IN THIS E-NEWS
– The Darkening Sky Reviews + Q&A Info
– The Darkening Sky Opening Night Gallery
– Early Bird Tickets for No Ball Games Allowed
– Backstage Blog Interview with Kristen Smyth
– Former Gifted Child Music Video
– Backstage Blog Interview with Ashton Turner
– Spot Returns to Theatre Works
– Ally Morgan Introduces Not Today
– New Matinees added for MEDEA: Out of the Mouths of Babes
– Venue Hire Information for Explosives Factory
– Theatre Giveaway – “The Chimerical” at Gasworks
– Cinema Giveaways – “Elizabeth” + “Petite Maman”
THE DARKENING SKY
BY RICHARD MURPHET
CLOSES THIS SATURDAY 26 MAR
The reviews are in! The Darkening Sky is “a thrilling neo-noir mystery written by Murphet with the brutal beauty of a poet’s tongue” (Time Out Melbourne)
The Darkening Sky plays each night this week through to Saturday, with a special post-show Q&A after the 7:30pm after tonight’s performance (23 March). Book your tickets via the link below!
Images by Chelsea Neate
Congratulations to Richard Murphet, Victorian Theatre Company and the entire team for an amazing first weekend of performances and an unforgettable opening night last Friday. Catch up on the post-show festivities via the gallery below!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL OPENING NIGHT GALLERY
NO BALL GAMES ALLOWED
BY KRISTEN SMYTH | DIRECTED BY KITAN PETKOVSKI
OPENING NEXT WEEK | 31 MAR – 9 APR
GET 20% OFF ALL TICKETS UNTIL MIDNIGHT THE 26th MARCH WITH THE CODE EARLYBIRD!
We are thrilled to be welcoming the powerhouse collaborators behind last year’s sell-out The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven back to the stage next week for the world premiere of NO BALL GAMES ALLOWED, an explosive new play written by and starring Kristen Smyth, directed by Kitan Petkovski.
NO BALL GAMES ALLOWED explores the world near the bottom of a series of high rise towers, a world where a young woman disappears and her life is remembered, a life of moments and opportunities that were never fully grasped, that could have been different. This unapologetic play speaks to regret and family trauma, encouraging us to examine our true selves, and ask how much do we really know of our loved ones and their inner lives?
“The title comes from a blue plaque that until recently adorned many a council estate back in London. My family were all south east Londoners and this sign – which I took as a public pronouncement on the notion of youth exploration and looking for joy – would be a perfect image for the idea of shutting down emotional connection.”
This week, We were lucky enough to catch writer and performer Kristen Smyth during rehearsals for the world premiere of her new work, No Ball Games Allowed, to talk about her inspirations and what the piece means to her.
FORMER GIFTED CHILD
BY ASHTON TURNER | MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL!
OPENING NEXT WEEK | 30 MAR – 2 APR
Check out the Official Music Video for “Girlboss” by Ashton Turner – part of her original caberet, FORMER GIFTED CHILD!
Do you love gold stars? Were you “a joy to have in class”? So was Ashton Turner. Ashton was one of those “gifted children,” who spends most of her time wondering when she’ll live up to all that “potential” she apparently once had.
Opening next week at TW Explosives Factory, FORMER GIFTED CHILD is a brand-new one-woman cabaret with an original score that examines our idea of success through the eyes of someone who was once destined for it.
“I started thinking about the child-prodigy-to-mediocre-adult pipeline. I thought about success – what it is, how to get it, and why we all seem to want it so badly.”
We sat down with writer/performer Ashton Turner for a chat ahead of her world premiere cabaret, FORMER GIFTED CHILD, opening next week at Explosives Factory!
SPOT
BY FABIO MOTTA | MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL!
COMING SOON | 5 – 15 APR
“A brilliantly crafted performance wrapped with comic wit…the laughter rolled continuously. An instantaneous standing ovation from absolutely everyone!”
