Full on FUN in October 🎭

October is brought to you by the letter F.

Fabulous shows fuelling fascinating conversations about fans, feisty but very funny bullies and fearful teens fighting for survival. Far out there’s a lot going on this month!

I’m writing this introduction sitting in the courtyard of the beautiful Brown’s Mart Theatre in Darwin. It’s without a doubt one of my favourite places in the world. I’m here for a month rehearsing the world premiere of Mary Anne Butler’s powerful new play CUSP that we are co-presenting here in the Top End. There’s just me and actor Josh McElroy from Sydney hanging out with an extraordinary creative team from the Northern Territory that includes actor and rock star Stevie Kyriacou and the extraordinary new talent Nyasha Ogden.

While I’m up here we’ve got two shows opening in Sydney. For those of you looking for something the whole family can enjoy (suitable for ages 8+) get in quickly to book your tickets for April Aardvark by Nathaniel Moncrieff. I was at a rehearsal last week and this show is laugh-out-loud funny. It has an exceptional cast of 10 to 13-year-olds who are working with one of the country’s most experienced youth theatre directors, Amy Hardingham (Bell Shakespeare, Tantrum Youth Theatre). This production is an utter delight from beginning to end. It’s only running for two weeks and will sell out so jump in early to secure your seats.

Also in October, Yve Blake and the entire FANGIRLS team arrive to blow the roof off Belvoir. If you don’t get there you’ll wish you were dead. Like, seriously, so much that you’ll be, like, actually dead. Seriously. It’s been getting standing ovations at the Brisbane Festival and is going to be the hottest ticket in Sydney.

Of course, if you want to get involved in any kind of performance there is always plenty happening. There are still some places left in the last week of the Spring Holiday workshops, jump online now to check out the details.

For young adults aged 18-26, there are two opportunities you won’t want to miss. The Pro Series for emerging artists features Damien Ryan, one of Australia’s leaders in directing Shakespeare and classical theatre. There are less than 5 places left in this two-day course so get in fast. And for performers wanting to showcase their own skills, our next scratch night, Sparkly Sh*t, is coming up on 7 Oct at The Lord Gladstone. It’s a great night to support young artists and create new networks.

So there’s no excuse not to get involved with ATYP in October. We look forward to seeing you.

Until next month.