ENTERTAINMENT

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James and the Giant Peach

March 30 to April 7 at QPAC

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Shake & Stir Theatre Co. are set to enchant audiences with their production of “James and the Giant Peach.” This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved novel is scheduled to captivate viewers from March 30 to April 7, 2024.

The story follows the adventures of young

James, who fnds himself on a fantastical journey with a group of giant insect friends aboard an enormous peach. This theatrical rendition is designed to delight and mesmerise audiences of all ages, specifcally recommended for those aged 5 and up. The production aims to bring Dahl’s imaginative world to life, showcasing themes of friendship, courage, and the magic of discovery.

James and the Giant Peach stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Dahl’s storytelling, combining elements of whimsy and wonder with life lessons about the importance of companionship and resilience.

QPAC and Shake & Stir Theatre Co.’s collaboration promises an engaging and visually stunning interpretation, incorporating innovative stagecraft, puppetry, and music to fully immerse the audience in James’s extraordinary escapade.

As the play unfolds, viewers will be transported from the dreary, lonely life James leads with his two cruel aunts, to a vibrant, surreal world flled with talking insects, including a wise old Grasshopper, a pessimistic Earthworm, and a motherly Ladybug. This journey is not just a physical one but also a metaphorical exploration of growth, self-discovery, and the realisation that family can be found in the most unexpected places. This production is an invitation to both young and old to experience the magic of live theatre and the power of storytelling. It offers a perfect opportunity for families to enjoy a shared cultural experience that sparks the imagination and kindles a love for reading and the arts.

For more information visit the offcial QPAC website at www.qpac. com.au

XPRESS.

Big Crossword Across Down

TARGET TIME

F I E

T H C A N I

Today’s target:

30 words average

36 words good

42+ words excellent

Find words of four letters or more. Every word must include the centre letter and each letter is used once only. Find at least one nine-letter word. No colloquial or foreign words, capitalised nouns, apostrophes, hyphens. No verbs or plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution list is not exhaustive. Ref: Macquarie Dictionary

ASTROLOGY with Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Auspac Media

Impulsive, feisty planets Mars and Jupiter are stirring up your horoscope, so prepare for a challenging week full of inconvenient disruptions and dramatic surprises. Being a hot-headed, rambunctious (or rude) Ram will just land you in a heap of trouble … especially involving friendships or financial matters. Simmer down, before you say or do something that you later regret. You’ll find cool cooperation will get you a lot further than fiery confrontation.

TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20)

With so many planets in Pisces and Aquarius, being flexible is the key to a successful week. If you are too stubborn and unyielding in your opinions, then others will just stop listening to what you have to say. And if you are too slow off the mark (and hesitant to take action) then others will streak ahead of you, especially at work. So your motto is from fellow Taurean, actress Shirley MacLaine: “Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. It’s where all the fruit is.”

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)

You’re keen to connect with others as four planets activate your career zone. It’s a terrific time to converse and communicate, text and tweet. People are waiting to hear what you’ve got to say as you brainstorm your creative ideas. Mercury (your ruling planet) makes positive links with the Sun, Saturn and Jupiter, so stop procrastinating and start delivering! Be inspired by birthday great, writer and illustrator Dr Seuss: “Only you can control your future.”

CANCER (June 21 – July 22)

Cancer folk can be super cautious … spending too much time at home in your cosy comfort zone. But this week – with the Sun, Mercury, Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter all activating your traveland-adventure zone – it’s time to crawl out of your Crab cave and be much more adventurous. Be inspired by Hollywood movie star (and birthday great) Elizabeth Taylor: “There are so many doors to be opened, and I’m not afraid to look behind them.”

This week’s spontaneous stars increase your restless side and your independent streak. Work projects are particularly favoured, as you connect with influential friends and creative colleagues. Clever Cats will resist the urge to be bossy and self-indulgent. You’re in the mood to take a professional risk or go on a grand adventure but avoid saying the first thing that pops into your head. Sometimes silence is golden, and some things are best left unsaid.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Don’t be too set in the way you think the week should develop. With Mars and Uranus shaking things up, expect last-minute delays or disruptions that will keep you on your toes! Attached Virgos –take the time to talk through problems with your sweetheart. Singles – look beyond the exterior package that a potential partner presents. Killer curves or bulging biceps may seem enticing but –if the two of you can’t communicate well – it’s just not going to last.

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Librans long for peace and harmony. You want everything to run smoothly this week, but it may not happen! Relationships will be unpredictable and loved ones disruptive, so revise your expectations and just take things as they come. With four planets activating your daily routine zone, look for exciting ways to expand your influence in the world around you. You’ll find the more you extend yourself and encourage others, the more successful you’ll be.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The stars favour decorating, redesigning or renovating your home environment, and some Scorpios will move house. But are you brooding on the past … and kicking yourself for romantic or career opportunities you’ve missed along the way? It’s time to learn from your mistakes and move on. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great Johnny Cash: “Close the door on the past. You don’t forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on them.”

