One of the main side effects of the digital age and social media that is most often talked about is the ease with which people slip into heated and frequently hostile arguments with strangers. Simple Souls uses this phenomena as the starting point to explore ideas of meaning, happiness, satisfaction, and understanding in the modern world.
Image by Bob Seary
The attitude of splitting people into winners and losers is a distinctly American phenomena that inspired Michael Arndt’s screenplay about the Hoover family, a band of misfits fighting against the belief that they are exemplary losers. Adapted into a musical by James Lapine and William Finn, Little Miss Sunshine follows this bland family in their bright yellow VW van from New Mexico to California for the competition of their lives.
Image by Olivia Mead
When was the last time you saw an ugly woman performer? Or one where her ugliness was not an indication of her depravity, villainy, or destitution? The Ugly Show encourages audiences to acknowledge that all bodies are ugly sometimes and an ideal that asks anyone, especially women, for anything less is simply unrealistic.
A young boy gets taught that good things come to good people and he believes it until the difficulty of disappointment hardens that optimism and lets it flake away. Good Dog watches a boy grow into a young man and learn to process power and pain to make the best of his lot.
Image by Dawn Pugh
It’s a well-known story of imagination and heart full of beloved characters and classic songs. In this adaptation, Cameron Farnham injects the community theatre spirit into The Wondrous Wizard of Oz with references to the Lane Cove area, some Australian cultural gags, and a few additional hit songs.
Image by Blake Condon
Perhaps this is an unremarkable Friday evening in the home of an upper-class family with its usual problems. Or, perhaps this is the evening that finally begins the process of throwing the many cracks of regret, deceptions, and desires into relief; when the rocky marriage, alcoholic sister-in-law, fake friendships, and co-dependent daughter all come home to roost.
The Greek islands, what a beautiful place for a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday with friends and family. Only this holiday has a bit of an ulterior motive with Eddie hoping to sway colleague Jack into the company ethos, and perhaps pursue a smouldering affair on the side. Add alcohol and a touch of heat-stroke and this week away turns into an absolute disaster.
Image by David Hooley
Theo Maske is a respectable man with a well-paying government job and he will not tolerate a scandal, most especially not a scandal involving his wife dropping her underpants in the middle of a crowd. However, rather than suffering the expected consequences of embarrassment and a sacking, the incident seems to work out in Herr Maske’s profitable favour.
Willy Loman is reaching the end of his tether: his job isn’t getting any easier even as he approaches retirement age, neither of his promising sons has made a success of himself yet, and seeing the financial strain on his wife makes him sick. None of the grand plans Willy had for his life have come to fruition but that won’t stop his scheming. Arthur Miller’s classic play takes a hard look at the American dream and the masculinity and mediocrity that underpin it.
Image by Vanessa Goryl
The specialty Spanish and Latin American a capella choir of Sydney are joined by two guests for a showcase of Spanish music and poetry. Curated by Coro Austral’s artistic director Margot McLaughlin, the Tesoro program is dedicated to treasures for piano, guitar, and voice.
Night Writes 