Spring has sprung, and so have new productions to stream at home. Welcome to our regular Stage & Stream guide – our pick of streaming theatre, cabaret, podcasts and artist opportunities for the week ahead, with a focus on the best indy productions in Australia and NZ. Know about something that should be on the list? Send a message to robbi@criticalstages.com.au or complete the Google form.
Stage And Stream Links
Friday Friday Sept 25th – Friday October 2nd
Want our highlights list delivered to your mailbox?
Sign up to the Critical Stages e-news here.
AUSTRALIA / NZ BY DATE
Friday 25th September
- MACBETH – THE INSTALLATION
Presented by Barestage Theatre generously supported by the City of Sydney and Darlo Drama. A surreal take on Shakespeare’s story of the warrior who would be King. Filmed live, socially distanced, moving to different settings in one theatre space and streamed live to YouTube. 3 nights from the 25th. (No Caption Information Available)
7pm AEST (Friday and Saturday), 5pm AEST Sunday.
www.trybooking.com/BLCIY - THE UNDERGROUND HOUR
Launch Episode Today! The Underground Hour is a new fortnightly podcast featuring guests, live performances and script readings, interviews with cast and crew of The Burlesque Underground, and an ongoing soap-opera storyline that takes you right back to where it all began, live, with you (virtually) in the audience. (No Caption Information Available)
4:30pm AEST
www.facebook.com - KATIE & GRACE’S HOUR OF POWER (WITH FRIENDS)
Katie and Grace have been best friends for 11 years. They survived Sydney covid times by going for dumb long walks and sharing epiphanies about nothing, because nothing happened. Having created drama in their personal lives during this ‘strange time,’ Katie and Grace are back with new tales of isolationships, updated Hinge profiles and questionable lounge room RSA policies. Get ready to laugh. (No Caption Information Available)
7:30pm AEST
www.flightpaththeatre.org - FRIDAY NIGHT MAGIC – LANEWAY THEATRE
Australia’s only close-up magic theatre has an ambitious line-up of zoom shows throughout September. Tonight – Josh Staley, the current Australian Junior Champion of Magic hosts a zoom show with a difference (and a few surprises). (No Caption Information Available)
7:30pm AEST via Zoom
www.thelanewaytheatre.com - BIG FORK’S LIVESTREAM
Brisbane Comedy Festival award-winners Big Fork Theatre are hosting a new weekly comedy and performance series live-streamed from quarantine. (No Caption Information Available)
7:30pm AEST
www.facebook.com - SECOND WAVE CABARET
Live, Loose & Locked Down is the theme of this new live cabaret from Melbourne’s Sophie deLightful. Zoom-enabled, one hour Friday adult fun from the same team that brought us Cooped Up Cabaret. Guests are kept secret until your in too deep, just the way we like it. (No Caption Information Available)
8pm AEST
Details on Facebook - CHOOSE YOUR OWN VARIETY WITH ALI MCGREGOR
Your Friday night lockdown plans just got a bit more adventurous. This week it’s a family-friendly lineup including Frank Woodley, The Listies, Dandyman, Dane Simpson, Clara Cupcakes, Ethan Gallagher and Patti Fawcett. HUGE! (Closed Captions)
On-Demand
www.artscentremelbourne.com.au - TIMCREDIBLE – LANEWAY THEATRE
TimCredible has been entertaining families in Melbourne with his special brand of magic for years. Today, he’s live from Laneway Theatre for a special School Holiday treat. Gather the little ones and enjoy! (No Caption Information Available)
2:30pm AEST
www.thelanewaytheatre.com
Saturday 26th September
- QUEERS ON THE FRINGE
Final Day to see this great Fringe offering! Closing out Sydney Fringe’s inaugural festival-in-a-pandemic, local artist Maeve Marsden hosts a mixed bag of artists, writers, comedians and musicians for an experiment in intimate entertainment, ready to deliver story, song and catharsis. (The performance on the 25th will be Auslan interpreted)
On-Demand until Sept 26th
www.sydneyfringe.com
Sunday 27th September
- THE CHERRY ORCHARD – NATIONAL THEATRE
The National Theatre Drama School present their 2020 Acting graduates in Chekhov’s classic, translated by Mike Alfreds and Lilia Sokolow and directed by Trent Baker. Spend the afternoon with this epic 4 act play, and discover some new talent too. (No Caption Information Available)
