2023 Season program

Queensland Theatre acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities of Queensland, the Traditional Custodians on whose land works are created, performed and celebrated and their unique continuing connection to the lands, seas and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders both past and present and to all First Nations peoples.

QUEENSLAND THEATRE IS ASSISTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL, ITS ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY. QUEENSLAND THEATRE IS SUPPORTED BY THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT THROUGH ARTS QUEENSLAND.

David Williamson’s

28 Jan — 18 Feb Bille Brown Theatre FAMILY

VALUES

drizzle boy

By Ryan Enniss

Shakespeare’s

11 — 25 Mar Bille Brown Theatre

15 Apr — 13 May Bille Brown Theatre AT

AS YOU LIKE IT

WHAT COST?

By Nathan Maynard

25 May — 10 Jun Bille Brown Theatre TINY BEAUTIFUL

By Nia Vardalos

THINGS

17 Jun — 8 Jul Bille Brown Theatre

By Hannah Belanszky

the appleton ladies’ potato race

By

VIETGONE

By Qui Nguyen Original Music by Shane Rettig

19 Aug — 9 Sep Bille Brown Theatre

7 — 28 Oct

Bille Brown Theatre

4 — 18 Nov

Playhouse, QPAC

Melanie Tait

Don’t ask what the bird look like

It’s time to have some fun! After the speed bumps of the last two years we’re putting our foot down on the pedal and heading towards that light at the end of the tunnel — a great big season of awesome plays.

We know theatre can do many things, but in times like these we need theatre to entertain us. We all love a good laugh. Some giggles. A bucketful of chortles, a truckload of eye rolls, stacks of grins, cackles, shrieks, crack-ups, snickers and stomach cramps. When we laugh together we remember that we belong together. So, let us entertain you in 2023.

We promise you moments of wild surprise, radical hope, intriguing gentleness, bliss, joy, spiritual wonder and the warmth of being with a community of people who all love sharing great stories. There will be space travel, balloons, shepherds,

ninjas, great love, cups of tea, ghosts, cowboys, samosas, mysteries, school lunches and deep friendships. We want to put many smiles on your face. That doesn’t mean it’s all fluffy… there are plays in there with big ideas. But they are all written by playwrights who believe that great theatre always entertains. The plays will be created by directors who love using all their theatre magic to make sure you never want to look away. And we will fill the plays to the brim with great actors who will make your heart thrill.

We are just so happy to be working for you doing what we do best — giving you a great night out. So, bring your friends or find some when you get here, and join us for some real fun in 2023. We are definitely here to play!

Lee Lewis Artistic Director

DAVID WILLIAMSON’S

FAMILY VALUES

DIRECTED BY LEE LEWIS WITH PETER KOWITZ

Roger is turning 70. No gifts and no fuss. Quality family time. That’s all he wants from his wife Sue and their three children. Maybe some balloons. It is a party after all.

Family Values is a powerful, funny and poignant call to action.

The Sydney Morning Herald

But Emily, Lisa and Michael have other ideas. Lisa is on a mission to save Saba, a detention centre escapee. All they need are the keys to dad’s holiday home and they’ll be on their way. Michael has found religion and is now following God’s plan. Emily’s marriage has fallen apart with new love found in Noeline, a Border Force boat Commander. A simple family birthday get together, right?

It’s like your worst family Christmas lunch where deeply held beliefs are pulled apart and longheld resentments resurface. Crackling dialogue, perceptive insight and fierce humour that skewers hypocrisy. Classic Williamson.

DRIZZLE BOY

WRITTEN BY RYAN ENNISS DIRECTED BY DANIEL EVANS

STRAP YOURSELF IN FOR A ROCKET RIDE.

Drizzle Boy is autistic. Drizzle Boy is poked, prodded and diagnosed by a world that wants to change him and a family who don’t understand him. Then he meets Juliet— his very own star-crossed love. Could she be a safe space for a man who just wants a calm centre to his universe?

Join Drizzle Boy as he takes back his story from a world of misunderstandings with irreverence and audacity. It’s a biting satire blending magical realism with a Kafkaesque journey of self-discovery. If you are neurotypical then you’re about to take a theatrical cold shower in the world of neurodiversity.

