WHITEHORSE CENTRE Season 2014
IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOD for romance, laughter and a tug at the heart strings....
Season 2014
all about love
Bernadette Robinson’s performance is theatrical alchemy. Herald Sun
BERNADETTE ROBINSON IN CONCERT
Pianist Paul Noonan
Friday 7 February 8pm Saturday 8 February 2pm & 8pm 95 mins (including interval)
Songs for Nobodies reviews
The audience is on its feet with a standing ovation.
Experience an unforgettable concert of songs made famous by Edith Piaf, Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas when Australian stage superstar Bernadette Robinson makes her debut at the Whitehorse Centre. Following the sold-out, critically acclaimed Australian tour of her one-woman play Songs for Nobodies, Bernadette Robinson, accompanied on piano by regular collaborator Paul Noonan, will mesmerise with a concert of songs by her favourite performers and song-writers. Known for her incredible vocal impersonations, she will delight with outrageous impressions of many well-known stars, as well as performing contemporary songs in her ‘own’ voice. Hailed as ‘a major talent and a spellbinder’ by acclaimed actor Barry Humphries, don’t miss your chance to experience this captivating performer in this very special event to open the 2014 Season.
The Age
Beyond virtuosity to the sublime. The Australian
unforgettable love
Original production image
Christine Harris & HIT Productions
THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Book Neil Simon Music Marvin Hamlisch Lyrics Carole Bayer Sager With Scott Irwin Director & Designer Terence O’Connell
Friday 21 February 8pm Saturday 22 February 2pm & 8pm 2 hrs 20 mins (including interval)
When love hits the right note..... In a story based on the real-life relationship of composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, a wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist. When Vernon Gersch invites Sonia Walsk to his luxury Manhattan apartment the meeting uncovers two very different personalities. He is aloof and focused, while she is disorganised and distracted – but Vernon has already written music to one of Sonia’s lyrics, so they decide to forge ahead.
A delightful and thoroughly When it comes to making music, they are a match made enjoyable evening in heaven. But is this relationship doomed, or will love hit that will have you the right note? They’re Playing Our Song is a romantic humming the songs comedy and an unforgettable evening of stellar musical entertainment. and doing the dance retro moves A hilarious book by The Odd Couple’s as you leave. Neil Simon. Arts Hub The Telegraph
romantic love
Ellis Productions and the Whitehorse Centre
LONG GONE LONESOME COWGIRLS By Philip Dean With Fiona Harris, Laura Burzacott Director Helen Ellis Musical Director Linda O’Brien Guitarist Dave Ellis
Friday 14 March 8pm Saturday 15 March 2pm & 8pm 1 hr 50 mins (including interval)
The main reason to see the show though, is for the music and the humour. Lonesome Cowgirls is simultaneously a celebration of American Country and Western and brilliant Aussie wit.
A small town, an unlikely friendship and Patsy Cline! Set in far outback Queensland in the late sixties, an unlikely friendship forms between two wildly different women, united in their abandonment by the men in their lives and their passion for all things country and all things American. From this unlikely partnership comes a wonderfully bittersweet comedy with a script to rival some of the greatest landmark Australian movies of the last 20 years. Vicki is a submissive housewife and conforming Catholic, forever awaiting the arrival of her itinerant bulldozerdriving husband. Into her small-town existence enters Rae, a brash, lusty and hard-living barmaid, abandoned on the roadside by her rodeo-riding husband of five weeks. Together they grope their way through the confusions of the not-so-swinging sixties towards independence, buoyed by dreams and the songs of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.
M/C Review
long gone love
Melbourne Ballet Company
INFINITE SPACE
Artistic Director Alisa Finney Choreographer Simon Hoy Friday 28 March 8pm Saturday 29 March 8pm 85 mins (including interval)
I came out of this performance feeling uplifted. Dance Australia
Essential and compelling viewing. Herald Sun
The Melbourne Ballet Company comes to the Whitehorse Centre with its critically acclaimed program and a team of ten world class dancers to showcase classical dance, reinterpreted to be relevant and inspiring for both new and loyal ballet audiences. Infinite Space comprises four original works. In One Day is set to the stirring music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons; this work is distinctive for its sheer physicality and athleticism. Dark Before Daylight features the classical pointe shoe and tutus to the music of Elgar in an interpretation of the timeless story of Swan Lake. Phrased Without Word is a breathtaking physical expression of Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel in Spiegel and refers to the infinite number of images produced by parallel plane mirrors. And finally, Infinite Space is set to the music of Mozart’s 27th Piano Concerto, a signature piece that is a celebration of hope and beauty. It showcases the fluidity of the dancers whose movements glide effortlessly from one shape to the next. This uplifting work is a celebration of hope, conveyed through the beauty of music and dance. Be taken on a choreographic journey that has been acclaimed as both thrilling and compelling.
