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The Sapphires Queensland Theatre Company Bille Brown Theatre 28 April – 24 May 2026 Written by: Tony Briggs Directed by: Wesley Enoch Musical Director: Nathaniel Andrew Choreographer: Yolande Brown Set and Costume Designer: Richard Roberts Lighting Designer: Ben Hughes Video Designer: Craig Wilkinson Sound Designer: Isaac Ogilvie Photography: David Kelly “You can’t be from Australia, you’re not white” Written by Tony Briggs and directed by Wesley Enoch, The Sapphires follows four Yorta Yorta women whose girl-group harmonies take them from local talent quests all the way to Vietnam to entertain troops on the frontlines. Inspired by the real First Nations women behind The Sapphires, the work carries a legacy of family, music, survival, and hard-won joy. Many know The Sapphires from the 2012 film, but the stage version offers its own particular thrill, with live songs that will make you dance in your seat. This is a story full of joy, but it is never joy without context. Even as the story moves through racism, war, grief, and fear, it keeps its groove. The weight lands when it needs to, but so does the laughter, the flirting, the sisterly squabbling, and the daggy dancing. Before the show, a small black-and-white TV sits centre stage, flickering with images of history, pop culture, and war. It is a clever little time capsule to place us inside the broadcast world of the 1960s. This retro TV and Craig Wilkinson’s scrim projections create a space caught somewhere between a live gig and a television transmission. Richard Roberts’ set features a glossy black floor, raised performance space, four-piece band, and a glittering The Sapphires sign overhead. It is flexible enough to shift from family home to beachfront, army barracks, concert stage, and war zone. While Roberts' costumes bring the period to life with colour, sparkle, and those glorious white go-go boots. As the story shifts to Vietnam, the theatre pulls us into the environment: haze in the air, rain noise around us, the smell of cigarettes, helicopters approaching from behind, bombs splitting the music, gunfire cracking through. One moment we are clapping along like we are part of the crowd, and the next, we're hit with the reality of exactly where that concert is happening. Isaac Ogilvie’s sound design does superb work here, particularly in the climactic final moments of Act One. The four women form the heart of the production, and they complement each other beautifully. Taeg Twist brings warmth and strength to Gail McCrae, the group's self-appointed mother hen. Gail is talkative, loud, protective, stubborn and often found rolling her eyes at the world. Beneath that tough-as-nails facade is a woman who's made it her mission to hold everything together, whether anyone asked her to or not. Her singing voice is incredible, but it’s her acting that truly grounds the emotional stakes. When she belts out the heartfelt tune "People Make This World a Better Place," with images of the real Sapphires flashing on screen, it's a heart-stirring moment. Ruby Henaway is a riot as Cynthia McCrae, strutting into every conversation like she has already decided she is the star of the show. Cynthia is hilariously bold, unashamedly herself, and allergic to behaving. Henaway has epic pipes, but when Cynthia sings through her hurt, you catch the ache hiding beneath all that confidence. Aurora Liddle-Christie is lovely as Kay McCrae, the sensible one of the sisters. She's got her own traumatic past, so she carries herself with a slightly different rhythm from the others. There is a quiet complexity in the way she presents herself to the world, and Liddle-Christie handles that tension with grace. She keeps the group grounded while still being a total goofball, managing to stand out without letting the louder personalities overshadow her, at least from my perspective. And finally, there is Tehya Makani as Julie McCrae, the baby sister with a voice that can stop a room. Julie starts as a frightened, grumpy, uncertain young woman, but she's sharp enough to spot a good chance when it comes along. Her performance of "Respect" is a proper arrival moment, showing off serious star power and the exact amount of attitude the song demands. Together, these four performers are wonderful. Their characters are all very different, yet they share the same family fire. You can see it in the way they look at each other onstage with genuine pride in their eyes, the kind that makes you believe these women have fought, laughed, judged, loved, and survived each other for years. Their a-cappella sisterly moment, "Ngarra Burra Ferra", is particularly beautiful. In a production full of big numbers, that quieter moment lands with emotional force. The romantic threads are surprisingly tender too. Each of the girls gets some version of longing, flirtation, disappointment, or hope, and none of it feels like filler between songs. Jack Bannister is