Drama Dispatch

Written By Grace Wilson It’s not often you get to witness a work that changes a theatrical landscape. Sometimes we see new and bright ideas come to life but with relatively little to no impact on the way we have seen theatre for centuries. We are almost used to seeing the spark fizzle, to see conversations die away - but Queensland Theatre’s production of Cost of Living has turned the spark into full flame. Martyna Majok’s Cost of Living asks us what is the bottom line of love, and whether love is truly something that transcends boundaries, whether they be physical or emotional? The work itself is sharp, witty, and evocative - it uses dialogue and conversation in real time to ask these hard-hitting questions about love and our ability to love, without preaching to the choir. The story itself follows a crossroad of characters: John, a PhD student with cerebral palsy, and his new young carer, Jess, and Eddie, an older trucker who is caring for his wife Ani, who was left wheelchair-bound

In the vibrant world of Australian theatre, few opportunities shine as brightly as La Boite’s Assembly Program. This prestigious initiative has long been a beacon for nurturing creative talent and fostering innovative storytelling. This year, we are thrilled to announce the inclusion of two exceptional individuals from our ranks: Grace Wilson, a celebrated playwright and regular Drama Dispatch Reviewer, and Jake Goodall, an acclaimed director and Drama Dispatch's Managing Director. Their acceptance into the Assembly Program promises to enrich the Australian theatre landscape with fresh perspectives and compelling narratives. Grace Wilson’s journey as a writer is nothing short of inspiring. With a background in playwriting, Wilson has carved out a niche for herself with her unique voice and evocative storytelling. Her works often explore the intricacies of human relationships, societal norms, and the complexities of identity. Wilson’s ability to weave intricate plots with deep emoti

  Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company, Bangarra Dance Theatre will bring its delightful work for children, Waru – journey of the small turtle to QPAC from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 June for the school holidays.   Fresh from its critically acclaimed (and kid approved!) Australian tour in 2023, Waru is a must- see new Australian work for children aged three to eight years and their families.   A journey of survival and discovery with our heroine Migi the turtle, the contemporary saltwater Lagaw Kazil (Island Children) story is inspired by the totemic system of the green turtle, in an interactive and immersive introduction to Torres Strait Islander culture and dance for three- to eight-year-olds.   Under the star-illuminated skies of the Torres Strait, a green turtle navigates her way back to the beach where she was born. The season has started, the turtles are returning to nest, and soon the island will welcom

  When Director Tim Hill set out to stage "Merrily We Roll Along" at Ad Astra, an intimate theatre, he faced the formidable task of translating the grandeur of a Broadway musical into a more confined space. Hill’s insightful approach sheds light on the unique challenges and unexpected advantages of such a transformation, emphasizing a story-first mentality and a play-like treatment. “Merrily We Roll Along” possesses qualities that align well with a smaller, more intimate setting. Hill explains, "The key to staging a musical in that space was to approach it like a play. 'Merrily' has many attributes of a play: generally enclosed, confined settings, a character-focused narrative, intricate character relationships, and a focus on story first over spectacle. I thought all these attributes really lent themselves to such an intimate setting." This perspective redefines the traditional boundaries between a musical and a play, highlighting that the essence of a stor

  Queensland Theatre will put a twist on one of today’s most common phrases, q uestioning what the real Cost of Living is for those living with disability, in the Australian premiere of a beautifully rendered story about care, connection and dignity that will take over the Bille Brown Theatre from Saturday 15 June.   The new co-production with Sydney Theatre Company is a 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner and four-time Tony Award nominee for its smash-hit Broadway run and is penned by former-caregiver turned playwright Martyna Majok to tell a story of two individuals living with disability and their caregivers.   Drawing on her lived experience, Majok introduces four seemingly disconnected characters whose lives are at a crossroads—John is a wealthy successful PhD student with cerebral palsy who hires Jess, a woman juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat, as his carer; and Eddie is an unemployed truck driver, desperately trying to reconcile with his ex-w

  The rumours are true...He's back! From the makers of big, bold and ambitious productions Observatory Theatre comes the highly anticipated Disney Off Ice , an absurd lampoon that imagines the infamous urban legend of Walt Disney's cryonic freezing. After decades frozen in the cryonic tank, Disney is feeling refreshed and ready to make his mark in the new world. But times have changed. The theme parks are gone. And it’s not such a small world after all. Now, he finds himself the property of a media conglomerate and at the heel of a strict publicist determined to set him straight. Welcome to the future, Disney! "The show is a rollercoaster ride through a hyper-futuristic world" says director Lachlan Driscoll ( Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Turquoise Elephant ). Written by Oliver Gough (Playlab Theatre Incubator, La Boite Assembly), the show promises to be a fast paced, hilarious and startling time. "The fascinating figure of Uncle Walt and the l