Rain on a weekend is pretty much only good for when you’re too hungover to leave the house, otherwise it has no place in our precious stretch of work-free time. Lucky for us, the forecast is looking mighty fine – no excuse to stay couch-bound, folks! From beery birthday bashes and shank-tastic takeovers to mighty gladiators and comedy superstars, we’ve squished the best things to do in Brisbane on the June 22–25 weekend into one handy list. more
What happens between here and eternity? One thing is for sure – the arts make life worth living, and are capable of transporting us to an otherworldly place. From June 21–23, the Judith Wright Centre will play host to Heaven & Earth, three nights of unique performances showcasing the specialist disciplines of the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts. With one evening each dedicated to singing, dancing and acting, this is a triple-threat program that promises to be on another level. more
It’s always a bit spooky when works of fiction predict the future – heck, nobody could have guessed that The Simpsons picked the Cubs finally winning the World Series years before it happened. One of history’s most definitive works of literature has turned out to bear some serious foreshadowing in modern society – George Orwell’s 1984 isn’t just a book you were probably forced to read in high school, but more a manifesto of the shape of things to come. Coming to QPAC from June 14–18, this worldwide classic is taking to the stage to bring us a hefty dose of the heebie-jeebies. more
One of the coolest things about theatre is that it is pretty much wide open – the only thing that can actually limit a work of art is one’s own imagination, after all. Any sort of creative process is always a journey, with the audience usually only privy to the finished product. La Boite HWY has arrived to give us an open invitation and a front-row seat to the creative processes behind the curtain. From June 12–24, the La Boite Theatre will come alive with a series of creative collabs and experiences that give audiences an inside look into the workings of not only the industry, but also the immersive world of live theatre. more
Cabaret is one of those things that you can’t really pin down into any specific description. Most of us are familiar with the vague, abstract concept – smoky rooms, dimly lit tables, clicking fingers and simmering sensuality. Turns out there is so much more to the genre than we give it credit for – and there is a dedicated event set to show us what it’s all about. The Queensland Cabaret Festival is returning from June 1–15, sashaying into three key venues to bring us a load of sauce, sizzle and spark with a serious side of heart. more
Any time you’re having a bad day, you’ve probably shaken your fist at the sky and cursed Murphy’s Law – you know, the old adage claiming that anything that can go wrong will most definitely go wrong. All it takes is one piece of bad luck and suddenly your whole life feels like it’s spiralling out of control like a bad B-grade movie. Turning this pessimistic point of view into a riotous comedy might seem like a mammoth task, but that’s exactly what The Play That Goes Wrong does. Bursting onto the QPAC stage from May 4–14, this Olivier Award-winning piece of prime schadenfreude will leave you with tears (of laughter, not pity) running down your face. more
You’re probably familiar with the sentiment that great things happen when you step outside of your comfort zone, but just how far are you willing to go? One event that has epitomised the concept of pushing boundaries is the Anywhere Theatre Festival, a smorgasbord of pop-up shows that take place in the nooks and crannies of Brisbane. From May 4–21, the festival will spread across 104 locations, each more surprising and unconventional than the last. The only rule? To perform anywhere but a theatre, or exhibit art anywhere but a gallery. more
Adaptations can be very tricky territory, especially when the original source material is culturally iconic. Too many times our favourite books have been chewed up and spit out by bigwig producers, barely recognisable in their new form as films and plays – Trainspotting Live is not one of these instances. Based on Irvine Welsh’s era-defining novel about a band of drug-fuelled Scottish miscreants, this production comes to the Brisbane Powerhouse from April 19–22 along with a solid seal of approval from the author himself. more
If you’ve ever been near a radio, chances are you’ve heard of a little band called Green Day. The trio, fronted by the incomparable Billie Joe Armstrong, is known worldwide for making some of the most recognisable punk-rock jams to come out of a 30-year strong career. Not content with just ruling the airwaves, Billie Joe thought he would try his hand at creating a musical – turns out he’s really good at that, too. American Idiot will burst onto the QPAC stage from Thursday February 23, weaving songs from the iconic Green Day album into a rock solid narrative that packs way more than a punch. more
