Diary 2023

June

Thursday June 1

PLAY: I Wanna Be Yours Melbourne Theatre Company presents the acclaimed new play from London Laureat, Zia Ahmed. This play presents a modern romance and asks ‘is love really all you need?’. 8.00pm at the Potato Shed. Tickets $35 – $25 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Tuesday June 6

CONCERT: Just Brill– The music that came from New Yorks’ Brill Building. Researched, written by Colin Mockett with Adam Parsons and Reyna Hudgell. Part of Drop Of A Hat’s Morning Showtime series. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

June 9 – 12

FESTIVAL: Australia’s National Celtic Festival takes over the township of Portarlington for the long weekend. Headlined by Dairy Farrell, Colin Lillie, Irish Tudors, Charm of Finches and many more. It’s midwinter so all venues are warm and waterproofed. Details, online at nationalcelticfestival.com tickets at try booking

Friday June 16

PLAYS: Winter Solstice The Potato Shed’s annual event of short one-act plays and mulled wine. 8.00pm at the Potato Shed. Tickets $25 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

June 8 – 17

PLAY: The Lonesome West directed by Glen Barton for Torquay Theatre Troupe. Martin McDonagh’s sharply drawn tale of two feuding brothers dealing with life after their father’s death. 8.00pm at the company’s Shoestring Playhouse, 77 Beach Rd Torquay. Tickets $27 concession $25 book through https://www.trybooking.com

Friday June 23

CABARET: A Tribute To Olivia Newton- John Special guest Issi Dye and songstress Andrea Lees celebrate Australia’s iconic singer and celebrity. 8.00pm at the Potato Shed. Tickets $40 – $34 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Friday June 30

CONCERT: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conductor Jaime Martín presents Ray Chen performs Tchaikovsky featuring the maestro on violin. Programme includes Ligeti; Concerto Românesc; Tchaikovsky; Violin Concerto; Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2. 7.30pm at Costa Hall, Deakin University waterfront campus. Tickets $97 – $37.40 at www.geelongartscentre.org.au

PLAY: Proof, written by David Auburn, directed by Greg Shawcross for Geelong Rep. ‘ On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions’…
7.30pm (2.00pm) in the Woodbin Theatre, Coronation St Geelong West. Tickets $32 from https://tickets.geelongartscentre.org.au/

July

July 1, 2*6, 7, 8, 9*, 13, 14, 15

PLAY: Proof, written by David Auburn, directed by Greg Shawcross. ‘ On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions’…
7.30pm (2.00pm) in the Woodbin Theatre, Coronation St Geelong West. Tickets $32 from https://tickets.geelongartscentre.org.au/

Tuesday July 11

CONCERT: Dusty Springfield and Connie Francis – tribute act brought to the Potato Shed by award-winning singer Lyndal Alderson as part of the venue’s Morning Showtime season. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Saturday July 22

CABARET: Werk It a celebration of circus acrobatic skills, spandex and Aerobics, this show was the stand-out hit of Adelaide Festival fringe. 8.00pm at the Potato Shed. Tickets $40 – $34 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Friday July 28

CONCERT: Reflected Light presented by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Viola / Director: Christopher Moore. Programme includes Stravinsky: Concerto in D; Mary Finsterer: Lumen; Zelenka: Sinfonia à 8 concertanti; Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. 7.30pm at Costa Hall, Deakin University waterfront campus. Tickets $97 – $37.40 at www.geelongartscentre.org.au

Sunday July 30

CONCERT: Renewal, featuring Melbourne’s Polyphonic Voices for Music At The Basilica. Recent works dealing with environment and sustainability with two Australian premier performances. 3.00pm in St Mary’s Basilica, Yarra St. Tickets $45/$40 at the door or through https://www.trybooking.com

July/August dates TBA

PLAYS: Two One Act Plays directed by Zina Carmen and Sindi Renea for Torquay Theatre Troupe. Two very different plays, one a contemporary look at how lockdown affects us, the other a light-hearted romp to delight the spirit. 8.00pm at the company’s Shoestring Playhouse, 77 Beach Rd Torquay. Tickets $25 concession $23 book through https://www.trybooking.com

