Hanako – September 13–17
From the creators of the award-winning Motherland comes Hanako, a dynamic new performance that explores one girl’s struggle to break free into the future while opposing forces try to trap her in the past. A super-skilled international cast helms the production, leading the way into an east-meets-west futuristic fantasy world illuminated in neon. It’s impossible to pin the production down into one specific genre or discipline – fact and fiction collide in a mash-up of theatre, martial arts and urban fashion. Born from the minds of Brisbane contemporary theatre royalty Caroline Dunphy and Katherine Lyall-Watson, Hanako is an electric, cross-cultural, all-in experience that takes on classic Japanese themes of dominance and desire.

Chekhov’s First Play – September 21–24
Most people know Anton Chekhov as the prolific Russian playwright and master of the modern short story. What you may not be aware of is that his first attempt at a play was an absolute shambles – an 18-year-old Chekhov created (but didn’t complete) a work with too many characters, too many themes and far too much action. It was utterly unstageable, until now. In its Australian premiere, Chekhov’s First Play takes to the stage in a wrecking ball riff on the play itself, Chekhov, the theatre, life, death and basically everything in between. Brisbane Festival’s Artists in Residence manage to turn the prolific writer’s reputation on its head in the most exciting way. For those who find themselves overwhelmed, headphones are provided for the option of listening to the director’s live and razor-sharp commentary.

BOY&GIRL – September 23 to October 8
Sex sells, and someone’s gotta pay the bills. Slink into the seductive world of BOY&GIRL and you’re guaranteed to get more bang for your buck – it’s a saucy cabaret of pop meets musical theatre where gender is bent, rules are broken and liquor is encouraged. The previous two seasons of this titillating extravaganza were both sold-out affairs and it’s not hard to see why – the latest instalment from the talented bunch at Oscar Theatre Company builds on past efforts to deliver even more sass, song and sex. The cast features Ellen Reed of The Voice fame, as well as an ensemble of singers, dancers and musicians who are primed for your viewing pleasure. To give you fair warning, BOY&GIRL contains course language, nudity and glitter (as all good things should).

Don Watson: On the U.S. Presidential Elections – Sunday September 25
It feels like the race has been going forever, but the time of the U.S. presidential election is finally drawing near. In the wake of the absolute media chaos that this event inflicts upon not just America but the rest of the world, it’s always great to stop and get some perspective on the whole affair. As an award-winning author and former speechwriter to Paul Keating, Don Watson has been in amongst the action and is bringing lucky audiences a special insight into the method behind the madness. Joining Don in conversation will be the ideas man himself, ABC Radio National’s Paul Barclay. These two great minds will be unpacking the most powerful democracy in the world, and it’s definitely worth listening up.

Kate Ceberano & Paul Grabowsky: Love Songs – Saturday October 1
The name Kate Ceberano resonates loud and crystal clear around the Australian entertainment landscape. With an astounding 24 albums, countless awards, TV appearances and festival highlights under her belt, it’s no wonder that this lady knows how to put on one hell of a show. Her musical partner, ARIA and Helpmann Award-winning Paul Grabowsky, will be joining her on stage to bring audiences a night of unforgettable intimacy. Love Songs sees the duo presenting stripped back versions of songs that have influenced both of the performers at some point in their lives. The selections are set to create some serious connections and are guaranteed to bring the feels.