Drizzle Boy is the winner of the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022-23. If you like your theatre fresh, free-wheeling and unexpected, jump on board as director Daniel Evans (The Almighty Sometimes) takes us on an all-terrain ride.

AS YOU LIKE IT

DIRECTED BY DAMIEN RYAN WITH EMMA WRIGHT

OR, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN EXILE Disguises, lovelorn youth and wit galore — this fast-paced classic lets us know that all the world’s a stage, and we’re merely players. With more weddings than you can throw a bouquet at, you have to ask yourself, will love conquer all or is it madness?

Rosalind has been banished by the villainous Duke Frederick. Disguised as a man, she seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden. Turns out she’s not the only one with that idea. The Forest is now home to other exiled fugitives, including the chivalrous Orlando. Cue melodic songs, questionable poetry, a wise cracking fool and buckets of laughs.

Live a little, comfort a little, cheer thyself a little!

William

Shakespeare

Brought to us by acclaimed Shakespearean director Damien Ryan (Taming of the Shrew) this beguiling tale twists and turns through love, lust and mistaken identity. Not to mention the shepherds... !

AT WHAT COST?

TRUTH, COUNTRY AND THE BLOOD IN BETWEEN Tasmania, now. Boyd’s got enough on his plate between his responsibilities to land and people. But something’s happening. Every year more and more folk are claiming to be Palawa too. Folk no-one’s heard of until now, who haven’t been ‘round before. Are they legit? Or are they ‘tick-a-box’? Who decides? And how?

Finely wrought story and perfectly alive dialogue knit together to ask knotty questions with ferocity and grace in equal turn. The Sydney Morning Herald

BY NATHAN MAYNARD DIRECTED BY ISAAC DRANDIC WITH LUKE CARROLL PRODUCTION PARTNER

If Boyd’s going to take everyone forward, they’re all going to have to go back, old mob or new, into the island’s knotty past. And they might not like what they find there.

This ground-breaking production comes to us from Belvoir St Theatre, directed by Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Associate, Isaac Drandic. It’s an ambitious conversation about identity and history, shared with humour and generosity by Palawa playwright Nathan Maynard.

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

BASED ON THE BOOK

BY CHERYL STRAYED

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE

BY NIA VARDALOS DIRECTED BY LEE LEWIS WITH MANDY MCELHINNEY

THE BEST ADVICE CAN COME FROM AN UNLIKELY SOURCE.

Cheryl Strayed is many things; a wife, a mother, a daughter, a writer, an ex-heroin user and now, an unpaid, online anonymous advice columnist called Sugar.

Heart-tugging and emotionally rewarding.

The Huffington Post

Amidst the clutter of family life she receives emails from strangers urgently needing help navigating the contradictions and complexities of life. Sugar replies with candour, offering her own tough, sweet brand of unadulterated advice designed to provide a path of healing and catharsis. What would you tell someone who is unsure about role playing as a sexy Santa or the father who feels as dead as his lost son?

Academy Award nominee (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Nia Vardalos adapts this New York Times bestselling book into a stage work that is as authentic and human as the real stories it contains. Dare to reach out and embrace this exquisitely vulnerable play and the questions it poses. The advice you receive may surprise you.

Presented in association with Trish Wadley Productions.

PRODUCTION PARTNER

DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE

BY HANNAH BELANSZKY DIRECTED BY ROXANNE MCDONALD AND LEE LEWIS WITH MICHAEL TUAHINE

A GENTLY FUNNY, ALMOST GOTHIC TALE ABOUT LAND, FAMILY AND RECONNECTION.

Joan needs her father. She hasn’t seen him since he left her and her Mum when she was just a little girl. She wants answers, she wants history, she wants to know more about who she is.

Travelling into country as remote as it is strange to this city girl, Joan finds Mick. He doesn’t speak much, and bears little resemblance to the man who taught her to play Scrabble all those years ago. But amid the flies, the heat, the dust and the stillness of this small river town lurk many ghosts and mysteries. Over cups of tea and Scrabble in Mick’s weather-beaten old house, Joan is about to discover some family secrets that have been hidden below the surface for decades.

