2023 Theatre Season Act 2 - July - December

Image by Daniel Boud

Townsville City Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Townsville – the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun; and Bindal people.

We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders – past and present – and all future generations.

DIRECTED BY Gene Peterson

MUSIC

Gene Peterson

LIGHTING DESIGN Gene Peterson & Geoff Squires

VIDEO DESIGN Freddy Komp

360 ALLSTARS

ONYX PRODUCTIONS

A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture.

Add to this a stunning live soundtrack delivered by award-winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding.

A magnificent, colourful and astonishing expression of a generation that has reinvented the circus, 360 ALLSTARS is a revolutionary production that will leave you dizzy with excitement!

DATES Saturday 1 July 2023

VENUE Townsville Civic Theatre

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

1RAR BAND IN CONCERT

Townsville’s Band of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (or otherwise affectionately known as 1RAR Band) supports all 3 Brigade units, other Defence organisations, and the wider community.

The 1RAR Band has become as iconic to Townsville as Castle Hill. Their presence throughout Far North Queensland provides musical support to a range of events from ceremonial duties, school concerts, and charity events.

The 1RAR Band remains an important and strategically valuable part of the ADF, and resides strongly in the hearts and minds of soldiers of 1RAR, 3 Brigade, Veterans, the Townsville community, Far North Queensland, and those the band have helped foster relationships with on overseas deployments.

DATES Wednesday 26 July 2023

VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

THE BAND OF THE 1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT

JUST (TRICKING, ANNOYING, STUPID, CRAZY, DISGUSTING, SHOCKING, DOOMED) LIVE ON STAGE!

RED LINE PRODUCTIONS

Adapted from the JUST book series written by Andy Griffiths and illustrated by Terry Denton Written by Robin Goldsworthy

Every year Andy’s school holds a short story competition, and every year Andy writes an awesome, amazing, captivating, TERRIFYING story. But every year Andy is robbed of winning, thwarted by some dumb story about kittens and sunshine. How is that possible?!

With the help of his best friend Danny, the love of his life Lisa (but if you tell anyone he said that, he’ll feed you to a giant slug!), his somewhat trusty dog Sooty and a lifetime of crazy, shocking, doomed, stupid and just plain DISGUSTING experiences, Andy sets out on a night that will ensure a flawless victory. As long as his brussels sprouts farts don’t poison them all before morning!

JUST (tricking, annoying, stupid, crazy, disgusting, shocking, doomed) LIVE ON STAGE! takes on the wonderful world of the JUST books by Andy Griffiths, vividly and hilariously bringing them to life on the stage with everything from invisibility pills and Mudmen, to vomiting dogs and death-defying balloon rides.

DATES

8 & 9 August 2023

VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre

Relaxed Performances

TICKETSHOP

MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

MOST OF THE KIDS IN THE AUDIENCE WERE PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE, AND WHEN I SAY THAT THEY LOVED IT, I MEAN THEY LOVED IT!

CAST

Ellen Bailey, Karl Richmond

Barbara Lowing, Anthony

Standish (voiceover)

CO - DIRECTOR & DESIGNER

David Morton

CO - DIRECTOR

Matt Seery

CREATIVE PRODUCER

Nicholas Paine

COMPOSER

Bec Sandridge

PROJECTION DESIGNER

Justin Harrison

SOUND DESIGNER & MUSIC

SUPERVISOR

Tony Brumpton

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Christine Felmingham

CO - DESIGNER

(PROPS & LOCATIONS)

Jennifer Livingstone

COSTUME DESIGNER

Nathalie Ryner

DRAMATURG

Louise Gough

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Scott Barton

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

Benn Sargood

WARDROBE AND PROPS

SUPERVISOR

Savannah Mojidi

STAGE MANAGER

Nicole Neil

HEAD OF VIDEO & AUDIO

Caitlyn Kidney

HEAD OF LIGHTING

Christopher Conway

Set on a futuristic version of earth that has suffered a catastrophic environmental collapse, the box office hit Ishmael by David Morton is a modern version of Herman Melville’s classic Moby Dick, reimagined for a new millennium as a contemporary space saga.

