What's On

3 Oct 2023 - 23 Nov 2024
Page 1 of 4.

Belles

The Basin Theatre Group Inc.
5 Oct 2023 - 15 Oct 2023

VDL Awards Entry: 2023

Author: Mark Dunn

Director: LB Bradley

Genre: Comedy

Agent: An Amateur Production By Arrangement with ORiGiNTM Theatrical, on behalf of RIGHTS HOLDER

Synopsis

It’s 1988, a time before mobile phones, texting & cheap long-distance calls.

The Walker sisters’ mother has eaten some bad tuna and been taken to hospital. Again. When oldest sister Peggy calls to inform her five sisters a series of phone calls ensues. Second eldest Aneece is too busy being bitter at their mother to talk to Peggy, Audrey prefers to put Huckle, her ventriloquist dummy, on the phone instead of speaking to her sister and Sherry has changed her name to Dust & is more interested in abstract poetry with her current lover than discussing their mother’s various ailments. Roseanne’s life is falling apart, yet she still seems to come second to her husband’s midlife crisis and youngest sister Paige is having romantic troubles, all of which take precedence over their mother’s latest drama. All in all Peggy doesn’t have much luck gaining sympathy for Mama.

A series of 45 phone calls over one autumn weekend reveals cracks in the foundation of the Walker family. Sisterly bonds are tested, loves are lost and found and old wounds are reopened in this heartfelt comedy about family, trauma and love.

PHANTOM CALL

The 1812 Theatre Ltd.
5 Oct 2023 - 28 Oct 2023

Author: Chris Hodson

Director: Neil Barnett

Genre: Comedy

Synopsis

A rags to riches story which begins with a séance; when horse racing tips from “the other side” change the fortunes of those taking part.
A humorous tale with unexpected consequences.

Cul-De-Sac

Encore Theatre Inc.
6 Oct 2023 - 14 Oct 2023

Author: John Cariani

Director: Helen Ellis

Genre: Comedy

Synopsis

Meet the Smiths, the Johnsons, and the Joneses. They live in a nice little cul-de-sac. And they’re happy. Or at least trying to be. Over the course of a single spring day, the neighbouring couples confront the dead-end of their dreams and what happens when you pursue happiness…with a vengeance.

“Charming, witty, and macabre, acclaimed playwright John Cariani navigates once again the quirk and heartache of relationships… His dark comic masterpiece.” – The New York Times.

This production will be its Australian premiere.

Have a Laugh

Bacchus Marsh & Melton District Community Theatre Inc.
13 Oct 2023 - 14 Oct 2023

Author: Alex McMurray and Debbie Barker

Director: Alex McMurray and Debbie Barker

Genre: Comedy

Synopsis

No Business Like… It’s All Relative
Radio Play Written by Alex McMurray

Thomas’s elder sister Bunty arrives on the scene to
help “rescue” the firm from a financial downturn, Thomas turns to Samuel for help.

Series of Improv
Actors will be performing a series of improv, which will sure to have plenty of laughs.

Birds of a feather
Play written by Debbie Barker

Malcom’s wife has passed away and things take a turn after the reading of the will.

Murder on Cue

Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Co. Inc.
13 Oct 2023 - 22 Oct 2023

Author: Robin Jennifer Miller

Director: Susan Gibson

Genre: Other

Agent: Stagescripts Ltd

Synopsis

Maple Lodge is a retirement home for actors where gossip and old rivalries sustain the residents as much as the dry sherry and shepherd’s pie. Tensions are raised by an outbreak of anonymous letters. With the home cut off by snow and with the re-writing of a will and dark secrets emerging, murder is perhaps inevitable..
A murder mystery with a comedic twist!

