can expect that nothing will be off the table here.

See Carr at Civic Hall, Ballarat on 15 + 22 February, Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on 16 + 23 February, and Costa Hall, Geelong on 5 March.

The Naked Magicians

Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne, Australia’s own The Naked Magicians, arrive home from their Las Vegas residency at MGM Grand with their smash hit show that sees the duo forego top hats and capes for full frontal illusions complete with magic, muscles and endless laughs. Contains nudity, sexual references, and adult themes.

Ballarat Civic Hall, Ballarat on 2 March, Costa Hall, Geelong on 4 March and Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on March 16. Strictly 18+

Adored independent comedy theatre Comedy Republic is hitting the road with a stacked lineup of their funniest favourites, including comedians Claire Hooper, Alex Ward, Dane Simpson and Luka Muller. Making up part of the Palais Hepburn’s SupperClub Friday program, the one-off performance is combining fantastic entertainment with exquisite dining options in the theatre’s salon. The series gives audiences the chance to bookend their evening with a delicious meal before the show and a worldclass cocktail to conclude a splendid night.

See it at Palais Hepburn, Hepburn Springs on 24 February.

A downright dirty assortment of drag, comedy and cabaret hosted by the fabulous drag disruptor Ruby Slippers, Frolic Cabaret features local drag performer, singer and celebrity Gabriella Labucci, sequinned satirist and downright ridiculous Miss Fribby, operatic cabaret sweetheart Issie Hart and the ‘quirky but earnest’ comedian back by request Daisy Webb.

Piano Bar Ballarat on Thursday, February 9 at 7pm.

Victorian State Ballet presents The Snow Queen

The Victorian State Ballet proudly presents The Snow Queen in a beautiful ballet story performance! Based on the well-known classic fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen, the Snow Queen is a beautiful ballet that portrays the heart-warming story of the young Gerda and her struggle against an evil and icy foe. With stunning sets, costumes, music and icy magic lighting, outstanding skill, artistry and technique will be on show in this visually inspiring and highly entertaining performance.

Lano & Woodley: Moby Dick

Hailed as ‘two of our greatest virtuosos of comedy’, the duo are heading our way with their brand new show ‘Moby Dick’ – their most ambitious show yet. Moby Dick is one of the greatest stories ever told, with adventure, revenge, madness, religion and the fury and majesty of nature, all served with a side of whaling. Will Captain Ahab’s hatred of his nemesis Moby Dick send them headlong into total destruction? Will Colin’s long-held hatred of Frank, ends in the destruction of his dickhead nemesis?

Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on 10 February, Melbourne Comedy Festival on 11-16 April and Town Hall, Kyneton on 27 May.

Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on 19 February, Frankston Arts Centre on 5 March, West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul on March 19, and Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on May 5 + 6.

Hard Quiz Live

‘Hard Quiz’ Master, Overlord and Gold Logie Award-winner Tom Gleeson is adding a third dimension to Australia’s hardest TV quiz, swapping the studio for a theatre and hitting the road. This will be Hard Quiz like you have never seen it, with audience members pulled on stage for a live roasting from the most brutal quizmaster since the inquisition. This may be peak Gleeson, the most perfect expression of his powers – Hard Quiz, a huge live crowd and no rules.

See it at Lighthouse Theatre in Warrnambool on 10 February, Costa Hall, Geelong on 17 March and Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on 13 May.