Secrets at the Vue Grand
Geelong’s Echo Theatre opens its second interactive Theatre event this coming weekend in the ultra-plush Vue Grand Hotel in Queenscliff. Following the 1920s-themed Roaring, which the company produced in 2024, Echo is presenting Mr Naismith’s Secret directed by Glen Barton & Tara Vagg. The show is promoted thus:
It’s 1892, and Mr Edward Naismith, chemist, has invited Melbourne’s elite to his house for the announcement of his engagement. You are among them. But in this house lie secrets: some harmless; some disturbing; some fatal. How many will you uncover? Set in the sumptuous Vue Grand Hotel, this whodunit unfolds before your eyes… 8.00pm (2.00pm matinee) September 17 – October 3 at the Vue Grand Hotel, Queenscliff. Tickets $60, $50 at trybooking.com
Ride The Cyclone in Belmont
Geelong’s Theatre of the Damned will present the cult favourite musical Ride The Cyclone at its Belmont home next week.
The 2009 comedy musical’s storyline follows six teenagers from a Canadian choir who die in a rollercoaster accident – but are offered the chance to audition for a return to life.
The show’s witty songs and unique, uplifting, storyline has earned it cult status worldwide. But in firm TotD tradition, this is the first performance in our region.
The Damned cast includes Andrew Lorenzo, Paris Walsh, Jacob Carr, Colby McCallum, Tahlia Walker, Casey Reid, Leah Bested, Lola Fry, Mia Davis and Matilda Heinrich. Ride The Cyclone is in Belmont High School’s Performing Arts Centre from September 25 to October 3.
As is company policy, standard tickets cost $38.50, but teens and children pay their age (e.g., a 17-year-old pays $17). They’re available through trybooking.com
Chuck Berry Rocks BAC
Drop Of A Hat’s next Morning Showtime in the Bellarine Arts Centre is titled The Chuck Berry Story. It’s a a tribute to, and biography of, the who invited Beethoven to Roll Over and inspired a whole generation of Rock & Rollers.. That was when he wasn’t upsetting the 1950s American redneck authorities by being that most outlandish of people, – a successful, rich black man. But the show isn’t just a biography – researched and narrated by Colin Mockett – it’s also a tribute with the Peninsula’s favourite Rock & Roll group All Shook Up providing a rich selection of Chuck’s cheeky, sexy, but always rocking music to accompany the story. The Chuck Berry Story is 10.30am Tuesday November 10 in the Potato Shed Theatre at The Bellarine Arts Centre. All seats are at concession rate $22, include interval refreshments from Bakers Delight. Book them at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au
Rep’s Calendar Girls are sold out
Geelong Rep’s current production of the British feelgood play Calendar Girls, directed by Debbie Fraser has sold out its season, including an extra show. The feel-good story of a British women’s group posing tastefully nude for an “alternative” charity calendar has clearly resonated with Geelong’s theatre audiences. Rep’s Calendar Girls will play 7.30pm (2.00pm matinee) until September 19 in the Woodbin Theatre, Geelong West. Tickets $35.00, $33.00, $29.00 from Geelong Arts Centre – and if you’re determined, it’s worth checking to see if there are any returned for resale.
They’re Creepy and they’re Kooky (and they’re in Geelong)
Geelong’s Lyric Theatre Society, will present the creepy musical comedy The Addams Family in the Geelong Arts Centre’s Story House early October. The exotic show – originally a comic strip that spawned film and TV series will be led by what the company described as ‘powerhouse creatives’ in Director/Choreographer Tamara Finch and Musical Director Britteny Ling.
The much-loved musical has an original storyline that sees Wednesday Addams grown up and in love with a very normal young man.
When the Addams host an ill-fated dinner with his respectable parents, secrets unravel, chaos ensues, and nothing will ever be quite the same again. Packed with sharp humour, heart, and unforgettable characters, The Addams Family is a show that celebrates love, loyalty, and the beautifully strange. Lyric’s production is in the Geelong Arts Centre’s Story House from October 1 – 11. Tickets $59.90 are at Geelong Arts Centre
Ceres’ Wilde night with the Bard
Ceres’ Theatre Of The Winged Unicorn returns in October with a concert staging of what it does best. Wilde and Will presents extracts of the works of Oscar Wilde and William Shakespeare in a program that carries the subtitle ‘wit and wisdom’.
