Queensland Theatre Artistic Director Lee Lewis has programmed a bold 2021 season featuring four world premieres.
The season also includes the staging of Trent Dalton's 'Boy Swallows Universe' and a Robyn Archer special event exclusive to Queensland.
"We have all been on a wild ride in 2020 and 2021 promises to be challenging in ways we cannot imagine. But imagine we will," Lee says. "This year, we have all learned how much we need theatre. Thank you for staying with us through this dark age. We cannot wait turn the lights back on in our theatres in 2021. Let’s go."
The season opens with the Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Our Town' by Thornton Wilder, directed by Lee Lewis.
Next, comes the first of four world premieres. 'Triple X', written by and starring Glace Chase, was due to open in March this year, but was cancelled due to COVID-19. It's directed by Paige Rattray.
"If there was a record between rehearsals and an official opening, 'Triple X' may just win it, given we were about to stage the opening of this remarkable production in March this year," Lee Lewis says. "Then COVID-19 hit, and everything closed. So, when this opens in March next year, emotions will be high and so they should be."
In May, Queensland Theatre present their first Shakespeare: 'The Taming Of The Shrew' directed by Damien Ryan, before Anchuli Felicia King's new play 'White Pearl' directed by Priscilla Jackman.
'Prima Facie'
Griffin Award-winning 'Prima Facie' by Suzie Miller will present a gripping one-woman show which mounts an irresistible call for change through its powerful story of a defence barrister on the wrong side of the system.
Then comes a highly anticipated event, the world premiere stage version of Trent Dalton's novel 'Boy Swallows Universe', adapted for the stage by Tim McGarry and directed by Sam Strong in partnership with Brisbane Festival.
"In exciting news, we can announce that the role of Eli will be performed by Joe Klocek," Lee Lewis says. "Joe started with Queensland Theatre in the Young Artists’ Ensemble, was cast in 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' and will now play this once-in-a-lifetime role at the Playhouse next year. It’s a wonderful reflection of the pathways open to our young artists."
Immediately following is another world premiere: 'Return To The Dirt', by, and starring, Steve Pirie. Set in a funeral home, it's an invitation to start conversations we all try to avoid.
Then, the finale of the 2021 season is a very special theatre experience, the world premiere of 'Robyn Archer: An Australian Songbook', commissioned by Queensland Theatre for an exclusive season available only for subscribers.
'Boy Swallows Universe' – Image © David Kelly
"Robyn Archer is an Australian legend, industry pioneer and provocateur," Lee says. "She has delighted audiences around the world with her powerhouse shows, singing songs from the underground cabarets of the Weimar Republic, the salons of 19th century France and the folk clubs and Broadway stages of New York City. Robyn has conjured the works of Bertolt Brecht, Edith Piaf, Woody Guthrie and countless others. Now, she’s coming home."
George Butrumlis, Cameron Goodall and Enio Pozzebon will join Robyn to transform the Bille Brown Theatre into a cabaret stage.
In 2021, Queensland Theatre will partner with Australian Theatre Live to produce digital versions of three productions – 'The Taming Of The Shrew', 'Return To The Dirt' and 'Robyn Archer: An Australian Songbook'.
"We are so thrilled to be sharing our 2021 season with you. We need to see great big stories that fill us with inspiration," Lee concludes. "We need to have our artists back at work, breathing life into the national imagination. We need to talk to friends about the play we all saw last night and disagree with them about what it really meant. We need Australian voices speaking to us about what matters to us right now. We need the buzz of a foyer. We need our culture to come back to life, and we are making this happen."
Ticket information can be found here.
Queensland Theatre 2021 Season
30 January-27 February – 'Our Town'6 March-1 April – 'Triple X'
8 May-12 June – 'The Taming Of The Shrew'
17 June-10 July – 'White Pearl'
14 July-14 August – 'Prima Facie'
30 August-18 September – 'Boy Swallows Universe'
16 October-13 November – 'Return To The Dirt'
20 November-4 December – 'Robyn Archer: An Australian Songbook'