wonderfully endearing as Dave Lovelace, the Aussie talent scout who is, frankly, a bit of a numpty. His attempts at dancing are truly white-man-in-public, but in the most affectionate way. Bannister gives Dave enough awkwardness to be funny and enough sincerity to be likeable, especially in his interactions with Gail. Garret Lyon is a charming nuisance as Jimmy, Cynthia’s ex-boyfriend and a man with very little chill. His interest in Cynthia is stalker-like to the extreme, yet Lyon somehow keeps him charmingly hopeless rather than alarming. His dancing is a highlight in itself, and every time he appears, the show gets a little extra boost. Chris Nguyen is delightful as Joe, a fourteen-year-old Vietnamese boy hustling to support himself and his family (often through pilfering). His dynamic with Julie is sweet, with both characters still teenagers trying to navigate adult circumstances. The parallel between Joe’s family and the Sapphires’ family, both with seven sisters and one brother, is a small and touching connection that helps humanise the Vietnamese experience within the broader wartime setting. While the war's effect on actual Vietnamese citizens isn't deeply explored, it's still present enough to make an impression. Cameron Leonard nails the comic awkwardness as an American soldier Robby, even making an entrance while dangling upside down in a parachute. It is silly, memorable, and exactly the kind of lighthearted character that this production knows how to use well. Nathaniel Andrew’s musical direction gives the 1960s soul classics real warmth and drive, and having the band live onstage keeps the energy immediate. The four-piece band, with Andrew also on guitar, supports the performers beautifully without overpowering them. Songs including "Heatwave", "The Shoop Shoop Song", and "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" are crowd-pleasers for a reason, and this cast knows how to sell them. I left with a bunch of those tunes stuck in my head, which usually means the jukebox-style musical hit the mark. Yolande Brown’s choreography sits beautifully in the world of the piece. It is stylish, character-driven, and full of groove without looking over-rehearsed to death. The girls move as a unit, but not like four identical backup dancers. Each performer brings her own rhythm, attitude, and little flashes of personality, which makes the group numbers feel true rather than pasted on top. Ben Hughes’ lighting shifts smoothly from stage glamour to intimacy and wartime tension. One moment, the girls are glowing under concert lights; the next, the world around them feels exposed and unstable. Wilkinson’s projections are equally effective, moving from starlit nights and vibrant colours for performances to combat footage and broadcast history. The “travel vlog” style sequence is a clever way to cover scene and costume changes while keeping the pace moving, and the production rarely lets its energy sag. By the time the megamix arrives, the show has fully earned its celebration. Using the aisles gives the finale an immersive lift, and the audience response was exactly what you would expect from a practically sold-out season of a feel-good Australian classic. What makes this production so effective is its tonal balance, and Wesley Enoch’s direction steers that balance with a sure hand. The Sapphires is set during the Vietnam War, with depictions of racism, violence, abortion, family conflict, and the frightening reality of young women surrounded by men with guns in a foreign country. On paper, that sounds heavy. Onstage, it is still serious, but it is also kept colourful, romantic, cheeky, and alive. Enoch allows the sparkle to sit beside the danger without letting one cancel out the other. Queensland Theatre Company’s The Sapphires is big-hearted, moving, and full of soul. It celebrates the women behind the story while giving a new generation of First Nations performers the chance to step into that legacy with pride. It sings as a concert, aches as a family story, and stays with you as a love letter to Blak women who knew their worth long before the world caught up.

Title: Jane and Kel Go To Hell Presented By: Javeenbah Theatre Company Genre: Comedy / Dark Comedy / One-Act Play Reading Synopsis: Jane and Kel are housemates and best friends with bad jobs and questionable judgement. When Jane loses her job, she needs a new housemate to help cover rent. After interviewing several candidates, Roy seems like the perfect fit—except he is secretly a demon. Roy drags Jane into Hell, forcing both characters into a surreal and comedic journey through chaos, consequence, and friendship tested beyond the mortal world. Audition Self-Tape Due: Video Submissions due May 23rd, 2026 Audition Requirements: Please submit a recording of you reading a monologue of your choice. This show is a dark comedy, so please choose something that might fit this theme. Monologue must be no longer than a minute. Please submit