Tartuffe

Torquay Theatre Troupe Inc.
26 Oct 2023 - 4 Nov 2023

VDL Awards Entry: 2023

Author: Moliere

Director: Zina Carman

Genre: Comedy

Agent: Origin Theatrical

Synopsis

In the classic comedic play Tartuffe, the title character fakes extreme piety to gain the affection of Orgon, the patriarch of the family with whom Tartuffe stays with as a houseguest. Orgon’s adulation of Tartuffe tears the family apart. To save Orgon from his own folly and themselves from its consequences, Orgon’s family launches a campaign to expose and punish Tartuffe, rescue their own futures, and restore harmony to their lives.
In this rendition Orgon is the owner & ringmaster of the Royal Circus and Tartuffe the fraudulent Shaman who comes among them and creates discord.

Why They Stay

Someone New Theatre Company
26 Oct 2023 - 5 Nov 2023

Author: Sindi Renea

Director: Sindi Renea

Genre: Drama

Synopsis

ANNABELLE is working at a small cafe where she meets LINCOLN, a tradie who has been working onsite close by and is now a regular customer. Lincoln overhears Annabelle and her best friend, APRIL, having a conversation about April’s impending overseas holiday to celebrate graduating uni. When April leaves the cafe, Lincoln uses their conversation as a reason to break the ice and talk more to Annabelle. A relationship begins to develop between the two.

ANNA (an anthropomorphism of Annabelle’s internal dialogue) is looking out the window of her tower and decides to rescue herself. As she nears the bottom, CON (Lincoln’s internal dialogue) arrives to help. Playing this game and dancing together, Anna and Con display the true feelings and nature of Annabelle and Lincoln’s relationship.

Annabelle and Lincoln’s relationship is characterised by bouts of extreme jealousy, manipulation and controlling behaviours often leading to violence. Some characters excuse these outbursts as “the way men are”, while others grow suspicious of Lincoln’s intentions and concerned for Annabelle’s safety.

Absurd Person Singular

Malvern Theatre Co. Inc.
27 Oct 2023 - 11 Nov 2023

Author: Alan Ayckbourn

Director: Damian Jones

Genre: Comedy

Agent: Origin Theatrical Pty Ltd

Synopsis

This is one of Ayckbourn’s most often-performed plays: a comedy that follows the changing fortunes of three married couples. We visit the homes of each of the couples on successive Christmas Eves, where we experience all kinds of domestic disasters and absurdities. In the first year in an attempt to climb the social ladder, the lower-class Hopcrofts host their bank manager and his wife (the Brewster-Wrights), and their architect neighbour, Geoffrey Jackson with his suicidal wife, Eva. Havoc ensues at this festive drinks party, which they hoped would impress their high-powered friends – but that’s nothing compared to what happens at the next two Christmases when the friends return the Hopcrofts’ hospitality!

Clue: On Stage

Eltham Little Theatre Inc.
10 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023

Author: Jonathan Lynn

Director: Luisa Romeo

Genre: Comedy

Agent: ORiGiN Theatrical of behalf of Broadway Licensing

Synopsis

On a dark and stormy night, six mysterious guests show up at a stereotypically creepy mansion having
each received a cryptic invitation from an unknown host. However, as their host’s true intentions are
revealed and the night takes a deadly turn, everyone must scramble to catch the killer and try to leave
the mansion alive.
This raucous comedy requires a dynamic ensemble of actors to bring it to life with chutzpah and gusto,
and will no doubt be a show to remember! (for those who make it out alive)…

FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY

Mordialloc Theatre Co. Inc.
10 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023

Author: Roger Hall

Director: David Collins

Genre: Comedy

Agent: PLAYMARKET.org.nz

Synopsis

Four Flat Whites in Italy is the hilarious story of retired librarians, Adrian and Alison. They have scrimped and saved for the holiday of a lifetime with another couple they’ve known for years. Shortly before leaving, one of these friends breaks his ankle and the couple is unable to join them. Stepping into the breach are their two new neighbours, brash Harry, a retired plumber and his sexy young wife, Judy, who both insist on flying business class. What follows is an hilarious clash of budgets, interests, politics, culture, sex, religion, sport and coffee!

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