3pm AEST
www.facebook.com/events/663714314258848 - HUMOUR US: BEC CHARLWOOD & ROSIE PIPER
From humble Splendour in the Grass beginnings, to opening for acts the likes of Wil Anderson and Zoe Coombs Marr, these two mates and rising star comedians need to be on your must watch list. Something to tickle your funny bone and close out a great weekend. (No Caption Information Available)
8pm AEST
www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Tuesday 29th September
- THE STANDUP SESSIONS
Melbourne International Comedy Festival has joined forces with Victoria Together to produce some seriously funny content for all Victorians to enjoy during lockdown. New performances every Tuesday. Hosted by Nazeem Hussain. (Closed Captions)
7:30pm AEST
www.facebook.com - THE BEANIES EGG-STRAORDINARY DAY – SPOT ON CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
The Beanies EGG-straordinary Day is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for Mini-Beanies and their big people. Livestream it to your home on YouTube from the Riverside stage. (Live Captions)
11am AEST
www.riversideparramatta.com.au
Wednesday 30th September
- COME TO WHERE I AM AUSTRALIA – VOLUME 4 PREMIERE
Volume Four is the final in this series of new works created by the exciting playwriting and performance program that has seen thousands of viewers tune in via social media, YouTube and the Critical Stages Screening Room to experience stories of connection, belonging, and community – stories inspired by the places we call home. Tonight is shaping up to be the boldest in the series with stories written, performed and filmed by Ian Michael, Ross Mueller, Merlynn Tong, and Mary Anne Butler. (Live Captions and Closed Captions)
7:30pm AEST
www.facebook.com - THE BOX SHOW – SPOT ON CHILDREN’S FEST
In the hands of Junkyard Beats, ordinary household items are transformed into extraordinary musical instruments and unwanted junk comes alive in exciting and surprising ways! You won’t look at a cardboard box the same way after watching this show! Livestream it to your home from the Riverside stage. (Live Captions)
12:30pm AEST
www.riversideparramatta.com.au - BIG NIGHT IN WITH JOHN FOREMAN
John Foreman is back for a second season with six new episodes and a brand new line-up of stars. This week: Christine Anu and Zoy Frangos, with Gretel Killeen and the Aussie Pops Orchestra. (Live Captions)
7pm AEST
www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Thursday 1st October
- JUST PASS THE PAPADUMS, KATHERINE – FOUR LETTER WORD THEATRE
Chenturan Aran’s bold and comic exploration of family, assimilation, grief and the struggle to master your racial identity, is brought to life in live staged readings at the Union Theatre Melbourne. Directed by Ella Kamer, the play explores the murky politics of international adoption and one adoptee’s attempt to discover his buried past. (No Captions)
7pm nightly until 3rd October
www.umsu.unimelb.edu.au - TIPTOE GIANTS – COLOUR THE WORLD – SPOT ON CHILDREN’S FEST
Do you have a favourite colour? Do you have a favourite song? Come stomp, dance, tiptoe and colour the world with Tiptoe Giants. Join Lee, Vee, and Meg as they open their ears, eyes, and minds on an epic musical adventure to explore and discover some of the beautiful things that make the world a colourful rainbow. (Live Captions)
11am AEST
www.riversideparramatta.com.au
Friday 2nd October
- AVOCADO SMASH – SPOT ON CHILDREN’S FEST
Avocado Smash serve up a delicious musical show of original toe-tapping hits for kids! Come bounce around to the Brekkie Rap and throw your arms in the air to the Chilli Song with this multi award-winning show! (Live Captions)
11am AEST
www.riversideparramatta.com.au
FESTIVALS & MORE
- FUSE DAREBIN
FUSE is Darebin’s brand-new multi-arts festival, held in Autumn and Spring each year, designed to accommodate a range of different access points for audiences and practitioners. From visual arts, to music, history, and performance, there’s a huge array of arts goodness from September 1st to November 29th.
www.fusedarebin.com.au - KOANGA FESTIVAL
Tepou theatre brings new Māori storytelling directly to you. Over the month of Mahuru (September) we invite you Whakarongo mai, Mātakitaki Mai, Huihui mai as we bring you new Māori theatre experiences from their whare to yours.
