THEATRE WORKS july – december 2012
photo: Guy Little pictured: Ash Flanders in The Rabble’s Room of Regret
THEATRE WORKS: JULY – DECEMBER 2012 It has been a great start to the year at Theatre Works and we are very excited by our July – December program. It is my vision to see the Theatre Works space used in many different ways. We encourage artists to re-imagine the possibilities of our venue and hope that we continue to surprise our audiences from one show to the next. We are an organisation committed to supporting independent artists develop their practice through both presentation and development opportunities. We are thrilled to be able to support The Rabble develop their new work, Room of Regret, one of a number of creative developments Theatre Works will support in 2012. This season includes a mix of world premieres, Australian premieres, an interactive gaming event and a very special performance for the Melbourne Festival, No Child… I was lucky enough to see this in Edinburgh, and look forward to sharing this remarkable performance with Melbourne audiences. We welcome Melbourne Playback Theatre and Barking Spider Visual Theatre to Theatre Works this year and welcome back Inotrope and Paul Malek after their successful seasons last year. Our 3 Selected Works: This is a Door, Hello My Name Is and Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert, will also be presented as part of this season, three works that highlight the originality and diversity of the artists we want to work with. To end the year Theatre Works will become a creative hub of intimate and small-scale performances when commissioned artists from throughout Australia will present work in development showings as part of Encounter(s) alongside a master-class and workshop program. If you’ve been through our doors this year, we look forward to seeing you again! and if not then we warmly welcome you. Exciting, accessible and original live performance awaits you! Daniel Clarke CEO/Creative Producer
THIS IS A DOOR
Presented by Pop Up Playground and Theatre Works as part of Selected Works 2012
Artistic Director Robert Reid Playful Curation Sayra Lothian Game Mechanic Ben McKenzie Play-testing, feedback and awesomeness The Pop Up Players Dates & Times 27 – 29 July (3 days only!) Friday 6:30 – 8:30pm, 9 – 11pm Sat 11am –1pm, 1:30 – 3:30pm, 6:30 – 8:30pm, 9 – 11pm Sun 11am – 1pm, 1:30 – 3:30pm (Salon 3:30 – 5pm) (includes ‘show and tell’ forum) Price Full $30 Concession $25 (plus booking fee) Website popupplayground.com.au for full schedule of games and more info
Pop Up Playground and Theatre Works present a three day carnival of social games and contemporary play. A range of strategic, co-operative, creative, physical and conversational experiences will be on offer across the weekend. This is a Door showcases new games from local designers as well as some of the most exciting international artists. Space in the games is limited so book early to ensure you don’t miss out. Presenting games by Pop Up Playground (AUS) Shades of Play (AUS) Coney (UK) Fire Hazard (UK) Obscure Games (USA) Copenhagen Games Collective (DMK) and many others
“Pervasive games are social games that have escaped the traditional confines of the living room or the parlour and expanded into the public realm. It’s a broad genre, encompassing many forms of playful experience that have a performative outcome, everything from audio tours to immersive theatre games to variations on flash-mobbing.” Andrew Fuhrmann, Time Out
PARKLAND AVENUE Presented by Collaboration The Project
Produced by Collaboration The Project Direction & Choreography Paul Malek Lighting Design & Operator Tanje Ruddick Cinematography & Editing Paul Malek & Chris Curran Staging Nick Ilton (OnSetArts) Dates & Times 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 August 7:30pm 4 & 11 August 2pm & 7:30pm 5 August 1pm & 5pm Prices Full $35 Concession $27 Groups 10+ $22 [plus booking fee]
Parkland Avenue is a tale of Companionship, Lust, Love, Jealousy and Sorrow. Three friends watch their perfect relationship unravel violently around them. Written and Choreographed by Paul Malek, in it’s return season, Malek recreates his original tale, Parkland Avenue, with a dynamic new cast to present the featured work of Collaboration The Project’s season. And to prepare for the featured work, in a night of two offerings, the opening piece will be from Collaboration The Project’s Youth Component, Project Y. They will present Project Two 2012, focusing on a series of questions and how these topics affect the youthful cast in their lives today. A jam packed evening of emotionally engaging dance and drama.