infinite love
Red Stitch Actors Theatre
THE KITCHEN SINK By Tom Wells Director Terence O’Connell With Timothy Ross, Tim Potter, Chris Keogh, Russell Fletcher, Kristina Brew
Friday 4 April 8pm Saturday 5 April 2pm & 8pm 1 hr 30 mins (no interval) Recommended for 10+ years
The result is tender, laugh-outloud funny and quite delightful. The Age
A touching comedy about family life and pipe dreams. For one family in a faded Yorkshire seaside resort not all things are going to plan. Pieces are falling off Martin’s milk float as quickly as he is losing customers. Son Billy is pinning his hopes of a place at Art College on a portrait of Dolly Parton, while his sister Sophie’s dream of becoming a Jiujitsu teacher might just be disappearing down the plughole. Holding the family together is mum Kath, a dinner lady with the patience of a saint – except something’s up with her sink. As it follows its characters throughout a year, The Kitchen Sink explores people’s capacity to change in small and unforeseen ways.
I LOVED this show. It was quite traditional theatre in many ways, which usually isn’t my bag, but it sucked me in and made me laugh and made me really care about the characters. 774 ABC Melbourne
pre-loved
Photo: Darcy Grant Photography
Circa
“S”
Created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble Tuesday 15 April 8pm 85 mins (no interval) Warning: Some strobe lighting. Suitable for ages 8+
Sometimes sweet and sensuous, sometime dark or wild, “S” brilliantly mixes dance and circus... this acrobatic ballet of great beauty celebrates the human body in all its glory.
Circa’s Helpmann Award-winning ensemble creation, “S” is a full-throttle ride to the limits of the human body. Based on the 19th letter of the English alphabet, “S” fuses group acrobatics with intimate emotions. Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz was inspired to create an abstract work of power and joy – inspired by the curves, symmetries and plurality that are all attributes of this one letter. On a floating white diamond stage, seven extraordinary acrobats bend, fly, contort and hang – sometimes alone, and others in a tangle of bodies. Dramatic acrobatics, athletic aerial acts and powerful solos are all infused with raw immediacy and beauty. “S” features the world-renowned Circa ensemble with the intoxicating music of the Kronos Quartet to create a symphony of bodies.
Canoe, Montreal
Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland
sensuous love
Christine Harris & HIT Productions
David Williamson’s
MANAGING CARMEN
Director Denis Moore Lighting Designer Jason Bovaird Friday 20 June 8pm Saturday 21 June 2pm & 8pm 2 hrs (including interval) Warning: Contains strong language and adult themes. Not suitable for children
David Williamson is at the top of his game. It’s immensely funny, zips along faster than the NBN, and has a pay-off that’s poignant in its plea for tolerance in our sport-obsessed society. Stage Whispers
AFL player. Brownlow medallist. Cross dresser. Sports Manager Rohan Swift needs to uncover what is troubling his star player. Brent Lyall is at the top of his game and should be on top of the world. He is captain of the most powerful football club in Australia, has two medals and a beautiful girlfriend on his arm; yet something is holding him back from being the charismatic hero the public and his sponsors expect. Brent hides a secret obsession that will rock the nation. Off the field, Brent has a penchant for designer dresses and prefers a pair of Manolo Blahniks to footy boots… plus his alter ego ‘Carmen’ is about to go public. With millions at stake from endorsement deals, ruthless Rohan will do anything to stop sleazy tabloid predator Max Upfield from exposing Brent’s private fetish to the fickle football-fanatic public. Acclaimed Australian playwright David Williamson delivers another hilarious football story, this time with a twist. In spectacular form, Managing Carmen takes a satirical look at the characters behind the nation’s favourite sport: greedy sports managers, champion footballers, glamorous girlfriends and notorious tabloid writers. It’s football as you have never seen it played before.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding bodies and advisory body.
