STAGE GUIDE Performances to see this August

WORDS BY CHESTER OGILVIE

Grease

In 1978, we were introduced to the timeless love story between bad boy Danny Zuko and girl next door Sandy Olsson who, we would discover, go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. All T-Birds and Pink Ladies are invited to join Warrnambool College as they roll out singalong favourites including ‘Summer Nights’, ‘Sandy’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’, ‘You’re The One That I Want’, ‘Greased Lightnin’’ and ‘Grease is the Word’. Leather jackets are optional.

LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL 17-19 AUG

Animal Farm

A beast fable written by George Orwell, Animal Farm tells the story of a group of animals who rise up against their human farmer. Orwell described it as a satirical tale against Joseph Stalin and wrote it in order to “fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole”. Award-winning performance group Bloomshed have put together a sixty-minute reimagining chock-full of dance breaks, physical comedy and confetti as they explore climate change, exploitation and corruption. Revolution is in the air!

POTATO SHED, DRYSDALE 22 & 23 AUG

Brilliant Lies

When Susy Conner accuses former employer Gary Fitzgerald of harassment and unfair dismissal after rebuffing his advances, the unravelling truth becomes blurred. Referred to as a serious comedy, David Williamson’s Brilliant Lies casts its eye on political correctness, sexual harassment and sex and power. Released as a play in 1993, Gia Carides and Anthony LaPaglia would star in a 1996 film adaptation. Here, it serves as Synchronicity Productions’ second offering for 2023.

THE ENGINE ROOM, BENDIGO 31 AUG - 10 SEP

Death Of A Salesman

The term American Dream, the upward mobility idea that anyone can achieve their own success no matter their background, was coined by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book, The Epic of America. It is one of the themes explored in the Pulitzer and Tony award-winning play from Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, and its protagonist, Willy Loman. Following a six-month rehearsal period, Hearth Theatre presents what is considered one of the great 20th century plays.

THE CAPITAL, BENDIGO 1 SEP

A Night Of Laughs

If you have a frown in need of being turned upside down, come on down for a night of laughs as part of the Geelong Art Centre’s Grand Opening Festival. Fresh from his sellout MICF run, Dave Thornton leads the way. He will be joined by Dilruk Jayasinha, who has appeared on everything from Utopia to Celebrity MasterChef, and Lizzy Hoo, a regular on Have You Been Paying Attention?.

SWEENEY PRESTON & ETHAN CAVANAGH: PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING

The antidote to every bland lecture, dull pitch and boring presentation you’ve ever had to endure. Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh wrap up their fifteen-month tour with a live taping of their award-winning show, Presentation is Everything. Slides full of images, news cut-outs, maps, animations and the almighty graph provide the pair powerful visual aids for their pointed humour.

BALLARAT MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE, BALLARAT 26 AUG

Shadow Puppetry Performance

First released in 1943, Antoine de SaintExupéry’s Le Petit Prince, or The Little Prince, is a beloved story that tells the tale of a little boy who travels the world gaining wisdom. It has sold an estimated 140 million copies worldwide. Here, it is the inspiration behind Georgie Rose’s Shadow Puppetry Performance as part of Words in Winter. Bring out the child within you as you enter Georgie’s magical world of storytelling. An interactive workshop follows.

Impact Dance Company Presents Chapter One

Whether you like to kick off your Sunday shoes or put on your red shoes and dance the blues, there is a little dancer in all of us. After Shannon Philip followed her dream and founded the Impact Dance Company, the Warrnambool troupe has become a tight-knit community for people of all ages to come together to share their passion for dance. Excitedly, Chapter One is their first performance.