Theatre Season Brochure 2017

Theatre Season 2017 Proudly presented by Townsville City Council

How to book www.ticketshop.com.au 4727 9797 For more information visit: www. whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au

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Contents January–March Morning Melodies: A Few of My Favourite Things Fluorophone

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April – June Morning Melodies: La Dolce Vita – A Morning in Italy Emily Loves to Bounce Circus Oz: Model Citizens Constellations Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow The 2017 North Queensland Festival of One Act Plays Warm Waters Morning Melodies: A Fine Romance The Witches Morning Melodies: 1RAR Band

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July – September Landscape with Monsters The Marriage of Figaro A Midsummer Night’s Dream #FirstWorldWhiteGirls: Botox Party!

Be Your Self Redux Phelan Groovy We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Live on Stage!

Diary of a Wombat

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October – December QSO Plays Sibelius A Lady’s Guide to the Art of Being a Wingman Benjamin & Me Morning Melodies: Danny Elliott in Concert Morning Melodies: Vov Dylan – Sentimental Journey Women in Docs

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It pays to belong Introducing

The 2017 Theatre VIP member program Townsville City Council invites you to become a member and enjoy fantastic VIP benefits and exclusive member offers.

Membership costs just $10 for one year.

annual membership includes:

10% off

council-presented performances

invitati ons to at ten d

special exclusive events

How to Join Visit ticketshop.com.au Enquire in-person at the Ticketshop Terms and conditions apply to member program. For full details, visit www.ticketshop.com.au or enquire at the TicketShop

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Stay Connected Be the first to hear about upcoming shows and ticket sales information.

Sign up to our e-newsletter at www.ticketshop.com.au and keep up-to-date on the latest entertainment. www.ticketshop.com.au 4727 9797 Townsville TicketShop

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presented by speak percussion brought to you by townsville city council

Fluorophone

By Speak Percussion

Riverway Arts Centre Tuesday 14 March, 6.30pm Wednesday 15 March, 10.30am Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 Members save 10%

Fluorophone creates a kaleidoscopic sound world in which the central instruments radiate, flicker, glow and burn. Analogue and digital fluorescent lights, the naked flame, strobe lights and custom-built LED discs are combined with percussion to create a program in which the music and lighting design are one and the same.

Fluorophone moves between noise, theatrical music and virtuosic instrumentalism, in a synesthetic display of light and sound. Featuring specially commissioned works by a prominent team of leading composers.

Contains strobe lighting, naked flame and loud noise.

Photography by Jeff Busby

Supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Department of Education and Training; the City of Melbourne; the City of Darebin and the Danish Arts Council.

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“The success of Speak Percussion can perhaps be explained by their ability to connect with their music, audiences, collaborators and with composers of different generations.� realtime magazine

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presented by circus oz brought to you by townsville city council

Circus Oz – Model Citizens Townsville Civic Theatre 21 April, 12.30pm (School Performance) 21 April, 7.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 School booking $20* Members save 10%

Circus Oz explodes back onto stage, audaciously unpacking the myths of modern Australia with their latest high octane circus show Model Citizens, the first creation fuelled by the new Artistic Director Rob Tannion.

Set in a beautiful yet chaotic model kit world, Model Citizens seamlessly blends the risk, beauty and rawness of acrobatic circus with pumping live music, stunning lighting, breathtaking physical improbability and no shortage of absurdity.

Breaking conventions of scale, oversized everyday objects become an intriguing world of possibilities for the all-human ensemble - as these enlarged set pieces offer new life as exciting and unexpected circus equipment. Imagine hand standing on the top of an upright giant peg or juggling whilst balanced on an oversized stack of weighing scales…

Audiences will be taken on a visually and emotionally charged journey by the multitalented Circus Oz ensemble, exploring what it really means to be a model citizen in our ‘lucky’ country today.

For School Bookings, please phone the TicketShop on 4727 9797 *Applies to 12.30pm performance time only.