With a light touch of humour and a philosophical undercurrent, this play is an intimate work from an exciting new First Nations voice, directed by Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Elder Roxanne McDonald with Lee Lewis.

Finalist Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2018–19.

THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE

BY MELANIE TAIT DIRECTED BY PRISCILLA JACKMAN WITH RACHEL GORDON

ANY TOWN CAN FEEL SMALL WHEN YOU SAY YOU DESERVE MORE.

Welcome to Appleton, a tidy country town with a population of 1557. Stop in at the pub in the arvo, try your luck with the pokies and why not stay for the annual Potato Race?

It’s the highlight of the year. Only this year Dr Penny Anderson is back home in Appleton, and she has a question. Why should the prize money for the race be more for the men than for the women?

Cousin Nikki thinks Penny is up herself. Long-time resident Barb is up for a change but her friend Bev isn’t a fan of the tree-changers and their woke ways. Can they work together to smash through the glass ceiling, one potato sack at a time?

Playwright Melanie Tait takes real life events and brings us a warm comedy showing the world that there’s more than one way to win a race.

VIETGONE

BY QUI NGUYEN ORIGINAL MUSIC BY SHANE RETTIG DIRECTED BY DANIEL EVANS AND NGOC PHAN

A WILD ROAD-TRIP ROMANCE THROUGH THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA

Saigon has fallen. Helicopter pilot Quang and strongwilled Tong have both narrowly escaped the end of the Vietnam War and find themselves in a new and deeply strange country.

Thrown together in the arrival camp in Arkansas, they must navigate a mystifying dustland of rednecks, bikers, hippies and cowboys. Tong wants to make a fresh start in the land of opportunity, while Quang just wants to get home. But what if the spark growing between them was to ignite?

With its in-your-face ninja action and pulse-pounding hip-hop music, Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone is an inventive and genre-bending live-action theatrical cartoon — an irreverent, pulp fiction-style take on the love story that may (or may not) have led to his own birth.

This perfect finale to 2023 will be co-directed by Dan Evans and Ng c Phan on the Playhouse stage at QPAC. Cue the glitter cannon.

A wildly fun, imaginative production, wonderfully staged and hilarious!

The Hollywood Reporter

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

Hello everyone!

As we launch another season we celebrate our donors, corporate partners and government funders.

Your support has allowed us to bounce back from the challenges of floods and the pandemic with optimism and energy, opening our theatres again. From everyone at Queensland Theatre, thank you.

Philanthropic support is essential for our sustainability and growth. It allows us to present largescale landmark productions, develop new stories, especially First Nations stories, create opportunities for artists and offer our extensive Education and Youth programs across the state.

I invite you to join our Visionaries annual giving program, by making a tax-deductible donation when you purchase your 2023 Season Ticket. Our donors are at the heart of everything we do. Together we are building a vibrant cultural life for our community for generations to come.

Every donation, large or small, helps us create great theatre.

Thank you for your support.

Amanda Jolly Executive Director

BECOME A VISIONARY

Visionaries is our annual giving program for people like you, who share our belief in the magic of theatre.

We are so grateful to our Visionaries family. Your ongoing support and philanthropic leadership means our extraordinary programs and outstanding artists can have a lasting impact on communities throughout Queensland and around the world.

We warmly invite you to join our family of Visionaries by donating with your Season Ticket. With your help we can bridge the gap between government funding and Season Ticket sales, ensuring we continue to deliver powerful theatre for everyone.

GIVING LEVELS

PATRONS $1,000 COLLABORATORS $2,500 BENEFACTORS $5,000 LEADERS $10,000 ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $25,000 RAINMAKERS $50,000

For more information, please contact our Development team at development@queenslandtheatre.com.au or 07 3010 7614.

Book your Season Ticket for the following dates and join Artistic Director Lee Lewis and fellow Visionaries for exclusive events connecting you more closely with the Company and our artists.

FAMILY VALUES

Wednesday 15 February, evening

Post-performance

Meet and greet with David Williamson and the artists.

DRIZZLE BOY

Thursday 23 March

Post-performance Let’s get clear on autism.

AS YOU LIKE IT

Wednesday 3 May, evening Pre-performance Small cheer and great welcome.

AT WHAT COST?

