Stage & Stream – Streaming Theatre & Cabaret June 26-2

Welcome to the Critical Stages Touring list of streaming theatre, cabaret, performing arts education and artist opportunities for the week ahead. We aim to bring you the best guide to Australian and New Zealand theatre at home, with independent programming you’ll find nowhere else. Donation links take you directly to donations for that show – please support the artists who entertain you. If you have something to share send a message to robbi@criticalstages.com.au or complete the Google form. We are especially keen to hear from independent artists and those streaming accessible performances.

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AUSTRALIA / NZ BY DATE

Friday 26th June

• GALAH BAR ON AIR – HOTHOUSE THEATRE & CO 
  Eight cross-border venues are collaborating on a variety supershow, live-streamed out of five venues! Indie music, circus, comedy and more all flying in to your small screen! Team includes Flying Fruit Fly Circus, The Cube, Nomad Films and Murray Arts.
  7:30pm AEST
  www.hothousetheatre.com.au
• BROKEN – IAN MOORHEAD
  Poetic, visceral and vivid, Mary Anne Butler’s award-winning play Broken is a haunting story of resilience, isolation and survival. This version is a sonic re-imagining of the 2018 theatrical production, performed at Melbourne’s fortyfivedownstairs which was produced by Lab Kelpie.
  On-Demand from today
  www.soundcloud.com/resound-broken
• WILDE LIVE – SHAKESQUEER
  Hosted by Anywhere Festival, WILDE Live is a celebration of the life of Oscar Wilde through an on-line night of performance, art, and music. With acts including; spoken word, live, visual arts, dance, singing, and more.
  7pm AEST
  www.facebook.com/events/596282107936637/
• TRIPOD – GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
  Three-part harmony arranged with extraordinary complexity and humour are the hallmarks of a live Tripod concert; a loosely choreographed, expertly timed comedy show, with dynamics that change on a whim and snap back in the blink of an eye. 
  8pm AEST – please donate
  www.geelongartscentre.org.au
• WHO’S YOUR BAGHDADDY
  Who’s Your Baghdaddy, or How I Started the Iraq War is a comedy musical that will be performed and streamed live from June 24-28. Presented as a support group for people who started the Iraq War, this dark, boisterous and  irreverent story follows a handful of mid-level spies whose vanity and office politics contributed to  the worst intelligence blunder in modern history. Directed by Neil Gooding, presented by Curveball Creative.
  24 – 28 June, 7pm AEST
  www.curveballcreative.com.au
• LET’S FRIDAY WITH THE LISTIES
  Will there be remote Learning? No! Will it be informative? Unlikely! Will it be barely held together chaos? Probably! Kid’s favourites The Listies are back with a weekly live-stream of the kind of madness that only they can make. Tune in and LOL out.
  4:30pm AEST – please donate
  www.facebook.com/events/2745559065730543/

Saturday 27th June

• PLATFORM LIVE – EASTERN RIVERINA ARTS
  An online festival featuring some Australia’s boldest, funniest, creative, and provocative Deaf and disabled artists and performers. This event will be supported by audio description, open captions and Auslan.
  From 2pm AEST
  www.platformriverina.com & Facebook
• PRISM ONLINE THEATRE FESTIVAL – NATYADARPAN
  An array of monologues and a short comedy written and directed by Vipin Gaindhar. Presented by the Natyadarpan Indian Theatre Academy in Melbourne.
  From 4:45pm AEST
  www.facebook.com/events/178564800252039/
• SEVEN FLOWERS – TAIKOZ
  In October 2019 Sydney-based drum performance collective  Taikoz premiered a this work at City Recital Hall Sydney.  Tonight, Ian Cleworth (Artistic Director) and ensemble members will be on hand to chat pre-show, interval, and post-show to answer your questions and give insights into the making of the work during this digital premiere event.
  7:30pm AEST
  www.taikoz.com
• COOPED UP CABARET
  This Melbourne favourite is back live-streaming some of the best cabaret online. This week: Megs Akimbo, CC Moore and Fi Bonacci will be bringing a burlesque tripple threat to screens everywhere.
  8pm AEST
  www.facebook.com/events/198072748296249/
• THE MIK MAKS – GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
  Award-winning local children’s group and internet sensations, The Mik Maks are gearing up to perform a free 45-minute interactive live-stream show – The perfect way to kick off the school holidays!
  1pm AEST – please donate
  www.geelongartscentre.org.au
• THE RESERVOIR ROOM
  Live from the iconic Paddington Town Hall, The Reservoir Room streams the best of Australian cabaret and music every Friday and Saturday night. Big names, local stars, a good night in. Tonight – the one and only Phil Scott (Wharf Revue), joined by special guests. 
  From 7pm AEST
  www.reservoirroom.com
• VARIETYVILLE – ACTS OF ABSURDITY
  Outstanding Interactive live online variety show with guests from all over the world performing wondrous Acts of Absurdity, hosted by the Dandy himself.
  7:40pm AEST
  www.varietyville.net
  