From 2 – 27th September
www.tepoutheatre.nz - MELBOURNE DIGITAL CONCERT HALL – SYDNEY SPRING SEASON
Ok, it’s not theatre. But it is epic, and you should click over to get a taste of what is coming up in this huge program of classical and contemporary music, filmed at the Sydney Recital Hall. Highlights include Simon Tedeschi & Roger Benedict on Oct 2nd, the Mike Nock Retrospective on the 8th, and The Archduke on 3rd Oct.
melbournedigitalconcerthall.com
ON-DEMAND
- COME TO WHERE I AM – AUSTRALIA
The first and second volumes of the Critical Stages & Paines Plough storytelling program is now on demand via the CST Screening Room and Paines Plough YouTube Channel
On-Demand
www.criticalstages.com.au/screening-room - ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE
Melbourne’s home of entertainment has been producing amazing digital content all year, and their website is packed with programming on-demand. From Ali McGregor’s Choose Your Own Variety to the Big Night In with Jon Foreman, there is so much to tap into.
www.artscentremelbourne.com.au - THE PACT – BITTEN BY PRODUCTIONS
A web series made in isolation by Melbourne artists. The story revolves around a young woman called Morgan (Rose Flanagan) who has moved to Berlin to escape a past, but when she finds out that her ex-boyfriend and partner in crime Brett (James Biasetto) has gone missing she pulls out every trick in her not unlimited emotional bag to find out what has happened to him.
On-Demand
www.youtube.com - DON’T LET YOURSELF GO – CEMENT FONDU
Cement Fondu have created this art-driven care package that we all need. Journey through 13 artworks that were created during the pandemic to reflect on new possibilities for personal growth, from fitness and self-care to feeling sensual and staying connected – created by artists for all of us.
www.cementfondu.org - GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
Geelong Arts Centre has had one of the best streaming seasons in Oz, and they lineup regularly features a mix of music, comedy, spoken word and cabaret. You should be checking in with weekly to see what’s new.
www.geelongartscentre.org.au - DECAMERON 2.0 – STCSA
100 Stories. Each week, 10 South Australian writers will create 10 new characters and 10 new stories, which will be performed by 10 actors, recorded on film and digitally delivered to you over 10 weeks. Presented by the State Theatre Company of SA.
On-demand - THE RESERVOIR ROOM
Filmed live at Sydney’s iconic Paddington Town Hall, The Reservoir Room has been streaming the best of Australian cabaret and music weekly, and every show is now available on demand. Big names, local stars, including Phil Scott (Wharf Revue), Mark Treverrow, James Arno, and iOTA to name a few.
On Demand
www.reservoirroom.com - ENSEMBLE CONVERSATIONS
Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre has been producing a weekly Facebook Live series hosted by Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry. Each week they feature interviews with prominent actors and creatives, exclusive scene reads, interactive Q&A’s and more. Lots to watch!
On-Demand – please donate
www.ensemble.com.au & FACEBOOK LIVE - THE WHOLESOME HOUR
The Wholesome Hour is a brand new, wild and raucous sketch comedy show for kids aged 5-10. What happens when a bunch of award winning physical comedians get locked down in their costume-filled sharehouse together? Songs, puppetry, mischief and fart jokes of course! Jubilation and utter mayhem. Produced by award winning queer physical comedy ensemble PO PO MO CO.
On-Demand
www.youtube.com - SHAKESPEARE REPUBLIC
Building on the success of the previous two seasons of the multi award-winning web series, Shakespeare Republic (2015-2020), this new stand-alone season of the work turns the lens on Shakespeare’s characters in lockdown, featuring actors from Australia and around the world. This week – Melbourne’s Jodi Haigh as Duke Senior from As You Like It. On-Demand
www.facebook.com - WISHFUL BEDTIME STORIES – BRISBANE FESTIVAL
Director Bridget Boyle, writers David Burton and Clare McFadden, and Sound Designer Kim Bowers (Busty Beatz) have together taken the everyday and imagined places children longed for during lockdown and turned them into exquisite bedtime stories for 3 to 12 year olds.