Thursday 1 June Post-performance

Gather together to mark National Reconciliation Week.

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Wednesday 5 July, evening Pre-performance

Pour out your hearts and we’ll pour you a drink!

DON’t ask what the bird look like

Tuesday 5 September Post-performance

Hear Artistic Elder Roxanne McDonald talk to this beautiful work.

The APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE

Tuesday 17 October Post-performance

Equal parts cocktails and conversation in the Diane Cilento Studio.

Vietgone Thursday 16 November Pre-performance

Fuel up at Rydges for one last road trip in 2023!

Buy your tickets on the same night as these events and join your fellow Visionaries. Look for the green date in the booking form calendar.

sUPPORT OUR ARTISTS

Help us discover and empower Queensland artists and arts workers.

First Nations Stories

Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders were the first storytellers on our land. Your support will enable us to work with outstanding artists to share their stories, celebrate their culture and provide employment and training opportunities.

Artistic Elder Roxanne McDonald and Marcus Corowa.

Education and Youth Programs

Your support enables us to reach young people across the state as they participate in our world-class education programs, unlocking their potential and building a life-long passion for the arts.

Young Artists: Liam Wilson, Esme Wise, Daniel Wuol, Arianna Klarwein, Cameron Walker and Lani Reynolds.

Artist

Will Bartolo and Artistic Associate Daniel Evans.

Adult $592 $510 $440 $267 $93 $99

Senior $564 $483 $420 $258 $89 $94

Concession $520 $450 $388 $240 $82 $87

Adult $564 $480 $420 $258 $89 $95 Senior $536 $456 $399 $246 $85 $89 Concession $493 $420 $365 $228 $78 $82 Matinees Wednesday and Saturday afternoons

Adult $520 $441 $388 $240 $82 $87 Senior $492 $420 $367 $228 $78 $82

Concession $456 $384 $338 $210 $72 $75 Previews $416 $351 $305 $195 $66 $68 30 & under* $252 $192 $163 $99 $34 $34

FIRST IN, BEST DRESSED Season Ticket holders have priority access to best available seats and parking before single tickets go on sale to the general public.

BEST VALUE Season Tickets are the most cost-effective way to enjoy a year of live theatre, saving you up to 23%. Share your love of theatre by purchasing additional tickets at a discounted rate for family and friends.

EASY EXCHANGES Season Ticket holders can exchange tickets within a performance season 24 business hours prior to the original perfomance (terms and conditions apply).

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER Divide your package over eight easy payments with our post-pay plan.

THEATRESAVE DISCOUNTS Use your TheatreSave card to unlock discounts from our partners around Australia. For details, visit queenslandtheatre.com. au/theatresave

YOUR VISIT

BILLE BROWN THEATRE

78 Montague Road, South Brisbane. Located on the corner of Montague Road and Merivale Street, entry via Cordelia Street. Our foyer bar offers a range of refreshments and light snacks.

Parking Secure undercover parking at Queensland Theatre can be prepurchased with your Season Tickets. Metered street parking is available along Montague Road and in nearby streets.

PLAYHOUSE, QPAC

Cnr Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank. Located at the South Bank Parklands end of QPAC, opposite the ABC building. Enter via stairs or lift on Russell Street. The Playhouse is serviced by three bars, with snacks and light meals available.

Parking Pre-purchase via QTIX for QPAC shows. Other paid parking can be found in the vicinity, including Cultural Precinct Parking, BCEC and South Bank Parklands.

TRANSPORT

Queensland Theatre and QPAC are both within a 12-minute walk of South Brisbane train station and the Cultural Centre busway. The bus route 444 delivers you meters from our front door.

QUICK QUESTIONS

What is a Season Ticket?

Queensland Theatre offers discounts and other benefits (see p. 32) for theatre fans who purchase our 8, 6, 5 or 3 play packages. Within your package you can select specific performance packages including Previews, Matinees, Weeknights or Saturday evenings.

What if I miss a performance?

If you miss a booked performance or fail to request an exchange in time, you can purchase a Season Ticket replacement at a special price of $30 (subject to availability).

What is a preview performance?

Previews are run in the lead up to Opening Night. Actors may still be fine-tuning their performances and, on rare occasions, the director may even interrupt the show to make technical or other adjustments. Attending a preview can give you a fascinating insight into the process of theatre making.

