'If you love taking the mickey out of pompous buffoons, you will love this show.' - Natalie Bochenski on 'The Great Grandiosa'
The Great Grandiosa is a comedy spoof on the larger-than-life world of psychics, mystics, and other grifters. The Great Grandiosa believes she can offer spiritual succour, fortune telling and wisdom from the Other Worlds. Mostly she’s just got a lot of BS, some blindly devoted Acolytes and her catchphrase, “Success!”.
Strangeness, dislocation, complexity, displacement, belonging - real and imaginary stories of arrival and departure
Inspired by the stories of local migrants, EXODUS is a collectively-devised contemporary physical theatre performance that focuses on real and metaphorical migrations and raises the questions: what unites people who decide to leave their native land?
Authentic, improvised storytelling of the relationships, drama and struggles of high school students
The show takes place in the library of an actual school in Brisbane. The fact that the show is set in a school as well as being physically performed at a school allows the audience (and the performers) to immerse themselves in the stories of the characters and feel as if they are actually experiencing real life school drama unfold.
"One person’s loneliness is symptomatic of everyone’s problem." - Christopher Bryant on award-winning show, 'Intoxication'
Intoxication is a post-dramatic patchwork about queer millennial anxiety exploring how the intense fear of being alone rules modern society, and how one person’s loneliness is symptomatic of everyone’s problem.
'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' - a live art performance of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian responses) experiences
'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' is a one-hour immersive, interactive, and live art performance of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian responses) experiences. With body painting, letter writing, hair brushing, as well as interaction with textures, foods, and scents, and ending with guided meditation, the show is an extension of a previous show with Vulcana Circus and Ruckus Brisbane. Inspired by artists Carolee Schneeman and Marina Abramovic, 'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' aims to break down barriers between our mental and physical selves, and allow us to reconnect with others through immersion and touch.
"This is no 'Hallmark' magic show. This is a frank, raw portrayal of my life with Autism."
Autis-tricks is a magic show that uses the medium of magic tricks to talk about autism and my life experience. It's far more autobiographical than any previous show and a lot of the tricks have been custom created just for the show. Of course my style is often very snarky and satirical so it was important to not turn this into something soppy or cheesy. This is no "Hallmark" magic show. This is a frank, raw portrayal of my life with Autism. Although like in all magic shows I will lie to you; this show will be my truth.
"I write for emotional release, and to unlock wisdom that lies hidden under pain" - Menaka Thomas from 'On The Horizon'
The show feature original songs from Indian Fusion singer, Menaka Thomas. Menaka’s emotions are exemplified by the artistic expressions of Bindu Rajendren, an exquisite Indian Classical dancer. The crescendo of their combined energy is made even more palpable by the musical support of well-loved Brisbane musicians, Tsoof Baras (percussion), Meg Burstow (piano) and Evan Osborne (bass).
"I have been told that my voice changes lives" - Louise Winton sings for Anywhere Festival
“I was born to sing. I have been told that my voice changes lives. I refused to listen to those who said I couldn't make a career from singing. I have so much passion and emotion when I sing that I my audience loses themselves.”
Yes, we are talking about BDSM. But this is so much more than a kink story
If you’re a fan of the original novel by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, enjoyed 50 Shades of Grey, looking for some female empowerment or an entertaining piece of theatre that explores and pushes the taboo of many social issues, then Venus in Fur will appeal to you. But it is a show that you have to be over 21 to see.
Our host Natrasha Binit loves all kinds of trash…even you
Join Natrasha Binit and their riff riff group of circus artists and other waste material doe and evening of Absolute Trash. Absolute Trash is a circus cabaret show featuring aerialists, hand-balancing, contortion, foolery, and plenty of audience interaction, themed around waste. Absolute Trash is a joyous night out, with talented performers and opportunity for audience participation.
A powerhouse Australian ensemble cast bring to life six generations of the Gould family
This will be an absolute treat for anyone who loves theatre, who craves transformation. This is the first iteration of the play, a world first, with a professional cast performing in the most intimate possible setting.
Sandra will neither confirm or deny that she is, in fact, Willie Nelson’s love child
Sandra will neither confirm or deny that she is, in fact, Willie Nelson’s love child, born of a steamy night of passion in the back of the tour bus when it visited Brisbane back in the 70s……. the plaits and bandanna are usually a dead give away though.
"I love to inhabit my characters" - Jo Willans from 'Eve's Game'
“I love to inhabit my characters, dressing up, writing correspondence in their voice, reading what they might have read. It’s exciting and transformative. I found that I’m grateful to all of these women – the lady teachers, early suffragettes and advocates for workers’ rights. They’re the mothers of feminism.”
Anywhere Festival bringing the art to the people where they live, work and play
Anywhere Festival is a much loved Brisbane institution, which sees artists from all genres and calibres make art literally anywhere but a theatre. This year is their biggest yet, with performances spreading out across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Ipswich. You can find an original performance in a forest in Maleny, to a nursery in West End, a jetty in Caboolture and a dog park in Noosa, a cross-fit gym in Ipswich, to a waste water treatment plant on the Gold Coast…
Dance festivals in Australia are rare. Contemporary dance festivals are even rarer.
“From the moment a person sees an ad for Supercell through to when they’re travelling home is all a curated experience. It’s not just the performance, but what happens before and after, the food and beverage, who greets them at the door, how they find their way in, their safety, how they’re welcomed.”
“We can’t stop making art" - NDRNCE present a new work as part of the Young Artist Forum
NDRNCE applied to the development and found out, shortly after, that they were successful. They had one week in the space to put the show together.
“It was really good to have that time constraint, of ‘oh you’ve been thinking about it for a year, now do it”.
"It’s the weird house party of your dreams." - Dots+Loops bring forth their latest art mash-up
It’s the weird house party of your dreams! Picture a big party at your best mate’s Queenslander, add three awesome adventurous musical duos, and make it about 10% weirder than you currently have in mind. We have bulk drums, we have synths galore, we have a clothesline, it’s all there!
"We want our patrons to value live art." - DARKWORLD Festival set to tantalise this weekend
“We want to erase the blurred lines between these individual industries that often operate, and are mostly considered as separate. What’s exciting is the opportunity for demographics to collide under one roof, and new potential friendships to develop across the line-up.”
Hot Mess Comedy: "There are no scripts, no protective gear and nothing is off limits. "
There are no scripts, no protective gear and nothing is off limits. The comedians cannot rely on pre-rehearsed sets and have to push themselves to come up with jokes on the spot. The acts are fantastic and every show is different because as audiences, you decide the topics, and only the funniest survive."
The first Brisbane Improv Festival: "Those heightened stakes inspire some of the wildest leaps, connections and ideas."
From the 18-21 Feb 2021, you can expect to spend a hilarious long-weekend celebrating all things improvised comedy at the Brisbane Improv Festival. Over the four days there are a range of shows from local and interstate crews, workshops where you can skill up, and even a special family friendly event on the Saturday afternoon.