Photography by Rob Blackburn

This tour is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory board.

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“Who knew that higher physics could be so sexy, so accessible, and so emotionally devastating?� new york times

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presented by queensland theatre brought to you by townsville city council

Constellations

By Nick Payne

Riverway Arts Centre 26 April, 12.30pm (School Performance) 26 April, 7.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 School booking $20* Members save 10%

So if everything we’ve ever done, and never done, has happened in alternate universes, that means there are universes in which we’ve never met. Universes where I married Prince Harry and you went to jail for tax fraud.

How romantic, darling.

Lovers often say fate brought them together, and fate doesn’t get much credit after that. But in Constellations, by hot young British playwright Nick Payne, every moment Roland and Marianne share is at the mercy of the infinite and unknowable universe.

Lucas Stibbard (Boy Girl Wall) and Jessica Tovey (Wonderland, Home and Away) play a lovestruck beekeeper and a quantum physicist. The odds of them getting together are astronomical. But when their worlds do collide, all the possibilities of their life together – good, bad and ugly – flicker across the stage in a series of snapshots, from first date to farewell.

A Queensland Theatre Production.

For School Bookings, please phone the TicketShop on 4727 9797 *Applies to 12.30pm performance time only.

Photography by David Kelly

Queensland Theatre’s 2017 regional tour of Constellations is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

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‘Side-splitting fun, razor-sharp, high velocity wit.’ daily examiner, grafton (nsw) 12

presented by melbourne international comedy festival brought to you by townsville city council

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow Townsville Civic Theatre 29 – 30 April, 7.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Members save 10%

Buckle up Australia, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is hitting the road to home deliver the freshest and funniest from Australia’s largest comedy festival!

With an all-killer, no-filler cast of Australian stars, talented newcomers and international performers we’ve got all your comedy bases covered.

Featuring everything from stand-up to sketch, slapstick to song, each individual line-up presents the best of the Festival in one hilarious show.

Every year our cast of intrepid entertainers board the bus and set their sights on over 80 destinations across this great Southern land. No road is left untraveled and no sides are left un-split, from Darwin to Devonport and everywhere in between!

Don’t miss your chance to join the laughs at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow. Get on board, grab your mates and get giggling as the ultimate comedy roadtrip rolls into town!

Performances often contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend.

It is recommended for people aged 15 years or older.

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presented by townsville city council

The 2017 North Queensland Festival of One Act Plays Riverway Arts Centre 5 - 7 May, Various times Multiple ticket types Members save 10%

Now in its 25th year The annual North Queensland Festival of One Act Plays provides amateur actors and directors an opportunity to produce quality theatre for the enjoyment of live audiences, and to receive feedback from industry professionals through the adjudication process.

You’ll enjoy everything from comedy and drama, experimental to the absolutely absurd.

Multiple ticket types are available so that you can create your own experience! Choose between a 2 day pass or choose a session from Saturday to Sunday.

Photography by Chrissy Maguire

celebrating

years

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“The festival is an invaluable opportunity to receive feedback from industry professionals through the adjudication process” festival participant, 2016

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a circa and merrigong theatre company co-production presented by townsville city council

Landscape with Monsters

by Circa

Riverway Arts Centre 7 July, 7.30pm 8 July, 12.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 Members save 10%

Landscape with Monsters is a bold new acrobatic work, a physical symphony to the joyous complexity of being human. Created in response to evolving industrial landscapes, it inhabits the emotional highs and lows of a place faced with uncertainty.

Australia’s most acclaimed circus company Circa (OPUS, The Return, Wunderkammer and “S”) is world-renowned for producing exquisite and heart-stopping works. Landscape with Monsters is a daring and optimistic work of intense physicality and beauty, an epic theatrical poem, and an elegy to the place we call home.

Photography by Lisa Tomasetti

Created by Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa Ensemble 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, and the NSW government through Arts NSW.

