Ceres’ Wilde night with the Bard
Ceres’ Theatre Of The Winged Unicorn opens tonight, (October 2) 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
They’re Creepy and Kooky (and they’re here in Geelong)
Geelong’s Lyric Theatre Society is presently staging its version of the creepy musical comedy The Addams Family at Geelong Arts Centre’s Story House. The exotic show is led by what the company describes 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 ‘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 songs, sharp humour, heart, and those unforgettable characters. Lyric’s The Addams Family is in the Story House until October 11. Tickets $59.90 are at Geelong Arts Centre Read our REVIEW HERE
Awkwardstra’s Big Gig!
Geelong’s Awkwardstra is moving into the mainstream with a star-endorsed concert in the Arts Centre this month.
The Awkwardstra, which includes musicians of all backgrounds and experience levels, has previously held its annual concerts at its home rehearsal venue in the Vines Road Community Centre. But this year’s show is much more of an event. As well as its infectious music and fun, the Awkwardstra has partnered with True South Film to create a series of video portraits telling the stories of its individual musicians. The clips explore themes of inclusion, community, joy, and personal growth, highlighting how the Awkwardstra has helped musicians reconnect and discover or rediscover the joys of music-making.
If that’s not enough, the concert will also feature its anthem, commissioned from the wonderful pianist Kym Dillon, and described as ‘an extravaganza for orchestra and piano.’ It’s titled, of course, Awkwardstra! – and the exclamation point is important!
For the concert , titled More Than Music, the musicians will be conducted by their musical director, Joel Carnegie, with the occasion MC’d by the leading Australian actress (and Geelong local) Natalie O’Donnell.
Awkwardstra Geelong’s More Than Music is in GAC’s Story House 7.30pm Saturday, October 17, Tickets cost $34, $28, $25
available at the Awkwardstra website or through GAC
Windfire Fires Up October
Geelong’s annual Windfire Festival, based on St Mary’s Basilica and organised by a committee led by the Basilica’s artistic director and organist Frank De Rosso with Geelong Chorale soprano Jane Bashiruddin, will run from October 2 to 11 with eleven events, five of them free. The concerts range from aa group from the Australian Boys Choir singing Sweet and Low, a voyage from Skye to Venice from the Evergreen Ensemble to soprano Lee Abrahmsen singing about Legends, Lovers and Lieder. Performing at the Festival’s free events will be Geelong Symphony Orchestra’s lead violinist Olivier Bonnici, harpist Liz Monument, Angie Smaled with her zither – and Lucy Ridditt on piano accordian. Find full details, venues and seat prices on our DIARY HERE
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
Jam For Refugees
An All-day drop-in concert of mainly classical music titled Jam For Refugees will be held mid-October in Newtown. Its non-stop music will include some of our region’s finest singers and musicians – all donating their time – under the subtitle ‘Come When You Can – Leave When You Must! Geelong’s Jam For Refugees is Saturday October 17 from 11am to 7.30pm in All Saints Church, Noble St, Newtown. Entry is by donation, and all proceeds will benefit Combined Refugee Action Group Geelong and UNHCR. More at combinedrefugeeactingroup@gmail.com
Walking Women’s History
Reyna Hudgell’s HERstory small-group walking tours of Central Geelong return on Saturday October 10. The walks begin on the steps of City Hall and last approximately an hour. They point out places of interest with an emphasis on Geelong’s significant women and their lasting influence on our city. Reyna has a theatrical background and presents several characters at Geelong’s popular History Alive Cemetery Tours. Her tours are aimed at redressing an perceived imbalance, where history is traditionally told about, and from a the perspective of men. The tours cost $20, book at 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
Medimime’s Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is Medimime’s fundraising pantomime for 2026.
Directed by Scott Bradley, the production is not the Disney version, nor the classic fairy tale.
It’s the Medimime pantomime version featuring Geelong’s medicos on stage with lots of local references and blatant sponsor plugs. But it will be great fun and all profits will benefit Geelong’s Hospital.
Medimime’s Little Mermaid is 7.00pm (1.30pm matinee) in the Arts Centre’s Story House. Tickets $45.00, $40.00, from 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, 2027, 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!
