what’s on guide july 17 arts rev iews david...

What’s On Guide July '17

Arts Reviews

PROFILE

David Gray PRESENTED BY TOSAQ & QMF

What's Best in Brisbane!

JULY 2017 WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Experience the astonishing young Scottish virtuoso David Gray in a concert of unexpected delights. Heart-warming music meets incredible keyboard skills will be presented by the Queensland Division of the Theatre Organ Society of Australia as part of the 2017 Queensland Music Festival. An award-winning musician, Gray dazzles audiences with his orchestral masterpieces specially arranged for the cinema organ. On this 1934-vintage instrument, affectionately known as ‘The Christie’, Gray conjures up a symphony of sound in a program of exhilarating light classics, jazz and spellbinding popular music from the movies and Broadway. Gray’s quiet demeanour, understated humour, and endearing accent immediately brings rapport with the audience. This is only icing on the cake compared to his high level of musicality, expression, and technique.

Over three huge weeks from 7 – 30 July 2017 Queensland Music Festival brings unforgettable music experiences to cities, regions and remote corners of Queensland. Under Artistic Director Katie Noonan, the 2017 QMF program showcases some of the most talented local, national and international musicians across 100 performances, including six world premieres. Young organ maestro David Gray is the perfect addition to the Queensland Music Festival program. Book now and discover more at www.tosaq.com.au

TOSAQ & QMF Present David Gray 23 July 2pmChristie Cinema Pipe Organ Kelvin Grove State College TheatreAdult $30 Early Bird $25

YOU’VE NEVER HEARD THE CHRISTIE PLAYED LIKE THIS…

PROFILE

BOOK BY

ARTHUR LAURENTS

MUSIC BY

LEONARD BERNSTEIN

LYRICS BY

STEPHEN SONDHEIM

BASED ON A CONCEPTION OF JEROME ROBBINS

ENTIRE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY

JEROME ROBBINSORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON BROADWAY BY ROBERT E. GRIFFITH AND HAROLD S. PRINCE.

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ROGER L. STEVENS

LICENSED EXCLUSIVELY BY MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (AUSTRALASIA). ALL PERFORMANCE MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY HAL LEONARD AUSTRALIA.

27 JULY – 5 AUGUST 2017 CONSERVATORIUM THEATRE

QUEENSLANDCONSERVATORIUM.COM.AU

PAGE 5WHAT’S ON GUIDE JULY 2017 JULY 2017 WHAT’S ON GUIDE

David Gray23 July, 2pmChristie Cinema Pipe Organ Kelvin Grove State College TheatreAdult $30 / Early Bird $25Book Now at www.tosaq.com.auTheatre Organ Society of Australia, Queensland Division (TOSAQ) and Queensland Music Festival (QMF) present David Gray, who returns to Brisbane after his stunning 2016 Australian tour. David will utilise both “The Christie” and grand piano (at times together) to present an eclectic mix of spectacular orchestral transcriptions including: La Valse by Ravel; astonishing

works by Chopin, Debussy and Alkan; jazz works by the great Russian composer Nikolai Kapustin; popular Broadway and movie themes. This amazing young man is only 27 and scooped the pool in his final 2015 graduation recital from the Royal College of Music, London, majoring in piano performance. In the same year, he was awarded the prestigious American Theatre Organ Society “Organist of the Year” award, recognising his contribution to this genre. TOSAQ and QMF will present the David Gray concert in comfortable cabaret style seating with projection of the performance on screens from multiple cameras

bringing the audience closer to the action. Enjoy complimentary drinks (wine and fruit punch) on arrival and afternoon tea at interval. Book now and discover more at www.tosaq.com.au

Joh for PMA new musical comedy by Stephen Carleton and Paul HodgeFri 7 – Sun 16 JulyBrisbane Powerhouse brisbanepowerhouse.orgJoh for PM launches this July at Brisbane Powerhouse to take Queenslanders on a musical romp through the life of ex-Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, the Queensland icon who set state politics alight. The musical comedy satirizes the bizarre events that occurred in Australian politics during the Bjelke-Petersen reign. Set at a fundraiser for Joh in 1987, audiences will want to sing along to original tunes such as Pumpkin

Scone Diplomacy, Feeding the Chooks and the most catchy political song ever, Joh for PM. He was one of the best-known and most controversial political figures of 20th century Australia. Award-winning playwright Stephen Carleton (The Narcissist, The Turquoise Elephant, Bastard Territory) and Off-Broadway composer Paul Hodge (Clinton: The Musical) have taken inspiration from these historic events to create one of the best musicals to come out of Queensland. This toe-tapping, hilarious cautionary tale will resonate with Queenslanders who lived through the Joh era, as well as those who are yet to learn about this

colourful time in our State’s history. Join us for a laugh, a joke and a bloody good time.Presented by JUTE Theatre Company and Brisbane Powerhouse in association with Queensland Music Festival. JUTE Theatre Company acknowledges the financial assistance of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Joh for PM was originally commissioned in partnership with Playlab. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.


