Whatson Notices

The 1812 Theatre 05-Aug-2010 to 04-Sep-2010

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde Agent: Hal Leonard Author: Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher Director: Christine Grant Theatre: 3 Rose Street, Upper Ferntree Gully Melways Reference: 74 F6 Performances: Evening performances - curtain up at 8.30pm. Matinees - curtain up at 4pm. Prices: $22 Bookings: 9758 3964 Company Email: admin@1812theatre.com.au Company Website: http://www.1812theatre.com.au Synopsis: This season we venture into exciting territory with this macabre and eerie tale of transformation and the battle of good and evil. Nationally renowned play write Jeffrey Hatcher brings Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale to life with a fiendishly clever, innovative new adaptation with four actors playing Hyde including one female. Against the backdrop of Victorian London the respected doctor has begun to display alarmingly erratic behaviour towards his friends. At the same time, a mysterious figure haunts the city streets under the cloak of the London fog. What happened the night that Henry Jekyll died? Note: This play is recommended for mature audiences.

Brighton Theatre Co. 19-Aug-2010 to 04-Sep-2010 Click to Enlarge

Iron Agent: Dominie Pty Ltd Author: Rona Munro Director: Richard Keown Theatre: Brighton Arts & Cultural Centre Wilson Street Brighton Melways Reference: 67 F11 Performances: Evening 8.00pm sharp Sunday Matine 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: Fay is serving a life sentence for murdering her husband with a kitchen knife. Her daughter Josie, whao was 11 at the time and has not seen her mother for 15 years, decides one day to visit. That, her subsequent visits, and the relationship between mother and daughter that develops within the pressurised environment of a room under constant surveillance, is the subject of Rona Munro's play 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 19-Aug-2010 to 12-Sep-2010 Click to Enlarge

Disposing of the Body Agent: Dominie Drama Author: Hugh Whitemore Director: Cameron South Theatre: Cnr Doongalla & Simpson Roads The Basin 3154 Melways Reference: 66 A6 Performances: 8.15pm August 19,20,21,22,26,27,28,Sept 2,3,4,9,10,11. 2.15pm Aug 29,Sept 12. Prices: $20 includes Complimentary:- parking, Programme, Sherry on Arrival, tea/coffee & biscuits at interval, wine & supper with the cast after the show. Bookings: Book online at www.thebasintheatre.com.au Phone Bookings: 1300 784 668 (7 - 9pm only) Company Email: subscriptions@thebasintheatre.org.au Company Website: http://www.thebasintheatre.org.au Synopsis: "All my life I've either been looking back at happy times that have gone or looking forward to the happiness to come." Thus speaks Henry Preece,embarking on early retirement with his attractive wife, when things start to go seriously wrong. In this elegant and tantalizing play, the mystery and excitement of an unexpected passion is given full rein, until Henry realizes that a door he's just flung open should have remained tightly shut. NOTE: this play contains adult themes, sexual references, and strong contemporary language.

Malvern Theatre Company Inc. 27-Aug-2010 to 11-Sep-2010 Click to Enlarge

THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES Agent: Dominie Pty Ltd Author: Frank D. Gilroy Director: Geoff Hickey Theatre: 29a Burke Road, East Malvern Performances: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8:15 pm Matinees: Saturday 28th August at 2:00 pm and Sunday 5th September at 2:00 pm. Gala Night: Saturday 4th September at 8:15 pm. Prices: $20.00 (Concession $18.00). Groups (10 or more): $17.00 per person. Gala Night: $5.00 extra per person. Bookings: 1300 131 552 Company Email: home@malverntheatre.com.au Company Website: http://www.malverntheatre.com.au Synopsis: John and Nettie Cleary live unhappily together in a middle-class apartment in the West Bronx. Their son Timmy has just returned home after serving three years in the army during World War II. As the drama unfolds, the tensions in the family become apparent. Husband and wife squabble; Nettie is over-protective toward her grown son; John tries to overcome years of neglect and make an affectionate connection with Timmy, but that path proves stormy. Eventually, Timmy inadvertently sends down a depth charge into the deep well of his parents’ mutual misery when he impulsively buys Nettie a dozen roses, then urges his father to take the credit. This small incident becomes a catalyst for a painful examination of the family pathologies and gives the play its power. Other Information: This production is Malvern Theatre's 2010 VDL Awards Entry

The Mount Players 27-Aug-2010 to 18-Sep-2010

The Breakfast Club Agent: N/A Author: John Hughes Director: David Cubley Theatre: Mountview Theatre 56 Smith Street Macedon Performances: Evening Performances 8pm Matinee 2pm Prices: Gala $30.00 (no concessions) Adult $25.00 Conc. $22.00 Bookings: 1300 463 224 or 5428 1557 Company Email: secmountplayers@hotmail.com Company Website: http://www.themountplayers.com Synopsis: Five misfit students: the Jock, the Criminal, the Princess, the Nerd and the Basket-case thrown together for weekend detention, challenge their own views of themselves and each other. Other Information: VDL Award Entry

