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The Messiah is coming – across Australia - in 2007!
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HotHouse Theatre has announced plans to take their 2006 hit show – The Messiah by Patrick Barlow – around Australia in 2007. A beautiful, whimsical play within a play about two overly ambitious actors attempting to perform the nativity story – has long been legendary in the UK, and now will take over Australia with it’s gentle and sympathetic send-up of the British amateur theatrical tradition.
Directed by Jon Halpin, Associate Director at Queensland Theatre Company, the play stars Jean-Marc Russ, Hayden Spencer, and Carita Farrer. Jean-Marc Russ is the self important writer/director of the nativity play, Leslie Barrymore Locket; Hayden Spencer the shambolic and humble Owen Blunt, general all-round dogs-body or ‘the cast’, and Carita Farrer plays the precious Mrs Barbara Redmond Bird, who, bird-like, breaks into operatic song at inappropriate moments.
Under the keen eye of director Jon Halpin, the actors cleverly slip in and out of comedy and pathos, as the characters in the play-within-a-play become mired in unrealised ambition, brilliant improvisation, egocentric outbursts and technical hitches. The Border Mail’s reviewer Roberta Baker said: “… this is a brilliant show with clever writing, and those subtle messages about morality and compassion are all the more powerful packaged in a continuous belly laugh…. When “Mary” puts the cat out, you want to go and get it and take it home. The music was spectacular… from the Hallelujah Chorus to the mouth organ and whistle. The set is a stroke of genius.”
The play will tour from February to July visiting all mainland states (see dates below). HotHouse Theatre’s Artistic Manager Charles Parkinson said “It is very satisfying to see this play touring so extensively. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have a chance to see it”.
HotHouse Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of Queensland Theatre Company.
FEBRUARY
20-21 Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford
23-24 Westside Performing Arts Centre, Shepparton
27 – 28 Frankston Arts Centre
MARCH
3 Mildura Arts Centre
6-10 Geelong Performing Arts Centre
14 Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee
16 Portland Arts Centre
20 Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt.Gambier
22 Brenton Langbein Theatre, Tanunda
24 Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
27 Keith Mitchell Theatre, Port Pirie
29 Middleback Theatre, Whyalla
31 Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
APRIL
3 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
5 Margaret River Cultural Centre
10 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
14 Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham
17 Colac Performing Arts Centre
19-20 The Capital Theatre, Bendigo
23-24 Townsville Civic Theatre
27-28 Cairns Civic Theatre
MAY
1 Mackay Entertainment Centre
3-4 QUT Gardens Theatre, Brisbane
8-13 Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
16-17 Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
19 Orange Civic Theatre
22-June 2 Glen Street Theatre, Belrose
Country Energy Small Towns Tour
JUNE
12 Walla Walla Literary Institute, 7.30 pm. Bookings: Council Offices
13 Stanhope Community Hall, 8.00pm. Bookings: Stanhope Business Centre 03 5857 2866
14 Lockington Community Centre, 8.00pm. Bookings: District Business Centre 03 5486 2683
15 Deniliquin, Edward Theatre, 7.30pm. Bookings: Family Videoland 03 5881 3888
16 Wahgunyah School of Arts, 8.00pm. Bookings: Rutherglen Newsagency
02 6032 9517 Wahgunyah Newsagency 02 6033 1186
19 Savernake School of Arts, 7.30pm. Bookings: Andrea Mitchell 02 6035 9401
20 Tallangatta Valley Hall, 7.30pm. Bookings: Ruth Hill 6072 5277
22 Myrtleford Memorial Hall, 7.30pm. Bookings: Family Videoland
23 Myrtleford Memorial Hall, 7.30pm
27 Tumbarrumba HS MPC building, 7.30pm. Bookings: National Bank
28 Holbrook Shire Hall, 7.30pm. Bookings: Council Offices
29 Mt Beauty Community Centre, 8.00 p.m. Bookings: Mount Beauty Newsagent
30 Yackandandah Public Hall, 8.00pm. Bookings: 02 6027 1226
JULY
3 Mitta Mitta Mechanics Institute, 7.30 pm. Bookings: General Store
5 Bright Community Entertainment Centre, 8.00 pm. Bookings: 03 5750 1660
6 Tallarook Mechanics Institute, 7.30 pm. Bookings: 03 57938390
7 Avenel Memorial Hall,7.30 pm. Bookings: 0409 210 015
8 Mansfield Performing Arts Centre
12 Balranald Theatre Royal
13 Jerilderie Civic Hall
14 Boree Creek Memorial Hall, 6.00 pm. Bookings: 02 8927 1552, 02 6920 5344, 02 6920 5526.
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