WITH hopes high that coronavirus could be beginning to disappear, Newcastle's Civic Theatre has put together an engaging 2022 subscription season: Reignite. And the very different natures of the 16 shows certainly indicate that theatregoers will have a shining time when they see them.
Appropriately, the first show, Creativity, which will be staged at the Civic Playhouse from February 18 to 26, was written by Newcastle-based Carl Caulfield and will be directed by him. And it will be presented by Stray Dogs Theatre, a company he and his wife, Felicity Biggins, established.
A play with music, Creativity is a hard-hitting satire that looks at the reactions of staff members in a regional university to large cuts in the courses and academics in the venue's conservatorium of music. It arose from Caulfield's concern about the worldwide threats to the arts.
Two other season shows are also staged by local companies.
Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub is performing Grappling for the Edge at the Civic Theatre on September 29 and 30, with the company's head, Cadi McCarthy, directing. The show, which is a mix of dance, theatre, humour, politics and everyday experiences, investigates current politics and the thin lines of morality.
Knock & Run Theatre, a company that focuses on down-to-earth plays, and is often the first company in Australia to present them, is staging Airness, a work by American playwright Chelsea Marcantel that won the American Theatre Critics Association's New Play Award in 2018. It has a new female guitarist discovering there is more to her art form than pretending to be a vibrant performer. The Newcastle season is at the Civic Playhouse from September 30 to October 8.
People who become members of the 2022 Civic subscription season get a large subscriber discount for three shows they have to choose when the membership begins. They can also get discounts for other shows if they book them well ahead of the staging. Their other rewards include being allocated to the best seats in the house, getting discounts on drinks, including coffee, and also on pre-show meals at Civic dining venues, and free night parking in the Civic West parking station a short distance west of the theatre in King Street.
Become a member by contacting the Civic Ticket Office, which is located inside the Civic Theatre Cafe, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle. The Ticket Office counter is open weekdays from 9am to 3pm, on Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm, and 1 hour prior to a show. Its phoneline, 4929 1977, is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Tickets can also be bought online for 24 hours a day by emailing civicticketoffice@ncc.nsw.gov.au. The ticket office is cashless, but accepts payments by Visa and Mastercard.
The other 2022 subscription season shows are:
Mother & Son, Civic Theatre, March 25 and 26. Adapted from the popular Australian television comedy show that the ABC presented from 1984 to 1994, this show, written by the initial TV playwright, Geoffrey Atherden, has Arthur, who has a new girlfriend, trying to get someone else to look after his forgetful mum, Maggie Beare, who wants to keep him tied to her lost apron strings for the rest of his life, with his other family members determined not to be the carer. The show, presented by Jally Entertainment, has Aarne Neeme, who once was based in Newcastle, as its director.
Stardust + The Mission, Civic Theatre, April 27. Two powerful Australian stories from the past that reveal who we are today, told by the writers: Joel Carnegie (Stardust), whose grandfather, a bandleader, died after hiding his prized life possessions, with Joel later finding them; Tom Molyneux (The Mission), who tells the story of an uncle who was one of the first aboriginals to enlist in the army in World War 1 and how he struggled for love and justice while fighting at Gallipoli.
Jane Eyre, Civic Theatre, May 14. Adapted by shake & stir theatre co from Charlotte Bronte's gothic tale about an orphan girl who suffers at the hands of her cruel aunt, and when she gets employment at the mysterious home of Edward Rochester, who falls in love with her, finds dark secrets that begin to unravel.
Black Cockatoo, Civic Theatre, May 21 and 22. A funny and moving episode from Australia's sporting history, written by Geoffrey Atherden and presented by the Ensemble Theatre.
The later shows are:
Energy & Elation, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Newcastle City Hall, May 25.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, Civic Theatre, June 10 and 11.
Wolfgang's Magical Musical Circus, Circa Contemporary Circus, Civic Playhouse, July 24.
The Sapphires, Christine Harris & Hit Productions, Civic Theatre, August 24.
The Barber of Seville, Opera Australia, Civic Theatre, August 25.
Erth's Prehistoric World, Newcastle City Hall, September 27.
The Comedy of Errors, Bell Shakespeare, Civic Theatre, September 27.
Sydney Comedy Festival Roadshow, Civic Theatre, October 1.
Backbone, Gravity & Other Myths, Civic Theatre, October 25 and 26.
The last show should be a happy ending for the 2022 Civic Season as the Australian company presenting it is renowned for pushing the boundaries of contemporary circus, with this event having been noted as "sexy but sincere". It examines perceptions of what strength is and how it is measured. It is also noted to be "proof that you can't do the impossible without spending a little sweat".
