Front row picks: Your guide to the must-see Canberra productions hitting the stage this season
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Theatre lovers are in luck, because the coming months are shaping up to be a showstopper for Canberra’s performing arts scene.
From laugh-out-loud comedies and nostalgic musical tributes to heart-tugging dramas and family-friendly adventures, Canberra’s local stages are ready to set the scene. This lineup has something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned theatregoer or just looking for a fun night out.
Grab your tickets and let the magic of live performance knock your socks off.
A Chorus Line (The Q)
It’s one singular sensation! The ground-breaking, Pulitzer Prize-winning concept musical set a new standard for Broadway when it first appeared in 1975 and remains relevant, poignant, provocative, and highly entertaining. Among its many gongs are Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Olivier Award for Best Musical and the Helpmann Award for Best Musical.
A Chorus Line captures the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerhouse number after another. But this is a show about everyone’s dreams, not just a group of dancers auditioning for eight places in a musical theatre chorus. Come along and be uplifted by the ambition, heart and mesmerising talent of these hard-working triple-threats.
Tuesday 30 September to Sunday 19 October | The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | Book here
God of Carnage (The Q)
Get ready to laugh out loud with Yasmina Reza’s brilliant “comedy of manners… without the manners”. What starts off as a polite meeting between two sets of parents quickly falls into chaos. As discussions about a playground fight between their children escalate, politeness turns into madness. Viewers can expect destroyed tulips, awkward confessions, and a spectacular case of projectile vomiting. Directed by Jordan Best, this Canberra-set take on the Tony Award-winning play serves up sharp laughs and plenty of “Oh no they didn’t” moments, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Friday 29 until Sunday 31 August | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan | Book here
The Addams Family
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, and they’re coming to life in this Tony-nominated musical. Based on Charles Addams’ iconic comedy, the story follows the eccentric family in their gloomy Central Park mansion.
Gomez and his elegant wife Morticia share a passionate marriage while their mischievous son Pugsley rummages through Grandpa’s potions and endures torture from big sister Wednesday. Fester spends time moonbathing while ever-loyal Lurch lurks in the shadows with silent charm. But their usual family darkness and grief is tested when twisted eldest daughter Wednesday falls in love with a ‘normal’ boy she’s bringing home. Can eccentric Addams family traditions withstand their straight-laced guests?
Can love survive the night? Can normalcy and darkness find common ground? Join Philo for a hilarious evening of chaos, secrets and one unforgettably grim family dinner.
Thursday 28 August to Saturday 13 September | Erindale Theatre, 115 McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa | philo.sales.ticketsearch.com
Lend Me A Tenor
It is 1934 – a glamorous time for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. The company is overjoyed to have secured the world-famous tenor, Tito Merelli, to sing the starring role in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci for one evening. Everything is organised, all preparations have been carefully made, the Company awaits his arrival with bated breath. What can possibly go wrong?
Well, actually, everything! Everything can and does go wrong in this crazy, high-octane farce. In classic farce tradition Lend Me a Tenor offers an evening of silly situations, mistaken identities, mistakes, mishaps, miscommunication, misperception, misconception… It is a delicious piece of nonsense that charges at full speed towards resolution.
Tuesday 17 to Saturday 27 September | ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.com.au
The Drawer Boy (Belconnen Arts Centre)
When a city actor Miles, moves to a rural farm to research a new play, he is expecting to observe country life from a distance. Instead, he finds himself amongst the chaos and is introduced to the lives of lifelong friends Morgan and Angus. Miles grows curious by Angus, whose memory was damaged during WWII, and during this quiet investigation, he overhears a story that changes everything. Based on a Canadian classic, this funny, touching, and beautifully written play navigates friendship, truth, and the power of storytelling.
Thursday 21 until Saturday 30 August | Belconnen Arts Centre, Belconnen | Book here
The Story of the Oars (The Street Theatre)
The Street Theatre presents The Story of the Oars, set in the mid-1980s where tragedy strikes three brothers and a friend when they tragically drowned in a quiet lakeside town. Decades later, the water has disappeared and leaves behind a cracked lakebed and unresolved truths. Four strangers return to the site, each carrying their own different connection to the past, and are ready to take on what really happened. This play delves into grief, class, privilege, and Australia’s complicated relationship with telling and hearing the truth.
