Stage & Stream Theatre & Cabaret at Home July 17 – 23

Welcome to Stage & Stream – your weekly 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 add to the list send a message to robbi@criticalstages.com.au or complete the Google form. 

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AUSTRALIA / NZ BY DATE

Friday 17th July

• ALINTA & THE JAZZ EMPORERS
  We’re talking five very fine musicians in a jazz band that is always more than the sum of its parts. Inspired by the old greats of Coltrane, Ella and Miles. Alinta is a charismatic vocalist/actress/songwriter who has just finished touring in Chicago the musical as the famed Velma Kelly and has also starred in West Side Story, Hugh Jackman’s – Broadway to Oz, Wentworth and many more.
  8pm AEST
  www.geelongartscentre.org.au
• CLUB COVID LIVE FROM THE WAREHOUSE
  Newcastle’s Warehouse hosts this huge live stream event featuring some great names from theatre, comedy and music. Tonight’s lineup includes Hughesy, Billy Price, Kempe, Darby Matthews and Jasper Shipley.
  6pm AEST
  www.youtube.com
• FUN TIME FRIDAY
  An interactive farce for the digital age. Developed by Emmy Award-winner Sean Stewart in collaboration with Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).
  4pm AEST 
  www.twitch.tv
• 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 18th July

• QUEERSTORIES
  Maeve Marsden’s storytelling project Queerstories returns to the Giant Dwarf theatre with a number of capped IRL performances as well as an Auslan-interpreted live stream. 
  5:30pm AEST
  www.giantdwarf.com.au
• ROOMWORKS – ATYP
  An initiative of Australian Theatre for Young People and Nightingale Content, RoomWorks saw 10 young actors and 10 young writers write and perform an original 1-2 minute monologue in teams of two. With one week to complete the task, the 20 young artists chosen attended online workshops and were given feedback by industry professionals throughout their process. Now it’s time to see what they’ve made!
  7pm AEST
  Facebook & YouTube
• KEEPING THE CURTAIN UP
  Arts Centre Melbourne is hosting a musical theatre fundraiser for the Actors Benevolent Fund, hosted by Shane Jacobson and featuring big names including Lisa McCune, Lucy Durack, Reg Livermore, Jemma Rix, Hayden Tee, iOTA, Paul Capsis, Kate Ceberano and Genevieve Lemon among many. 
  7pm AEST
  www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
• IN THE SHADOW IT WAITS
  The hit live horror theatre/film project is back and lovers of a good scare shouldn’t miss it. This is one of two live screenings as part of the online edition of Revelation Perth International Film Festival. 
  9:30pm AEST / 7:30pm WST
  www.revelationfilmfest.org.au
• BLAK STAND UP – SOH
  Two of Australia’s best stand up comedians – Andy Saunders and Sean Choolburra – combine forces to bring Indigenous culture, chuckles and community to the digital stage. They have had us laughing in the aisles for many years, and now is the time to revisit their incisive and hilarious comedy.  
  8pm AEST
  www.sydneyoperahouse.com
• VIRTUAL VARIETY SPECTACULAR
  This live fundraiser for Domestic Violence Crisis Services promises music, drag, comedy and sketches. A great local project supporting a great cause!
  8pm AEST – please donate
  www.facebook.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’s trademark humour, huge repertoire 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

