Whatson Notices

Eltham Little Theatre Inc. 18-Feb-2010 to 06-Mar-2010

Busybody Agent: Dominie Drama Pty Ltd Author: Jack Popplewell Director: erick Chappel Theatre: Performing Arts Centre 1602 Main Rd, Research Melways Reference: 22 H1 Performances: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8.00pm Matinee - Sunday 28th Feb at 2.00pm Prices: Adults $20 Concession $16 (student/pensioner/healthcare card) Bookings: 9437 1574 Company Email: webmistress@elthamlittletheatre.org.au Company Website: http://www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au Synopsis: Finding a body when you arrive at work is bad enough, especially one with a knife in its back, but finding the body gone when the police arrive is even more disconcerting. Fortunately the ever helpful cleaning lady is on hand to help the police unravel the crime - whether they want her to or not! This is a cheerful British comedy with a deadly twist.

Heidelberg Theatre Co. 18-Feb-2010 to 06-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

Disclosure Author: Helen Collins Director: Maureen Mcinerney Theatre: 36 Turnham Ave Rosanna Melways Reference: 32A1 Performances: evenings 8pm Matinees 2pm Prices: $20/$17 $16 Group of 10+ Bookings: 9457 4117 Company Email: htc@htc.org.au Company Website: http://www.htc.org.au Synopsis: Written by a local playwright and set in inner suburban Melbourne,this is an intriguing drama involving five seemingly unrelated women from different walks of life. As their personal histories unfold,we discover they connect in a fascinating underbelly of lies, deceit and murder. The question is not"who did it?" but how and why it happened?

Malvern Theatre Company Inc. 19-Feb-2010 to 06-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

Boston Marriage Author: David Mamet Director: Vicki Smith Theatre: 29a Burke Road East Malvern Performances: Tuesdays to Saturdays 8.15 pm. Saturday Matinee 20th February at 2.00 pm. Sunday Matinee 28th February at 2.00 pm. Gala Night Saturday 27th February at 8.15 pm. Prices: $20.00 (Concession $18.00, 10 or More $17) Gala Night $25.00 (Concession $23.00, 10 or More $22) Bookings: Ticket Bookings Phone: 1300 131 552 Company Email: home@malverntheatre.com.au Company Website: http://www.malverntheatre.com.au Synopsis: Anna and Claire are two bantering, scheming ‘ladies of fashion’ who have long lived together on the fringes of upper-class society. Anna has just become the mistress of a wealthy man, from whom she has received an enormous emerald necklace and an income to match. Claire, meanwhile, is infatuated with a respectable young lady and wants to enlist the jealous Anna’s help for an assignation. As the two women exchange barbs and take turns taunting Anna’s hapless Scottish parlour maid, Claire’s young inamorata suddenly appears, setting off a crisis that puts both the valuable necklace and the women’s futures at risk. To this wickedly funny comedy, Mamet brings his trademark tart dialogue and impeccable plotting, spiced with Wildean wit.

Brighton Theatre Co. 25-Feb-2010 to 13-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

Blackbird Agent: Dominie Pty Ltd Author: David Harrower Director: Shane Ryan Theatre: Brighton Arts & Cultural Centre Wilson Street Brighton Melways Reference: 67 F11 Performances: Evening 8.00pm sharp Sunday Matinee 2.15pm sharp Prices: Adult $18.00 Concession $16.00 Bookings: 9589 0005 Company Email: enquire@brightontheatreco.com Company Website: http://www.brightontheatreco.com/ Synopsis: Fifteen years ago, Una and Ray embarked on a relationship that changed their lives. Now Una has tracked down Ray in the debris-littered lunchroom of the factory where he works. Is she seeking vengeance? Or something altogether more complex? The mutual recollection of their time together culminates in an explosive conclusion. Other Information: Patrons arriving late will be asked to wait for a suitable break in the performance before being admitted to the theatre.

The Basin Theatre Group 25-Feb-2010 to 21-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

Prelude to a Kiss Agent: Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, on behalf of Dramatists Play Service Inc. New York Author: Craig Lucas Director: Felicity Wightwick Theatre: Cnr Simpson & Doongalla Roads, The Basin, Vic. 3154 Melways Reference: 66 A6 Performances: Evenings Feb 25, 26, 27, 28, Mar 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 at 8.15 pm Matinees March 7 & 21 at 2.15 pm Prices: $20 which includes programme, complimentary sherries before, tea & coffee at Interval and complimentary refreshments and supper after. Bookings: Internet Booking at www.thebasintheatre.org.au. Phone Bookings 1300 784 668 Company Email: subscriptions@thebasintheatre.org.au Company Website: http://www.thebasintheatre.org.au Synopsis: Prelude to a Kiss is a modern-day fairy tale that tells the story of Peter – a caring young manager in a company that publishes scientific journals, and Rita – a free-spirited, sleep-deprived bartender who is fearful about life. The couple falls deeply in love and has a whirlwind romance. However, at their storybook wedding, an unexpected mystical event sends the two lovers on a journey where their love is truly put to the test. Note: this play contains some adult themes and contemporary language.