August

Tuesday August 1

CONCERT: Pl@n B– music and memories of the 1960s and 70s as part of the venue’s Morning Showtime season. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Friday August 4

CABARET: A Tribute To Roy Orbison and The Everly Bros Special legends of Rock & Roll show from Issi Dye and Glenn Douglass. 8.00pm at the Potato Shed. Tickets $40 – $34 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Friday August 11

CONCERT: Sophie Rowell, Timothy Young & ANAM Musicians brought by Geelong Chamber Music Society. The Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) is dedicated to training the most exceptional young classical musicians from Australia and New Zealand. It is the only professional performance training institute of its kind in Australia, and one of few in the world. 7.30pm in McAuley Hall, Sacred Heart College, Aphrasia St, Newtown. Tickets $55,Conc $45 Under 25 $10 from geelongchamber.org. Door sales are card only.

Sunday August 13

CONCERT: Orchestra Geelong’s second concert for the year 3.00pm in the C A Love Hall at Geelong High School cnr Ryrie & Garden Sts, East Geelong. Details www.orchestrageelong.org.au

August (Dates to be announced)

PLAYS: Two one-act plays Godzonia by Georgie Oulton directed by Zina Carman and Last Panto in Little Grimley by David Tristram directed by Sindi Renea. Both presented by Torquay Theatre Troupe. 8.00pm (Matinees at 4pm, 6pm) in The Shoestring Playhouse at Torquay’s MACS hub. Tickets $27, $25 at trybooking.com

Tuesday August 15

CONCERT: The Authentic Geelong 1950s Community Singalong Show. Researched and led by Colin Mockett with guest performers. Part of Drop Of A Hat’s Morning Showtime series. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

August 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26*

MUSICAL: Blood Brothers written by Willy Russell, directed by David Postill for Theatre Of The Damned. The tale of separated twin brothers in Liverpool opened in London’s West End in 1983. The musical won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical and went on to a year-long national tour the UK before returning to the West End in 1988 where it stayed at the Albery Theatre for 3 years Now it’s in Geelong for the first time.. The funny and provocative story of twins separated at birth. 7 performances only, tickets $38.50 at trybooking.com

Saturday August 19

PLAY: The End Of Winter a new work written by Australian Noelle Janaczewska asks the question will climate change erase winter? and imagines it existing only in fairy tales, paintings and history books. 8pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $40 – $36 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Sunday August 20

CONCERT: W A Mozart’s Requiem in D minor K626 presented by Geelong Chorale with orchestra conducted by Allister Cox. Mozart’s final work, unfinished at his death is a masterpiece shrouded in mystery. 2.30pm, other details from www.thegeelongchorale.org.au

August 22, 23,

PLAY: Animal Farm George Orwell’s classic story recreated in a 60-minute play presented by award-winning performance group Bloomshed.. 11am and 7.30pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $33 – $25 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

September

Friday September 1

CONCERT: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Prodigies Director / Violin: Dale Barltrop; violin: Christian Li. featuring Caroline Shaw: Entr’acte; Mozart: Violin Concerto No.3; Mendelssohn: Symphony No.1. 7.30pm at Costa Hall, Deakin University waterfront campus. Tickets $97 – $37.40 at www.geelongartscentre.org.au

Friday September 8

CONCERT: Ian Munro brought by Geelong Chamber Music Society. One of Australia’s most distinguished and awarded musicians with a career that has taken him to thirty countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Australasia. As a composer, Ian is the only Australian to have been awarded the Premier Grand Prix at the Queen Elisabeth Competition for Composers (2003) and was in 2011 the Featured Composer for Musica Viva Australia. 7.30pm in McAuley Hall, Sacred Heart College, Aphrasia St, Newtown. Tickets $55,Conc $45 Under 25 $10 from geelongchamber.org. Door sales are card only.