a different kind of love
RAZ Music
MY LATIN HEART
José Carbó With
Slava & Leonard Grigoryan Friday 27 June 8pm 1 hr 50 mins (including interval)
A sensuous collection of Latin American songs
A celebration of Latin passion and beautiful music. Internationally acclaimed baritone José Carbó is joined by classical guitarist Slava Grigoryan and his equally renowned guitarist brother Leonard, for an evening of highly passionate tango. Argentinian born José is blessed with a naturally beautiful, wide-ranging baritone voice and began musical life as a toddler listening to his grandpa playing the bandoneon. No wonder his heart belongs to tango. Enter the Grigoryan brothers, duos are common enough in the musical world, but sibling duos are a rare thing. Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are that rare thing - there is no rivalry, only the bonds of family and a love of music. José will recreate the songs from sheet music given to him by his grandfather. The program represents some of the best from the repertoire of popular Latin American songs including Lara’s Granada, Piazzolla’s Ave Maria and Oblivion and brilliant tangos such as Caminto, Mi Buenos Aires querido and Adiós. This sensuous collection of songs will come to life in a tango spectacular live on stage.
passionate love
Opera Australia’s Oz Opera
THE MAGIC FLUTE
Directed & Adapted by Michael Gow Designer Robert Kemp Lighting Designer Matt Scott Orchestral Arrangement Andrew Greene English Translation Michael Gow with Anthony Legge Tuesday 15 July 7.30pm 2 hrs 40 mins (including interval) Sung in English, performed with a chamber orchestra Warning: small amount of atmospheric smoke
The ancient tombs of the Pharaohs hide many secrets. Will Tamino the daring archaeologist find them? Will it be Papageno, the zany ornithologist? Or will the forces of evil crack the code, find the treasure and get the girl? Find out when Opera Australia’s Oz Opera presents a ripping yarn for all the family. The Magic Flute is a quest for wisdom and true love. Taking inspiration from the movies this new production of Mozart’s final work is a rollicking adventure in 1930s Egypt. There will be mummies, hieroglyphic puzzles and a good few laughs along the way, but is it opera? Mozart didn’t care and neither should you. He was far more concerned with firing his audience’s imagination through the power of music. You’ll find something for everyone in here, from the Queen of the Night’s demented showstoppers to achingly beautiful arias, to simple ballads that wrap you up in warmth and charm. Prepare to be enchanted when this new, fully-staged production of The Magic Flute comes to the Whitehorse Centre, complete with fabulous 1930s costumes, a chamber orchestra and a vibrant cast of singers.
Opera Conference Partners
Opera Australia Principal Partner scorching love
Christine Harris & HIT Productions
JUST THE TICKET
By Peter Quilter With Mandi Lodge Wednesday 6 Aug 8pm
“So here I am – with the same dream and the same rucksack... but with 40 years of extra baggage!”
Thursday 7 August 1pm & 8pm
Meet Susan – she’s scatty, chatty and in a league of her own.
1 hr 30 mins (no interval) Warning: Occasional coarse language and mild adult themes
“I’m living it. Whatever it is. Not just existing – living. There’s a big difference. Don’t sip it, drink it.”
Life may have left her friends looking forward to their next facelift, the arrival of grandchildren, or a shred of gossip about the neighbours, but Susan dreams of escape. To hell with middle age, she’s off to relive the fun of her younger years. Eccentric, clumsy and unwaveringly optimistic, for Susan the only way forward is back. She wants to feel alive again, to be on the edge – and preferably, seated at the bar. She packs her bag and heads to Sydney to retrace the steps of a holiday she took with friends years ago. Determined to have as much fun as in her 20s, Susan’s adventures lead her back to old ground… but is it like old times? With a cocktail in hand and an eye on the barman, she sips, slurps and stumbles her way through a hilarious journey of rediscovery. This heart-warming and achingly funny piece will have you reaching for your boarding pass and wondering, where shall I go next?
holiday love
Bell Shakespeare
HENRY V Brothers in arms
By William Shakespeare Director Damien Ryan Designer Anna Gardiner Lighting Designer Sian James-Holland Saturday 30 August 8pm Sunday 31 August 2pm 2 hrs 30 mins (including interval)
Amid a bombing raid in a war torn city, somewhere in the world right now, a group of children are sheltering underground. To get through the night the terrified kids put on an act of bravado – literally – and conjure up the heroics of King Henry V. This is his story... When Henry V is manipulated by church advisors, taunted by French royalty and betrayed by English nobles, he has all the ammunition he needs to lash out and invade France. Or does he? Having executed conspirators, and vanquished enemy forces in Harfleur, Henry’s army is ‘weak and sickly’ as it staggers towards a showdown at Agincourt. The night before battle, the king endures a long dark night of the soul, where he hears first-hand about the fears and frailties of his outnumbered soldiers. But Henry has one last weapon up his sleeve: the power of words. And it may just be enough to save his men, his country and himself. In an incredibly exciting new production, Damien Ryan directs a contemporary version of this play inspired by a true story – for 71 consecutive nights during the Blitz in 1941, a group of boys trapped in a bunker rehearsed and performed plays including the works of Shakespeare. Told through the prism of boys caught in a modern conflict the production will expose the stirring heights and troubling depths of Henry V.