When it comes to theatre, race and gender are two subjects that often yield some pretty heavy material. It’s a sensitive topic for many people, and rightly so – we’re living in a strange time where both of these issues are at the forefront of the world stage. Taking a far more tongue in cheek (but no less poignant) approach is Single Asian Female, the new play from Brisbane’s own maverick babe Michelle Law. This fresh comedy is taking over La Boite Theatre from February 11 to March 4 to confirm that if you think the people at your local Chinese take-away are talking about you in their native tongue, they definitely are. more
Anyone who’s worked in retail can tell you how incredibly dry the industry can be – from lazy bosses to know-it-all customers, most people hardly think of department stores as much more than a place to buy stuff. However, there was a time in history when the humble ‘shop’ was far more than it appeared – these institutions were a beacon of prestige and a conduit for social change. Coming to QPAC from January 28 to February 19 to lift the change-room curtain is Ladies in Black, a musical extravaganza that will have you looking at your local Myer in a whole new light. more
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate that gender bending is pure entertainment – anyone’s who’s watched RuPaul’s Drag Race can attest to this. Seasoned cabaret queen and Australian drag royalty Trevor Ashley has been using this art form to make people laugh for decades now, so you know he’s got the formula for a winning show locked down. His latest creation Liza’s Back! (is Broken) comes to QPAC from January 17–22 to pay homage to the showbiz greats – sequins mandatory. more
When you think crazy, kooky, brilliant and heart-warming, one name that immediately springs to mind is Roald Dahl. The timeless wealth of Roald’s iconic narratives have often been the subject of adaptation, but there has been none quite like Matilda The Musical before. Using Roald’s story as the frame, the visionary team of Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly has created an internationally successful knockout of a production that is coming to QPAC from November 25, 2016 to January 29, 2017 to spread the magic. more
What has 31 shows packed into 14 days and is the steamiest way to kiss 2016 goodbye? Why, it’s Wonderland of course! Built on the foundations that a little debauchery never hurt anybody, this fabulous festival returns to the Brisbane Powerhouse from Thursday November 24 to Sunday December 11 to bring the best in circus, burlesque, cabaret and comedy to our city. From trippy interactive installations to knee-slappin’ pop culture homages, we’ve picked five must-dos at this year’s Wonderland carnival. more
When it comes to pure entertainment value, it’s hard to top a night at the circus. We’re not just talking about your standard ringmaster rigmarole here – Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA is a pure visual feast that sees the iconic company return to traditional form, delivering a show that’s as engaging as it is complex. Coming to Skygate from November 24 2016 through to January 8 2017, KOOZA is one crazy trip that reaffirms Cirque du Soleil’s reputation as the best in the business. more
Theatre is all about evoking emotion, but it can all seem a little hollow at times. La Boite Theatre Company has always had a reputation for fostering the next generation of true theatrical talent, and the 2017 season is packed with solid gold that proves this ethos. Presenting a well-rounded offering that makes the most of Brisbane and Australia’s diverse and colourful theatrical landscape, the focus is highly personal – La Boite are honing in on your stories, your community and your theatre. more
There’s something so innately satisfying about seeing swindling jerks get caught out, right? Witnessing the downfall of those who are deliberately deceptive is like sweet revenge for all the times you’ve been wronged. Few tales capture this feeling as well as Tartuffe – the classic play has been reimagined, coming to QPAC from November 12 to December 4 to treat audiences to an ultimately hilarious war of wits. more
Ahh, that crazy old Bard sure knows a thing or two about bringing drama and laughter together – but what happens when you throw a bickering couple into the writing mix? Coming to QPAC on Saturday November 12 to combine the surprising creative duo of Cole Porter and Shakespeare is Kiss Me, Kate, a rollicking musical play within a play that pushes theatre to its limits with hilarious results. more
QT Gold Coast will explode into a cultural playground this weekend as it stages Hotelling – a 48-hour long arts and performance showcase. Art lovers and fun seekers will be treated to a flirtatious, fly-on-the-wall experience as a series of unpredictable performances unfold across bars, in elevators, corridors, courtyards, hotel rooms and previously unnoticed nooks throughout the contemporary Surfers Paradise hotel. more
One of the most iconic stories that has spawned some amazing pop culture moments is for sure A Streetcar Named Desire – after all, who doesn’t love a good melodrama? All of the action from Tennessee Williams’ passionate play is hitting the La Boite Theatre from October 15 to November 12 in a season that’s set to make you sweat like a steamy New Orleans evening. more