Digital Futures LabFree interactive exhibition Until 5 NovemberState Library of Queenslandslq.qld.gov.au/whats-onVenture into the virtual zone at State Library of Queensland and discover a free interactive experience which is part studio, part game space, part exhibition. This immersive space is designed to make you think and maybe even look twice. Explore smart cities and digital bodies, real life robots and risky algorithms. Explore virtual worlds, learn mindfulness from machines, and share your dreams and predictions for the future.

The Digital Futures Lab is the central hub for SLQ’s year-long Digital Futures program and is a great place to start your discovery. Throughout the year, you can also experience an exciting array of special events, workshops and talks on all things techie as part of Digital Futures.

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BlackrockBy Nick EnrightPresented by La Boite & QUT Creative IndustriesSat 22 Jul – Sat 12 AugLa Boite Roundhouse Theatrelaboite.com.au | 3007 8600Tickets from $30A party on the beach, drugs, booze and surf. But by morning a young woman lies dead on the sand, beaten and raped. Who is responsible? This incredible human drama examines the social impulse to violence within Australian culture, within young males, within us all. Blackrock, Nick Enright’s hard-hitting modern classic, is one of those plays that grabs you and does not let go. Blackrock builds on

several interlocking themes, first of sexual violence, of class and generational conflict, and the difference between a friend and a mate. This unique collaboration between La Boite and QUT Creative Industries sees the next generation of Australian actors, QUT Bachelor of Fine Arts, Final Year Acting Students take on the iconic young roles alongside an ensemble of professional actors.

Director Todd MacDonald Designer Anthony Spinaze Lighting Designer Verity HampsonComposer and Sound Designer Guy Webster Movement and Fight Director Nigel Poulton Assistant Director Matt SeeryPerformers Thomas Cossettini, Annabel Harte, Ryan Hodson, Amy Ingram, Joss McWilliam, Ebony Nave, Christen O’LearyJessica Potts, Bianca Saul, Karl Stuifzand, Thomas Wilson


Come and enjoy two full days of fantastic free activities for the whole family at Roma Street Parkland. Parks Alive returns this August with a host of activities, workshops, talks and walks for all ages. Find out more on how to make your own soap, essential oils, floral crowns, linen wax food wraps or even your own pizza! Gardening personalities will be talking on a number of interesting subjects such as sensory gardens, chickens as the ultimate recyclers, gardening for health and ‘colouring your world’. Fancy a guided walk? Take a look ‘behind the scenes of Roma Street Parkland’, enjoy the rainforest or find out more about Bush Tucker. Music, food trucks, kids' activities and a special appearance by Dirtgirl on Sunday are some of the other great activities taking place over the weekend. Visit parksalive.com.au for detailed program.

Roma Street ParklandParkland Boulevard, Brisbane 5 & 6 Augustwww.parksalive.com.au

Explore Roma Street Parkland as the gardens bloom into amazing life this August…Parks Alive 2017


Gilbert & Sullivan’sRuddigore, or the Witch’s Curse!14 – 29 July 2017 Playhouse, QPAC operaq.com.auDive into the sepia-toned world of Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse! for an irreverent romp through Victoriana and all things kooky. Under the direction of Lindy Hume with designs by Richard Roberts, this brand new production is packed with Pythonesque humour and larger-

than-life characters in a madcap tale where Gothic horror and hilarity go hand-in-hand. We welcome back popular stars of Candide, Bryan Probets and Christine Johnston who will be joined by a stellar cast including Kanen Breen, Jason Barry-Smith, Roxane Hislop and Natalie Christie Peluso.TICKETS$25 – $130*Book now at operaq.com.auor phone 136 246*$6.95 transaction fee applies

Bakersfield Mist John Wood & Julie Nihill Monday 10 July, 7.30pm Tuesday 11 July, 7.30pm Gardens Theatre QUT Gardens Point gardenstheatre.qut.edu.auHard-drinking, chain-smoking, down-and-out Maude Gutman is convinced the painting she picked up for a few bucks at a local op show is actually a Jackson Pollock masterpiece worth millions. The question is whether highbrow New York art expert,

Lionel Percy, will agree. He’s about to find out what makes art, and people, truly authentic. Inspired by true events, Stephen Sachs’ Bakersfield Mist stars screen veterans John Wood and Julie Nihill, whose odd-couple rapport power this hilarious and thought-provoking comedy-drama.