• SEQUIN SESSIONS
  Cabaret star Michaela Burger returns with all-new Sequin Sessions shows! Michaela’s trademark humour and fabulous voice is a great way to spend Saturday night. Tune in again with the little ones for a children’s cabaret special on Sundays.
  8pm AEST – please donate
  www.michaelaburger.live/
• LIVE FROM STONEWALL
  The Stonewall Hotel, Create & Cast and Undefine Media present an fantastic weekly multi-camera live-stream variety hour starring drag icon Minnie Cooper. This stream just goes from strength to strength!
  8pm AEST – please donate

AUS/NZ ON-DEMAND

• BLEED LIVE – ARTS HOUSE
  (Biennial Live Event in the Everyday Digital) is a six year long project exploring the live experience across platforms, conceived by Arts House in Melbourne, and Campbelltown Arts Centre in Sydney. A new artwork is featured every 2 weeks starting from the 22nd of June. Full Accessibility options.
  On-Demand
  www.bleedonline.net
• HELD – AUSTRALIAN DANCE THEATRE
  HELD is a work that explores the nature of everyday physics, perception and the body-in-action via the nexus of dance and live photography. HELD was made in collaboration with one of the most New York-based photographer Lois Greenfield, who captures live dance onstage throughout the performance.
  On-Demand from 26th June
  www.adt.org.au/adapt/held/
• 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
• ACTUP STUDENT FRINGE FESTIVAL
  Hosted by Canberra Theatre Centre this one-day fringe festival will be an eclectic mix of original performances about the world we live in – created by young artists for all audiences.
  22 – 26 June, various times
  www.facebook.com/pg/canberratheatrecentre/events/
• ABC iVIEW ARTS
  Australia’s national broadcaster has curated a fantastic array of streaming arts programming and there’s truly something for everyone – from classical concerts to the 15 year celebration of the Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf Revue. Not available outside Oz.
  On-Demand
  www.iview.abc.net.au/category/arts
• NANDHU – BANGARRA DANCE COMPANY
  Bangarra have curated a new digital offering – Nandhu (‘to be close in Wiradjuri language) – which will include a selection of performances from their repertoire. Each will be presented with interviews, BHS features and more to dive deeper into each work.
  On-Demand – please donate
  www.bangarra-knowledgeground.com.au
• KIDS COUCH CONCERTS
  Hosted by Emily Who the Kids Couch Concerts were created as a way for indy preschool entertainers to keep connecting with the audiences they love. The project has produced two volumes that take the form of a video variety show featuring The Mik Maks, Pevan and Sarah and Avocado Smash.
  On-Demand
  VIMEO – Volume 1 & Volume 2
• ADAPT – AUSTRALIAN DANCE THEATRE
  Australian Dance Theatre’s exciting online-only season for 2020 is on-demand with new shows going live regularly.
  On-Demand – please donate
  www.adt.org.au/adapt/the-beginning-of-nature/
• MARDI GRAS LINK LIST
  Looking for great queer content and a complete listing of drag performances happening online? Sydney Mardi Gras has a handy list with far more shows than we can list here.
  Check it out here.
• KEEP HEART PENRITH
  The new online program Keep Heart Penrith delivered by Penrith Performing and Visual Arts will help guide audiences and community to the new changed arts world via Creative Care Packs; a series of arts-based content & learning delivered to your email address.
  www.qtheatre.com.au/keep-heart-penrith/

