Powerful Storytelling Abounds Queensland Theatre Company’s 2016 Season

The Queensland Theatre Company's 2016 season has been revealed and the line-up explores a variety of themes such as: identity, religious fanaticism and displacement.

Unveiling his final season before he departs for Sydney Festival, QTC Artistic Director Wesley Enoch said 2016 would engage and challenge on the need for bravery and moral fortitude in shifting times, providing a forum for debate, diversity and the driving of change.

Wesley Enoch

The season begins in January with 'Quartet'; a humorous tale of growing old, set around a small group of retired opera singers as they deal with old age and a plan to put together one last show. This is a story that explores retirement with gentleness, poise and hope – but no self-pity. It's moving and a decidedly honest tale of the frustrations and anxieties of getting old.

'Quartet' © David Kelly

'The Secret River' follows in February; a multi-award winning production set in colonial Australia which tells the story of a convict named William transported to Australia and his quest to build a new life for himself and his family. Also living on the land where William has made his new home is an Indigenous family from the Dharug people. 'The Secret River' is the story of what happens when these two families meet.

'The Secret River' © James Green

April will see three performances; one is 'Bastard Territory' – a story about the quest for identity and coming to terms with one’s past. It tells the story of Russel, who runs a hip café in Darwin with his boyfriend. Russel was born in Papua New Guinea and adopted by a white-Australian couple. One day out of the blue he gets into a situation that brings up some long-forgotten memories which sparks a new found quest to discover his origins.

'Bastard Territory' © David Kelly

The second is April production is ‘Motherland’, which weaves the story of exile through the voices of three very different women from different parts of the world during different time periods. Its central theme is how world events impact on ordinary people’s lives.

'Motherland' © David Kelly

Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' is the third April performance. This timeless tale of love needs no introduction, a Shakespeare classic of comedy and romance, re-told by some of Australia’s best actors. Directed by Jason Klarwein, with Ellen Bailey and Tama Matheson as the young starry-eyed couple, leading a cast featuring Christen O’Leary, Hugh Parker and Bryan Probets. This romantic sparring is the tale of two pairs of very different sweethearts starring some of the best acting talent in the country.

'Much Ado About Nothing' © David Kelly

'Switzerland' rounds out May, and is a dark thriller set around the reclusive writer of the 'Talented Mr Ripley' who is drawn out from her cocoon in the Swiss Alps by her publisher when he demands from her one last brilliant book.

'Switzerland' © David Kelly

Mid-year, 'The Wider Earth’ will have its world premiere. This production is an ode to Charles Darwin, featuring an array of puppetry; the wider earth follows the journey of Darwin on his scientific quest across South America. It is a coming-of age story revolving around science and faith.

'The Wider Earth' © David Kelly

'St Mary's In Exile' tells the remarkable true story of a much loved Brisbane priest who was ex-communicated by the Catholic church by blessing same-sex couples and placing a Buddhist statue in the foyer of his South Brisbane church. Father Peter Kennedy's story will be told on the stage in August.

'St Mary's In Exile' © David Kelly

'Disgraced', in October, is set around a diverse group of four friends who get together for dinner one night in New York, a Pakistani Muslim, his Caucasian wife, an African American and a Jew. The dinner conversation turns tense as the discussion approaches religion and world affairs.

'Disgraced' © John Laurie

And rounding out the season, 'Tartuffe' is a modern day take on the 17th Century French playwright 'Moliere'. It tells the tale of a conman who sets himself up as a spiritual guru and tries to con Organ, a wealthy family man, out of his fortune, but little does he know that Organ's wife and daughter are on to him.

'Tartuffe' © David Kelly

A mixture of humour, powerful storytelling and drama is set to keep theatre goers entertained throughout 2016.

Queensland Theatre Company’s 2016 season kicks off with 'Quartet', 30 January – 21 February.

– written by Mardi Reason