Arts / Surprises in Canberra Theatre’s celebratory season

TO dark-voiced cabaret star and MC Mikelangelo, it was a once-in-50-year opportunity to celebrate.

To theatregoers keen to hear the Canberra Theatre’s selection of theatrical goodies for 2015 it was a chance to “oooh” and “aahh” at novelties, old favourites and one or two surprises at the 2013 subscription season on Monday (October 20).

With 16 shows and two add-ons in the form of “Sweet Charity” in February and the Count Basie Orchestra in May, it almost rivals the theatre’s 2013 centenary program for size.

One of the most idiosyncratic of Canberra’s arts personalities, Mikelangelo himself will feature in Big hART’S September production “Ghosts in the Scheme,” written by Scott Rankin about Snowy Mountains immigrants.

Most of the “oohs” were reserved for news that the Australian Ballet will be back on the big stage in May with “Giselle”. About time, dance-lovers were saying, noting that the ballet company was here when the theatre opened in 1965 but has been missing in action for some years.

Dance-buffs have much to rejoice at. In April-May the Sydney Dance Company brings a work by celebrated German-based choreographer William Forsythe, who will be in Australia to restage his work “Quintett”.

Bangarra will be back in July with Frances Rings joining Torres Strait choreographers Deborah Brown and Waangenga Blanco in “Lore”.

Circus triumphs with the return in February of Circa, billed as “rock stars of the circus world” with “Beyond”, who’ll be wearing animal masks to explore the inner beast. In September Circus Oz will be here with the vaudeville-inspired show, “But Wait…There’s More”.

For plays-lovers there’s the traditional February season-opener in Geoffrey Atherdon’s stage version of “Mother and Son” starring Noeline Brown and Darren Gilshenan.

In May the irrepressible Miriam Margolyes brings us a few terrifying stage dames in “The Importance of Being Miriam” when she takes on characters from literature such as Mrs Malaprop, Lady Catherine de Bourg and Mrs Corney.

And in August, Geordie Brookman and the State Theatre Company of SA will stage Pinter’s searching play, “Betrayal”, featuring former Canberra actor Alison Bell.

John Bell’s last season with at the head of his company brings us “As You Like It” in April, with Bell as Jacques. In October they’ll have “Hamlet”, the play which started the company here in 1991, with Josh McConville as the melancholy Dane.

Children are not forgotten, with Theatre of Image’s hottest new property, “Monkey… Journey to the West” coming around Anzac Day, co-directed by John Bell and Carpenter. In June the Sydney Theatre Company, collaborating with Perth’s Barking Gecko Theatre, has Colin Thiele’s “Storm Boy”.

Queensland Theatre Company will present “Black Diggers” in March. It’s the story of World War I’s Aboriginal enlisted men. The company will return in June with Matthew Ryan’s play “Kelly” set in old Melbourne Gaol on the eve of Ned’s execution when the apparently undead Dan Kelly visits Ned disguised as a priest.

We haven’t forgotten the silliest act of all, The Wharf Revue, now in its 15th year. Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsyth and Phil Scott haven’t written it yet, but small matter – Canberrans will flock in for the political satire.

Oh, yes, for schmoozers, there’ll be a snazzy gala dinner on stage at the big theatre in May. I hear it’s booking fast.

Canberra Theatre 2015 subscription seasons, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

 

 

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