Bell Shakespeare is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW
This production is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
brave love
Promac Productions Australia
BOTH SIDES
With David Hobson, Rachael Beck Friday 12 September 8pm Saturday 13 September 8pm 2 hrs (including interval)
Be swept away with the talent of Rachael Beck and David Hobson as they return to the Whitehorse Centre in an evening of beautiful music. As two of Australia’s most popular performers they will take you on a unique journey of classical, musical theatre and popular songs in their new show Both Sides. The stage is set for romance, fun and charm featuring songs from Les MisÊrables, My Fair Lady, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, Oliver! and West Side Story. For lovers of classical opera prepare to be captivated by its power and beauty and then transported on an emotional roller-coaster of contemporary pop and Celtic music. Rachael Beck is a leading lady of musical theatre and an acclaimed concert performer. David Hobson is regarded as a renowned operatic performer and recording artist. Together they make beautiful music.
songs of love
After a standing ovation, plenty of emotion was evident among the audience but they were laughing through their tears. Herald Sun
Rachel Berger
HOLD THE PICKLE Where there’s love, there’s life.
Written & Performed by Rachel Berger Set & Lighting Design Matthew Peckham Friday 19 Sept 8pm (Q&A session) Saturday 20 Sept 2pm & 8pm 70 mins (no interval) Warning: Contains strong language and adult themes (15+ years)
Do whatever you can to get a ticket….a story that will fill your heart with joy.
Rachel Berger is well known as a comedian who delivers rapid-fire lines with assertive virtuosity. In Hold The Pickle however, she leaves the microphone behind and opens the door of her parents’ delicatessen to deliver stories of love, loss and longing, fear and belonging. Oh, and schnitzels. Berger’s Delicatessen was at 101 Acland Street St Kilda and in the 1960s & 70s Acland Street was an oasis where Europeans from all over Melbourne came to speak in their mother tongue, to laugh, to cry and to eat…and eat…and eat. Their hearts and families were broken by war and geography and many more were polluted with grief and betrayal. In this true story we meet Berger’s parents, also broken, but like so many others they defied their captors and with a measure of love, energy and imagination rebuilt their lives. This is no mere sentimental nostalgia trip, Berger creates an emotionally rich portrait of her parents’ life story, and her own, where scores of characters come to life to raise our spirits and fill our hearts. Experience the laughter, the tears, the tenderness and the love.
Broadway World.com
unfaltering love
The Idea of North
SOIRÉE
With Sally Cameron, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie & Andrew Piper Tuesday 11 November 8pm 2 hrs (including interval)
A vocal quartet of wit, charm and breathtaking musical virtuosity. Adelaide Advertiser
ARIA-award winning vocal ensemble, The Idea of North has been ABC Jazz & Classics highest selling artist for several years and continues to successfully create a freshness and relevance for a cappella singing. These four extravagantly talented singers have a fast humour and a quick-witted patter, breathing new life into a timehonoured art form. Soirée celebrates some of the finest arrangements the group has performed and recorded over the years including classic songs by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Sting, George Gershwin, Antônio Carlos Jobim and Randy Newman. Soirée will be a simply irresistible evening of beautiful music and a fitting close to a season all about love!
One of Australia’s brightest cultural treasures. Sydney Morning Herald
irresistible love
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
THE DEEP Based on the book by Tim Winton
Tuesday 8 April 2.30pm 50 mins (no interval) Suitable for children 4 - 12 years
Bright and imaginative realisation …. The Deep offers all ages a special experience The Sunday Times
Adaptation Justin Cheek Director Noriko Nishimoto Alice and her family live by the sea. Every day her family goes down to the jetty for a swim. Mum and Dad dive and make huge belly flops as her brother does bombies off the top rail! But Alice, who is not afraid of snakes or spiders, just watches from the rail. Alice is scared of the deep. Even with all the encouragement in the world, Alice is scared to swim where the ocean turns from green to blue. But an unsuspecting swim with the local dolphins changes all of that… Brought to you by Australia’s champions of puppetry, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, The Deep is all about forgetting to be scared!
courageous love
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Tour coordination by Country Arts WA.