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“A very dynamic and varied 75 minutes of performance — in moments full of intense danger, in others playfully funny, and in others lightly romantic.” ben neutze, daily review

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Gow’s direction creates an endearing set of distinct characters.

The English lyrics and the relative intimacy of the venue make storytelling crystal clear, and humour to the twists and surprises along the way.� simon paris, man in chair 18

presented by opera australia brought to you by townsville city council

The Marriage of Figaro

By Mozart

Townsville Civic Theatre 14 – 15 July, 7.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 Members save 10%

A new production from Opera Australia.

Mozart’s brilliant opera The Marriage of Figaro follows the adventures of a household over one crazy day. Masters are lusting over their servants, servants are outwitting their masters – Figaro is the Downton Abbey of opera – but a whole lot more fun!

Award winning creative team, Michael Gow and Robert Kemp have created a brand new production, featuring stunning period costumes and a clever set. A talented chamber orchestra and chorus of local children will accompany some of Opera Australia’s finest singers performing Mozart’s beautiful music.

In a wealthy household in Seville, Figaro is marrying Susanna, but the Count wants to seduce her first. Marcellina wants Figaro and the Countess just wants her husband back. But Susanna is smarter than all of them. After a crazy day of disguise and duplicity, will she get her happily ever after?

Find out when Mozart’s comic masterpiece comes to Townsville.

It’s a delightful night out at the theatre!

Sung in English, performed with chamber orchestra.

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“The Melbourne City Ballet dancers always show great capability and are able to adapt to anything they do.

It was a truly magical performance by all!� darcie virtue, dancetrain magazine 20

presented by melbourne city ballet brought to you by townsville city council

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

by William Shakespeare Riverway Arts Centre 21 July, 7.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 Members save 10%

Melbourne City Ballet offers another Shakespearian classic for audiences in 2017, after the huge success of their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2016. Choreographed by Artistic Director, Michael Pappalardo, audiences will see a range of diverse movement, executed by some of Australia’s most talented artists. This comical tale explores the lives of two couples whose lives are affected by the meddling fairies who live in a mysterious forest.

Hermia and Lysander are madly in love and wish to marry. But Hermia’s father, Theseus, wants her to marry Demetrius, who is keen to marry her. Her father threatens Hermia with a future in a nunnery or death if she does not obey him. Hermia’s childhood friend, Helena is in love with Demetrius and his romantic feelings are not returned.

Lysander and Hermia run away together into the forest, and Demetrious and Helena follow after.

Oberon, the King of the fairies, sees Demetrious and Helena and wants to give her the man of her dreams, with a little help from a love potion. Whilst a person is sleeping, the potion can be poured over their eyes and they will fall in love with the first person he or she sees.

He asks his fairy friend, Puck, to help him with the task. But something goes wrong.

Falling in love can make fools of us all…

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presented by australian dance theatre brought to you by townsville city council

Be Your Self Redux

By Garry Stewart

Townsville Civic Theatre 15 August, 7.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 Members save 10%

Australian Dance Theatre has thrilled sellout audiences around the world with performances of cutting edge dance. Now the internationally acclaimed company brings Be Your Self Redux to the Townsville Civic Theatre for the first time.

In Garry Stewart’s Be Your Self Redux, audiences are engaged in a complex dialogue in which they are compelled to explore what makes you ‘you’.

The athletic dancers of ADT are transformed into erupting, powerful, and emotional entities, projecting startling physical images.

Arising from conversations with a Buddhist monk, neurologist, physiologist and literary academic, Stewart situates the body at the centre of his inquiry and reveals that despite our civilising cultural influences, the body is still a force to be reckoned with.

A distilled version of the original Be Your Self, Be Your Self Redux fuses Stewart’s audacious choreography with spoken word to create an exciting dance work that leaves audiences questioning the underpinnings of who they are.

Photography by Chris Herzfeld, Camlight Productions.