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Co.Inc. 31-Aug-2010 to 18-Sep-2010

Dial M For Murder Agent: Dominie Pty Ltd Author: Frederick Knott Director: Doug Bennett Theatre: 39 - 41 Castella Street, Lilydale, 3140 PO Box 393, Lilydale, 3140 Melways Reference: 38 F:4 Performances: Evenings at 8:30pm (Sherries from 8:00pm) Sunday Matinee (12th September) at 2:30pm (Sherries from 2:00pm) Prices: Adult - $25.00 each Concesson - $20.00 each Groups of 10 or more - $18.00 each Season (4 shows) - $68.00 each Bookings: 9735 1777 Company Email: a.t.c@bigpond.net.au Company Website: http://lilydaleatc.com/ Synopsis: With the help of an old college buddy, a washed-up tennis player hopes to murder his wealthy, adulterous wife and walk away with her estate. But when the planned victim becomes the murderer, will her husband be able to cover his tracks? Or will a suspicious detective nab the right man or woman? A complex web of murder and mystery.

Eltham Little Theatre Inc. 02-Sep-2010 to 18-Sep-2010

Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced Agent: Dominie Drama Pty Ltd Author: Agatha Christie: Adapted by Leslie Darbon Director: Mick Poor Theatre: Performing Arts Centre 1602 Main Rd, Research Melways Reference: 22 H1 Performances: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8.00pm Matinee - Sunday 12th Sept 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: The "announcement" is in the local paper, stating the time and place of a murder to occur in Miss Blacklock's early Victorian house. The victim is a stranger, and it takes the determination of the Inspector, with much assistance from Miss Marple, to provide the solution in this classic murder mystery.

Beaumaris Theatre Inc. 03-Sep-2010 to 18-Sep-2010 Click to Enlarge

The Shape of Things Agent: Dominie Pty Ltd Author: Neil Labute Director: Shane Ryan Theatre: 82 Wells Rd Beaumaris 3193 Melways Reference: 86G6 Performances: Frid 3rd Sept, Sat 4th Sept, Frid 10th Sept, Sat 11th Sept, Thurs 16th Sept, Frid 17th Sept and Sat 18th Sept, all at 8pm. Prices: Adults $22, Families (2A, 2C) $65. Subscribers, Concessions, Children under 17 & Groups 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: Evelyn is a graduate art student who encounters Adam, a geeky undergrad majoring in English Literature, in his work at the museum. As their relationship progresses on Adam's part from infatuation to love, he enthusiastically submits to Evelyn's efforts to reinvent and reconstruct him. 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.

Leongatha Lyric Theatre Inc. 03-Sep-2010 to 18-Sep-2010

Educating Rita Author: Willy Russell Director: David Baggallay Company Email: enquiries@lyrictheatre.net.au Company Website: http://www.lyrictheatre.net.au

Essendon Theatre Co. 09-Sep-2010 to 18-Sep-2010 Click to Enlarge

The Underpants adapted by Steve Martin Agent: Dominie Drama Author: Carl Sternheim Director: Dawn Hinrichsen & John Degabriele Theatre: Bradshaw Street Community Hall Bradshaw Street (off Buckley Street) West Essendon Melways Reference: Melways 28B3 Performances: September 9th,10th,11th @8:00pm September 12th Sunday Matinee @2:00pm September 16th,17th,18th @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 per ticket *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: Louise’s problems with her husband are compounded when she is caught out in the park with her underpants around her ankles in full view of several men including the king. This peep show leads to a string of male admirers beating a path to her door obsessed with the glimpse of ‘paradise’ they witnessed. This is perhaps the play’s cleverest device and its most modern. The underpants seem to symbolize the fetishized nature of male desire, the titillating peep, the fragmented objectified woman that seems to be at the root of a lot of misogyny. These male admirers start to turn up on Louise’s doorstep in the guise of lodgers wanting to rent an advertised room in Theo and Louise’s cramped apartment. Through the conventions of farce, the same room is let to two men, the camp esthete count Versati and the sickly hypochondriac Jew ‘Cohen with a K’. In addition to these two studies in masculinity, there is the later arrival of Klingelhoff an elderly sexually repressed gent who shudders at the thought of anything lascivious. It is interesting to see that despite the diversity of male archetypes, the character Louise is only ever seen in a sexualized way via her underpants. This becomes more apparent later when with the help of her neighbour Gertrude, Louise outsmarts the men vying for her affection which in turn proves to be her undoing as the decadent Versati, whom Louise is swept away by, falls in love with a street prostitute. Other Information: ABOUT OUR DIRECTORS Dawn Hinrichsen Belonging to a theatrical family, Dawn has been involved in theater since the age of 8. She directed her first play at the age of 15 under the guidance of her father David. She enjoys directing Melodramas because they combine the creative talents of actors, singers and dancers and, when done well, are very entertaining for a wide variety of people. The most recent plays she's directed are not, however, melodramas. During 2008 she directed This Way Up a very funny situation comedy with a great cast and crew. In 2007 she co-directed Black Comedy, an hilarious, almost farcical play with a lot of energy and action. John Degabriele This will be my first directing role with etc and i have been very passionate about this play which i first saw in sydney...I have been involved with etc since 2007 with backstage,acting,technical advisor and operating lighting and sound.i am looking forward in working with my co-director dawn and to gain her experiences to be able to direct more plays with etc in the future

Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Co. 10-Sep-2010 to 10-Sep-2010 Click to Enlarge

One Act Play Festival Theatre: Bairnsdale Sporting and Convention Centre 115-117 Great Alpine Rd Lucknow VIC 3875 Melways Reference: Vic Roads Map 688 N4 Performances: 10am - 12 noon - children 2pm - 4pm - youth 8pm - 10pm - adults Company Website: http://www.bairnsdaleproductionline.com Other Information: Inaugural One Act Play Festival involving children in the morning, youth in the afternoon and adults in the evening. For more information please contact Kay Weaver 0408449907 or http://www.bairnsdaleproductionline.com

Mordialloc Theatre Co. Inc. 10-Sep-2010 to 25-Sep-2010

THE WISDOM OF EVE Author: Mary Orr Director: Judy Corderoy Theatre: Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 parkers Road, Parkdale Melways Reference: 87C9 Performances: September 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 25 at 8.15pm and Sunday 19 September at 2.30pm. Prices: Adults $20.00 Concessions $18.00 Groups of 20 or more $16.00 Bookings: 9587.5141 Company Website: http://www.mordialloctheatre.com Synopsis: THE WISDOM OF EVE is the play on which the 1950 Oscar winning film ALL ABOUT EVE was based. The film starred Bette Davis and Anne Baxter. It is a fascinating drama set in the cutthroat world of the Broadway theatre in which a manipulating young actress connives and schemes to make her way to stardom. The play is filled with extraordinary characters and sparkling dialogue.

Heidelberg Theatre Co. 16-Sep-2010 to 02-Oct-2010 Click to Enlarge

Glorious (A Williamstown Little Theatre production) Agent: by special arrangement with Dominie Pty Ltd Author: Peter Quilter Director: Doug Bennett Theatre: 36 Turnham Ave Rosanna VIC 3084 Melways Reference: 32A1 Performances: Weeknights and Saturdays at 8:00pm Sundays at 2:00pm Prices: $20 Adult $17 Concession Card Holder $16 Groups of 10 or more Bookings: 03 9457 4117 Company Email: htc@htc.org.au Company Website: http://www.htc.org.au Synopsis: Glorious! is a truly uproarious comedy based on the true story of wealthy eccentric American widow, Florence Foster-Jenkins (1868 - 1944), famous for her complete lack of rhythm, pitch, tone and overall singing ability. The 'First Lady of the Sliding Scale' gave an annual recital in The Ritz Ballroom, and a sell-out performance at Carnegie Hall shortly before her death. It was the overpowering awfulness of her voice that led to her becoming a star in her own right, with a large cult following despite her bad reviews. Regulars at her recitals included Cole Porter and Enrico Caruso! "I bet Nellie Melba never had to put up with this!" she said, while her critics said, "You will never hear a voice like this at Carnegie Hall again!" A household of people almost as eccentric in their own way ensure an evening of hilarity. We glimpse Florence at home and in concert in her outrageously over-the-top costumes.

CLOC Musical Theatre Inc. 17-Sep-2010 to 02-Oct-2010 Click to Enlarge

Man of La Mancha Agent: Origin Theatrical Author: Music by Mitch leigh Lyrics by Joe Darion Director: Director: Shaun Kingma Musical Director: Tyson legg Choreographed Movement: Tamara Finch Theatre: The National Theatre, Cnr Barcly St & Carlisle St., St Kilda Melways Reference: map 58 B10 Performances: September 17 - Oct 2 8pm evening Fri Sept 17, 8pm Sat Sept 18, 8pm Sun Sept 19 2pm Wed Sept 22, 8pm Thurs Sept 23, 8pm Fri Sept 24, 8pm Sat Sept 25 8pm Sun Sept 26 2pm Wed Sept 29 8pm Thurs Sept, 30 8pm Fri Oct 1, 8pm Sat Oct 2, 8pm Prices: Adults $42 Concession $39 Bookings: 1300 362 547 and online at www.cloc.org.au Company Email: sandra.davies@cloc.org.au Company Website: http://www.cloc.org.au Synopsis: CLOC Musical Theatre proudly presents Man of La Mancha, an inspiring, uplifting and rarely performed classic of modern musical theatre. Winner of both the Tony Award and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, Man of La Mancha tells the immortal tale of the adventures of Don Quixote and features a memorable award-winning score, including the timeless standard The Impossible Dream. Man of La Mancha runs from September 17 – October 2. Tickets can be purchased by phoning 1300 362 547, or you can book online at www.cloc.org.au