Monkey Baa Theatre Company
PETE THE SHEEP Photo: blueprintstudios.com.au
Thursday 10 July 10am 50 mins (no interval) Suitable for children 3 - 9 years
A truly Aussie tale – delightful, funny, iconic, warm and hilariously Ocker, from the lingo to the names to the shearers’ blue singlets… Kids Book Review
Based on the picture book by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley Director Jonathan Biggins Composer & Lyricist Phillip Scott Adaptors Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge, Tim McGarry Shaun is the new sheep shearer in Shaggy Gully. Since shearing is such hard work, all the other shearers have sheep dogs to help them, but not Shaun. His partner is Pete, a sheep-sheep! The other shearers in the shed are not happy with Shaun and his sheep-sheep. Following rejection by the shearers and their dogs, Shaun and Pete set up their own Shearing Salon in town where they are inundated with woolly clients, who delight in Shaun’s styling prowess. This hilarious musical comedy, imaginatively told by four performers playing shearers, dogs and sheep, explores the challenges and rewards of being an individual, and will be a lasting tribute to honouring your own spirit and strength, whilst working with the flock!
true blue love
Jump Leads and Jessica Wilson
STILL AWAKE STILL! Image: Elizabeth Honey
Friday 3 October 10am 50 mins (no interval) Suitable for children 4 - 10 years
Wonderful performances, lush to look at and, of course, the glorious music ... Perfect. A memorable theatrical experience. Jen Castles
dreamy love
By Jessica Wilson with collaborating artists Inspired by songs from I’m Still Awake, Still! by Elizabeth Honey and Sue Johnson One grand piano, three mad-cap musicians and a most peculiar dream..... Miss Ivory Tinklefinger, Queen of Sleep, is hired to sing the audience to sleep, but tonight her piano has a mind of its own. Her lullabies come alive – and the consequences are wild! What’s going on? Can she resist the urge to play? And what will she create with the magic her music has unleashed? Based on much-loved songs from I’m Still Awake, Still! a bedtime book by Elizabeth Honey and Sue Johnson, this show is strikingly original, strangely beautiful and ridiculously funny, with mayhem worthy of the Marx Brothers.
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until death do us part
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love is in the air
BOOKING INFORMATION Box Office: Monday - Friday 10am - 4:30pm Telephone: 9262 6555 www.whitehorsecentre.com.au
SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES Choose a minimum of just four theatre shows to create a package and enjoy the benefits of priority booking until 8 January 2014. Take advantage of the delayed debit payment plan, reduced prices on music, dance and circus shows and free ticket exchange. Choose seven shows to create a gold package and receive a complimentary drink or ice cream at each performance. DELAYED DEBIT PAYMENT Choose any package and have the option to pay in instalments each time you see a performance. Please note the following terms and conditions: • You must be a current subscriber. • You are committed to paying the full amount of your package and at no time can your package be cancelled. • If your credit card (MasterCard or Visa) expires during the year please contact us with your new expiry date. • Delayed debit payments will appear on your credit card statement as ‘City of Whitehorse’. ADDITIONAL TICKETS FOR SUBSCRIBERS Package buyers have the option to purchase additional tickets to all shows for friends and family. Even if they are not subscribers, you can add their tickets to your booking form and all be seated together. (Non-subscribers using separate booking forms will have their booking processed when individual tickets go on sale on 8 January 2014.) INDIVIDUAL TICKETS Individual tickets to all shows go on sale 8 January 2014 and can be purchased via the internet, in person, by phone or by mail using the booking form in this brochure. Please note: phone bookings incur a $3.75 handling fee per transaction (not per ticket), internet bookings incur a $3.00 handling fee per transaction. $25 YOUTH TICKETS (U25) If you are under the age of 25 then take advantage of this great offer of $25 tickets as part of the Professional Theatre Season (excludes opera). Proof of age may be required. TICKET EXCHANGES – THEATRE SHOWS You may exchange your ticket to a show for another performance of the same show (where available), provided the ticket is received by the box office prior to the first performance of that show. This service is free for subscribers. Sorry, refunds are not available at any time. ACCESS AND ACCESSIBILITY •M elway map 48 G9. •T he Whitehorse Centre is accessible for patrons in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. If you require a wheelchair space in the theatre, please request this when booking tickets. • Free and disabled parking is available at the Whitehorse Centre. • Nunawading train station (Belgrave and Lilydale lines) is a 10 minute walk from the Centre. • An audio loop providing enhanced audio volume is available in selected theatre seats for patrons wearing a hearing aid with a T switch. Please request these seats when booking tickets. • Patrons with hearing impairment and access to a TTY can connect to Council’s TTY by dialling 9262 6325.
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SEE YOU AT THE THEATRE
The Whitehorse Centre is owned and operated by Whitehorse City Council. Council proudly supports the Professional Theatre Season 2014, one of the major features of its arts program.
www.whitehorsecentre.com.au