Be Your Self has been co-produced by Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, La Rose des Vents - scène nationale Lille Métropole - Villeneuve d’Ascq, Le Rive Gauche Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Centro Cultural Vila Flor Guimarães, Théâtre de la Ville Paris, and Arts SA’s Major Commission Fund.

This tour is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory board.

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“Unquestionably Stewart’s greatest work to date, Be Your Self offers a staggering, breathtakingly powerful series of panoramic embodiments of how the body receives and processes the myriad of experiences it’s subjected to” david o’brien, db magazine

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presented by queensland symphony orchestra brought to you by townsville city council

QSO Plays Sibelius Townsville Civic Theatre 4 October, 7.30pm Ad $45 Conc/Stu $40 Ch $25 Members save 10%

Join Queensland Symphony Orchestra for an evening of classical favourites.

Under the baton of Toby Thatcher QSO will indulge audiences with Dvorák’s splendidly vibrant Carnival Overture, alongside one of Sibelius’ most popular works, Symphony No.2. Esteemed violinist Kristian Winther will light up the stage with Mendelssohn’s beloved and joyful Violin Concerto in E minor.

Conductor Toby Thatcher Soloist Kristian Winther Program: Dvorák Carnival Overture, op.92 Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor for Violin & Orchestra, op.64 Sibelius Symphony No.2 in D major, op.45

This tour is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory board.

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Children’s Theatre Season >> l e a r n >> e x pl or e >> gro w

Tickets $15 Group 10+ $12 Members save 10%

“Theatre for children, fires the imagination, it gives our children the skills and the creativity necessary to face the world, to understand it and perhaps to change it too…” lyn gardner – the guardian

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Children’s Theatre Matters townsvilleye’s Chris Silvini speaks to Naomi Edwards, Artistic Director of Patch Theatre Company Putting together any theatre production is always a challenging process. But for children’s theatre maker Naomi Edwards, there’s no greater challenge than entertaining little ones.

“It’s actually the hardest form of theatre to make because they are the toughest audience. They are the most discerning and most vocal. You’ll know immediately if something’s working or not,” she said.

Edwards and her team from Patch Theatre Company specialise in shows for children aged four to eight. They’re heading to Townsville in 2017 with Emily Loves to Bounce as part of the incredible Children’s Theatre Season line-up.

She says the process for creating children’s theatre requires some particular considerations.

“We think a lot about length and rhythm and pace to hold attention and maintain engagement. We also think a lot about their imagination and their sense of play,” she said.

“We try to give them space for their imagination to complete some of the story.

Their imaginations are so fertile and they create their own meaning.”

But Edwards says it’s not about ‘learning’ in the traditional sense of the word.

“Learning’s a dirty word in a way. For us it’s more about experiencing the world and making sense of it. As adults we think of learning as something that just happens in the classroom but children are learning every moment and play is the main driver for that.”

Most shows in the Children’s Theatre program are accompanied by a comprehensive teacher resource pack for schools that book, as well as featuring education programs, workshops and question and answer time, so that students gain an understanding of what, why and how things are done.

The townsvilleye is available free inside the Townsville Bulletin each Saturday.

“Their imaginations are so fertile and they create their own meaning.” naomi edwards

presented by patch theatre brought to you by townsville city council

Emily Loves to Bounce

by Patch Theatre

Townsville Civic Theatre 7 April, 6.30pm 8 April, 10.30am and 1pm Inspired by three of the most loved books of Stephen Michael King, Emily Loves to Bounce creates a whimsical world full of balls and boxes where amazing ideas are expressed in extraordinary ways.

Follow carefree Henry and practical Amy as they turn the world upside down and right way round, and learn that working together in spite of their differences brings out the best in everyone.

Emily Loves to Bounce weaves together the stories of Henry and Amy, Emily Loves to Bounce and Patricia, adapted from the books by Stephen Michael King.

Henry And Amy, Emily Loves To Bounce and Patricia adapted by Patch Theatre Company from the books by Stephen Michael King.

