La Boite Theatre unveils a programme of five performances in a wide range of theatre styles to debut in 2016.
With over 90 years of performances under their belt, La Boite is a leading light in Australian theatre. Their work encourages an emphasis on the adventurous and alternative, and provides a platform for up-and-coming writers and artists to excel. The 2016 season continues this trend, with a range of unique productions from a diverse set of creatives ready to grace the stage.
"This year we push the boundaries of form by collaborating with some extraordinary partners to stretch theatrical, physical and musical boundaries. We play with contemporary circus, opera, classical text, the theatrical, and with extraordinary international talents,” says La Boite's Artistic Director Todd MacDonald.
'When One Door Closes'The company's 2016 seasons begins in April with 'When One Door Closes', a collaboration between La Boite and Brisbane-based contemporary circus company, Circa. The production finds the female protagonists of renowned turn-of-the-century dramas 'A Doll's House', 'Hedda Gabbler' and 'Miss Julie' stuck together in a room and unable to speak, forced to navigate their own pasts, futures and each another. 'When One Door Closes' combines classic characters with the visceral theatricality of Circa ensemble's extreme acrobatic theatre.
'The Tragedy Of King Richard III'Starting in May, 'The Tragedy Of King Richard III' sees Shakespeare's greatest villain brought to life on the Brisbane stage. La Boite's 2015 Artist-In-Residence Daniel Evans adapts and directs this classic tale of power, corruption and madness. Shakespeare's Richard III remains one of history's most captivating and cunning psychopaths even four centuries later, and La Boite's intrepid cast and crew promise to bring him to the stage like you've never seen before.
'Straight White Men'Produced in conjunction with State Theatre Company of South Australia, 'Straight White Men' is a new play from Korean American writer Young Jean Lee; described as “the most adventurous downtown playwright of her generation”, by the New York Times. It examines the bond between three young men and their father, nostalgia, familial hijinks and the possible downsides of white male privilege, as relevant in Australia as it is in the US. The funny and quirky family drama opens at La Boite in July.
'Snow White'September sees the gritty, musical theatre re-imaging of 'Snow White', a co-production with Opera Queensland and Brisbane Festival. The rock opera tells the classic tale in brutal fashion, upending expectations and blurring the lines between good and evil. The intimate setting of La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre is best suited for this dark, twisted, erotic retelling of poor, sweet Snow White. This fairy tale is definitely not a bedtime story.
'A Streetcar Named Desire'The final main-house production is a new take on the immortal classic, 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. The 1947 play will be directed by La Boite's Artistic Director Todd MacDonald, as he takes us into the seedy, sensual old-world New Orleans, brought to life with live music. With its themes of sex and violence resonating as strongly today as ever, Pulitzer prize-winning 'A Streetcar Name Desire' sweeps the audience into a world of desperation, violence and desire in October.
'La Boite HWY' La Boite's famous Indie productions which often close the curtain on the mainstage season, will elvolve into 'La Boite HWY' in June. This laboratory for new works gives emerging artists a chance to develop their productions through La Boite, and presents the public with a series of presentations, workshops and master-classes.
With an eclectic mix of acrobatic theatre, contemporary, comedy, musical theatre and classic productions, La Boite's quest to produce “theatre that matters” in 2016 brings something for everyone.
