New Annual at The Civic

This month Civic Theatre welcomes New Annual, Newcastle's very own art, culture and creativity festival. With an ever-evolving city and community, New Annual embodies the transformation of Newcastle.

As a part of New Annual, Civic Theatre has programmed some incredible shows, including Bell Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub's Grappling for the Edge, and Airness by Knock + Run Theatre Co. In addition, Civic Theatre has two special feature productions for New Annual: Radial and Trolleys.

Radial (2 October) is a unique collaboration between Tantrum Youth Arts' Accelerate Ensemble and Back to Back Theatre from Geelong. Radial is a portrait of Newcastle's community in motion filmed on a circular track, performers and the landscape are captured in 360 degrees. Don't miss the free screening of the resulting film at Civic Theatre.

Trolleys (1 + 2 October) by Shaun Parker and Company is part dance, part ballet, part outdoor spectacle. Five shopping carts randomly appear in a public space. Two meet and fall in love. A lone cart grapples to find a friend. Three others revolt and ignite a dance of anarchy. Trolleys is a free, live street performance you can enjoy outside the Civic Theatre. After each performance there will be a free 20-minute Hip Hop workshop taught by a Shaun Parker & Company dancer.

The Comedy of Errors by Shakespeare is one of his early plays, a farcical comedy with most of the humour coming from slapstick and mistaken identity. Shipwrecked and separated 33 years earlier, two sets of long-lost twins miraculously find themselves in the same city on the same day. What could possibly go wrong? It's a play about misguided love, mistaken imprisonment, and chaotic mishaps, leading to an unbelievably crazy day for the bumbling twins! Produced by Bell Shakespeare and directed by long-term collaborator Janine Watson, this is a beautiful story about reunion wrapped up in an evening of entertainment and laughter.

For tickets visit civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or phone 4929 1977.