Recommended for ages 4 – 8.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

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presented by griffin theatre company brought to you by townsville city council

The Witches

By Roald Dahl Adapted for the stage by David Wood Re-imagined by Lucas Jervies Riverway Arts Centre 19 May, 12.30pm and 6.30pm When one little boy unwittingly stumbles into the annual meeting of witches, he hears their nasty plan to get rid of all the children in the world – by turning them into mice! It’s going to take smarts and sneakiness to stop them and not get squished in the process.

Think you can outwit a witch and outrun a mouse? Then grab a seat in the front row for The Witches, bursting onto the stage as a mind-boggling and madcap one-man show.

Brave boys and girls, rat-racers and retirees are in for a wicked and wonderful time.

Lucas Jervies directs this bubbling concoction, based on David Wood’s adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic, with one actor running amok in a virtuosic physical performance.

Recommended for ages 6 and over.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

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presented by garry ginivan attractions (aust) in association with kw & nb ltd (uk) brought to you by townsville city council

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Live on Stage!

Adapted from the picture book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury Riverway Arts Centre 7 September, 6.30pm 8 September, 10.30am and 12.30pm Adapted for the stage from the modern classic written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.

From Australia’s leading producer of high quality entertainment for kids and families including Possum Magic, Wombat Stew, My Grandma Lived In Gooligulch, Stripey – The Emu Chick and the latest sensation There’s A Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake comes the International Touring Production of We’re Going On A Bear Hunt – Live On Stage! with an all Australian cast.

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is the wonderful story of a family out for walk and on the lookout for a growling bear - they have to march through long swishy grass, wade through thick gloopy mud and even battle a snow storm before entering a big dark cave where maybe they will finally spot the glinty wet eyes of a slobbering, gigantic bear winking at them through the blackness.

This 55 minute mini-musical captures the fun and frolics of a father who is clearly still a child at heart, his three children including a tiny intrepid bear hunter in the making – baby is strapped to dad’s back plus the family dog and of course....a BIG BROWN CUDDLY BEAR!

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This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

a monkey baa theatre company production brought to you by townsville city council

Diary of a Wombat

Based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley Directed by Eva di Cesare Riverway Arts Centre 28 September, 6.30pm 29 September, 10.30am and 12.30pm The beloved, award winning children’s book comes to the stage.

Millions of young people around the world have adored the multi award-winning picture book, Diary of a Wombat. Now finally this iconic work by Australian Children’s Laureate (2014/15), Jackie French and Bruce Whatley comes to the stage.

Meet Mothball, the naughtiest wombat in Australia. Bored with her daily routine, Mothball goes in search of shelter and food, creating chaos in the lives of the humans around her.

Monkey Baa uses the magic of puppetry and live music to bring this delightful story for ages 3+ to the stage.

This project has been assisted by the Australian government through the Ministry for the Arts’ Catalyst— Australian Arts and Culture Fund.

Arts NSW is pleased to support and create opportunities for growth to foster the future of arts and culture in NSW. Funded by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation (Eldon & Anne Foote Trust Donor Advised Program 2016).

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

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presented by whiskey & boots brought to you by townsville city council

Benjamin & Me

by Mark Storen

Riverway Arts Centre 10 October, 6.30pm 11 October, 10.30am and 12.30pm Benjamin is Will’s best mate in the whole wide world. Benjamin is also a dog.

One morning, Will wakes up with an idea. He has decided to build the first ever boy-dog operated flying machine. And so, this coming-of-age adventure takes to the skies…

Follow the extraordinary journey of this young boy, his dog, their wild imagination and a ukulele. The show features a smattering of songs, crazy contraptions and illustrations by visual artist Jacinta Larcombe.

Benjamin & Me is a show for families and adventurous adults. It’s the newest work from awardwinning writer and performer Mark Storen (The Polite Gentleman), and is the debut production for his new company Whiskey & Boots. Produced for Whiskey & Boots by Georgia King.