Four planets (including Saturn) are stirring up your domestic zone, and disruptive Mars squares your ruler, Jupiter. Which could rattle your composure, fire up your frustrations, and amplify any family problems you’re facing at the moment. But don’t waste your time (and everyone else’s) with endless complaining. Instead, be inspired by movie legend (and birthday great) Elizabeth Taylor: “Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week the Sun, Mercury and Saturn encourage you to listen to loved ones closely and keep the channels of communication open. Is a family member going through a rough patch? Don’t lecture them! Strive to help them in compassionate and generous ways. But it may be time to be more proactive about money matters and reformulate your financial plans. When it comes to work and business, it’s much better to under-promise and then over-deliver.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Jupiter and Uranus send disruptions in your direction (especially involving domestic and family matters), plus Mars demands that you stop being stubborn and start being more adventurous. The only certainty at the moment is change! You’re feeling ridiculously restless but try to modify your reactions, otherwise it will be a long and tiring week. Just because you’re in the process of shaking up your life doesn’t mean you have to unsettle everyone around you.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

The Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune are transiting through your sign. So you’re emanating some serious charisma this week! Make sure you celebrate the creative and compassionate Piscean within via writing, singing, dancing, drawing, painting, playing music or helping others. But resist the temptation to spill secrets and blurt out something inappropriate – especially to a relative or neighbour. Friday favours short trips and fun community connections.

Best On The Box

TUESDAY RAMSAY’S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES USA

SEVEN, 8.30pm

Sunday

House Of Gods

ABC, 8.30pm

It’s a sophisticated thriller about family and power that could be set anywhere in the world. Premiering tonight, this gripping six-part story takes place in western Sydney and comes from Ali’s Wedding writer and creator Osamah Sami. It’s personal for Sami, based on his teen years growing up as the son of the head cleric at a Melbourne mosque. Starring Kamel El Basha (pictured above, right), it’s an immersive view into an Iraqi Australian community and culture, which is rarely represented on screen. We follow a charismatic sheik who is elected as head of The Messenger mosque amid a urry of controversy. Gripping and original.

You’d be forgiven for doing a double-take upon seeing straight-talking British chef Gordon Ramsay (pictured) – who sprinkles swear words as liberally as salt and pepper – on-screen again. After more than 10 years, motivated to help mend the havoc that the pandemic wreaked on the hospitality industry, the foodie is back guiding failing restaurants to turn their fortunes around with a no-nonsense talking to – as well as a menu and dining area reno. Tonight, Ramsay is in Brooklyn at Juicy Box, where he comes to the rescue of manager Q by not only getting the long-broken juicer xed, but by taking the partygoer to the gym. It’s ery Gordon doing good.

WEDNESDAY THIS IS GOING TO HURT

ABC, 9.05pm medical drama stands heads and shoulders above inching and funny dive into the frailties of medicine that grabs you and won’t let go.

Ben Whishaw (pictured, No Time To Die) plumbs the highs and lows of his unforgiving role with a magnetic presence and brutal honesty. Tonight, Adam’s mental health is sinking, with Erika’s (Hannah Onslow) complaint and guilt bearing down on him. If you haven’t already binged this excellent and sometimes grimly realistic British o ering, it’s a prescription to laugh and cry in equal measure.

7.30

10.30

11.05

11.20

1.40

6.00

7.30

8.25 Legends End: The Loch Ness Monster Story. (PGa, R) A look at a search for the Loch Ness monster.

9.25 Queens That Changed The World: The Forgotten Queen –Anne. (PGa) Takes a look at Queen Anne.

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Departure. (Ma)

11.40 Romulus. (MA15+av, R)

3.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mals, R)

4.30 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 7News Local.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs explores how Tetra Paks can be upcycled into building and construction materials.

8.30 MOVIE: Sweet Home Alabama. (2002, PGl, R) A New York socialite returns to Alabama to divorce the man she married and left behind, years earlier. However, she soon realises putting her past to rest may be far more di cult than she imagined. Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Candice Bergen.

10.50 To Be Advised.

12.35 12 Monkeys. (MA15+av, R) The nal battle is waged.

2.30 Home Shopping.

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.

6.00

7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: The Singing Gibbon. (PGm) The zoo’s white-cheeked gibbon has stopped singing.

8.30 MOVIE: Miss Congeniality. (2000, Msv, R) A graceless FBI agent

Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 The Graham Norton Show. Guests include Jodie Foster.

8.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGa, R) British dog trainer Graeme Hall helps a couple whose pet is more baby than hound.

9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (PGa, R) Graham Norton is joined by Paul Mescal, Michaela Coel, Winston Duke, Emma Corrin and Richard Ayoade.

10.30 Fire Country. (PGdsv, R)

11.30 So Help Me Todd. (PGa, R)

12.30 The Project. (R)

1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R)