September 8 – 23

MUSICAL: Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical directed by Dean Robinson for Centre/Stage Geelong in the newly-refurbished Playhouse at Geelong Arts Centre.
The big, luscious musical promises much from it’s all-Geelong team. Book at www.geelongartscentre.org.au

Sept 8, 9, 10*, 14, 15, 16, 17*, 21, 22, 23

PLAY: The Drawer Boy written by Michael Healey, directed by John Bishop for Geelong Rep. . Miles, an energetic and idealistic young actor, knocks on the door of an isolated farmhouse in rural Canada, seeking material for a new play he’s working on. Being from the city, he decides to embark upon work experience to gain greater insight into the subject of farm life. He discovers Morgan, a gruff farmer working tooth and nail to survive, and Angus, his lifelong friend, who has long since lost track of the world. A funny and moving tale of the power of storytelling, friendship, and the very thin line between truth and fiction.
7.30pm (2.00pm) in the Woodbin Theatre, Coronation St Geelong West. Tickets $32 from https://tickets.geelongartscentre.org.au/

Tuesday September 12

CONCERT: Lennon, McCartney & Harrison – the Beatles individual songs, why and to whom they wrote them. Researched and led by Colin Mockett with Adam Parsons. Part of Drop Of A Hat’s Morning Showtime series. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

October

Friday October 6

CABARET: The Dolly Show Kelly O’Brien is the UK’s top Dolly Parton impressionist and she brings her full ‘Dolly Experience’ show to The Potato Shed’s Cabaret season. 8pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $50 – $44 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

October 6 – 15

Festival: Windfire Music Festival brings fine music to Geelong’s churches part of Music at the Basilica. Includes Geelong Chamber Orchestra, Rosemary Hodgson (cute) with Christopher Watson (tenor) Trio Stella Excelsis Choir and more..Full details online at www.musicatthebasilica.org.au

Sunday October 8

CABARET: Crazy Arms award-winning piano-playing’ soul singing’ hot new live show about the early days of boogie boogie and Rock & Roll. Presented by Damon Smith an evening when Jerry Lee and Fats Domino meets Winnie Atwell, Dr John and more. 8pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $40 – $36 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Tuesday October 10

CONCERT: The Elvis Presley Story – yes, The King is Back in The Room. Researched and written by Colin Mockett with All Shook Up!. Part of Drop Of A Hat’s Morning Showtime series. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Saturday October 14

CABARET: Goddesses of Jazz – Maude Davey and Ruth Katerelos with pianist Graham Clark bring their tribute to Nina Simone, Billy Holliday, Edith Piaf, Peggy Lee and more to the Potato Shed’s cabaret season. 8pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $40 – $34 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Sunday October 15

CONCERT: Geelong Harmony Chorus – Our own award-winning a cappella women’s choir present what they describe as ‘A Fabulous Afternoon With Geelong Harmony’ Expect joyful singing from 2.00pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $35 – $15 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

October dates TBA

PLAY: Tartuffe by Moliere directed by Zina Carmen for Torquay Theatre Troupe.Written in 1664 and, like Shakespeare, this classic play lends itself to being set in other circumstances. In this version our hero is a snake-oil salesman who joins a circus… 8.00pm at the company’s Shoestring Playhouse, 77 Beach Rd Torquay. Tickets $25 concession $23 book through https://www.trybooking.com

Saturday October 21

CONCERT: Elgar’s Enigma presented by Geelong Symphony Orchestra conductor Richard Davis. All mysteries aside, this is simply beautiful music. Programme includes Elgar; Cockaigne (In London Town) Overture Op.40; Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor Op.85; Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme Op.36 ‘Enigma Variations’; Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 Op.39; Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 Op.39. 5.00pm in the Costa Hall, Deakin University’s waterfront campus. Tickets $60, $55, student $20 from geelongartscentre.org.au

Sunday October 22

CABARET: Double Feature – Damian Callinan discovered his mother’s 1946 diary – and uses it as inspiration for this cinematic, romantic romp through post-WW2 Melbourne. But the diary also opened some surprising doors into the past.. 8pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $40 – $34 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

October 28 & 29

EVENT: Spookfest! – Halloween on the Bellarine with the Spookiest Celebration yet! Don your scary gear for an adults-only night of spooky fun in the theatre Saturday night, then bring the family for daytime frights fun and treats all day Sunday. The full programme is available at potato shed.com.au (from August 2023)

November

Sunday November 5

CONCERT: Buckingham Palace featuring Australian Chamber Choir, director Douglas Lawrence, singing music from Royal coronations, funerals and weddings of the British Royal family. Part of Music at the Basilica. 3.00pm in St Mary’s Basilica, Yarra St. Tickets $50, $45/$40 at the door or through https://www.trybooking.com