Director Elaine Mitchell has selected two significant and entertaining plays from the works of the writers that illustrate issues still current in our 21st century – that of the status of women and the gender issue. Of course, as it’s a TOWU production in Ceres, the presentation will be beautifully costumed and presented in the historic Ceres Hall and embellished with carefully chosen classic English and Irish songs.
The Wilde and Will cast includes: Carol Fogg, Julie Fryman, Jocelyn and David Mackay, Bodil Wright and Tony Wright, Melissa Musselwhite, Mitchell O’Neil, Ali Simpson, Miriam Wood and Tom Vlamis. Bodil Wright and Tony Wright. Sonoka Miyake is the musical accompanist. pianist.Wilde and Will is in the Ceres Hall October 2 – 18 with tickets $36.00, $32 (conc) at trybooking
Multicultural Mandolins in Yarra St
Since the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra last appeared in Geelong in 2025, it has appeared in concert at Federation Square – and then embarked on a Successful tour of European venues. But now the big, happy orchestra returns to Geelong with a concert titled Harmony – Multicultural Mandolins.
The multi-stringed Orchestra will be conducted by Darryl Barron for its Sunday afternoon in October concert in the beautiful acoustic setting of Wesley Uniting Church, Yarra St. Last year they filled the venue and left a whole lot of happy Geelong fans. Harmony – Multicultural Mandolins is 2.30pm Sunday October 4, Tickets at $35, $30 Concession (under 18 free) are at the Door or through Humanitix
Frozen – plain, relaxed or swing
CentreStage Geelong will present the Broadway version of Disney’s musical Frozen next March, which the tickets on sale now, 11 months in advance. The company plans a three-week run, from March 5 – 20, with some performances designated ‘Relaxed’ while others are ‘Swing’. Relaxed performances are designed to appeal to people with sensory difficulties. They will have reduced intensity of lighting and sound effects, the house lights will stay on at a low level and the theatre doors remain open allowing freedom to move in and out as well as a designated quiet space for breaks. The ‘swing’ performances will allow main parts to be played by understudies. Performance times will be at 7.30pm, 1.30pm matinees and 5.00pm early evenings. Tickets cost $59.90, $55.90 (concession) $49.90 (child) at Geelong Arts Centre
Reefer Madness in Belmont
Geelong’s Theatre Of The Damned has announced the production team for its marijuana-themed musical Reefer Madness to be staged in Belmont April 2027.
The big, bright 1930s musical will be directed by Scott Bradley, with Liam Jose his musical director and Madeleine Hoogstra his choreographer. The team will be conducting auditions with dates announced through #theatreofthedamned.
True to Theatre of the Damned’s tradition, this production will be the first staged in Geelong. It’s another company tradition to introduce new talented young people in production roles – and that’s happening with both Liam and Madeleine.
The big show itself is based on a 1936 musical film and is promoted thus… ‘The addictive, clever musical numbers range from big Broadway-style showstoppers to swing tunes like “Down at the Ol’ Five and Dime” and the Vegas-style “Listen to Jesus, Jimmy,” featuring J.C. himself leading a chorus of showgirl angels. Reefer Madness is a highly stylised and satirical political commentary that will leave you wanting more…’
The Theatre Of The Damned version opens April 2 and runs until April 10 in the company’s Belmont High School PAC home. Tickets at $38.50 are on sale now through try booking.com
Want to join our Awkwardstra?
Geelong’s newest musical entity is designed for those who love to play instruments together in a group – but without the rigours and discipline of a formal band or orchestra. You don’t need to audition to join, and the Geelong Awkwardstra meets weekly to play together in whatever configuration the group’s individual instruments make up. That puts a little pressure on the Awkwardstra conductor/arranger Ian Crowther, but it’s a challenge he relishes. The Geelong Awkwardstra’s repertoire is suitably eclectic, ranging from pop to classics -so if your interest is piqued, simply roll up with your instrument 7.15pm on a Monday evening at the Vines Rd Community Centre in Hamlyn Heights.
Read the Awkwardstra’s latest concert review HERE
entertainmentgeelong.oam
This website’s editor, webmaster and principal critic, Colin Mockett, was awarded the Order Of Australia Medal in 2023 for services to the Arts and Local History in Geelong.
Central to the award committee’s thinking would have been this website, which was set up specifically to support local arts, theatre and music communities by publishing news and details of upcoming plays, concerts and events free of charge – and then reviewing local productions.
Colin says he sees the site – and the award – as a tribute to the quantity and high quality of the arts scene in Geelong.
We can all count ourselves winners!
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