“Hard-Hitting and laced with in your face sexuality” The Age
“Ambitious and bursting with youthful energy and drama” Paul Ransom “This well crafted piece has given a new meaning to what we call a dance performance. I was completely teleported into the world of “Parkland Avenue.” Rikki B Lindsay
THE MEMORANDIUM Presented by Barking Spider Visual Theatre
Performer/Creator/ Co-Director Penelope Bartlau Percussionist/ Composer Leah Scholes Set & Lighting Design/ Co-Director Jason Lehane Puppetry Director & Designer Dan Goronszy Dates & Times 16 August – 1 September Wed to Sat 8pm Sat matinee 5pm Prices Full $35 Concession $29 Groups 10+ $25 [plus booking fee]
“Memory is the cabinet of imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience and the council-chamber of thought.” Giambattista Basile
The Memorandium is a theatrical exploration of our memories – the stories, feelings, thoughts and impressions that reside within us all. In an old curiosity shop, lost gifts and forgotten objects are unwrapped, revealed and shared. Together we create a story, formed and inspired from our collection of memories aroused by these objects. Puppets emerge from the collection of curios, as live percussion underscores the magic. The Memorandium is breathtaking, as we share memories and our stories.
Website barkingspider theatre.com.au
“Very gripping. Very clever. I wanted to know – What’s going to happen next?” “I felt a strong & exciting sense of “What next? What next?” as the stories built.” Audience quotes
photo: Sarah Walker
SPRING BRINGS...
Presented by Melbourne Playback Theatre Company
Dates & Times Performances 8 & 9 September 7.30pm Price Full $25 Concession $15 [plus booking fee] Weekend Intensive Workshop 8 & 9 September 10am – 4pm See Public Workshops on Website melbourne playback.com.au
Spring Brings... all kinds of true stories out from the corners. Funny stories, odd stories, incredible stories – stories of discovery, pain, wonder, and mischief. Fresh stories that have sprouted up this spring - perhaps with a few roots in the debris of winter just gone or the years just passed. Melbourne Playback Theatre Company is an ensemble of actors and musicians who specialise in creating theatre on the spot, from experiences and observations shared by audience members. Each performance is underscored by two musicians improvising live in the performance space. Melbourne Playback has a reputation for creating intelligent physical theatre that is highly skillful yet playful.
“…seethes with breath-catching moments of insight, and an unscripted emotional intelligence… you couldn’t ask for a clearer affirmation of what acting can do on the spot, undirected” The Age
photo: Pia Johnson
HELLO MY NAME IS
Presented by Sans Hotel and Theatre Works as part of Selected Works 2012
Concept and Direction Nicola Gunn Production Design and Creation Sans Hotel Dramaturgy David Woods Dates & Times 18 – 29 September Tues – Sat 8pm Sat matinees 2pm Sun 5pm Price Full $28 Concession $20 Matinees and Groups 10+ $20 Preview and Tuesdays $15 [plus booking fee] Website hellomynameis project.net
Hello My Name Is is a new work about getting to know you in a non-threatening, conversational, community-building type way. This startlingly original show by Green Room award winning company Sans Hotel is warm like a spring day and unexpectedly fun like a game of table tennis. It is set in a community centre, which is just a room that we call a community centre. We hope you can join us. Melbourne-based creator Nicola Gunn, a UK Stage Award nominee (Best Solo Performer, 2011 Edinburgh Fringe), makes emotionally and visually evocative work with subversive humour about the complexities and mysteries of everyday life. From reviews of Nicola’s past work.
“Is it original, funny, smart, uncomfortable and beautiful? Absolutely.” The Age “Monumentally original work...different, really funny, authentic and astute, and honestly, honestly, marvelous.” Australian Stage “Delivered brilliantly… her performance gleefully jumps the line between genius and madness... A real delight for the discerning, and so good that you might walk out.” ThreeWeeks, Edinburgh
photo: Pier Carthew
NO CHILD…
Presented by Melbourne Festival and Theatre Works in association with Brisbane Festival Produced in Melbourne by Theatre Works Written and Performed by Nilaja Sun Directed by Hal Brooks AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE SEASON Dates & Times 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 October 8pm 11 October, 1pm 13 October, 2pm 14 October, 5pm Price Full $49 Concession $42 [plus booking fee] Venue The Fairfax Studio The Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne Bookings From 21-30 July Arts Centre Melbourne Book online artscentremelbourne. com.au By phone 1300 182 183 or at the Box Office From 31 July Ticketmaster: 136 100 melbournefestival. com.au
After eight years of teaching in some of New York’s toughest schools, Nilaja Sun turns her experience into No Child…, a mesmerising solo show that, with pep and humour, depicts the battle-ground that US public education has become. No Child… has blazed its way across stages in the US and Europe, flooring audiences and critics with its honesty and energy, and igniting debate with its searing portrayal of a public school system in crisis. A brilliant revelation of the disparities that lie at the heart of America, No Child… is an incisive portrait of a broken system and a rallying cry on behalf of an entire generation. “BEST OF THE YEAR! Nilaja Sun tells us something vital about our world. No Child… goes where theater rarely dares to tread.” New York Magazine
“THE SHOW OF THE YEAR! An unexpected, superb achievement. Ms. Sun’s gloriously uncynical gem reaches greatness. She has offered hope and belief in a better, saner world. Her schoolkids are lucky to have her. So are we.” New York Observer
photo: Melissa Friedman
OUR CHALK CIRCLE
Presented by Inotrope and St Kilda Uniting Care Drop in Centre Supported by Theatre Works
Devised and Created by the company Directed by John Bolton Lighting Design by Shane Grant Music Performance by Ernie Gruner Designed by Brian Lipson Community Actors Support by Katie Lockett Music Direction by Bagryana Popov Produced by Joseph Sherman
From the same ensemble who brought you the wonderful adaptations of The Lower Depths and The Tempest, comes a re-imagining of Bertolt Brecht’s glorious Caucasian Chalk Circle. We are inspired by the poetry, music and dark comedy of Brecht’s writing and how it absolutely and urgently offers us a vision for humanity and peace.