Written and performed by Mark Storen featuring Georgia King. Illustrations: Jacinta Larcombe. Benjamin & Me was originally supported by The Blue Room Theatre and presented as part of the 2015 AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things.

WHISKEY+BOOTS

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Give the gift of LIVE theatre with a TicketShop gift certificate!

atre The The

The T

heatre

Create your own theatre experience to suit any taste or budget. Gift certificates are available for purchase all year round!

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Morning Melodies is your chance to experience a fantastic variety of daytime entertainment at affordable prices.

Single $14 ea Group 10+ Packages Available Complimentary morning tea included with all shows.

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A Few Of My Favourite Things Featuring Rachel Cairns 21 - 22 February, 11am

Rachel Cairns is no stranger to the Townsville musical theatre stage, having played leading roles in many productions for the Townsville Choral Society and NQOMT including both seasons of Les Miserables, All Shook Up, Nunsense, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and Chess. 2017 marks Rachel’s 25th year of performing musical theatre in Townsville, and the concert will feature some of her most favourite and iconic songs.

La Dolce Vita – A Morning In Italy Attori 4 -5 April, 11am

When in Rome do as Romans do… let Rick Romeo from Attori and friends take you on a musical and laughter filled journey to the most romantic and passionate country in the world! Rick shares funny anecdotes of what it is like growing up in a Sicilian/ Italian family peppered amongst some of the most beautiful songs made famous by artists such as Patrizio Buanne and Andre Boccelli.

A Fine Romance JTM Productions 16 – 17 May, 11am

A Fine Romance: The Magic of Fred Astaire is an all singing, all dancing tribute to the man who went on to become the most famous dancer of all time. You will love the costumes, the songs, the glitz, the extraordinary dancing and of course, the music. This show has something for everyone.

1RAR Band 20 – 21 June, 11am

Come and be entertained as we showcase the many musical talents of Townsville’s own 1 RAR Band featuring vocalist Corporal Deb O’Toole. Enjoy the sounds of the Big Band as we perform music selected from musical theatre, the big screen and popular recorded artists over the past 50 years.

Danny Elliott In Concert 17 – 18 October, 11am

Danny Elliott is truly an extra-ordinarily talented musician, singer and allround entertainer. Audiences watch in disbelief as Danny plays instrument after instrument, song after song, climaxing in a flourish on his favourite, the Piano.

Vov Dylan – Sentimental Journey 14 – 15 November, 11am

Vov Dylan is an Australian Violinist with music that flows from every fibre of his body. A third generation musician, Vov was born to the Violin! As a child he became a regular in the Classical music circuit. Alongside the shows, Vov has become a regular in the recording studio where he has now released 6 studio albums, all of which are available globally and receive frequent airplay on radio stations all over the world.

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nda ha

p i c k e d co l l e c t i o n o f c a b a r et

SESSIONS at r i v e r w ay a r ts c e n t r e Vibrant, fun and a little bit cheeky

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Warm Waters Saturday 13 May 7.30pm for an 8pm start If you love folk music, you will love this show. If you hate folk music, you’ll love it even more. Everyone enjoys good roots, and Warmwaters stand ready to folk you right up with their songs of romance and other issues. They’ve got a lot of issues.

Hilarious and musical, Warmwaters is a comic cabaret show featuring the duo’s distinctly arousing and original “accidentally-on-purpose cheeky” (Brisbane Times) love and protest songs blended with classics you know and love.

A cross between Spinal Tap, The Kransky Sisters, and David Brent, Warmwaters leaves audiences with a smile on their face and all tingly below. “…creat[ing] beautiful folk music and hilarious comedy together ... the audience follow every pun, experience every passive aggressive poke made, and laugh consistently at the couple’s expense” – downstagediscernments

#FirstWorldWhiteGirls: Botox Party!