Tuesday November 14

CONCERT: Glenn Campbell & Frankie Lane – country music greats brought to the Potato Shed by Glenn Douglas in a new show as part of the venue’s Morning Showtime season. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

November (Dates to be announced)

PLAY: Tartuffe writtenby Moliere directed by Zina Carman for Torquay Theatre Troupe. First performed in 1664, a classic theatrical comedy. The characters of Tartuffe, Elmire, and Orgon are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles ever written. 8.00pm (Matinees at 4pm, 6pm) in The Shoestring Playhouse at Torquay’s MACS hub. Tickets $27, $25 at trybooking.com

Nov 17, 18, 19*, 23, 24, 25, 26*, 30, Dec 1, 2.

PLAY: The Messiah written by Patrick Barlow, directed by Scott Beaton for Geelong Rep. Patrick Barlow’s The Messiah is a hilarious retelling of the story, showcasing our small acting troupe taking on thousands (well, quite a few anyway) different roles to bring the Christmas story to life through an uplifting, physical and musical theatre experience. Join us for The Nativity…with creativity!
7.30pm (2.00pm) in the Woodbin Theatre, Coronation St Geelong West. Tickets $32 from https://tickets.geelongartscentre.org.au/

Wednesday November 22

CABARET: Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project – strap yourselves in for a larger-than-life rock concert when the dysfunctional siblings Otto and Astrid argue their way through a wild, riotous but sharp-witted lead-in to their latest album. 8pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $40 – $36 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Saturday November 25

CABARET: Pl@n B’s Trivia Fun Night. – Think you know all about the music of the 70s? Pl@n B will test your knowledge and present the songs, events, cars -and trivia of that era. 7.30pm at The Potato Shed, tickets $35- $25 from tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Sunday November 26

CONCERT: Orchestra Geelong’s final concert for the year 3.00pm in the C A Love Hall at Geelong High School cnr Ryrie & Garden Sts, East Geelong. Details www.orchestrageelong.org.au

December

Friday December 1

CONCERT: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Conductor : Jaime Martín; Piano: Andrea Lam presents Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody. Featuring Bacewicz: Overture for Orchestra; Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Shostakovich Symphony No.10. 7.30pm at Costa Hall, Deakin University waterfront campus. Tickets $97 – $37.40 at www.geelongartscentre.org.au

Dec 1, 2.

Sunday December 3

CONCERT: Baroque Christmas featuring Australian Chamber Choir, director Douglas Lawrence, singing music from the Baroque to the present. Part of Music at the Basilica. 3.00pm in St Mary’s Basilica, Yarra St. Tickets $50, $45/$40 at the door or through https://www.trybooking.comMusic at the Basilica.

Tuesday December 5

CONCERT: Issi Dye’s Special Christmas Show – expect hit songs, traditional fun and that astonishing Issi Dye energy as part of the Potato Shed’s final Morning Showtime for the year. 10.30am at The Potato Shed, tickets $17 book at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

Wednesday December 6

SEASON LAUNCH: The Potato Shed launches its 2024 seasons of Plays,Concerts, Cabaret Shows, Events and Morning Showtimes in an evening of snippets and fun. Drinks, food laid on and the event is free but tickets are limited so it’s advisable to book early through tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au

December 15

CONCERT: Christmas Concert featuring Windfire Choir, conductor Joseph Hie. Part of Music at the Basilica, 7.30pm in St Mary’s Basilica, Yarra St. Tickets $50, $45/$40 at the door or through https://www.trybooking.com

CONCERT: Christmas at the Shed – an evening of relaxed Christmas fun with sing-a-long Carols, games, popcorn and films. Part of the City’s Christmas In Geelong Celebrations, this is a free event. Find times and details on the City’s website.

Sunday December 24

CONCERT: Carols By Candlelight Geelong’s longest-running Christmas celebration takes over Johnstone Park (That’s beside the Dome Library for newcomers). Begins at dusk, features some of Geelong’s leading performers backed by the Geelong Concert Band – it’s an ongoing family-friendly city tradition organised by the City’s Ys Club – and it’s free.