Purely Pensive Productions 29-Sep-2010 to 02-Oct-2010 Click to Enlarge

A Midsummer Nights Dream Author: William Shakespeare Director: Mark Kearney Theatre: Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre Corner of Sydney Road and Glenlyon Road Brunswick Melways Reference: Map 29 G8 Performances: Wednesday 29th September 8pm Thursday 30th September 8pm Friday 1st October 8pm Saturday 2nd October 2pm & 8pm Prices: Adult: $20 Concession: $16 Bookings: www.purelypensive.com.au or 9388 1942 From September 1st Company Email: info@purelypensive.com.au Company Website: http://www.purelypensive.com.au/ Synopsis: A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare’s most famous and popular comedic works. It has three separate stories which interweave it each other over a midsummer’s night. The first story tells the plight of four young lovers; Helena, Demetrius, Hermia and Lysander. Hermia has been ordered by her father, Egeus, to wed Demetrius but does not love him even though Demetrius is madly in love with her. Instead she is in love with Lysander who is also madly in love with her. The authority of Theseus refuses Hermia and Lysander to wed. Who then decide to abscond during the night. Hermia tells her best friend Helena, who is madly in love with Demetrius, who in turn tells Demetrius. Demetrius sets off to follow Hermia & Lysander who go deep into the forest. Helena chases Demetrius hoping she can woo him while they are alone in the forest. Meanwhile in the forest we meet Oberon and Titania the King and Queen of the fairies who are having marital problems and making the forest a difficult place to live. Oberon and his trusted right hand man Puck are intent to mend the damage that Oberon had caused his fairy wife, but instead are interrupted by the four lovers. Seeing their predicament, Oberon instructs Puck to put a love potion on their eyes so that they may be content with their true loves, however it doesn’t go right and both men end up falling for Helena who in turn thinks it’s a trick and refuses to love either of them. Also in the same night in the forest, a troupe of actors descends into the woods to rehearse a play for the royal banquet. One of the troupe, Bottom in turned into an ass by Oberon and the others run off in fear. Titania then falls for the ass in a cruel trick to make her realise how much she loves her husband Oberon. In the morning all the spells wear off, Oberon and Titania are happy together, Hermia & Lysander wed and Helena & Demetrius wed and the troupe of actors performs their play to the two happy couples.

Eltham Little Theatre Inc. 30-Sep-2010 to 02-Oct-2010

10 Minute Play Competition Director: Produced by Paula Armstrong Theatre: Performing Arts Centre 1602 Main Rd, Research Melways Reference: 22 H1 Performances: Thursday - Saturday at 8.00pm Matinee - Saturday 2nd October at 2.00pm Saturday night is the Award Presentation Night Prices: Tickets $20, Saturday Gala $25 Bookings: 9437 1574 Company Email: webmistress@elthamlittletheatre.org.au Company Website: http://www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au Synopsis: 10 plays will be selected and performed over 4 performances with the audience voting for the People’s Choice Award ($500) and a panel of judges selecting the First Prize winner of $1000.

The 1812 Theatre 30-Sep-2010 to 23-Oct-2010

Blackbird Agent: Dominie Drama Author: David Harrower Director: Chris Procter Theatre: 3 Rose Street, Upper Ferntree Gully Melways Reference: 74 F6 Performances: Evening performances - curtain up at 8.30pm. Matinees - curtain up at 4pm. Prices: $22 Bookings: 9758 3964 Company Email: admin@1812theatre.com.au Company Website: http://www.1812theatre.com.au Synopsis: A gripping, psychological award winning, thought-provoking piece that has enjoyed highly successful seasons in London and Broadway. Blackbird (British slang for ‘jailbird’) is the story of Ray, a middle aged, middle manager and Una, a troubled, complex, twenty something fifteen years after their last meeting. Ray is pictured in a promotional brochure and Una seeks him out at his place of work, but for what reason? Through their recollections we discover their ‘affair’; when Ray was in his 40s and Una was just a minor. He spent years being reviled in jail then changed his identity and made a new life for himself. She spent those same years visiting the psychiatrist suffering public scorn and humiliation. Their reunion has a devastating effect that will leave you stunned. While the subject matter is both controversial and distasteful, this is a remarkable play that asks serious questions about society and morality. Note: Contains contemporary language and adult themes. It is not recommended for children.