Thursday 8 August 7.30pm for an 8pm start Since their sell-out season in 2014, #FirstWorldWhiteGirls have been making audiences squirm with delight with their hilariously narcissistic brand of slick comedy and catchy vocals. And now they are back with #FirstWorldWhiteGirls: Botox Party! - that further satirises first world entitlement and the self-obsessed “me” generation. #FirstWorldWhiteGirls are throwing the most exclusive party in town and you’re invited.

Grab a botox cocktail and join the girls for an outrageous hour of confessions, makeovers, celebrity worship and backstabbing in this hilarious celebration of first world vanity.

Take a peek into the lifestyles of the rich and heinous, set to a soundtrack of original comic songs exposing the struggles of our age quinoa enemas, Snapchat filters, accidental sexting, foetus facials and the Refugee Diet.

Don’t miss this chance to see just how offensive privilege can be.

“Hysterically entertaining ... A fluid onehour comedic routine that does not falter in consistently delivering quality laughs and unabridged talent” - artshub This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

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Phelan Groovy Friday 18 August 7.30pm for an 8pm start A wise man once said “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story” That wise man was Kurt Phelan…

Kurt is no stranger to the stage. He has performed major roles in some of the biggest musicals in Australia over the past decade, including Singin’ In The Rain, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and most recently channeling his inner Patrick Swayze onstage in the national tour of Dirty Dancing.

Now, he returns home to Townsville with the show that has taken the country by storm and seen a sellout season in New York City.

Phelan Groovy is a cabaret of riotous proportions, full of hit songs you thought you knew before… until now.

A hilarious night of unabashed laughter where you will get a personal tour inside the mind of Australia’s newest leading man. Part biographical, part celebrity dish and all laugh a minute entertainment. If growing up has taught him one thing, it was to only say 10% of what he thinks, out loud… Well, now, you get that other 90% (complete with a killer soundtrack.)

So, come and share a night with this North Queensland-gemini’s-rapid-firing mind, and have a bloody good laugh doing so.

“If you’re in the mood for a whacky hour of fun, laughter, and Phelan’s rock-star vibe to boot, Phelan Groovy is the right show for you. 5 stars” - theatre people 38

A Lady’s Guide to the Art of Being a Wingman Friday 6 October 7.30pm for an 8pm start Girls dressed as boys, using techniques for picking up women to pick up men … while wearing pink beehives - Got it? If not, perhaps you’d better consult Melbourne’s hottest cabaret trio The Desperettes.

SESSI

If you’re not familiar with the term “Wingman” it is simply a name for the person who helps you out when approaching potential partners. Originating from the movie Top Gun this term is usually reserved for guys, however, Melbourne’s newest cabaret trio The Desperettes are adopting these techniques and applying them to the modern lady.

Their new show A Lady’s Guide to the Art of being a Wingman will take you on a hilarious and eye-opening night out which includes pickup lines, daggy dancing and that all important first move. In this hilarious show these girls defy gender as they highlight not only how ridiculous the world of dating has become, but also the gender stereotypes associated with it.

“Oozing with talent and humour.”

– weekend notes

Women in Docs Saturday 18 November, 7.30pm for an 8pm start Women in Docs are an independent, folk pop act (with a little bit of country), based in Brisbane. They have been compared to the Indigo Girls, the Dixie Chicks and The Waifs.

IONS

With a reputation for stirring and humourous live performances and a vigorous touring schedule, Women in Docs have spent ten years building a fiercely loyal following throughout Australia, as well as touring internationally to win over audiences throughout North America, Europe, New Zealand and China.

tickets $55

including tapas

how to boo k www.ticketshop.com.au 4727 9797

Roz Pappalardo and Chanel Lucas as women in docs have wooed the world with their award-winning songs and live shows which incorporate soaring harmonies, rhythmic guitar and authentic story telling. Their refreshing acoustic style of music, a little bit country, a little bit folk, is a breath of fresh air at any festival.

They are loved worldwide by audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds, deserving recognition as one of Australia’s most enduring independent and hardest working acts. “…instinctive melodies and good clean fun musical times.” – tyler mcloughlan, themusic.com.au

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