–THE WEEKEND NOTES (on Spot’s 2021 Glasshouse Season)
After a sold-out season in Theatre Works’ Glasshouse (Jan 2021), SPOT returns in April as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival at TW Explosives Factory!
Exploring a contemporary immigrant tale through satire, physical comedy and unforgettable characters, Spot invites audiences on the hazardous adventure of young migrant, Mario, and his devilish alter ego… Spot.
NOT TODAY
BY ALLY MORGAN | MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL!
COMING SOON | 19 – 23 APR
Hear from creator/performer Ally Morgan ahead of the Melbourne debut of NOT TODAY!
★★★★ – Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★★ – Sydney Scoop
”Captivated the audience from the get go… a must-see!” – Weekend Notes
26-year-old Ally Morgan is determined to save the world from climate change. How does she plan to do it? Through the power of THEATRE! The only problem is that she’s so anxious about climate change that she can’t actually write the life-changing show that will save the world through the power of theatre… See the problem?
SEASON EXTENDED
MEDEA: OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, the upcoming season of MEDEA: Out of the Mouths of Babes has been extended until August 20th.
Developed by Theatre Works’ award-winning team and a council of children, MEDEA: Out of the Mouths of Babes, is a playful and fantastical retelling of the Euripides’ classic, made specifically for teenagers and young adults.
New matinees have also been added for school students.
TEACHERS CLICK HERE FOR BOOKING INFORMATION
HIRE EXPLOSIVES FACTORY
REHEARSAL + WORKSHOP SPACE FOR HIRE
Our (big) little sister venue is now online and available for bookings!
Explosives Factory is a large, versatile space that is perfect for rehearsals and creative developments.
Complete with P.A, lighting gear, projector, kitchenette and shower facilities.
Located in St Kilda in a lane off Inkerman St. The space is available in minimum 4 hour blocks and is cheap as chips at $25 p.h.
The space is also available for performances and as a teaching space (email Venue and Technical Manager Tom to discuss).
Check out the full details and book online via the link below.
FROM OUR FRIENDS AROUND MELBOURNE
THEATRE GIVEAWAY
THE CHIMERICAL AT GASWORKS
The Chimerical
WildHoney Performing Arts
To believe in wishes, one has to become the wisher.
A sleeping beast has washed up on the shoreline of our dreams. It comes as a warning to humanity in times of turmoil and chaos but offers the hope of a miraculous transformation. The ancient Chimera reborn as a hybrid creature from the Otways with the ability to transform fire. A Chimerical awaits…a flame in the dark. Join otherworldly host “The Keeper” for an interactive performance pilgrimage riding high on the wings of hope and community spirit.
“…performance art that transforms a show into a truly magical and memorable production.” – Fiona Brandschied, enLIGHTen Me Birregurra Arts Project Manager More information: https://gasworks.org.au/whats-on/chimerical
To win one of 25 free tickets to this performance running from 11 to 14 May – simply email rsvp@theatreworks.org.au with your name and how many tickets you’d like.
CINEMA GIVEAWAYS
ELIZABETH + PETITE MAMAN
ELIZABETH
IN CINEMAS 21 APRIL
From the famed director of Notting Hill and Tea with the Dames, comes ELIZABETH. A nostalgic, uplifting and modern documentary about Queen Elizabeth II – the greatest British monarch of all time and longest serving female head of state in history.
To win one of five double passes, email rsvp@theatreworks.org.au with your name and postal address.
PETITE MAMAN
IN CINEMAS 5 MAY
8-year-old Nelly has just lost her beloved grandmother and is helping her parents clean out her mother’s childhood home. She explores the house and the surrounding woods where her Mum, Marion, used to play and built the treehouse she’s heard so much about. One day her mother abruptly leaves. That’s when Nelly meets a girl her own age in the woods building a treehouse. Her name is Marion.
To win one of five double passes, email rsvp@theatreworks.org.au with your name and postal address.
Theatre Works acknowledges First People’s sovereignty and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and story telling by the traditional owners of this country. We pay our respects to their ancestors, Elders and community leaders.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.