via email to mikmurph@gmail.com Audition Registration: Submission via email Audition Pack: Jane and Kel Go To Hell Audition Pack Performance Dates: June 20th - 21st, 2026 Performance Times: Saturday - 7PM Sunday - 2PM Performance Location: Javeenbah Theatre, Stevens St, Nerang QLD 4211 Rehearsal Dates: Decided amongst cast availability. Rehearsal Location: Javeenbah Theatre, Stevens St, Nerang QLD 4211 Warnings: Themes of Hell / afterlife Mature humour and language Dark comedic content Performer Age: 18+ Creative Team: Directed by Mikaela Murphy Production Website: Javeenbah Theatre Company Other Information: This is a rehearsed play reading, not a full staged production The script focuses on character-driven comedy in a surreal, supernatural setting Available Roles/Character Breakdown: JANE (Lead) (Female, playing age between 20-35) A burnt-out journalist struggling with depression, purpose, and modern adulthood. Intelligent and deeply cynical, Jane feels trapped between wanting meaningful work and surviving in a shallow, contentdriven world. KEL (Lead) (Female, playing age between 20-35) Jane’s chaotic, loud, fiercely loyal best friend. Kel masks her own fears about failure and adulthood with humour, recklessness, and pop culture obsession, but deeply cares about protecting Jane. KIM (Supporting) (Female, any age 18+) Kel’s quiet, intelligent university classmate. Awkward but kind-hearted, Kim becomes an unexpected source of stability and practical thinking as the supernatural events escalate. Kim also doubles as the characters SKYE, TINA, and LYLE*. ROY (Supporting) (Male, any age 18+) The seemingly perfect new housemate; polite, thoughtful, and unsettlingly nice. As the play progresses, Roy’s behaviour becomes increasingly uncanny, revealing something far darker beneath his calm exterior. Roy also doubles as the characters WAITER, TILLY, and LYLE*. TROY (Supporting) (Male, any age 18+) Kel’s immature but oddly sincere ex-boyfriend. A wannabe rapper with zero self-awareness, Troy provides much of the play’s comic relief while occasionally stumbling into genuine emotional insight. Troy also doubles as the characters DEVIN, TRAIN GUY, and LYLE* . *LYLE is the karaoke host at Fat Louie’s. Lyle acts as a recurring comic presence throughout the play. Different actors play “Lyle” throughout the show.

Title: The Play Forge 2026 Presented By: Phoenix Arts Academy Genre: One-Act Play / Youth Theatre Intensive / Drama Workshop Performance Synopsis: The Play Forge is a 5-day intensive theatre program for high school students, culminating in a performance of a one-act play. Participants experience the full play-building process from rehearsal to performance, developing skills in acting, stagecraft, character development, movement, voice, and production roles. The program also includes opportunities for students to work in technical and backstage areas, supporting a final staged performance at the end of the week. Audition Date: Monday June 29th, 2026 (auditions held on Day 1 of the program for succesful applicants) Audition Time: From 9:00AM (within workshop schedule) Audition Location and Address: Phoenix Ensemble, Beenleigh Show Grounds, James St, Beenleigh QLD 4207 Audition Requirements: Auditions conducted in-person on the first day of the program Students will be given scripts and role details the week prior Participants may be cast in acting or technical/production roles Expression of interest required prior to acceptance Audition Registration: Expressions of interest open - May 15th, 2026 Close - June 12th, 2026 Formal registration and payment deadline - June 21st, 2026 Audition Pack: The Play Forge Audition Pack Performance Dates: Friday July 3rd, 2026 Performance Times: 7PM Performance Location: Phoenix Ensemble, Beenleigh Show Grounds, James St, Beenleigh QLD 4207 Rehearsal Dates: June 29th - July 3rd, 2026 (5-day intensive program) Rehearsal Times: 9AM - 3PM daily (final day includes technical rehearsal and evening performance) Rehearsal Location: Phoenix Ensemble, Beenleigh Show Grounds, James St, Beenleigh QLD 4207 Warnings: Intensive schedule over 5 consecutive days Final day includes full technical rehearsal and live performance Participation fee required ($200) Students must bring their own food each day Performer Age: Years 7–12 (high school students only; older students may be given preference) Creative Team: Director - Julianne Clinch Producer - Kym Brown Production Website: Phoenix Ensemble Other Information: Participants may take on both on-stage and technical roles Includes training in stagecraft, movement, voice, script work, and production skills Includes project t-shirt, scripts, and some costume/prop items Each participant receives one complimentary ticket to the final performance Limited places available; selection based on expression of interest Available Roles/Character Breakdown: Not specified in advance — roles are assigned during the first day of the program after auditions.