• SOIREE LIVE – THE GENTLEMAN MAGICIAN
  Fans of magic take note – The Gentleman Magician is producing a limited season of private magic shows that are performed live, just for your household (or office). Interactive, fun and beamed at you via zoom, skyupe or your favourite video call platform.
  www.GentlemanMagician.com.au
• JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN – ILBIJERRI
  An extraordinary tale told by one of Australia’s living treasures, Uncle Jack Charles. Based on his life and spoken in his own words. accompanied by a three-piece band, this one man show is a theatrical delight brought to us by Australia’s longest running First Nations theatre company and Arts Centre Melbourne. Filmed at Belvoir  Theatre in 2011.
  On-Demand until 7pm Friday 24 July – please donate
  www.artscentremelbourne.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. Starts today and is perfect for kids 8+.
  www.lamama.com.au
• THE TELEPHONE – WEST AUSTRALIAN OPERA
  West Australian Opera have transformed Gian Carlo Menotti’s short 27 minute comic opera The Telephone for YouTube, starring young soprano Chelsea Burns and baritone Lachlann Lawton in a story about a young man who is trying to propose to his girlfriend — if he can manage to interrupt her video calls.
  On-Demand – please donate
  www.youtube.com
• ASIATOPA CONNECTED
  The Asia-Pacific’s preeminent triennial performing arts festival has published a number of amazing archival performances including Garin Nugroho’s powerful The Planet – A Lament, to Actnow’s mini documentary about queer culture in Taiwan, there’s lots to enjoy.
  www.asiatopa.com.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.
  Sign up to receive each episode
• HORIZON FESTIVAL – OPEN AIR
  Celebrating place, Open Air is a monthly concert series, streamed from the Sunshine Coast’s most picturesque locations, featuring some of the region’s most celebrated artists.
  www.horizonfestival.com.au
• 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
• 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
• 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 VIRTUAL NEW YORK MUSICAL IMPROV FESTIVAL
  The New York Musical Improv Festival is an annual festival celebrating the art of musical improv. The 11th Annual NYMIF was shut down on March 12th due to the pandemic, so they’ve assembled performers for a virtual festival, live-streaming performances from musical improv ensembles around the world.
  From July 15-18 (5pm – 11pm ET / 7am – 1pm AEST)
  www.nymif.com
• SHIFTING TIDES – ALMEIDA THEATRE
  A new digital festival for young people 14-25 exploring the intersection between art, activism and the climate crisis. Don’t miss the screening of Extinction with Emma Thomson, and if you can get up early enough stick around for the Q&A.
  www.almedia.co.uk
• AMADEUS – NATIONAL THEATRE
  Lucian Msamati plays Salieri in Peter Shaffer’s iconic play, Amadeus, with live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia.
  from Thursday July 16 at 7pm BST / Friday July 17 at 4am AEST.
  www.youtube.com
• HOT! FESTIVAL
  Dixon Place’s annual queer culture celebration is online this year and that means we can all get a fix of great queer art and performance. Don’t miss Marga Gomez’s Spanking Machine (on until July 25) amongst many others.
  On-Demand & various
  www.dixonplace.org/category/hot-festival/
• THE TAMING OF THE SHREW – STRATFORD FESTIVAL
  Chris Abraham directs this 2015 production of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, a battle of the sexes where the ruffles are on but the gloves are off.
  On-Demand until August 6
  www.youtube.com
• APPROACHING EMPTY – TAMASHA
  First staged at the Kiln Theatre and Live Theatre, before embarking on a UK tour in 2019, Ishy Din’s Approaching Empty, directed by Pooja Ghai, is a compelling drama set in the North of England lays bare the everyday struggles of a post-industrial generation of men.
  On-Demand from 21 July to 4 August.
  www.tamasha.org.uk
• THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
  A live reading of Oscar Wilde’s work by New York Classical Theatre, on demand for four days from Friday. Stephen Burdman directs the critically-acclaimed 2019 cast.
  www.nyclassical.org
• READING FRINGE FESTIVAL
  There’s over 50 shows during this 10 day festival and it’s all online. Some are on-demand, others live and it’s a huge fringey selection of theatre, music, magic, comedy, drag, poetry and circus.
  Friday 7pm BST / 4am AEST until July 26
  www.readingfringefestival.co.uk/

AUSTRALIAN THEATRE & PERFORMANCE PODCAST GUIDE

• 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 (great for kids)

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES

• VIRTUAL WORLDWIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL
  Thornhill Theatre Space is hosting a Virtual World Wide Fringe Festival in August. They’re inviting Theatre companies from around the world to submit digital works, whether that be a live stream, a zoom performance, a podcast, or something entirely new. It’s open-access and totally free to get involved. Email them at thornhilltheatrespace@outlook.com.
• TERRAPIN WRITING FOR PUPPETRY RESIDENCIES
  Terrapin are seeking EOIs from writers, theatre-makers and dramaturges who are interested in authoring a narrative to be told through puppetry. The company will commission a number of treatments before moving some to full commissions, all of which will be guaranteed to go into production. Fees for treatments and commissions will be paid at standard industry rates. EOIs close 10th August. www.terrapin.org.au
• INTERPOSE ARTIST CALLOUT
  Ideas sought for performances, installations, interactive activities and workshops across multiple locations for Tuggeranong Art Centre’s new festival. Must be socially distanced. Fleeting, ephemeral and small group activities preferred. Event dates: Aug – Nov 2020. EOIs close 24th July. www.tuggeranongarts.com
• CASULA POWERHOUSE ARTIST CALLOUT
  South West Sydney’s arts centre is looking for exhibition ideas, performance and creative development ideas and opportunities for collaboration and presentation that relate to the region. EOIs close 31 July. www.casulapowerhouse.com
• SHOPFRONT – ARTSLAB RESIDENCIES
  An annual artist-in-residency program for early career artists aged 18 – 26. 6 months of free space, resources, networking and mentorship to pursue a creative project which culminates in a festival style public season. Applications close 22nd July. www.shopfront.org.au
• 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
• MIDSUMMA – REGISTRATIONS OPEN
  Mebourne’s Midsumma Festival expands over 22 days of summer with an explosion of queer events from 17 Jan to 7 Feb 2021. Registrations close 24 August. www.midsumma.org.au
• UNCONFORMITY – SEED FUNDING
  Individuals or groups on the West Coast of Tasmania can apply for up to $2,500 for development opportunities, mentoring, project costs, or equipment related to creative or cultural endeavours. Applications close 31 July. www.theunconformity.com.au
• GASWORKS OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE COMMISSION
  $3,000 + in-kind support (total value $10,000) to develop a new site-specific work. 3-month development to take place from Sep to Nov, culminating in a preview to an invited audience. Submissions close Sunday 26th July. www.gasworks.org.au
• HOTA – YOUNG PLAYWRIGHT PROGRAM
  Young playwrights aged 14-17 may apply to this free program run by Matthew Ryan. Selected participants will present their short play in a rehearsed reading in November 2020. www.hota.com.au
• 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!

• Sunday 26th July – AN EVENING WITH TODD MCKENNEY
  The musical theatre legend takes to the stage at Riverside Theatres for a special digital concert, streaming live. Todd will be singing a selection of songs that have inspired and shaped his 40 year career.

EDUCATION / ACTIVITIES

• 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
• 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 PREVIOUS LISTS FOR EVEN MORE!