On-Demand
www.brisbanefestival.com.au
INTERNATIONAL TOP 5
- ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS – BRISTOL OLD VIC
Directed by Emma Rice (Malory Towers, Wise Children, Tristan & Yseult), this beautiful new musical was meant to be on a tour of the USA before the pandemic struck. Funny, tender and painfully awkward, Romantics Anonymous is a delicious love story about breaking the mould and finding the courage to be happy.
Streamed live until Sunday Sept 27
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/romantics-anonymous - MOVING THROUGH A PANDEMIC – SADLER’S WELLS
How has coronavirus changed the way we move, touch and connect? Watch dancers around the world respond to the pandemic. Featuring Angyil McNeal (Kansas City), German Cornejo & Gisela Galeassi (Buenos Aires), Gregory Maqoma (Johannesburg), La Chana (Barcelona) and Matthew Ball (London), with music by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Nitin Sawhney.
On-Demand
www.sadlerswells.com - IN LOVE & WARCRAFT – PERSERVERANCE THEATER
Madhuri Shekar’s cosplay-loving romantic comedy about intimacy and love in the digital age. College senior Evie prefers the online role-playing game World of Warcraft to real life. In the game, she’s a fearless warrior with a boyfriend. In real life, she ghostwrites love letters for people, even though she’s never been in love. When Evie becomes attracted to her client Raul, she must decide whether to let her powerful and sexy warrior character out in the real world.
On-Demand until Sept 28
www.ptalaska.org/in-love-and-warcraft/ - THREE VIEWINGS – BARRINGTON
A small Midwestern funeral parlor is the setting for three darkly funny and touching stories. Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher weaves three poignant tales into an evening of extraordinary storytelling. A mesmerizing evening of thought-provoking fun, starring Debra Jo Rupp. Rupp (Kitty Forman) who will reunite with her That ‘70s Show co-star Kurtwood Smith (Red Forman), joined by Angel Desai.
23-28 Sept
www.barringtonstageco.org/Season-Shows/three-viewings/ - INCIDENTAL MOMENTS OF THE DAY – THE APPLE FAMILY
Incidental Moments of the Day completes a ‘Pandemic Trilogy’ of Zoom plays. After six months of self-imposed pandemic isolation, the Apple siblings again gather on Zoom for an evening of dinner, conversation and performance, while the world continues to sputter more and more out of control, amidst anger, loss, death and a coming election.
On-Demand
www.youtube.com/
SAVE THE DATE
These are the future streams that are high on our list – get them into your diary now!
- October 4th – DISAPPOINTMENTS
In 2017 Judith Lucy and Denise Scott premiered their new show Disappointments at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Now it’s back, and sharper than ever. Every Sunday for 8 weeks, Lucy and Scott have been live via zoom to talk about what’s been disappointing them lately – and you can join in on this final show!
AUSTRALIAN/NZ THEATRE & PERFORMANCE PODCASTS
- Queensland Theatre
- On The Fringe – Sydney Fringe
- Alive Tonight NZ
- CoronaVlog
- Waitangi (Maori Storytelling)
- MerringongX Conversations
- Behind the Scenes with Joel Bray
- Bell Shakespeare
- Queerstories
- Stages with Peter Eyers
- From Inspiration to Stage with Drew Lane
- Fantastic Fantastix
- Chats With Creatives
- Creative Connections with Adam Dear
- Matt Young’s The Story Chunder
- Form Dance Theatre
- Griffin Theatre Company
- Run The Show – Milke
- The Stage Show – ABC Radio National
- Producing Heroes – Circa
- Sydney Theatre Company
- Theatre Mates Melbourne
- Citizen Theatre Podcast
- The Aside Podcast
- The Green Room
- Talking Sock
- Check In With Chapel
- SOH Arty Farty (for kids)
- Was It Worth It?