Planet Earth has been so badly polluted, the surface is smothered in a layer of thick, toxic clouds. With tight control over the tops of the tallest mountains where the air remains fresh, only the elite corporate class breathes clean air. The story follows the journey of Ishmael, a refugee who has been living in a corporation-sanctioned camp below the clouds, on the darkened surface of the earth.

This boundary-pushing production melds live filmmaking with live action, miniature sets, models and cutting-edge camera technology, puppetry, and an original score to tell a captivating story about individual hope and collective redemption. As audiences watch the story unfold, they watch how it is made, live in front of their eyes.

DATES

Wednesday

16 August 2023

VENUE

Townsville Civic

Theatre

RATING

12+ years

TICKETSHOP MEMBER

DISCOUNTS APPLY.

JOHN GRANGER FISHER IN CONCERT

Internationally acclaimed Queensland concert pianist John Granger Fisher presents a program including the Beethoven "Moonlight" Sonata and well-loved works by Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Schubert, Debussy, Rachmaninov, and more.

Brisbane-born John Granger Fisher has established himself as one of Australia’s foremost concert pianists. A winner of international, Australian, British, and American piano competitions and musical awards, John has performed at prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall.

John has appeared as a soloist with Australian, American, and British orchestras and ensembles and toured Queensland with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with distinguished instrumental and vocal soloists and chamber music partners from orchestras such as the major UK orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

DATES Wednesday 23 August 2023

VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

A POET OF THE KEYBOARD IN THE TRADITION OF THE “GOLDEN AGE” OF PIANO PLAYING

GRIGORYAN BROTHERS THIS IS US: A MUSICAL REFLECTION OF AUSTRALIA

RAZ MUSIC

Acclaimed guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan have created a suite of music inspired by 18 objects personally selected from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection, which traces our diverse and complex history.

This Is Us takes audiences on a journey from the deep past of early Indigenous Australians to the making of contemporary Australian society. The compositions are accompanied by high-definition moving projections, with various artifacts including ancient 65,000 year old ochre of the Madjebebe rock shelter, a convict love token, a lifebuoy from the Tampa, and Sir Donald Bradman’s famed cricket bat.

Incorporating all their influences from classical to jazz and contemporary music, performed on a variety of guitars (electric, 8-string tenor ukulele, 12-string and classical), audiences will see and hear the Grigoryan Brothers like never before.

DATES Friday 25 August 2023

VENUE Townsville Civic Theatre

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

WE CHOSE OBJECTS THAT TRY TO REPRESENT SOME OF OUR FIRST NATIONS’ HISTORY AS WELL AS COLONISATION, MIGRATION, INNOVATION AND STORIES OF LOVE AND LOSS. WE WERE DEEPLY MOVED BY ALL OF THEM.

- SLAVA & LEONARD GRIGORYAN

DIRTY LAUNDRY

BRIEFS FACTORY INTERNATIONAL

The Briefs boys are back!

This time they have got a hills hoist in tow and they’re ready to air all of their dirty laundry.

Led by Fez Faanana (AKA Shivanana), this brandnew party cabaret pegs a line-up of classic Briefs boys along with some new boys and toys in the basket.

With impossible-to-remove glitter stains, these festival favourites promise a load of physicality, comedy, and showmanship. None of it clean.

Your cycle will be turned to HOT as you watch these boys tumble dry.

DATES

Thursday

28 September 2023

VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre

RATING & SHOW

INFORMATION

Strictily 18+

Please note this performance contains strong language and sexual references

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

HILARIOUS, JAW - DROPPING AND HEARTFELT, THE BRIEFS BOYS SET OUT ON A MISSION TO CELEBRATE EVERY MOMENT AND DON’T LEAVE UNTIL THEY’VE MADE SURE THE WHOLE AUDIENCE IS ALONG FOR THE RIDE

JENNY WYNTER BY REQUEST

FUNNY MUMMIES TOURING

Funny Mummies present Jenny Wynter’s fully improvised one-woman cabaret show. Never even close to the same show twice, it is filled with musical comedy, driven entirely by the suggestions of the audience.