Dates & Times 6 – 11 November Tues – Sat 7:30pm Sun 5:30pm Price Full $36 Concession $20 (plus booking fee)
“…he who hears not a cry for help But passes by with troubled ears will never hear The gentle call of a lover nor the black bird at dawn…” Bertolt Brecht, The Caucasian Chalk Circle
photo: Paul Dunn This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
MARGARET FULTON: QUEEN OF THE DESSERT Presented by Present Tense and Theatre Works as part of Selected Works 2012 Writer Doug MacLeod Composer Yuri Worontschak Collaborating Artists: Nicola Andrews Andrew Bellchambers Nathan Gilkes David Harford Jack Howard Bryce Ives Marcello LoRicco Dates & Times 16 November – 1 December Tues – Thurs 8pm Fri & Sat 7pm & 9:30pm Sat 17 3pm Sun 18 6pm
Margaret Fulton is more than just our national cooking matriarch, she is a living legend. Her life story is full of the ingredients needed to make a musical – romance, drama, money, pavlovas, power, sex and a pinch of communism. Doug MacLeod (head writer and producer of The Comedy Company and Fast Forward) and Yuri Woronstchak (composer of everything from Fast Forward to Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell) collaborate with the Present Tense ensemble (Chants Des Catacombes) to bring Margaret’s unique and surprising story to the stage, in this culinary musical experience.
Price Full $45 Concession and under 30s $30 Previews $25 (plus booking fee) Website presenttense.org.au
“Margaret Fulton has changed the way this country lives and eats. She is the cook’s cook, the doyenne of dining, the Bradman of the Aussie baking dish.” Andrew Denton
photo: James Cant
A FISTFUL OF SCRIPTS Presented by Wise Words Media
Creative Producer/ Writer/Director Sean McIntyre A Wise Words Media Production wisewords.com.au Dates & Times theatreworks.org.au for more details
We write ‘em. They read ‘em. You hear ‘em. Writers rode into town with a fistful of scripts lookin’ for actors and directors. When they got together all hell broke loose. Now they’ve formed a posse. When they find The Audience... anything could happen. • •
• •
Actors, writers, directors exercise creative muscle Demonstrated incubator/laboratory for successful script development into working, professional productions Interactive Q & A panel offering character critique, direct audience feedback 100% non-profit production
Starring Writers that write ‘em, Actors that read ‘em and Directors that direct ‘em. Special guest appearance: The Audience that hears ‘em.