- Asia Topa Podcast
AUDIO & RADIO PLAYS
- DOUBLE – DARKFIELD RADIO
The creeping chill of Darkfield Radio’s terrifying immersive show is tOn-he first audio-only entry to be selected by the illustrious Venice International Film Festival. Audio trickery, compelling storytelling, and a delishly macabre experience awaits all who are brave enough.
www.darkfield.com.au/radio - BEGOTTEN – MINOLA THEATRE
A sceptic. A paranoiac. A criminal. A migrant. A hostage. Begotten is the 100-year history of a family, told through the eyes of five women. This powerful new work by award-winning playwright Bianca Butler Reynolds explores the changing role of women over time, the fight for female autonomy, the complexities of motherhood, and the echoes of the past that resonate in the present.
www.minolatheatre.com.au/begotten/ - TOP SECRET VIOLIN CASE – VARDOS
Romania, 1970 something, in the grip of Ceaușescu’s oppressive regime. Brad from Chicago arrives on the scene, hoping to escape his American closet to learn Romanian folk music, and encounters an ambitious violinist who’ll stop at nothing to succeed. Can they escape the Secret Police?
https://vardos.com.au/TopSecretViolinCase.htm
ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES
- COVID-SAFE SEMINAR – CREATENSW
Learn about the new COVID Safe Check-in feature in Service NSW’s app. Join Create NSW and Service NSW as they discuss the potential application of a digital check-in QR code feature within the Service NSW app. The app will make it quicker for guests to check-in at venues and help businesses stay safe against potential COVID-19 outbreaks.
10am AEST
www.www.facebook.com/events/689311412015114 - SALON AT ARTSTATE – ARTS ON TOUR
A lo-fi conversation starter without the bells and whistles of a full-blown showcase. Artists and Producers can apply to pitch their work at the event. There are also facilitated networking opportunities and you will hear from selected venues about their programming goals. EOIs close 30th September. www.artsontour.com.au - WHISPERS IN THE DARK – HORROR MONOLOGUE FESTIVAL
Award Winning Thornhill Theatre Space is seeking submissions for their week-long Halloween event – a series of spine chilling stories from around the world. Each day in the lead up to Halloween we will present a camp fire ghost story style monologue. If you, your company or anyone you know would like to be involved or want to learn more please email us with your questions at thornhilltheatrespace@outlook.com - MARDI GRAS GRANTS
Now in its third year, the grants provide financial funding for a wide range of LGBTIQ+ projects, including education and training, community development, creation, arts and culture. Applications close 4th October. www.mardigras.org.au/grants - GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY
Submissions are now open for artists based in Greater Sydney to take part in Griffin’s long-running Studio program! As well as receiving a $10,000 stipend, four Studio Residents will receive a year-long creative attachment to Griffin’s artistic team and much more. Applications close Monday 5th October. www.griffintheatre.com.au/griffin-studio-2021-eoi/ - NEW ZEALAND FRINGE
NZ Fringe 2021 is 26 February – 20 March, 2021. Registrations are now open – throw your hat in the ring and be part of Fringe Hall alongside legends like Taika Waititi. Applications close October 16th.
www.fringe.co.nz/artists/future-artist - ADELAIDE FRINGE
Artists, performers and presenters can share their creativity and innovation with the world when they register for next year’s festival. There will be opportunities to be involved in both live venue and online events. www.adelaidefringe.com.au/as-arts-industry - LIVERWORKS – LIVE EXCHANGE
Performance Space’s award-winning Liveworks Festival of Experimental Art launched this week with its new look hybrid format revealing a radical transformation to this October’s festival. EOIs open now. www.apam.org.au - KILL YOUR DARLINGS WRITERS PROGRAM
Kill Your Darlings Regional Victorian Writers Program is accepting pitches and submissions until 31 October Apply here. - BRITISH COUNCIL UK/AUSTRALIA SEASON
Applications for the 2021 British Council season close on 4th October. The program aims to explore and celebrate the relationship between the UK and Australia through art, performance and education. www.britishcouncil.org.au
EDUCATION / ACTIVITIES
- THIS SHOW IS NOT RUBBISH
The Trash Can Man is on a mission to turn TRASH into (scientific) TREASURE! Every Saturday a new episode is released showing how we can recycle, up-cycle, and art-cycle the things we throw out.