The leading character and her life story are spontaneously constructed over the course of the show, with every twist and turn woven together from audience suggestion cards as they are drawn from the pile.

Jenny is ready to weave words of wisdom, text messages, places, and things into 'By Request', to create a show filled with stories, songs, monologues, and medleys.

DATES

Saturday

4 November 2023

Morning Melodies

Performance

VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

HAD THE CROWD CRYING IN HYSTERICS. DEFINITELY AN ACT THAT CANNOT BE MISSED

JENNY WYNTER BY REQUEST

FUNNY MUMMIES TOURING

Songbird and improvised comedy queen Jenny Wynter performs By Request, the “side-splitting cabaret” which is never the same show twice.

Join this internationally award-winning comic talent in a mind-blowing collection of songs, stories, and comedy...all inspired by suggestions from you, the audience!

Put your suggestions on paper, stick them in the on-stage fishbowl, and help create a totally unique, hilarious, and never-to-be-repeated evening of cabaret, performed strictly “By Request”.

DATES Saturday 4 November 2023

Evening Performance VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre

RATING

15+ years

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

AN ENVIOUSLY QUICK MIND, AMAZING, RAW VOICE, FABULOUS HUMOUR AND WARM, WONDERFUL TALENT.

ALL BANGARRA PERFORMANCES ARE ABOUT THAT CONNECTION AND SANDSONG IS NO EXCEPTION. IT IS, HOWEVER, EXCEPTIONAL.

CHOREOGRAPHERS

Stephen Page and Frances Rings

CULTURAL CONSULTANTS

Putuparri Tom Lawford and Eva Nargoodah

COMPOSER

Steve Francis

SET DESIGNER

Jacob Nash

COSTUME DESIGNER

Jennifer Irwin

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Nick Schlieper

- THE AUSTRALIAN

Image by Daniel Boud

SANDSONG: STORIES FROM THE GREAT SANDY DESERT

BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE

Under the vast Kimberley sky, the red pindan dust stretches across the desert homelands of the Walmajarri, where the ancient knowledge of People and of Country is preserved through Songlines that have endured for hundreds of generations.

SandSong tells the unique story of this Place and the survival of its People.

Between the 1920s and 1960s, Aboriginal people were removed from their Country and forced into hard labour for no wages and only minimal rations.

Despite this displacement and cultural disruption, the people of the Western Desert have maintained an unbroken connection to their Land, keeping stories and kinship strong.

This is the Country of Wangkatjungka woman N. Lawford-Wolf (1967-2019), an important cultural consultant and artistic collaborator of Bangarra whose spirit, stories and artistic contributions have inspired a number of the company’s works and enriched the broader arts landscape.

SandSong is created by Bangarra Dance Theatre in consultation with Wangkatjungka/Walmajarri Elders from the Kimberley and Great Sandy Desert regions.

This work honours the legacy of N. Lawford-Wolf and her family - past, present, and future.

DATES

Wednesday 22 November 2023

VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre

RATING & SHOW INFORMATION

Recommended 12+ Haze effects, smoke effects, and elevated sound levels. This production contains political and social themes, including aspects and depictions related to traumatic events suffered by First Nations Peoples.

TICKETSHOP MEMBER

DISCOUNTS APPLY.

CHRISTMAS WITH KAREN KNOWLES

Get ready to welcome back Karen Knowles to the Townsville Civic Theatre as she presents a special Christmas concert!

One of Australia’s most popular singers, star of the musical Big River and lead singer with The Seekers in the early 1990s, Karen started her career on Young Talent Time. Her first smash hit single ‘Why Won’t You Explain’ achieved gold-selling status and was followed by the Platinum award-winning album ‘You Are the Reason’.