Upcoming Performances 3 June 2026 MUSICAL: Georgy Girl: The Seekers Musical - On the Boards Theatre Co Season: June 3rd - 14th, 2026 Read More 24 May 2026 CHILDREN'S THEATRE: Zietta and the Little Larrikins - Larrikin Puppets, Anywhere Festival Season: May 24th, 2026 Read More 23 May 2026 SHOWCASE: Songs from the Screen - Toowoomba Choral Society Season: May 23rd, 2026 Read More 23 May 2026 OPERA: Verdi's Divas - Springboard Opera Season: May 23rd, 2026 Read More 23 May 2026 BURLESQUE: The Bombshell's Ball - Bombshell Burlesque Season: May 23rd, 2026 Read More 23 May 2026 SHOWCASE: Queen Bees & Wannabes - Queensland College of Dance Season: May 23rd, 2026 Read More 23 May 2026 THEATRE: The Bucket List - Screech Arts, Anywhere Festival Season: May 23rd, 2026 Read More 23 May 2026 CONCERT: Mendelssohn's Elijah - Brisbane Chamber Choir Season: May 23rd, 2026 Read More 23 May 2026 THEATRE: The Heartbreak Club - Thundering Productions Season: May 23rd - 24th & June 12th - 14th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 CHILDREN'S THEATRE: Bébé ARTISTE - Backbone Theatre Season: May 23rd, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 BALLET: Strings - A Triple Bill - QLD Ballet, QPAC Season: May 22nd - 30th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 THEATRE: GRIMM - Shake & Stir Theatre Co, QPAC Season: May 22nd - June 13th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 DANCE: Electric Universe - Solstice Dance Collective, Anywhere Festival Season: May 22nd - 24th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 CABARET: AppreSheAte: Night of Tarot - Anywhere Festival Season: May 22nd - 24th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 THEATRE: Gilgamesh - Anywhere Festival Season: May 22nd - 24th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 IMPROV: All Smoke, No Script - Anywhere Festival Season: May 22nd - 24th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 YOUTH THEATRE: Our Place - BYTE Youth Theatre Season: May 22nd - 24th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 THEATRE: Quartet - Mates Theatre Genesis Season: May 22nd - June 6th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 DANCE: Exocytosis - Solstice Dance Collective, Anywhere Festival Season: May 22nd - 24th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 THEATRE: Old Moldie Ozzie Rap Play - Taking Liberty Theatre Company, Anywhere Festival Season: May 22nd - 24th, 2026 Read More 22 May 2026 THEATRE: Our Town - Pacific Lutheran College, The Events Centre Season: May 22nd - 23rd, 2026 Read More 21 May 2026 MUSICAL: Xanadu - Mira Ball Productions Season: May 21st - 24th, 2026 Read More 21 May 2026 THEATRE: Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike - Noosa Arts Theatre Season: May 21st - 31st, 2026 Read More 21 May 2026 CIRCUS: Life of a Tradie Wife - Anywhere Festival Season: May 21st - 23rd, 2026 Read More 21 May 2026 THEATRE: The Watsons - QUT Acting Season: May 21st - 23rd, 2026 Read More 20 May 2026 THEATRE: The Agent - Zebramaz Creative, Anywhere Festival Season: May 20th - 30th, 2026 Read More 17 May 2026 THEATRE: Half Hour Hamlet - Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble, Anywhere Festival Season: May 17th - 22nd, 2026 Read More 17 May 2026 MUSICAL REVUE: Music of the Night - World Class Entertainment, HOTA, RPAC Season: May 17th - June 26th, 2026 Read More 16 May 2026 THEATRE: Moon Over Buffalo - Growl Theatre Season: May 16th - 30th, 2026 Read More 16 May 2026 MUSICAL: The Middle Room - Anywhere Festival Season: May 16th - 31st, 2026 Read More 16 May 2026 THEATRE: Romeo & Juliet - Little Seed Theatre Co Season: May 16th - 24th, 2026 Read More 16 May 2026 MAGIC: Master of Delusions - Anywhere Festival Season: May 16th - 30th, 2026 Read More 15 May 2026 THEATRE: Ophelia Chooses - Ipswich Little Theatre Season: May 15th - 30th, 2026 Read More 14 May 2026 THEATRE: Six Characters in Search of an Author - Ad Astra Theatre Season: May 14th - June 6th, 2026 Read More 14 May 2026 THEATRE: Eat Slay Zombie - La Boite Theatre Season: May 14th - 30th, 2026 Read More 13 May 2026 OPERA: The Drover's Wife - Opera Australia, Oombarra Productions, QPAC Season: May 13th - 22nd, 2026 Read More 13 May 2026 THEATRE: Dakota of the White Flats - Red Leap Theatre Season: May 13th - 27th, 2026 Read More 12 May 2026 THEATRE: 2 Across - Toowoomba Repertory Theatre Season: May 12th - 23rd, 2026 Read More 9 May 2026 THEATRE: Midnight Murder at Hamlington Hall - Centenary Theatre Group Season: May 9th - 31st, 2026 Read More 9 May 2026 THEATRE: Macbeth - Javeenbah Theatre Season: May 9th - 23rd, 2026 Read More 9 May 2026 THEATRE: Pick & Re(mix) - QLD Shakespeare Ensemble Season: May 9th - 22nd, 2026 Read More 9 May 2026 MAGIC: Theatre of Magic - Empire Theatre Season: May 9th, September 5th & December 5th, 2026 Read More 9 May 2026 COMEDY: Shakespeare Dying on the Stage Season: May 9th - 23rd, 2026 Read More 9 May 2026 MUSICAL: Hey Felicia - The Sit Down Comedy Club Season: May 9th - November 7th, 2026 Read More 9 May 2026 CIRCUS: The Elemental Being - Pixie Dust Productions, Elemental Pole and Aerial Season: May 9th - 23rd, 2026 Read More 8 May 2026 IMPROV: Murder at the Bowlo - Improv QLD Season: May 8th - 23rd, 2026 Read More 8 May 2026 THEATRE: Caravan - Nash Theatre Season: May 8th - 30th, 2026 Read More 8 May 2026 THEATRE: Oedipus // End of Line - Role Initiative Theatre Company Season: May 8th - 22nd, 2026 Read More 8 May 2026 THEATRE: Around the World in 80 Days - Tugun Theatre Company Season: May 8th - 30th, 2026 Read More 8 May 2026 COMEDY: Bard Wars - Artful Dodgers Theatre Season: May 8th - 23rd, 2026 Read More 7 May 2026 FESTIVAL: 2026 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival Season: May 7th - 24th, 2026 Read More 2 May 2026 IMPROV: How to Seduce Your Dragon - Improv QLD Season: May 2nd - 30th, 2026 Read More 1 May 2026 MUSICAL: Come From Away - Spotlight Theatre Season: May 1st - 23rd, 2026 Read More 1 May 2026 MUSICAL: Alice by Heart - Phoenix Ensemble Season: May 1st - 23rd, 2026 Read More 28 Apr 2026 MUSICAL PLAY: The Sapphires - QLD Theatre Season: April 28th - May 24th, 2026 Read More 24 Apr 2026 COMEDY: Brisbane Comedy Festival - Brisbane Powerhouse Season: April 24th - May 24th, 2026 Read More 27 Mar 2026 MUSICAL: MJ the Musical - QPAC, Michael Cassel Group Season: March 27th - May 24th, 2026 Read More 21 Feb 2026 BALLET: Sleeping Beauty - Fever, QUT Gardens Theatre Season: February 21st - August 1st, 2026 Read More 14 Feb 2026 MAGIC: Theatre of Magic - Empire Theatre Season: February 14th - December 5th, 2026 Read More 9 Feb 2026 PLAY READING: Playground - 7th Floor Theatre, PIP Theatre Season: Monthly from February 9th, 2026 Read More 31 Jan 2026 BALLET: Ballet of Lights: Cinderella - Fever Season: January 31st - July 18th, 2026 Read More 10 Jan 2026 THEATRE: The Jury Experience - Fever Season: January 10th - June 25th, 2026 Read More

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< Back CHILDREN'S THEATRE: Zietta and the Little Larrikins - Larrikin Puppets, Anywhere Festival 24 May 2026 Season: May 24th, 2026 Title: Zietta and the Little Larrikins Presented By: Anywhere Festival in association with Larrikin Puppets Genre: Children’s Theatre / Puppet Musical Synopsis: Zietta and the Little Larrikins is a joyful puppet musical set between the bush and the beach, inviting children and families to laugh, sing, and celebrate creativity. Created by the much-loved Larrikin Puppets, the show celebrates culture, connection, and imagination in a fun and accessible way for audiences of all ages. Zietta and her playful puppet friends—some local, some intergalactic—bring humour, heart, and wide-eyed wonder to the stage, with catchy songs, colourful characters, and plenty of interactive moments for audiences to enjoy. Performance Dates: Sunday May 24th, 2026 Performance Times: 3:30PM Performance Location and Address: Redcliffe Entertainment Centre, 10 Downs St, Redcliffe, 4020 Ticket Costs: $5 pp Ticket Link: Buy Tickets - Zietta and the Little Larrikins Recommended Age: All ages (recommended 5–9 years) Duration: Approximately 60 minutes Cast: Larrikin Puppets ensemble performers Creative Team: Created by Larrikin Puppets Production Website: Redcliffe Entertainment Centre - Zietta and the Little Larrikins Other information: This event is part of the Anywhere Festival Finale at Redcliffe Entertainment Centre, featuring foyer performances and multiple works across the afternoon, including Maria the Musical later in the program. Redcliffe Entertainment Centre is a council-managed theatre with wheelchair-accessible seating, accessible toilets, and lift access. Accessible parking is available nearby, and assistance for mobility access can be arranged via the venue box office. Patrons with hearing or additional access requirements are encouraged to contact the venue ahead of attendance to ensure suitable seating and support. Previous Next