INTERNATIONAL

• THE MERCILESS MISSION OF MOLLOY MCCLOY
  A professional reading of Ian Grant’s new play – a spy story set in Northern Ireland. It’s a sharp new comedy of revenge, self-delusion and nonchalance.
  On-Demand from June 26 – July 5
  www.timeproductions.net
• REMOTION ONLINE PLAY FESTIVAL
  rEMOTION Online Play Festival is a international collaboration event with members of the Asian Creative Network. There’s a huge aray of plays, readings and more happening.
  Launches 4.45pm MST June 26 / 8.45am AEST Saturday June 27
  Various times until late Sunday June 28
  TWITCH
• GLOBAL PRIDE
  Global Pride promises to be the world’s biggest ever LGBTI+ celebration – streaming 24 hours of content from Pride organisations, activists, civil society groups, politicians and world leaders. Tune in to see content from every corner of the planet.
  Saturday 27th June, From 3pm AEST
  www.globalpride2020.org
• LUNGS – OLD VIC
  Matt Smith and Claire Foy will perform Duncan Macmillan’s hilarious emotional rollercoaster of a play about a couple wrestling with life’s biggest dilemmas live the show in the empty Old Vic from 26 June to 4 July, with tickets going on sale on 10 June at 12 noon BST. There will be 8 performances in total, with the matinee performance on 27 June featuring captions.
  www.oldvictheatre.com
• BIRDSONG – THE ORIGINAL THEATRE CO
  Adapted from Sebastian Faulks’ award-winning novel by Rachel Wagstaff, this made-for-digital production will be filmed by cast members in isolation in costume, with virtual sets, sound design and lighting.
  On-Demand from July 1 – 4
  www.birdsongonline.co.uk
• NO MILK FOR THE FOXES – CAMDEN PEOPLE’S THEATRE
  Beats & Elements and Camden People’s Theatre’s 2015 production, which explored David Cameron’s England from the perspective of the working class through spoken word, beatboxing and live looping, is now available on YouTube.
  On-Demand
  YOUTUBE
• VIRTUAL STAGE TOURS – GOOGLE ARTS
  Ok, it’s not a performance as such, but theatres great and small play a huge role in the experiences we have as bot artist and audience. Google have assembled 11 virtual tours of the stages of venues like The Bolshoi, Burgtheatre Vienna, and Palacio de Bellas Artes.
  artsandculture.google.com
• A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
  Watch the Bridge Theatre’s magical and immersive production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Features Gwendoline Christie and Hammed Animashaun.
  On-Demand until 2 July
  YOUTUBE
• THE GRINNING MAN – BRISTOL OLD VIC
  Based on The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo and brought to life by director Tom Morris (Touching the Void) and writer Carl Grose (Dead Dog in a Suitcase), don’t miss this digital revival of their compelling musical, captured during its original Bristol run.
  On-Demand
  www.bristololdvic.org.uk
• GUY – A NEW MUSICAL – LIVE SESSIONS
  UK writing duo Leo and Hyde have recently confirmed this musical will come to Australia with a local production partner. Recently they’ve gone back to the studio to record a new EP of the work and every Friday (UK) they’re going live with artists from the show.
  5pm BST /  2am AEST and on-demand
  Instagram Live
• PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL
  Pivot Arts, which celebrates adventurous, multidisciplinary performance, is “pivoting” in the presentation of its eighth annual festival, in response to COVID-19. For this year’s Festival—themed “This is How We Pivot”—performances once scheduled at venues in Chicago’s Uptown and Edgewater neighbourhoods are moving to online presentations.
  Runs 5th – 30th June
  www.pivotarts.org