Known for her Carols and Christmas repertoire, join Karen for a wonderful selection of her hits, standards, new music, and your favourite Christmas songs as she returns to Townsville to celebrate the Christmas season. Join Karen as she spreads joy, peace, unity, and connection through song –uplifting audiences with her music into the Spirit of Christmas.

DATES Wednesday 13 December 2023

VENUE Townsville Civic Theatre

TICKETSHOP MEMBER DISCOUNTS APPLY.

ALL THE WAY BACK FROM YOUNG TALENT TIME, TO TOURING WITH THE SEEKERS AND SINGING THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF I AM AUSTRALIAN, KAREN'S VOICE IS STILL SMOOTH, AND SHE STILL HAS THOSE BEAUTIFUL DIMPLES

COMING SOON

C2 Sessions is a brand new series coming to the 2023 Theatre Season and featuring performances from a wide variety of local artists.

Each session promises to be unique, unforgettable, ugh-mazing and a great night out for all!

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TOWNSVILLE

ARTS | EVENTS | LIFESTYLE | FESTIVALS |

CEREMONIES | FUNDRAISERS | FILM |

WELLNESS MARKETS | MUSIC | SPORTS |

WORKSHOPS | CLASSES | CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

What’s On Townsville

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ATTENDING THE THEATRE

TOWNSVILLE CIVIC THEATRE

ACCESSIBILITY

We are committed to providing everyone who visits the Theatre with the same great experience!

If you require accessibility services, please call TicketShop to discuss your needs with our friendly staff at the time of booking.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

The Civic Theatre and C2 offer accessible entrances to all main areas of the venue with easy access facilities for patrons and companions.

The venue features floor level access to the bar and foyer, external and internal ramps located on either side of the foyer to access the auditorium through doors 1 & 2, and an elevator is located next to the TicketShop for additional access to doors 4 & 6.

An external ramp is located at the stage door for performers and production staff to enter backstage, and an internal elevator is located backstage for access to all dressing rooms and the orchestra pit.

Complimentary loan wheelchairs can also be booked through the TicketShop to assist with travel throughout the building.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING

Townsville Civic Theatre offers wheelchair accessible seating and dedicated limited mobility seating for all performances, subject to availability.

Please contact the TicketShop to book your seat if you have specific mobility requirements or require wider seating options.

ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES

We have accessible toilet facilities and parent changing facilities in the foyer of the Theatre and C2.

Our venues also feature accessible dressing rooms and facilities backstage for our performers and production staff.

PARKING

Vehicle parking is available either side and rear of the Theatre for patrons and production staff. Designated disability parking is available in close proximity to the foyer for easy access.

A drop-off, pick-up driveway is located at the front of the Theatre for our patrons, located at the flag posts.

HEARING ASSISTANCE

The Theatre provides Assisted Listening Infra-Red receivers for the main auditorium only. These can be used with headphones or a neck loop for use in conjunction with your hearing aids (telecoil), with coverage to all seats in the auditorium. Ask our friendly staff to collect a receiver to enhance your experience with us.

The foyer area is also equipped with a telecoil hearing loop for announcements and important information prior to entering the auditorium, no receiver required.

SIGHT ASSISTANCE

Blue signage with Braille is used in the lifts, auditorium doors and backstage areas of the theatre for anyone that is vision impaired.

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance animals are welcome at Townsville Civic Theatre. Please call the TicketShop prior to your visit to let us know how we can best welcome you and your assistance animal.

RELAXED PERFORMANCES

We want everyone to enjoy coming to the Townsville Civic Theatre. Relaxed performances are for everyone who will benefit from a more casual environment. Designed to welcome patrons who experience sensory sensitivity, sound and lighting cues are adjusted to more subtle, low level light in the auditorium and a relaxed attitude to noise during the performance.

