Merrigong Theatre Company announces 2019 Season

Published by: www.kabukupr.com.au | 13-Nov-2018
Merrigong Theatre Company has revealed its thrilling 2019 Season at a special launch event held at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC). The 2019 season will spoil audiences with an array of productions ranging from exhilarating mainstage plays, to delightful children's shows, acclaimed music theatre, world-class comedy and ground-breaking dance.
Kicking off the 2019 season will be a very special repertory season of two works from the critically-acclaimed British theatre company, Hoipolloi, played in rotation from 6 - 9 February. Written and performed by Hoipolloi's Artistic Director, Shôn Dale-Jones, both The Duke and Me & Robin Hood are masterclasses in storytelling. Touching, funny and imaginative, both works seek to challenge the norms and often misplaced priorities of a world seemingly forever on the edge of chaos.

In March, IPAC will be home to an extraordinary work, Dust, from the Helpmann Award-winning Dancenorth - a new powerhouse on the Australian dance scene. Proudly co-commissioned by Merrigong Theatre Company and assisted by the Australian Government's Major Festivals Initiative, Dust uses a daring and stylish blend of movement, music and design from transdisciplinary architectural firm Liminal Spaces to take audiences on an enthralling journey into the legacy of civilisation and the impact of human inheritance through the generations.

Furthering Merrigong's commitment to producing vibrant new Australian works, the company is partnering with Bleach Festival, the Gold Coast's signature Arts and Cultural festival, to produce the feel-good stage adaptation of Tim Baker's gorgeous children's book, The Surfer and the Mermaid. This fun, elevating show delivers a poignant environmental message for kids of all ages while they get to revel in all the magic of great children's theatre.

Darlinghurst Theatre Company's production of the smash-hit Broadway musical Once will delight Merrigong audiences in July. Set in modern-day Dublin, this glorious love-story is the only Broadway show in history to include music that has won Oscar®, Grammy, Olivier and Tony awards! Calamity Jane director, Richard Carroll, returns to IPAC to direct this musical highlight of the year.

Making its world premiere in Wollongong is the much-anticipated comedy about a critical time in Australian history and the man that shaped it. Written by and featuring one of Australia's favourite stage performers, Jonathan Biggins stars as one of our most unique and compelling politicians, Paul Keating, in The Gospel According to Paul. And Belvoir make a welcome return with their smash-hit, the rock 'n' roll fuelled Barbara and The Camp Dogs, written by Alana Valentine and Ursula Yovich.

Adding to the exciting year-long program will be the return of Spiegeltent Wollongong, with another month-long party in the Arts Precinct across April "“ May. Among the smorgasbord of delights on offer will be Deluxe Deluxe, a spectacular new show from the acclaimed team behind 2018's LIMBO, and Aussie comedy royalty Lano and Woodley's hilarious tribute to the pioneers of flight, the Wright Brothers, FLY.

"For all of us, whether it is discovering our profession, our purpose, or the town or community where we feel we truly belong, finding our place in the world is perhaps the essential quest of a lifetime. And theatre can be a priceless guide on that quest."

"In our 2019 Season, a diverse cast of characters strives to find their place in the world. In showing us the struggle, triumph and elation of others finding their place, we get to see a reflection of our own journey. I hope that the experiences we offer you at Merrigong in 2019 can be a guiding light, or at least a delightful distraction on the never-ending journey to finding where you belong, and that in 2019 you will find your place here, with us, in the theatre." Says Simon Hinton, Artistic Director / CEO.

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