Here at the AU offices, we go through all your spruces and gooses and have collated the best events in this, our monthly look at the best the art, theatre and cultural world has to offer this month for the month of February 2017. Go out and enjoy one of these little events around Australia, why don’t you?
Neil Hamburger
The most classic of all classic comedians Neil Hamburger comes to Australia to tickle your funny bones. yes, really! Never mind those albums full of raving audiences or awesome puns, he is actually amazingly funny with his sets of genuine, non-offensive material for all to enjoy! (note: the previous paragraph is an absolute lie and you should not see Neil Hamburger if you are easily offended or even if you want high-brow comedy – although Neil may want to dispute that and may encourage kids to come along if you can get through the pub’s security).
Where: The Manning Bar, Sydney & Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
When: February 8th (Sydney), February 16th (Melbourne)
More info: www.americasfunnyman.com
Sand Safari Arts Festival
It may be the hub for all things tourism, high buildings and shopping malls, but the Sand Safari Arts Festival sets to shift all of that with an interactive event which sees a series of sand and sea-inspired art throughout Surfers Paradise. This all includes the Australian Sand Sculpting Championships, pop-up sculptures in libraries and shopping centres, inflatable art, and kids workshops and activities. Luke Egan (aka Filthy Luker), the UK’s famous “inflatablist”, will be exhibiting his collection of bold, inflatable art interventions as part of the festival.
Where: Various venues through the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise
When: February 10th – 26th
More info: www.surfersparadise.com
BU21
Outhouse Theatre Co brings us BU21 – a completely unique & ground-breaking take on the issue of terrorism. A poignant topic right now within the current political climate which should be written and talked about in all kinds of art forms. Playwright Stuart Slade brings us this production that not only allows us to reflect on how we go to this place where we face terrorism on a regular basis but also encourages us to look into the humourous side of the dark topic.
Where: The Old 505 Theatre, Newtown NSW
When: February 8th – 25th
More info: www.outhousetheatre.org
Single Asian Female
Award-winning, Brisbane local writer, Michelle Law debuts her brand new comedy production at La Boite Theatre Company in Brisbane this month. Audiences will get to step into the after-hours of a suburban Chinese restaurant and meet a family of whip-smart women who is definitely talking about you in their native tongue.
Set on the Sunshine Coast, this hilarious play looks at three women at three key stages of their lives; high school, one’s reproductive prime, and menopause – all grappling with specifically female issues.
Where: La Bolte Theatre Company, Brisbane, Kelvin Grove Village, QLD
When: February 11th – March 4th
More info: http://laboite.com.au/single-asian-female/
The Book of Mormon
Where to start on this? This is one of the many artistic endeavours of Matt Stone and Trey Parker outside of their South Park juggarnaught, and what a musical is this. One of the most successful comedy musicals in recent memory with nine Tony Awards and many other statues, the production is a story of two Mormons trying to share their scriptures within a Ugandan village. The show basing is itself in Melbourne for an Australian run, and if you are able to put yourself among the crowd of people throwing money from their pockets for a ticket, then go and check it out.
Where: Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Vic
When: On now until May 14th
More info: http://bookofmormonmusical.com.au/
Paradise Lost
In Paradise Lost, Christopher Samuel Carroll from the Bare Witness Theatre Company takes on John Milton’s poem in a one-man performance that was initially developed as part of the 10 Days in Dublin Festival. Using the Japanese dance form of Butoh – incorporating grotesque imagery of death, darkness and the primeval.
This performance was redeveloped through the Artist in Residence program at Belconnen Arts Centre in the ACT, where it had been performed for four performances over three nights from 26-28 January before heading along to Perth for Fringe World, and then onto the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Where: The Flaming Locomotive: Engine Room, State Theatre Centre of WA (as part of Fringe World), Henrietta’s at Adelaide Fringe Festival, SA
When: January 31st – February 4th (Perth), February 16th – 25th (Adelaide)
More info: www.barewitnesstheatre.com
Superposition of three types
Superposition of three types is a new exhibition featuring the work of thirteen living contemporary Australian artists spanning generations and all kinds of mediums, brought together based on their central interest in exploring colourist abstraction. A number of artists will work in situ at the gallery as well, giving an insight to how artists produce their artists engaging in space, architecture and colour.
Where: Artspace, The Gunnery, Woolloomooloo NSW
When: February 10th – April 17th
More info: www.artspace.org.au
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