The 1812 Theatre 25-Feb-2010 to 27-Mar-2010

Stepping Out Agent: Dominie Author: Richard Harris Director: Renee Maloney Theatre: 1-3 Rose Street. Upper Fertree Gully. 3156. Performances: evening. 8.30pm Matinee. 4.00pm. Prices: $22.00. Bookings: 9758 3964. Company Email: admin@1812theatre.com.au Company Website: http://www.1812theatre.com.au Synopsis: An amateur tap dance class consisting of eight women and one man who are left footed and rhythmically challenged overcome their inhibitions, awkwardness and personality conflicts to perform in a Charity Concert.

Strathmore Theatre Arts Group 04-Mar-2010 to 13-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

Speaking in Tongues Agent: HLA Management Author: Andrew Bovell Director: Kris Weber Theatre: Corner of Loeman and Napier Sts, Strathmore Melways Reference: Mel 16 H10 Performances: 8pm Evening performances 2pm Sunday Matinee March 7 Prices: $20/$15 concession Bookings: 9379 5348 Company Email: stag_publicity@optusnet.com.au Company Website: http://www.stagtheatre.org/ Synopsis: Speaking In Tongues is an Australian play about the right and wrong of emotional conduct. Two married couples switch partners for the night. Who will have the courage for betrayal? Who will walk away? A man weeps in the street after realizing that his only love, long vanished, is alive and well – and has completely forgotten him. A woman disappears on a lonely road, late at night, leaving ominous last words on her absent husband’s answering machine; at the same time, a man covered in blood comes home and throws a woman’s shoe into an adjacent empty lot. Other Information: STAG VDL Entry for 2010

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Co.Inc. 09-Mar-2010 to 27-Mar-2010

Same Time Next Year Agent: Dominee Pty Ltd Author: Bernard Slade Director: Alan Burrows Theatre: 39-41 Castella Street Lilydale Vice 3140 Melways Reference: Mel ref. 38 F:4 Performances: Evening at 8.30pm Matinee (Sunday 21st March) at 2.30pm Prices: $25 $20 concession Bookings: 9735 1777 Company Email: a.t.c@bigpond.net.au Company Website: http://lilydaleatc.com/ Synopsis: A two-character comedy/drama in two acts, this play tells the story of two married people who meet by chance and have a fling, which then becomes a once-a-year affair that lasts for decades, through a changing America, including the Vietnam war, her hippy protests, the death of his son, and the ups and downs of each of their marriages. A funny and romantic play about love and adultery.

Beaumaris Theatre Inc. 12-Mar-2010 to 27-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

A Streetcar Named Desire Agent: Dominie Pty Ltd Author: Tennesee Williams Director: Fred Pezzimenti Theatre: 82 Wells Rd Beaumaris 3193 Melways Reference: 86G6 Performances: Frid 12th March, Sat 13th March, Frid 19th March, Sat 20th March, Frid 26th March, Sat 27th March, all at 8pm, and Sun 21st March at 5pm. Thur 25th March at 7pm will be followed by a “question and answer” session about the play.  Prices: Adults $22, Families (2A, 2C) $65. Subscribers, Concessions, Children under 17 & Groups of 10+ $18. Season’s Tickets. Pre-purchase tickets to all our shows for the whole year at the discounted price of $70 (conditions apply). Bookings: 03 9583 6896 Company Email: beaumaristheatre@optusnet.com.au Company Website: http://www.beaumaristheatre.com.au Synopsis: Blanche DuBois arrives at the apartment of her sister Stella and her husband Stanley Kowalski. Blanche is a relic of the Old South, Stanley a Polish immigrant, powerful and confident. A Streetcar Named Desire is a reflection of old America and the thriving new America of the immigrants. There is constant conflict between reality and fantasy, actual and ideal. The clash between the two culminates in tragic ramifications for all. Other Information: Tickets must be paid for at the time of booking by credit card or within 7 days by cheque or postal order, or tickets will be released for resale.