What is your policy on refunds?

We follow ticketing guidelines set down by Live Performance Australia (LPA). Visit liveperformance.com.au for more information.

For more comprehensive FAQs and further information about your theatre experience, please visit queenslandtheatre.com.au/bookings

FAMIly values

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Play Briefing Mon 23 Jan, 6pm 28 7.30pm 30 6.30pm 31 6.30pm 1 7.30pm 2 7.30pm 3 7.30pm 4 2pm 7.30pm 6 6.30pm 7 6.30pm 8 1pm 7.30pm 9 7.30pm 10 7.30pm 11 2pm 7.30pm 13 6.30pm 14 6.30pm 15 1pm 7.30pm 16 7.30pm 17 7.30pm 18 2pm 7.30pm

DRIZZLE BOY

By Ryan Enniss

11 — 25 Mar Bille Brown Theatre

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Play Briefing Mon 6 Mar, 6pm 11 7.30pm 13 6.30pm 14 6.30pm 15 7.30pm 16 7.30pm 17 7.30pm 18 2pm 7.30pm 20 6.30pm 21 6.30pm 22 1pm 7.30pm 23 7.30pm 24 7.30pm 25 2pm 7.30pm

AS YOu like it

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Play Briefing Tue 11 Apr, 6pm 15 7.30pm 17 6.30pm 18 6.30pm 19 7.30pm 20 7.30pm 21 7.30pm 22 2pm 7.30pm 24 6.30pm 25 6.30pm 26 1pm 7.30pm 27 7.30pm 28 7.30pm 29 2pm 7.30pm 1 2 6.30pm 3 1pm 7.30pm 4 7.30pm 5 7.30pm 6 2pm 7.30pm

By Nathan Maynard

15 Apr — 13 May Bille Brown Theatre 25 May — 10 Jun Bille Brown Theatre

Shakespeare’s

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Play Briefing Mon 12 Jun, 6pm 17 7.30pm 19 6.30pm 20 6.30pm 21 7.30pm 22 7.30pm 23 7.30pm 24 2pm 7.30pm 26 6.30pm 27 6.30pm 28 1pm 7.30pm 29 7.30pm 30 7.30pm 1 2pm 7.30pm 3 6.30pm 4 6.30pm 5 1pm 7.30pm 6 7.30pm 7 7.30pm 8 2pm 7.30pm

DON’t ask what the bird look like

By

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Play Briefing Mon 14 August, 6pm 19 7.30pm 21 6.30pm 22 6.30pm 23 7.30pm 24 7.30pm 25 7.30pm 26 2pm 7.30pm 28 6.30pm 29 6.30pm 30 1pm 7.30pm 31 7.30pm 1 7.30pm 2 2pm 7.30pm 4 6.30pm 5 6.30pm 6 1pm 7.30pm 7 7.30pm 8 7.30pm 9 2pm 7.30pm

THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Play Briefing Tues 3 October, 6pm 7 7.30pm 9 6.30pm 10 6.30pm 11 7.30pm 12 7.30pm 13 7.30pm 14 2pm 7.30pm 16 6.30pm 17 6.30pm 18 1pm 7.30pm 19 7.30pm 20 7.30pm 21 2pm 7.30pm 23 6.30pm 24 6.30pm 25 1pm 7.30pm 26 7.30pm 27 7.30pm 28 2pm 7.30pm

VIETGONE

17 Jun — 8 Jul Bille Brown Theatre 19 Aug — 9 Sep Bille Brown Theatre 7 — 28 Oct Bille Brown Theatre 4 — 18 Nov Playhouse, QPAC

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Play Briefing Mon 30 Oct, 6pm 4 7.30pm 6 6.30pm 7 6.30pm 8 7.30pm 9 7.30pm 10 7.30pm 11 2pm 7.30pm 13 6.30pm 14 6.30pm 15 1pm 7.30pm 16 7.30pm 17 7.30pm 18 2pm 7.30pm

By Qui Nguyen, Original Music by Shane Rettig

Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, Adapted for the Stage by Nia Vardalos

Hannah Belanszky

By Melanie Tait