www.thisshowisnotrubbish.com/ - WOW Festival At Home
Casula Powerhouse’s popular Way Out West Festival moves online with a collection of activities, videos, stories, tours, and arts links that will keep kids busy and creative.
www.casulapowerhouse.com.au - THE POP PROJECT – LA MAMA
The Pop Project is a weekly workshop series run over six weeks facilitated by Cassandra Fumi. You’ll develop and complete a collective story and learn the technical side of stop-motion animation. This can be paper, clay, object, or body animation, and then compose an original score. Perfect for kids 8+.
www.lamama.com.au - Jump Start Youth Theatre
Some great online workshops planned for the school holidays, suitable for students in years 5-12 (ages 10-18). This dynamic young company is helmed by award-winning actor Emma Wright and New Ghosts Theatre Artistic Director Lucy Clements.
www.jumpstartyouththeatre.com - Curious Legends Workshops
Newcastle’s Curious Legends have a series of free, previously live-streamed, workshops for kids available on their site. Workshops explore performance, puppetry, clowning, making, dance, storytelling, and much else besides! Supported by Create NSW, Orica, and Newcastle Region Library. www.curiouslegends.com.au/out-of-the-box - Poetry In Action – this NFP touring company has brought their popular education program online to stream into homes and classrooms. There are 4 performances in line with curriculum for Years 5-12. Visit www.poetryinaction.com.au for more info.
- Storyville Live – Storyville’s in-school program sends performers to read much-loved storybooks to children. For the next couple of weeks they’ll be trialling live storytime via Facebook, and it’s well worth it for those with little ones at home. 11am and 3pm AEST daily – free www.facebook.com/theStoryville/
- Slingsby by Request – South Australian theatre company Slingsby has created an online resource of live performances in line with curriculum. Teachers and home-teachers should check out this great resource. www.slingsby.net.au/slingsby-by-request/
- Audioplay – This is unlike any other activity out there at the moment. An immersive play experience for kids (ages 6-12) where they download an audio story in which they play one of the characters using ordinary household items for props. Creative play just got so much better! www.audioplay.me
- Shake & Stir Interact
Since 2006, shake & stir drama classes have been a regular extra-curricular activity adored by tens of thousands of students, and now their latest program has moved online. Your child will engage with a carefully-planned, professionally-produced and, most importantly, super-fun 30 minutes of creative play, at home with drama activities and performance-based games that will get them acting and keep them active. www.shakeandstirinteract.com.au - ATYP Online
Australian Theatre for Young People have brought made their drama programs virtual just in time for term 2. A selection of their regular programs will be facilitated live each week via Zoom and Google Classroom. Participants will work with a skilled ATYP tutor and classmates in an interactive online space from the safety of their homes. It’s just one of several programs teachers and home teachers should discover. www.atyp.com.au - ATYP Home Theatre Plays – With help from the ATYP Foundation, Australian Theatre for Young People have commissioned 10 brilliant Australian playwrights to each write a 5-minute script that you can download and perform with your family and friends (when visitors are allowed at your place or try it with your friends over Zoom!). Each script features 2-6 characters, with a mix of some young people and some adults. All the details at www.atyp.com.au
- Patch Theatre
Patch Theatre has been making shows for 4–8 year old children and their families from our home in South Australia since 1972. In nearly 48 years, Patch has made 110 much loved theatre works and performed to over 1.8 million children around the world. They’re posting regular updates to arts activities for little ones online, and via Facebook and Instagram. www.patchtheatre.org.au/activities - Polyglot Theatre
Children’s theatre makers Polyglot have developed a series of new arts activities that will keep young ones busy and thinking during creative play. There’s heaps of fun stuff to explore and if you don’t have kids we highly recommend doing them anyway because a) they’re fun and b) home-grown hilarity is needed right now. www.polyglot.org.au/polyglot-at-home/ - Riverside Theatres
Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres has always had a fantastic education team and resources to match – and now a directory of teacher resources from past performances is available on their website. There’s also a super-handy (and HUGE) listing of other online resources that teachers and parents should not miss. www.riversideparramatta.com.au