Homegrown Series
In 2012 the Empire Theatre Projects Company will present a series of shows in the newly renovated Empire Studio Space. A mixture of new works, scripted plays and independent productions will open your minds to the possiblilities and the talent located right here in Queensland and specifically the Toowoomba region. Some productions will be experimental, some funny and some thought-provoking. All will promise you a unique theatrical experience not to be missed!
Escape From the Breakup Forest
Funny Boys
Friday 2 March - 7pm and 9.30pm
Sunday 4 March - 7pm
Dan wants to be famous.
Steve wants to be Dan.
Josh wants Dannii Minogue.
Matt saw a three legged dog once.
The Funny Boys have always been told by their Mum and Dad that they will be brilliant entertainers. They have rehearsed in their rumpus room for years, waiting for the opportunity to show off their amazing skills. After receiving a mysterious inheritance, Dan has decided to take his younger brothers on the road with their first show. And now that Mum and Dad will be coming to watch, the boys are determined to make this the best show ever! But it probably won't be.
Funny Boys is a brilliant combination of song, dance, magic, comedy and laser light shows* that proves that you can’t choose your family – but you can sure as heck fight them.
*No laser light shows included.
Blackrock by Nick Enright
Thursday 7 June - 7pm, Friday 8 June - 7pm
Saturday 9 June - 2pm and 7pm, Sunday 10 June - 2pm
One party. One witness. No one's talking. This thought provoking play has proven itself as a timeless tale of adolescence and reminds us all of the consequences of the choices we make. It is an intimate and strongly shaped human drama which examines the social forces behind the impulse to violence in individual lives and will showcase the best young talent this region has to offer. Brought to you by the Empire Youth Arts IMPACT Ensemble, this production of Nick Enright’s contemporary Australian piece will be cast from local young people and will be directed by the Empire Theatre’s own Youth Arts Director, Claire Christian.
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Chasing the Lollyman
Thursday 5 July - 7.30pm
A one man show devised and performed by one of Queensland's most dynamic and funny Indigenous performers, Mark Sheppard. Chasing the Lollyman is a joyous sharing of stories, a celebration of urban Indigenous identity and takes a satirical look at the media and popular culture. Playing a variety of characters, Mark pokes fun at everything from Neighbours (what would it be like if a Murri family moved into Ramsey Street?) to politics.
Escape From the Breakup Forest
Thursday 12 July - 7pm (FURTHER SHOWS TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Boy meets girl. Girl leaves boy. Boy meets puppet.
Josh has been with his first love for almost five years. On the eve of their anniversary Emma has decided that she wants to leave. She won't say why. She won't say whose fault it is. She just says goodbye.
All of a sudden Josh's world becomes a whole lot smaller. Dinnertime becomes eating cereal on the floor. Work becomes a daily challenge to not punch people in the face. And the hollow feeling in his chest that was Emma's parting gift just won't go away.
One morning, Josh awakes in the Breakup Forest - a magical, mysterious place where the terminally dumped are sent until they can piece together the past and move on. Fixed to his right arm is his hand puppet spirit guide, Curly. Together, the two must undertake an epic journey through the darkness of the forest to confront Josh's demons, insecurities and fears.
Will they uncover the reason Emma left? Can Josh get over it? And more importantly, can he get over himself?
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Life Etc. By David Burton
Thursday 13 September - 7pm (FURTHER SHOWS TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Karen and Tash are stranded in the Centrelink office late one evening. They're there because of Tash's stuff-up, meaning endless file corrections. But the two harbour bigger secrets.
Karen's life has lacked purpose since her grandmother's death. She was shoved into an unwanted career after a teenage sports injury kept her from pursuing her dream. She's angry at the world, life (and maybe God) for this smear on her potential bliss. So shen she's trapped with Tash, a floater and a dreamer, she finally hits rock bottom.
This, along with a couple of bottles of wine that Karen brought with her, triggers an increasingly philosophical discussion between the two as the evening wears on. Their conversation is interspersed by stories from various characters. These incredible stories take us through war, science, love, strength, life, etc.
Life etc.'s message is the comical celebration of uncertainty. Reminiscent of a young Sunday on the Rocks, the play takes two strong women and life's big questions to create a great night out.
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Landscapes by Velocity Dance
Thursday 27 September - 7pm (FURTHER SHOWS TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Within our town of Toowoomba there are many differing and developing cultural communities. We are no longer a simply "white middle class" demographic and our cultural landscape is changing as a direct result of this.
The influx of poeple from many different countries around the world, who are attracted to our lifestyle, climate and wealth or who simply are here through no choice of their own, have to make the most of their new environment. These beautidul dance pieces will reflect these changes and their effect on the cultural landscapes.
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The Virginity Monologues
Thursday 8 November - 7pm
Friday 9 November - 7pm
What’s your story? How did you lose IT?
A hilarious exploration of that moment when life changed and you were suddenly all grown up, The Virginity Monologues will be a new piece of theatre based on the stories told anonymously to the Empire Theatre's award-winning playwright, Claire Christian. Got a great story to tell? Tell us more on 4698 9900 or email monologues@empiretheatre.com.au. We promise – anonymity is assured!
TICKETS ON SALE SOON!