“I applaud Wise Words Media, Theatre Works for an evening like this. Jennifer Coles, Theatre Press
“Absolutely loved creative energy, concepts, environment, boldness...” Audience feedback, Kerry-Anne Haffern
photo: Jaklene Vukasinovic
ENCOUNTER(S) Presented by Theatre Works
Director Dan Clarke Producer Dan Koop Artists The full program of events including participating artists will be announced in October via Theatre Works website Dates 3 – 16 December 2012 Website encounters.org.au
Encounter(s) is a three-year Theatre Works project that will commission and present one-on-one and small-scale intimate performances at various locations throughout St Kilda. In 2012 some of Australia’s most adventurous performance makers will undertake creative development residencies as they explore more profoundly the relationship between audience and artist through the development of new work in surprising and unusual locations. During two weeks in December commissioned artists will be given the opportunity to share their creative developments and Theatre Works will program a series of workshops and discussions focusing on small-scale, intimate and site-sympathetic performance. In future years Encounter(s) will develop to become a full scale festival of intimate performance presenting a program of events which celebrate immersive, experiential and participatory artistic experiences. For more information and full program of events see encounters.org.au
photo: Sarah Walker
THEATRE WORKS DONOR PROGRAM: ‘THE BRIDGE’ After 30 years of staging hundreds of productions and supporting thousands of actors, producers, directors, designers, stage managers and so many other artists that have come through our doors, we are launching our BRIDGE donor program. To put it simply, we need your help! 20% of our funding comes from people like you and we simply would not be able to exist without our donors, big and small. Theatre Works is more than a venue; we are a not for profit organisation passionately committed to enabling artists to achieve their creative dreams, bridging the gap in the industry where independent creative artists can work on a viable scale and emerging artists of exceptional skill can hone their craft. We give artists the opportunity to take risks, create, develop and stage their productions here in St Kilda where we are such an intrinsic part of the cultural landscape. All donations above $2 are tax deductible, given our Australia Taxation Office Deductible Gift Recipient status. You can make a donation online – please see our website theatreworks.org.au – or by filling out the form on the facing page and sending it to: Dr Mark Crees General Manger Theatre Works 14 Acland Street St Kilda VIC 3182 Thank you for your support of independent theatre in Australia, the engine room of tomorrow and the creative risk-takers of today. “Ongoing support of Theatre Works is vital to foster the development of Australian theatre and to provide a forum for all that is creative and dynamic in St Kilda and Melbourne.” Hannie Rayson, founding member of Theatre Works and acclaimed author of Hotel Sorrento and Life after George
DONATE TO THEATRE WORKS I would like to donate to Theatre Works and be part of the BRIDGE program as a: Supporter: $25-$499 Advocate: $500-$999 Guardian: $1,000-$4,999 Champion: $5,000-$9,999 Ambassador: $10,000-$19,999 Visionary: $20,000 + My total donation amount is
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Payment details Cheque made payable to “Theatre Works� Direct Deposit (please quote BRIDGE and your name on the electronic funds transfer notice) Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia Account name: Theatre Works Limited BSB: 063169 Account Number: 00800509 Credit Card
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I would like my gift to remain anonymous My preferred format for public acknowledgement Theatre Works Limited General Manager: Dr Mark Crees Creative Producer/CEO: Daniel Clarke 14 Acland Street, St Kilda VIC 3182 T: + 61 3 9534 4879 E: gm@theatreworks.org.au theatreworks.org.au
Theatre Works Limited ABN 38 005 776 483 is endorsed as a tax-deductible gift recipient (Item 1) under section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, and for tax concessions as a charitable institution.
OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS Major Supporter
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Local Government Support
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
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TICKETING INFORMATION Internet Secure online credit card bookings can be made 24 hours a day by visiting theatreworks. org.au and clicking on What’s On. Click on your chosen Event and Buy Now. Please bring your proof of payment to the theatre.
Phone Bookings can be made by calling (03) 9534 3388 between 10am – 3pm, Monday to Friday. Door The Box Office opens 45 minutes before the start of the show. Unless SOLD OUT, a number of tickets are available at the door each night.
Please note: While all care has been taken and information is correct at time of printing, the details within this program are subject to change. Please see theatreworks.org.au for latest information concerning all productions, including dates, times and ticket prices.
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Theatre Works is located in the heart of St Kilda - Melbourne’s performing arts, cafe, restaurant bayside and alternative living centre. The venue has become an integral part of the cultural make up of the area, alongside other greats such as the Prince of Wales Hotel, The Esplanade Hotel and of course, Luna Park. The venue is located at 14 Acland Street, and is instantly recognisable by the colourful piazza. It sits on the corner of Acland Street and St Leonards Avenue, right next door to the Church. Car parking Parking is at a premium in St Kilda. We recommend arriving early and leaving yourself plenty of time for parking. Alternatively, you could use the paying car park at the Prince of Wales Hotel which is located on the corner of Acland and Fitzroy Streets or in the council run car park next to Luna Park in Shakespeare Grove. Public Transport Theatre Works is easily reached by public transport. Train and bus services provide regular stops and pick-ups within the Fitzroy and Acland Street shopping precincts, both just a short walk from Theatre Works. Tram: 16, 79, 96 & 112 Buses: 600, 606, 623 & 246
14 Acland Street, St Kilda VIC 3182 theatreworks.org.au