The whole world is on show for Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre 2023 season.
There are four world premiere productions as well as a full slate of new Australian works throughout the season – it’s the first programmed by new Artistic Director Courtney Stewart.
Each of the four mainstage productions make their world premiere in the iconic Roundhouse Theatre: a tale of morality and betrayal in ‘The Poison Of Polygamy’, a star-crossed saga in ‘Capricorn’, a delicious family drama in ‘Cut Chilli’, and the riotous and relatable ‘IRL’.
“From our proud Brisbane base, we are presenting a season of world premieres and special events that put the whole world on show,” Courtney Stewart says. “This season, La Boite taps into every facet of humanity, community and culture to open people’s minds and take them to places they’ve never been.”
“We will tell new stories, stir new emotions and showcase a world that once existed only at the fringes."
Courtney’s passion for new Australian writing as well as her role as Artistic Director for the nation’s oldest theatre company shines through in 2023.
“My goal is to redefine this notion of ‘classic works’, to expand and dream upon what the Australian canon of work can look like and introduce fresh, contemporary stories, told in our voices, to Australia’s theatrical canon,” she says. “Our 2023 season is about creating and maintaining a pipeline of high- quality work and nurturing excellent artists to lead these projects. La Boite is excellent at unearthing and profiling exceptional Queensland talent on both local and national stages.”
'Capricorn' - Image © David Kelly
The season launches with Wong Shee Ping’s ‘The Poison Of Polygamy’, translated by Ely Finch. It puts a human face on the issue of migration, telling the story of a man from southern China trying his luck on the Victorian goldfields. It addresses the wife he leaves behind, the choices he makes, the promises he breaks, and the consequences they reap.
‘The Poison Of Polygamy’ stars Shan-Ree Tan, Merylnn Tong and Kimie Tsukakoshi.
Next up is ‘Capricorn’ from emerging Queensland writer and Butchulla/Kabi Kabi man Aidan Rowlingson.
It tells the story of a fractured First Nations couple as they question: can you love and hate someone at the same time? There are themes of culture, sexuality, personal growth and grief, environmental issues, protest, and the effects institutional corruption on society.
“La Boite has a history of supporting artists to make that leap from emerging to established and this year, we’re seeing that occur with Aidan in ‘Capricorn’ and in ‘Cut Chilli’, our next production,” Courtney Stewart says.
'Cut Chilli' - Image © David Kelly
‘Cut Chilli’ is a new comedy from playwright, journalist and filmmaker Chenturan Aran with themes of identity, love, truth and forgiveness, packing as much emotional and intellectual heat as its namesake suggests.
It chronicles Jamie, and the story behind his adoption by an Australian family as a baby in Sri Lanka unfolds and unravels over family dinner.
“The most recent Census data shows more than one-quarter of Australians were born overseas and almost half have a parent born overseas so I see ‘Cut Chilli’ as an exercise in fostering cross-cultural understanding,” Courtney says.
“This play lulls you into a familiar setting – a dinner table at a family home – then morphs into something big.”
Finally for 2023 is ‘IRL’ from Brisbane playwright Lewis Treston. It’s equal parts humour and heart, a story reflecting what it means to be a teenager searching for friendship, love and acceptance, and trying to find your community.
'IRL' - Image © David Kelly
17-year-old Alexei, his celebrity BFF Taylor and his long-time internet crush are followed over one very long, weird, cosplay-filled day, as the trio try to find the connections they crave.
“‘IRL’ is fun, it’s hopeful, it celebrates young queer love, it’s set at the Supanova pop-culture convention and the writing is excellent – programming this was a no-brainer!” Courtney says.
La Boite will also welcome, as a special event, the award-winning ‘YES YES YES’ by New Zealand duo Karin McCracken and Eleanor Bishop. It’s part confession, part documentary and part open conversation. . . Created for and with input from teenagers which explores healthy and respectful relationships, consent, and sex.
Check out the full 2023 season.
La Boite Theatre’s (Brisbane) 2023 season begins with ‘The Poison Of Polygamy’.