Encore Theatre Inc. 12-Mar-2010 to 27-Mar-2010

Our Town Author: Thornton Wilder Director: Jeff Hood Theatre: Clayton Community Centre Theatrette, Cooke Street, Clayton Melways Reference: 79 C3 Performances: Evening performances 8 pm Matinees Sunday 14th March & Sunday 21st March at 2 15pm Bookings: 1300 739 099 Company Website: http://www.encoretheatre.com.au/

Essendon Theatre Co. 18-Mar-2010 to 27-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

Away Agent: Shanahan Management Pty Ltd Author: Michael Gow Director: Susan Flint Theatre: Bradshaw Street Community Hall Bradshaw Street (off Buckley Street) West Essendon Melways 28B3 Melways Reference: Melways 28B3 Performances: Performances: March 18th,19th,20th @8:00pm March 21st Sunday Matinee @2:00PM March 25th,26th,27th @8:00pm Theater Restaurant Style, BYO Food, Drinks 7:30pm sit down for an 8:00pm start Prices: All Evening Performances @ $15 per ticket All Matinee Performances @ $12.00 per ticket. NO DISCOUNT FOR GROUP BOOKINGS AND NO CONSESSION *nb. Please note table position bookings will be surrendered if you are later than 15 minutes to curtain up time Bookings: Eileen - 9330 4808 Company Website: http://www.essendontheatrecompany.com/ Synopsis: Away is a play by the Australian playwright Michael Gow. First performed by the Griffin Theatre Company in 1986, it tells the story of three internally-conflicted families holidaying on the coast for Christmas, 1968. It has become one of the most widely produced Australian plays of all time and is part of the Higher School Certificate syllabi or general High School Curriculum in many states, including Western Australia, New South Wales, Brisbane and Victoria Other Information: Susan began her theatrical career in New Zealand as a dancer, before moving into theater, studying drama at Canterbury University and under renowned NZ Actor and Director, Elizabeth Moody. Susan has performing in over 20 productions, some of her favorites have included Coral in Away, Vera Claythorne in Ten Little Indians, Mavis in Stepping Out, Jean Louise in To Kill a Mocking Bird, and Ava in Absurd Person Singular. As a director Susan has worked in both NZ and Australia, with some of her favorite productions including Robin Hood, Waiting for Godot, Three Sisters, and recently, Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers for Essendon Theater Company in 2008.

Catchment Players of Darebin 19-Mar-2010 to 27-Mar-2010 Click to Enlarge

Noises Off Author: Michael Frayn Director: Nathan Firmin Theatre: Banyule Theatre Viewbank College Buckingham Drive Heidelberg Melways Reference: 32 D3 Performances: Gala Opening Friday 19th March 8pm $26 (inc. light supper) Saturday 20th March 8pm $27 Sunday 21st March 2pm $27 "Mad" Monday 22nd March 8pm $25 Friday 26th March 8pm $27 Saturday 27th March 5pm $27 Bookings: 0437 228 246 Company Email: Luke rohanluke2@bigpond.com Company Website: http://catchmentplayers.org.au/ Synopsis: Noises Off was written by Michael Frayn in 1982, and has been referred to by many critics as the funniest farce ever written. It follows the antics of a 2nd rate theatre company putting on a play called "Nothing On", which is a saucy English farce full of slapstick comedy involving slamming doors, people falling over themselves, pants falling around ankles and damned plates of sardines. In the first Act we follow the cast through the final dress rehearsal and see the company is struggling to get a drastically under-rehearsed show ready. Act Two, it's one month later and we see the first act of "Nothing On" being performed, but this time from backstage where the show is barely holding together because of deteriorating relationships and petty bickering. The third Act sees the show at the end of its twelve week touring run, and we watch the action from the front again. By now the show has declined into a pathetic state where cues are missed, lines are lost, sets fail and still, there's those damned sardines! Noises Off is one of the most acclaimed comedies in the past 25 years, having been nominated for and won multiple Evening Standard, Olivier, Drama Desk & Tony awards in both its first run and revival seasons. It's a must see show that will leave you hurting from laughter, and if you have ever been involved in theatre you will no doubt find familiarity in the on-stage/backstage antics. Other Information: Other Information: Sponsored by McDonalds - a special offer on the back of every ticket.

