Tragedy unfolding at Geelong Rep
Geelong Rep is currently staging an updated version of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet. Directed by Greg Shawcross, and set against the backdrop of the 21st century, the play remains a powerful revenge tragedy which examines doubt, corruption and justice. Renamed The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark, the play is promoted thus..
‘The King is dead and Queen Gertrude has married Claudius, her late husband’s brother, elevating him to the throne. Prince Hamlet is thrown into turmoil – grief, suspicion and rage simmer beneath the surface. But when the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears before the young Prince and reveals his murderer, Hamlet swears vengeance…’
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark is staged 7.30pm in the Woodbin Theatre, Geelong West. Tickets $35.00, $33.00, $29.00 from Geelong Arts Centre
Jocelyn & Reyna –
Geelong Women On Song
Drop Of A Hat’s next Morning Showtime at the Bellarine Arts Centre is
Her Voice: Australian Women In Song presented by Colin Mockett, Jocelyn Mackay, Reyna Hudgell and Sonoka Miyake.
The show comprises a programme of beautiful music, from classical to modern, opera to pop selected by MC Colin to define the status, roles and struggles of women in our society. The songs sung by Jocelyn and Reyna – with plenty of poignant duets – all accompanied by Sonoka on the venue’s baby grand piano.
Her Voice: Australian Women In Song is 10.30am Tuesday July 14 in the Potato Shed Theatre at The Bellarine Arts Centre. All seats, at concession rate $22, include refreshments. find them at tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au
Geelong Folk Festival Returns
Geelong Folk Festival is being revived by the Geelong Folk Music Club and presented in a single day at the Geelong West Town Hall. The big day will be headlined by Nick Charles, Fiona Ross, Seal Prince and the Roof Rats and featuring a host of artists including Mickey & Michelle, Milk, Photojenix, Shona Williams, Velvet Sledgehammer, Apolline, Bellarine Banshees, Carl Dickens, The Chooks, The Drongo and The Crow, Jacob Boots & Jill Meehan and family. More artists are being added and the occasion will be Mvd by Possums On The Porch. Tickets $73 (adult), $68 (Club members), $180 (family), $107 (single parent family), $40 (teenager), Children free from 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 late September.
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, Storm Randall, 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
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
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!
entertainmentgeelong.com 