Oh how this year is flying by! August is now here! While it is raining and freaking cold in many places around the country there is a bunch of fascinating shows, exhibitions and other arty stuff around the country for you to peek at. Here are our picks:
The Beast
Murder! Lies! Cows! The Beast is an organic, free range, jet-black comedy, written by and starring the one and only Eddie Perfect. It’s a play that “holds a hand-crafted chef’s blade to the throat of modern Australia.” AU’s Daniel also checked this production out recently commented on how the comedy in the play was for everyone.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay NSW
When: playing now until 21st August
More Details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/the_beast_2016.aspx
Leanne Marshall: Black Magic Kingfisher Neckpiece
Helpmann Academy’s Kaleidescope
This art exhibition showcases works by the 2015 Helpmann Academy Jingdezhen and Sanskriti Residency Artists, reflecting their experiences and insights during their residencies in China & India. Featured artists include Emily Clinton, Olivia Dryden, Arlon Hall, Bekki Klix, Leanne Marshall, Maggie Moy, and Camille Rich.
Where: 101 Walkerville Tce, Walkerville, SA
When: 3rd–13th August
More details: http://www.helpmannacademy.com.au/
Force Majeure: Off The Record
Off The Record is semi-biographical, drawing inspiration from the lives of its five performers. Featuring a diverse cast of professional artists with and without disability, the production poses the question ‘how much of
our ‘true’ selves do we really reveal to the outside world?’ These remarkable artists share personal stories in a powerful performance melding movement, verbatim storytelling and text. Performers include Jana Castillo; actor and disability advocate Alex Jones; film, television and theatre actor Gerard O’Dwyer; Sydney-based contemporary dancer Marnie Palomares and actor and AUSLAN interpreter Neil Phipps.
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW
When: 17–20 August
More Details: http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/current-projects/off-the-record
Curtains (From The Production Company
The creative team that put on Nice Work If You Can Get It, returns for this Australian premiere season of Curtains, a musical comedy that turns into a mystery in the most break-the-fourth-wall way possible. A murder (well, not actual murder, but I’m sure you get our drift) happens onstage at the premiere of a Broadway production and it is up to Frank Cioffi to figure out what happened while fighting all the lovey-dovey feelings for lead actor Niki. Simon Gleeson, who wooed in Les Misérables and CHESS plays Frank Cioffi, Alinta Chidzey also stars along with Melissa Langton, Lucy Maunder and Alex Rathgeber.
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Southbank Vic
When: 20th–28th August
More Details: https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2016/musicals/curtains
The Hansard Monologues: Age of Entitlement
This production has recently finished a run of shows at Sydney’s Glen Street Theatre and is moving towards more shows through August. For those who have a huge political wonk inside of them burning to be satisfied, this is more or less right up your alley. Capturing the “passion and the policies, the opinions and the onions, the banter and the boats of the 44th Parliament of Australia,” the show will resonate to those wondering what the heck the last year in politics was all about. Conveniently enough the crew wrap up all performances in our nation’s capitol.
Where & When: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale, NSW from 5th–13th August; Merrigong, Wollongong NSW from 17th–20th August & MOAD, Canberra ACT from 25th–28th August
More Details: http://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/the-hansard-monologues-age-of-entitlement/
Queensland Poetry Festival
This beloved festival for poets returns for its 20th time for 3 days & 4 nights of poetry, spoken word, panels, film, performance, installations, slam, comedy, hip-hop, and music. There is a strong indigenous and first nation focus with this festival, looking at the stories both old & new from indigenous communities interspersed with talents from overseas as well. 90 Australian & international guests include Archie Roach, Black Comedy’s Steven Oliver, and Clive James.
Where: Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
When: 25th–28th August
More Details: www.queenslandpoetryfestival.com
Melbourne Writers Festival
Keeping on the writing theme, Melbourne’s premier writing festival has announced a barrage of awesome writers speaking about their works. From PJ Harvey to Lionel Shriver to Tim Costello, one pof the most diverse range of writers will converge on Melbourne for a huge amount of talks, events and workshops (too much to list here). All hopefully to get you writing as well.
Where: Various venues around Melbourne
When: 26th August – 4th September
More Details: http://mwf.com.au/
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