Catchment Players of Darebin 19-Mar-2010 to 27-Mar-2010

Noises Off Agent: Dominie Pty Ltd Author: Michael Frayn Director: Nathan Firmin Theatre: Banyule Theatre Viewbank College 10 Buckingham Drive Heidelberg Melways Reference: Map 32 D3 Performances: Friday 19 March @ 8pm (Gala Opening) Saturday 20 March @ 8pm Sunday 21 March @ 2pm Monday 22 March @ 8pm Friday 26 March @ 8pm Saturday 27 March @ 5pm Prices: Friday 19 March (Gala Opening inc light supper) $26 Monday 22 March (Mad Monday) $25 All other performances $27 Bookings: 0437 228 246 Company Email: Luke rohanluke2@bigpond.com Company Website: http://catchmentplayers.org.au/ Synopsis: Noises Off March 2010 Noises Off was written by Michael Frayn in 1982, and has been referred to by many critics as the funniest farce ever written. It follows the antics of a 2nd rate theatre company putting on a play called “Nothing On”, which is a saucy English farce full of slapstick comedy involving slamming doors, people falling over themselves, pants falling around ankles and damned plates of sardines. In the first Act we follow the cast through the final dress rehearsal and see the company is struggling to get a drastically under-rehearsed show ready. Act Two, it’s one month later and we see the first act of “Nothing On” being performed, but this time from backstage where the show is barely holding together because of deteriorating relationships and petty bickering. The third Act sees the show at the end of its twelve week touring run, and we watch the action from the front again. By now the show has declined into a pathetic state where cues are missed, lines are lost, sets fail and still, there’s those damned sardines! Noises Off is one of the most acclaimed comedies in the past 25 years, having been nominated for and won multiple Evening Standard, Olivier, Drama Desk & Tony awards in both its first run and revival seasons. It’s a must see show that will leave you hurting from laughter, and if you have ever been involved in theatre you will no doubt find familiarity in the on-stage/backstage antics. Other Information: Sponsored by McDonalds - a special offer on the back of every ticket.

Bare-Elements Productions 25-Mar-2010 to 17-Apr-2010 Click to Enlarge

Vincent Lyce's Final Curtain Author: Simon J. Robinson Director: Leone White Theatre: Queens Loft 133, Queensbridge Street Southbank Performances: 7.30-10.30pm Prices: $65pp including 3 course dinner. In additions tickets for opening night only on 25 March include complimentary drinks and canapes Bookings: 03 9698 8011 Company Email: simon@bare-elements.com.au Company Website: http://bare-elements.com.au/ Synopsis: Vincent Lyce’s Final Curtain is a mix of comedy, music and murder served with a delicious dinner. Recently described as “Rocky Horror meets Carry-On”. Ex-wives, illegitimate sons and fans alike will gather to celebrate the illustrious career of Vincent Lyce. Forty years as the star of horror movies as forgettable as “Dump of Death” and “When Death Knocks Don’t Answer”. For the night you will be allocated a small character to play as much or as little as you choose. You might be a former co-star, a member of the press or maybe a movie star’s agent or a fan. How involved you choose to become is entirely upto you. Other Information: For more information or to book please go to www.vincentlyce.com

Bare-Elements Productions 27-Mar-2010 to 10-Apr-2010 Click to Enlarge

A Dinner to Die For Author: Simon J. Robinson Director: Leone White Theatre: The Retreat Hotel 226 Nicholson Street Abbotsford VIC Performances: 7.30-10.30pm Prices: $80pp including 3 course dinner In addition tickets purchased for opening night on 27 March only will receive complimentary drink and canapes Bookings: 03 9417 2693 Company Email: simon@bare-elements.com.au Company Website: http://bare-elements.com.au/ Synopsis: Not molecular gastronomy, but a wickedly funny Musical, Murder Mystery Dinner. Set in 1928, Lord Quinten Daventry hosts his party bash. Rumour in social circles is that he will announce his engagement to Miss Fanny. Agatha Christie in spirit – all cut glass accents, pearls, flapper dresses, army outfits and monocles – with lashings of sexual innuendo and double entendres. The core cast include the delightfully flighty Miss Fanny, besotted and oblivious to the designs on her fortune. Uncle Bernie, former army colonel, a blustering, big-bellied chauvinist. The pièce de résistance has to be Nanny Maude, Quinten’s childhood Nanny. Scottish down to her brown boots, this is one of the best drag acts since Mrs Doubtfire. Dinner guests are allocated a role and encouraged to indulge their inner artiste by dressing and behaving in character. Mingling over a three-course dinner, subplots emerge and the evening begins to gather pace and spices up into a hilarious romp peppered with music, murder, mayhem, disembodied limbs and suitably hysterical screams. Interactive entertainment at its best! Other Information: For more information or to book please go to www.adinnertodiefor.com