Friday 19 until Sunday 21 September | The Street Theatre, City | Book here
Lizzy, Darcy & Jane (Canberra REP Theatre)
When reality and fiction collide, it presents you with Lizzy, Darcy and Jane. Jane Austen is going head-to-head with her wit and will against her greatest opponent and ally – Elizabeth Bennet. Experiencing what love really feels like, Jane creates Elizabeth with Mr Darcy as her archenemy and unenthusiastic admirer. But when Jane’s real romance has suddenly reached a turning point, she decides to rewrite Elizabeth’s destiny and sends her to marry the obnoxious Mr Collins (a disastrous match). With the fates of author, novel, and heroine at stake, Elizabeth must take action in this romantic, cleaver and humorous twist on a beloved classic.
Thursday 4 until Saturday 20 September | Canberra REP Theatre, City | Book here
The Robertson Brother’s 60s Variety TV Show (Canberra Southern Cross Club)
Take a trip down memory lane with Geoff and Ben Robertson as they bring back the golden ages of television variety shows. Packed with golden harmonies and playful banter, they pay tribute to the legends of the 60s, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Hollies, The Bee Gees, and many more. This unmissable night out gets even better with special guests – Cosima De Vito (Australian Idol) will be belting out Petula Clark top hits, while Simon Brook McLachlan (Jersey Boys) will be channelling his inner Del Shannon.
Friday 5 September | Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden | Book here
Hawker College’s Little Shop of Horrors
Hawker College is presenting the classic musical, Little Shop of Horrors. Little Shop of Horrors is a classic Broadway and Hollywood Sci-Fi smash hit musical that has been performed for over 30 years. The directors, Howard Ashman and Alan Menkin helped create the musical, also being involved with Disney projects like Aladinn and The Little Mermaid. Hawker College also plans to celebrate its 25th anniversary for performing the musical all the way back in 2000. Hawker College plans to put on an amazing show while celebrating a milestone in their important history.
Buy a VIP tickets and enjoy a two-course meal provided by Hawker College’s Hospitality students.
Thursday 11 and Friday 12 September, 6.30 pm | Murranji Theatre, Hawker College | trybooking.com
Shrek the Musical JR (Canberra College Performing Arts Centre)
Imagine this: Ogres, talking donkeys, and a dragon – what’s not to love about the Shrek the Musical JR? This family-friendly musical brings Shrek’s muddy swamp to life with catchy songs, laughs, and a heartwarming message about true beauty. The perfect outing for the kids and the kids at heart!
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September | Canberra College Performing Arts Centre, Phillip | Book here
QP 60th Anniversary Concert (The Q)
Join the Queanbeyan Players for a celebration of six decades’ worth of community theatre. You can expect out-of-this-world musical numbers, stories from past and present members that will definitely pull on the heartstrings, and the best part – cake!
Sunday 14 September | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre | Book here
The Marvelous Land of Oz (Belconnen Community Theatre)
Come along with Tip and his companions – Jack Pumpkinhead, the Sawhorse and more – on a magical adventure through Oz for a family-friendly tale that is filled with humour, wonder, and enchantment. You can expect colourful characters, unexpected twists, and plenty of Oz-inspired magic to keep the audience of all ages smiling.
Friday 2 until Saturday 11 October | Belconnen Community Theatre, Belconnen | Book here
Come from Away (Gungahlin College Theatre)
This feel-good musical will leave you grinning from ear to ear, based on the incredible true story of a small Newfoundland town that opened its door (and kitchens) to 7,000 stranded airline passengers’ days after 9/11. Come From Away is a celebration of kindness, resilience and unexpected friendships. This high energy production will sweep you away with its rhythm and heart, and proves that even in the darkest times, humanity can shine its brightest.
Friday 3 until Saturday 18 October | Gungahlin College Theatre, Gungahlin | Book here
9 to 5 the Musical (The Q)
This iconic musical follows three overworked, underappreciated women who decided that they have had enough of their sexist, arrogant boss – and together they devise a plan to take him down. Set in the late ‘70s, it’s jam-packed with comedy and heart with some of your favourite tunes including “9 to 5” and “Backwoods Barbie”. It’s bold, cheeky and empowering, it’s the perfect night out for anyone who loves a good revenge story.
Friday 31 October until Sunday 9 November | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan | Book here
Peter/Wendy
Ribix Productions presents the Australian premiere of Jeremy Bloom’s hauntingly beautiful reimagining of the classic. Wendy journeys to Neverland, meeting Peter’s crew – a swearing fairy, perennial flower and lost boy. But shadowy beasts roam, mermaids wail, and Hook lurks. Playful and inventive, it explores what it means to grow up when some children never get the chance.
Wednesday 3 until Saturday 27 September | Mill Theatre, Building 3.3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | ribixproductions.com.au
Feature image: Gods of Carnage by David Hooley.