Presented by QUT Gardens Theatre, The Tasmanian Theatre Company and Straightjacket Productions in association with the Karralyka Centre. Photo by Jodie Hutchinson. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

CREATIVE TEAMConductor Roland PeelmanDirector Lindy HumeSet & Costume Designer Richard RobertsChoreographer & Assistant Director Rosetta CookLighting Designer Andrew MeadowsChorus Director Narelle French

CASTSir Ruthven Murgatroyd/Robin Oakapple Bryan ProbetsRose Maybud Natalie Christie PelusoRichard Dauntless Kanen BreenSir Despard Murgatroyd Jason Barry-SmithMad Margaret Christine JohnstonDame Hannah Roxane HislopSir Roderic Murgatroyd Andrew Collis

Opera Queensland ChorusQueensland Symphony Orchestra


Freedom Then, Freedom NowFree exhibitionUntil 1 OctoberState Library of Queenslandslq.qld.gov.au/freedomFrom citizenship, censorship and the collective good to marriage, miniskirts and mortgages, what are the freedoms that Queenslanders take for granted? State Library of Queensland’s latest exhibition draws on its historical collections to explore the freedoms enjoyed and restricted in Queensland, and examine what

The Boy from Oz12 August – 9 SeptemberBrisbane Arts Theatreartstheatre.com.au“They’d stare up at me and go ‘Well, what do you think? Is he or isn’t he?’ And I’d tell them: Yes it’s true, I am Australian” – Peter Allen, The Boy From Oz There is no better known story than that of Peter Allen; a magnificently talented entertainer who created the soundtrack for the lives of a generation of Australians. He wowed audiences around the world with quick wit, charismatic song writing and an exquisite voice.

happens when individual rights intersect with the collective good. Freedom Then, Freedom Now takes a uniquely Queensland look at freedoms won and lost in the state since the 1950s across a number of themes including protest, censorship, dress and travel. Queensland has been an epicentre of some major advances and hindrances to personal liberties — from Eddie Mabo’s Native Title victory in 1992 to the anti-consorting laws and pink jumpsuits introduced in 2013 — and the exhibition offer Queenslanders the opportunity to learn more about both the historical facts and social context.

The Boy from Oz takes the audience on a journey; from his childhood in regional NSW to the glamourous stages of New York with his wife, Liza Minelli, back to Australia and at the bedside of his partner. Along the way the audience will hear his most well-known and loved songs. It is truly a ‘night out with Peter Allen’. It is no small challenge to deliver great performances of these legends on a small stage, but Brisbane Arts Theatre has done it before to critical acclaim and they’re confident they can do it again.

“The Brisbane Arts Theatre truly put on a lovable, funny and touching performance, giving Peter Allen the praise, respect and recognition he deserves.” – Scenestr Magazine

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Mozart AirbornePresented byExpressions Dance Company,Opera Queensland and QPAC5 – 12 AugustCremorne Theatre, QPAC qpac.com.auVoices and bodies take flight in this stunning collaboration between Expressions Dance Company and Opera Queensland, celebrating the beauty and complexity of some of Mozart’s most sublime arias and ensembles. This divine showcase of contemporary dance and classical music is co-directed by Artistic Directors Natalie Weir and Lindy Hume, featuring six dancers, six singers and virtuosic pianist Alex Raineri. Book now!

Literary Events Queensland Writers CentreJuly – Dec 2017, various venuesqldwriters.org.auBe inspired and develop your skills through our range of workshops and special author events for readers and writers alike! From internationally acclaimed playwrights to memoirists, travel writers and New York Times best-selling authors, QWC’s exciting program covers an extensive range of writing topics and literary interests. And as a special introductory offer, get 5% off your ticket price and a free copy of WQ, our member-only magazine. Just use the promo code CB2017 when booking at qldwriters.org.au.

Sit. Pose.Snap.Brisbane Portrait Photography 1850 – 195024 March – 30 July 2017Museum of Brisbane Level 3, City HallFree entryOpen daily 10am – 5pmmuseumofbrisbane.com.auLong before smartphones and selfies, people visited a studio portrait photographer to capture an image of themselves they wanted to share with the world. From personal portraits capturing life’s most significant milestones, to the curious and often humorous ways in which people presented themselves, Sit. Pose. Snap. is a charming and nostalgic glimpse into a 19th century photographic studio.

West End to Broadway: VOLUME 4 August 11 – 20 The Spring Hill Reservoir ticketmaster.com.au Underground Opera’s 10 year celebrations continue with August’s West End to Broadway – In the Reservoir VOLUME FOUR!Enjoy a concert of show stoppers, filling Brisbane’s Underground Opera House, the historic 150-year-old Spring Hill Reservoir, six metres below Wickham Terrace, with uplifting, intriguing and sensational musical theatre tunes, delivered by world class performers. Laugh, cry and cheer with UOC this August! www.undergroundopera.com.au

what’s on guide july 17 arts rev iews david...

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