Each year QUT Gardens Theatre produces three drama productions from QUT Acting students, and two dance productions from QUT Dance students.
The theatre also presents a season of professional shows from some of the best producers from around Australia. Jill Standfield, Operations Manager, talks about the line-up for 2013.
Describe the QUT Theatre 2013 line up in 5 words?
Storytelling at its very best!
How did you choose the works for 2013?
Well, the practical side of this involves attending various forums around the country where producers, presenters and artists come together to consider shows suitable for touring, and being plugged into a network that shares information on works in development. We’re a small theatre that aims to bring to Brisbane productions that complement the broader theatre menu of this city.
For each season I look for about six shows and where possible try to achieve a balance between bigger cast shows and one or two person shows, lighthearted comedies and thought-provoking dramas. Where possible I try to include at least one show that is quirky or a bit different.
Your personal highlight?
Frankenstein will be a knockout! I recently re-read Mary Shelley’s great classic, and I had forgotten that when she started writing this she was just 18. Such a dark work from such a young woman of those times. Her story is so haunting, and this adaptation for the stage by Nick Dear is focused, intelligent and humane.
I’m also looking forward to Chet Baker: Like Someone In Love. This is an exceptionally well crafted story of the much troubled musician Chet Baker, often referred to as the James Dean of Jazz.
How hard is it to narrow down the selection to the final choices?
Some years are harder than others, but sometimes it comes down to economics. A show might be fabulous but just be too big and expensive to present in our venue and within our niche. Occasionally a choice will swing on who’s in the cast and their capacity to attract an audience. Sometimes the decision is much more prosaic, coming down to the availability of the theatre at the particular time of a tour’s itinerary.
Advice for deciding on what to see?
Well, we have the most affordable subscriptions in town, so you can see all six for just $33 each! I’ve already talked about my three hot tips for 2013, but we also have three that are sure to be a fun night at the theatre. Two favourites of the stage are back – Amanda Muggleton in the naughty but nice The Book Club, and Henri Szeps leads a top cast in the black comedy It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want to).
Then to round off the year, we have the hilarious irreverent romp through all of Shakespeare’s works. Yes, that’s Shakespeare SMS-style! Well-known comedian Damian Callinan leads the trio that out-Pythons Monty in an absurd salute to the Bard.
For the complete 2013 season, head to gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au.