AUSTRALIAN THEATRE PODCASTS

• 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

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES

• FREE ARTS CREATION SPACES – BLACKTOWN ARTS
  Sydney’s Blacktown Arts are offering performance space free to independent performers, writers and film makers. The free offer is available for the months July to September for short creative development periods. They open the doors, turn on the lights and heaters, you do the rest. www.blacktownarts.com.au
• HWY – LA BOITE THEATRE
  In a push to support local theatre-makers and boost artist employment, Queensland’s La Boite Theatre Company has introduced six new paid opportunities through its annual development program HWY. Applications close 13th July. www.laboite.com.au
• ELBOW ROOM PRODUCTIONS – CALL FOR WRITERS
  Elbow Room are offering opportunities to writers based on the continent of Australia to participate in paid development sessions, in which professional actors and theatre makers engage with their work. Elbow Room are looking for scripts, at any stage including or after first draft, that are intended to provoke action to happen, preferably for 40 minutes or longer. Submissions close 30th June. www.elbowroomproductions.com
• MELBOURNE FRINGE – REGISTRATIONS OPEN
  Now that the new dates have been set for 12-29 November 2020, Melbourne Fringe is opening registrations for works. If you’ve been iso-dreaming up an event, an exhibition or even a physically distanced arena spectacular, they want to know about it. 2 rounds – one for ‘pants off’ events (digital, at-home program) opens 1 June, and ‘pants on’ events (in-person events) opening 1 July. melbournefringe.com.au
• BLACKWRIGHTS – ILBIJERRI
  ILBIJERRI’s BlackWrights program is back! Applications are open now and they’re on the hunt for three First Nations writers to cook up three wildly spectacular radio lockdown plays. Entries close 10th July www.ilbejerri.com.au
• UPSTREAM FESTIVAL OF ART + CULTURE – CALL FOR PRODUCTIONS
  Albury City and Wodonga Council are calling for expressions of interest from artists and cultural organisations for Upstream – Festival of Art + Culture 2021. In its first year, the festival attracted more than 16,000 people who took part in a range of art and cultural performances, programming and activities across the two cities and over four days. Next year’s festival is scheduled for March 5-9. Submissions close July 10. www.wodonga.vic.gov.au
• WESTWORDS VERUNA FELLOWSHIP
  WestWords and Varuna have once again partnered for the WestWords Varuna Western Sydney Residential Program offering four western Sydney emerging writers from diverse backgrounds the opportunity of a six-day residency at Varuna. EOIs close 16 July.
• SF3 – SMARTPHONE FLICK FEST
  SF3 is calling for shorts up to 20 mins, feature films, kids films, VR/360 films and entries for our brand new Iso Category – films up to 3 mins shot within your local lockdown laws. Entries close August 1. www.sf3.com.au/www.westwords.com.au
• LITTLE LUNCH ONLINE – ARTS FRONT
  Little Lunch Online is a chance to check in and connect with each other while we grab a quick bite of lunch, or a morning coffee for folk in the West. It’s a quick 30 minute window to share ideas and resources, and plan our actions in responding to the pandemic, the climate crisis and whatever global emergency awaits us next.
  Daily, Midday AEST – Free
  www.artsfront.com/event/37103-little-lunch-online-llol

SAVE THE DATE

These are the future streams that are high on our list – get them into your diary now!

• FRI JULY 3 – HAMILTON
  Streaming platform Disney+ brings Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Pulitzer-prize winning musical to screens worldwide. recorded in 2016 with the original Broadway cast the screen version is directed by Thomas Kail who promises the best seat in the house for every moment.
• JULY – DECAMERON 2.0
  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.

EDUCATION / ACTIVITIES

• 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

VISIT LAST WEEK’S LIST FOR EVEN MORE!