ATTENDING THE THEATRE

TOWNSVILLE CIVIC THEATRE

CONTENT WARNINGS

Performances may include special effects such as smoke, haze, strobe, fire, and pyrotechnics. While effects are produced with the highest of safety standards, we will always strive to inform you of their presence when we have prior knowledge.

Other warnings we may display for your reference include adult themes and strong language.

AGE RECOMMENDATIONS

While we provide age recommendations for performances, parental and guardian discretion is advised. We will display these recommendations with the online information of each show.

MOBILE PHONES, DEVICES AND RECORDING

For the comfort of your fellow patrons, mobile phones and devices must be turned off during performances please. And for copyright purposes, all recording devices are strictly prohibited unless otherwise stated at a particular performance.

PRAMS AND WHEELCHAIR STORAGE

Bringing a pram or wheelchair to the Theatre? Talk to our ushers at the auditorium door, they can store it for you while you watch the show.

E - TICKETS

We are now offering E-Tickets. These can be sent to you via email at the time of purchasing. You can either print from home and bring them with you or save them on your phone.

Please show your tickets to the usher at the auditorium door upon entry. If your tickets are on your phone, the usher may ask you to enlarge the ticket image and increase the brightness on your phone so that our scanners can view the bar code.

COMPANION CARD

Companion Card holders are eligible for a complimentary companion ticket to most performances. We ask that the card holder call the TicketShop and provide their Companion Card details when making a booking and present the valid ID card to collect their tickets.

PROOF OF CONCESSION

Discounted concession ticket prices are available for most productions. Proof of concession must be sighted upon ticket collection. To check your eligibility for each production, contact the TicketShop or visit our website.

FEES

Transaction fees do apply for bookings made via phone and internet. No transaction fees are payable for over-the-counter purchases at any TicketShop outlet.

A credit card surcharge is applicable to all transactions made by credit card. Visa and Mastercard only. All other card types are not accepted.

REFUNDS & EXCHANGES

Townsville Civic Theatre follows the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice (see liveperformance. com.au for conditions). As such, tickets cannot be refunded after purchase except if an event is cancelled, rescheduled, or significantly relocated as outlined.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Give the ultimate gift of experiencing live performances and deliver a lifetime of memories to your family and friends. Gift certificates are subject to TicketShop terms and conditions. They are valid for all productions sold via the TicketShop and must be redeemed before the expiry date. They are not redeemable for cash and non refundable.

FOOD AND DRINK IN THE AUDITORIUM

We do not allow food and drink in the main stage auditorium, except for bottled water that can be capped with the lid.

Food and drinks are permitted in C2.

ATTENDING THE THEATRE

TOWNSVILLE CIVIC THEATRE

THE BAR

Enjoy a selection of fine wines, spirits, light refreshments and something to eat when visiting the Theatre. The bar opens one hour prior to performances, during interval and also offers pre-booked meals through Cuisine To Go. Meals must be booked at least 48 hours before the scheduled performance and will vary with each performance.

Beat the queue and pre-order your interval drinks. Simply fill out a form at the bar and your drinks will be ready at interval.

GETTING TO THE THEATRE

The Townsville Civic Theatre is located at 41 Boundary Street, Townsville. Next door to Reid Park and a short stroll away from Palmer Street and the CBD. We are accessible via walking, motor vehicle, bike and bus.

Theatre staff members can assist in booking a taxi upon request. Bike racks are also available on the Theatre grounds.

COVID - SAFE VENUE

Townsville Civic Theatre is operating in accordance with the Queensland Government’s Restrictions on Business, Activities and Undertakings Direction.

EXPERIENCE IT LIVE!

TOWNSVILLE CIVIC THEATRE

The Townsville Civic Theatre is North Queensland's premier cultural facility owned and managed by Townsville City Council. Since its opening in 1978, the Theatre continues to be a dynamic centre of entertainment nurturing the performing arts in Townsville and the wider region.

TICKETSHOP

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